Let’s talk about the letter N
Posted by angela on 07/18/08 in Domestic Ramblings, Youtube Videos
Unfortunately this isn’t a discussion you’ll find on Sesame Street where children are learning about the words that start with the letter N.
I do believe the Whoopi contradicts herself in this clip. How are we supposed to get to a point where we are all living in the same world if only certain people can use the N word?
Hasselbeck made an excellent point about how we are to raise our children. Are we supposed to say to them that the N word is a bad word that only Black people can use? If a word is bad then shouldn’t we all stop using that word?
I got Laura Ingraham’s e-blast newsletter today and this is what they had to say about Jesse Jackson being in the news lately for using the N word:
HYPOCRISY, THY NAME IS JACKSON: Remember that “secret footage” at the end of Jesse Jackson’s on-mic rant against Obama that was withheld by Fox News? Well, the cat’s out of the bag … sort of. A transcript has been leaked, the contents of which Bill O’Reilly confirmed yesterday on Shepard Smith’s Fox News show. Turns out that Jesse Jackson used the “n-bomb” to describe fellow blacks–this from the guy who launched a campaign to criminalize the use of the “n”-word!
Do you hear that? No? The silence from the mainstream media is deafening. Just imagine the outrage, the wall-to-wall media coverage, the calls for distancing and official rebukes were Clarence Thomas, Michael Steele, or any other black conservative to have been caught calling blacks the “n”-word. Jesse Jackson can thank his lucky stars the MSM protects its own.
I also heard on the news that Al Sharpton criticized Jesse Jackson for using that word at all.
Tell me people, why is it ok for some people to use the N word and others can not use the N word?
The gal on The View said that she grew up with the N word being used in her family and that sometimes it was used as a term of endearment. But when Barbara Walters asked her if it would then be ok for her to use that N word herself the gal flipped on her and said that she didn’t want to hear it come out of her mouth.
Why the double standard?
I wish thoughts of the letter N could take us all back to Sesame Street. Unfortunately every time I think of the letter N it reminds me of the horrible word that this letter is connected to.
What are your thoughts?
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Becki | Jul 18, 2008 | Reply
Double standards and hypocrisy - because of those race will always divide us as a country.
pam | Jul 18, 2008 | Reply
After I saw this yesterday I looked for that recent poll… but couldn’t find it; maybe you remember it… basically it said that only 20+% of whites perceived a problem with race in America but 70+% of blacks DID.
I hear the N word said almost every day; my neighborhood is 50-50 black/everything else. The kids that walk past my hedge use it as an endearment. Other than that we all live here together and I never think about it until I hear that word.
If I were Hasselbeck I’d have left that show a long time ago. I don’t know how she takes the constant barrage…!
Abbadon | Jul 18, 2008 | Reply
I’m tired of hearing the word “nigger” referred to as “The N Word” in discussion referring to people who have used the word.
It’s one thing to use it as a racial epithet, quite another to report on its use as an epithet. The word itself is not bad, the context in which it is used CAN BE. And as far as the double standard goes, if blacks choose to denigrate their race by calling each other niggers, so be it. personally, I choose not to refer to myself as a kike.
By the way, if my use of the word in full is not welcome here, i apologize in advance and welcome you to alter it to say n***** or some such thing.
Domestic Divapalooza | Jul 18, 2008 | Reply
I’m not offended by you using the words spelled out at all. You are spelling them out as part of your explanation and response to the post. I don’t mind at all. Oh and I’m not White Trash either..
Becki | Jul 18, 2008 | Reply
You know, I was actually thinking about this tonight - like why do we say the “N” word but if we were talking about something else we would actually say “spick” or “chink” or whatever else there is - “white trash” as you mentioned, Angela. Why is it that those aren’t the “S” word for twh “CH” word or “WT”? Ya know what I mean??
And ya know, Pam mentioned that survey and I just am baffled by the results there - how could anyone with a brain not acknowledge that there is a race problem in this country?
angela | Jul 18, 2008 | Reply
I think Whoopi totally contradicted herself on the show. We do all live in the same world. It’s called EARTH. We are all people no matter the color of our skin. We are all of the HUMAN RACE, are we not?
I do believe Dr. Martin Luther King would be SHOCKED at how some African Americans behave. I’m sure Bill Cosby would have an opinion about The View’s episode.
I am tired of PEOPLE expecting a handout no matter what color they are. If you want something work out for it and go after it!! NOTHING is impossible.. NOTHING.
I’m tired of PEOPLE feeling as if their life circumstances that they have been dealt is because of the color of their skin OR because they feel that God is somehow punishing them.
That’s the lie that satan wants us to be a slave to. God is not punishing us and you didn’t get that promotion because of the color of your skin. Be good, do good, do your best, love people, love God, love your community, be nice, etc and it will all work itself out.
I do understand why everybody is fascinated by Obama. He does represent the type of change that people dream about but just because he’s different and we are dreaming about change doesn’t mean that he’s the one to accomplish that.. ya know?
I feel sorry for Jesse Jackson. It’s really sad what this all comes down to because so many people live with that mentality that it’s ok to say that word. I don’t think it’s ok.
Man.. I need to go to bed. I love all of my friends. I love all my white friends. I love all my black friends. (By the way.. I’ve never heard any of my black friends ever use the “N” word at least not around me.. maybe it’s because they knew I knew how serious a word it is..)
angela | Jul 18, 2008 | Reply
PS Joy Behar just sat there like a bump on the log.. what a putz!!
ptg | Jul 19, 2008 | Reply
I say we should take the power out of the word. Make it just another word.
Its still OK to tell the kids some words aren’t said by polite folks. Even those are only words; they shouldn’t be allowed to hurt us or make us so angry we lose our senses.
Bigotry and hatred are wrong even if they are silent.
Lin Burress | Jul 19, 2008 | Reply
When I saw the title of this post in my reader, my heart skipped a beat wondering what you might have to say about people using the N word. Whew, I can relax now.
I despise racism, and I detest the use of the N word regardless of who uses it. I’ve heard numerous times, on television and radio, that the supposed consensus is that only black people are allowed to use the N word, otherwise anyone else using it even in jest would be highly criticized.
I also hate double standards. The common use for the word is derogatory and demeaning to blacks, and I’m highly offended any time the N word is used in my presence.
Not only am I offended, but I speak up loud and clear to anyone who uses it because I hate bullies and in my opinion using the N word at all is akin to bullying. Used as a joke amongst fellow blacks? Sorry, I don’t see the humor.
angela | Jul 20, 2008 | Reply
There is such a double standard in a community that insists today that racism is alive and well.
I wish that Black people would stop using that word. I wish that ALL people would stop using that word too.
We live in a society where people want to blame others for the situation OR the circumstances they have led themselves to because nobody wants to take responsibility for the choices that they make.
We have to stop blaming other people and just do what is right. People need to work twice as hard no matter what color you are because merit is what counts and not how many hand out you can get.
The content of your heart, character of your soul, and merit of your being is how people should see you.
Tracy Keeney | Jul 21, 2008 | Reply
This is just one tiny part of the HUGE dichotomy that separates the “black” culture and the rest of the world.
Elizabeth’s point is EXACTLY right on.
We ARE in the same world. Whoopie’s INSISTANCE that we’re in two different worlds is the problem. She brought up her mother’s world- not being able to vote and such. That’s the world we DON’T want and its a world we got rid of– or at least have tried very heard to get rid. But that “world” still exists for the “whoopies” who PERPETUATE it.
People like Elizabeth are trying to rid the world of that separation. But then you get Whoopie (and whoever the other black person was– was that Starr?) saying “black people can use the word and you can’t”. THAT separates the worlds. They SAY they don’t want the separation, then they CREATE a separation. “You are different than us. We can say it, you can’t”
Yes, Whoopie- “that’s the world we live in. That’s the way it is.” Because you MAKE it that way.
Just yesterday in CHURCH I had to deal with this.
I teach the teenage Sunday School class.
A very diverse one, at that.
There’s my own son, of Armenian and French descent on my side, and German and Polish decent on his fathers’–3rd generation American. There’s the half white/half black 14 year old boy who’s living with us– a hispanic girl, a Samoan boy, a black boy and a girl as white as they come.
You want to talk about “diversity”???
They’re all American. The ones with the “oldest” American heritage are the white girl, the black boy, and the half white/half black boy. My son is only 3rd generation American. The hispanic girl is 1st generation American, and the Samoan boy is 2nd generation.
The ONLY kid in the whole group who EVER brings up race or makes racial comments is the black one. No one else cares or even pays any attention to race- they never make distinguishing racial comments. But the black kid brings it up almost every Sunday (when he’s there– he hardly ever comes)
So yesterday, instead of calling the hispanic girl by her name, he kept calling her “Taco”. The first time I said “that’s enough of that”. The second time I called him by name and said “____, no more racial comments.”
He said, “I’m just joking. She knows I’m joking.”
I said, “You might mean it as a joke, but it’s derogatory either way. Can I call you the “n” word, if I say I’m just joking?”
He goes “That’s different”– I said, “No, it’s not. So no more racial comments.”
Then later is when he started turning to her and saying “Yo queiro Taco Bell? Como estas?”
Now here’s the thing– this girl doesn’t even speak Spanish. Her parents were legal immigrants who learned English and English is spoken in her home and he’s assuming that because she’s hispanic, she speaks Spanish.
So I had to get on him again–
“___ , I thought I said enough?”
He goes “What? I’m just speaking spanish to her. I didn’t call her anything.”
I said “What makes you think she speaks Spanish? Because she LOOKS it?”
He goes, “She IS Spanish!”
I said “Yes, and you’re black. Should I start speaking Africaans to you? Or maybe Ebonix? Maybe I’ll just teach the lesson to the rest of the class in English and throw you a bunch of gang signs– start dropping all my ending consonants. I’ll say hi to all the other kids and say “Yo– wassup wit choo?” to you. I’ll call Katy, Katy. I’ll call James, James. But I’ll single you out, the way you single her out by calling her “taco”– mabye I’ll call you “chocolate”, or “watermelon” or “cottonpicker” or “Coal-face”– would you like that?
He just sat there. I said, even if I don’t call you the “n” word, how is calling you “coal-face” or “watermelon” any different than you calling her “Taco”? Would calling you “chitlin” or “watermelon” hurt any less than calling you the “n” word?
I could see it finally sunk in.
ptg | Jul 21, 2008 | Reply
Excellent comment, Tracy. Politeness and thoughtful consideration of the sensibilities of others is what makes us civilized.
Lin Burress | Jul 21, 2008 | Reply
Tracy, good for you that you stood up against the racist remarks this boy was using. Too many times I’ve seen and overheard racist remarks being used between “friends” and when I do as you did and speak up, they of course say they’re “just joking”. It isn’t funny, from either side. I’ve dropped friendships because of continuous racial slurs for one ethnic group after another. I just don’t tolerate it and I won’t associate with people who do it.
Tracy Keeney | Jul 21, 2008 | Reply
“I’m tired of hearing the word “nigger” referred to as “The N Word”…It’s one thing to use it as a racial epithet, quite another to report on its use as an epithet. The word itself is not bad, the context in which it is used CAN BE. “
Understood Abbadon– I think the problem is that to many people the “n” word is no different than a cuss word or any other foul language word. Example–If I want to tell you about an experience where someone was cussing me out and told me to “F-off”, I’m going to say “they used the “f” word”– I’m not going to SAY the word or spell it out, because I personally don’t cuss or use foul language. So if I want to tell you about it, I’m just going to say “he used the f-word”. I wouldn’t say the word or spell it out, even though I’m just telling you that someone said it to me and am not actually “cussing” myself. I would be uncomfortable doing so. Do you see what I mean?
Additionally– in truth, NO word is actually bad, in and of itself, right? It’s use is always the main issue. Even the “f-word” is just a four letter word that someone made up somewhere. But, because of it’s use, it’s a word that society has deemed as “foul language”. Even THAT word isn’t ALWAYS used in a nasty way. I’ve heard people use it as a word of emphasis.
“Wow– she’s looks “F”-ing great in that dress!!” They don’t mean the “f” word in a derogatory or nasty way. In fact, in such a use, the speaker is trying to emphasize something positive. But to me, I don’t care HOW it’s used–it’s STILL a curse word, and it’s still sounds “foul” to me.
So I won’t use in that way, or ANY way. To me, the word itself is foul- because of it’s associations. The same way the “n” word is foul to me- no matter how it’s used.
Patrick | Jul 21, 2008 | Reply
The N word should never be used again. I wish that was so. If some black people say that it’s okay if they use it, they are not thinking correctly. It’s never okay. The solution to this problem is a difficult one.
However, I do think that racism is still a problem in our country, even if it isn’t as visible. I think that black people (as well as other immigrant people) are still at a major disadvantage when it comes to some facets of life. Not all, but a few. The problem is not the majority of people, which are perfectly accepting to people of all race.
The problem is history. While a vast majority of people aren’t racist and do not discriminate, the problem lies in history. Until recently, black people were treated horribly and were not given the same treatment and opportunities that white people were given. I think everyone can agree with that. Those people who were discriminated against are now the grandparents and parents of today. They were not able to provide as stable a base (to provide education and better opportunities) as the majority of white people. Thus, many black people today still retain their stance of poverty. This is not the problem of white people today (in the vast majority of cases). Also, it’s extremely possible for black people to break this historical system. But they do in many cases have their chances stacked up against them. The problem is not people today, but people in history.
This story can be applied to poor people of all race. Black people were subjected to poverty for a large part of their American history, though.
While nothing is impossible, people can still be at a disadvantage. Strong people can overcome it, and people now need to be strong. People of all races. For some people, that may be too much to ask (according to them). I have a hard time putting myself in their place.
But I do think racism will continue to be a problem in our nation. It’s a sad, sad thing. But the N-word is not acceptable for anyone to say.
angela | Jul 23, 2008 | Reply
Thanks Tracy for sharing how you deal with racism head on! Kudos to you! I think how you handle it is fantastic.
Patrick, the solution to this problem is not a difficult one. You just do not use the “N” word. It’s a fairly simple solution. When somebody uses that word around you then you make it crystal clear that it’s not acceptable. It doesn’t matter who they are, what they are talking about, how they are using it, OR what color they are.. you call them on it and you make it crystal clear that it’s not acceptable and especially not in your presence.
Racism will definitely continue to be an issue because we continue to put labels on people. Work hard, do good, be good, and leave your race out of it.
angela | Jul 23, 2008 | Reply
Check out Michelle Malkin’s post titled: Rapper who wears “Nigger” t-shirt criticizes Fox for “racism”
As long as these double standards continue to brew racism is going nowhere!!
Linda | Aug 25, 2008 | Reply
Sorry, but these blacks will just NOT let go of all this BS. Blacks use the race card when they are just as predjucied as whites and more so ion some cases. You are mere,y censoring white people and NOT blacks. This is called reverse discrimination and it is wrong. When Woopie talked about her mother not being able to vote, that was then and this is NOW. Some people need to stop living in the past to suit their needs and live in today. Why don’t we call cracker the C word, if you know the real meaning of it,or honky the H word? If the white middle class in this country didn’t have to pay for so many minorieties, maybe they would feel differently about the N word. Come on now we have equal rights, let’s all do our parts. If you go to certain websites in your own states and look at the convicted drug dealers, the majoriety are black, what is this? Why is almost all the pit bull attacks from dogs owed by blacks? Why are there so many more blacks in prisons that white? Oh I guess the judicial system must be flawed
ptg | Aug 25, 2008 | Reply
Oooh! You are just so not PC, Linda. Your reliance on facts instead of wishes is going to get you in trouble!