Hey Bri, I wrote an entry about the word on my blog and I think its extremely disappointing that the two black women on the program are the proponents of its use and the white woman is incensed by its pervasiveness in our world. This is definitely representative of the different thoughts that people have on this word in our society. It kind of sucks. But the perspective of Whoopie and Star is one that is shared by many in the African American community. However I will say, it is not one that is shared in the African Diaspora. I remember going to a film festival and seeing a movie where a young man from a country in Africa (can't remember the name) professed to the interviewer that he didn't understand why black people in America use as much as they do and how they do. Bottom line is that its usage is permeated and perpetuated by ignorant social institutions in society such as pop culture, certain parts of rap music, holistically ignorant black communites, and neglectful and apathetic educators who fail to recognize the responsibility to teach the history, denotations, and connotations of the word.
I too do not think the N-word is acceptable, but I think that I've heard it so many times that I honestly cannot stop using the word.
With that said, I think it takes on a different meanign when its said by another race, sometimes my own color even. I guess it depends on whether or not it's been said with mailicious intent.
Hey Britt, I've had a lot of conversations about the "N" word with some friends, and even my husband. (For everyone reading this and do not know who I am, I am a 21 yr old white female). I've ran into more African Americans who feel like Star and Whoopie than not. But with the conversations I've had with us "white folk" it's been an equal amount of different perspectives of the word. Some feel that if black people use it then us white people should be able to use it. Some feel that it is your given title. I have family who was raised in SC who's grandfathers have gone all the way back to the slave-owning days (actually I was just told this by my father a week ago...I was shocked). I absolutely hate the word, you know that. I wish I could say so for the rest of us Caucasians, but I can't. I agree with what Elizabeth said on the show. They are good ideas and questions, but for her to keep questioning and prodding is a little naive. I wish I could wake up in a world where everyone was really equal to everyone else, but that is a very distant day. I wish I could go around and slap everyone to get their attention so that they will see this is a new day and age, but is it? I would love to think it is, but it won't be until everyone is on the same page.
ah yes. the infamous "n" word argument. who can say it and who can not and why. i wish i had a nickel for every time i witnessed/participated in one of these arguments. seriously, it would amount to a poor man's fortune.
simply put, this is not an argument that will reach a conclusion any time soon. there is wayyyyyyy too much dirt under this rug for us to achieve anything in an episode of "The View". i kinda like reba's plan, to slap sense into people, but realistically speaking, there will be very little changes until we are ALL on the same page. and that goes for if you are for or against it. including EVERYONE.
Hey Bri, I wrote an entry about the word on my blog and I think its extremely disappointing that the two black women on the program are the proponents of its use and the white woman is incensed by its pervasiveness in our world. This is definitely representative of the different thoughts that people have on this word in our society. It kind of sucks. But the perspective of Whoopie and Star is one that is shared by many in the African American community. However I will say, it is not one that is shared in the African Diaspora. I remember going to a film festival and seeing a movie where a young man from a country in Africa (can't remember the name) professed to the interviewer that he didn't understand why black people in America use as much as they do and how they do. Bottom line is that its usage is permeated and perpetuated by ignorant social institutions in society such as pop culture, certain parts of rap music, holistically ignorant black communites, and neglectful and apathetic educators who fail to recognize the responsibility to teach the history, denotations, and connotations of the word.
ReplyDeleteI too do not think the N-word is acceptable, but I think that I've heard it so many times that I honestly cannot stop using the word.
ReplyDeleteWith that said, I think it takes on a different meanign when its said by another race, sometimes my own color even. I guess it depends on whether or not it's been said with mailicious intent.
Hey Britt, I've had a lot of conversations about the "N" word with some friends, and even my husband. (For everyone reading this and do not know who I am, I am a 21 yr old white female). I've ran into more African Americans who feel like Star and Whoopie than not. But with the conversations I've had with us "white folk" it's been an equal amount of different perspectives of the word. Some feel that if black people use it then us white people should be able to use it. Some feel that it is your given title. I have family who was raised in SC who's grandfathers have gone all the way back to the slave-owning days (actually I was just told this by my father a week ago...I was shocked). I absolutely hate the word, you know that. I wish I could say so for the rest of us Caucasians, but I can't. I agree with what Elizabeth said on the show. They are good ideas and questions, but for her to keep questioning and prodding is a little naive. I wish I could wake up in a world where everyone was really equal to everyone else, but that is a very distant day. I wish I could go around and slap everyone to get their attention so that they will see this is a new day and age, but is it? I would love to think it is, but it won't be until everyone is on the same page.
ReplyDeleteah yes. the infamous "n" word argument. who can say it and who can not and why. i wish i had a nickel for every time i witnessed/participated in one of these arguments. seriously, it would amount to a poor man's fortune.
ReplyDeletesimply put, this is not an argument that will reach a conclusion any time soon. there is wayyyyyyy too much dirt under this rug for us to achieve anything in an episode of "The View". i kinda like reba's plan, to slap sense into people, but realistically speaking, there will be very little changes until we are ALL on the same page. and that goes for if you are for or against it. including EVERYONE.