the end of the N-word?
Jesse Jackson Hopes to Eradicate the N-Word
November 28, 2006
The leader plans to meet with representatives from all fields of the entertainment industry to ban the term.
Spurred on by the recent unpleasantness created by Michael Richards going all crazy-racist at a comedy club, then taking every opportunity to apologize, Jesse Jackson is now calling for entertainers of all races to stop using the N-word altogether. Jackson announced this initiative Monday at a press conference in Los Angeles along with several other black leaders including U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) and, interestingly, comedian Paul Mooney, a regular guest on The Chappelle Show, and until recently a vigorous user of the N-word in his routines. Jackson said he would be meeting with networks, film companies and musicians to discuss this effort.
While the fracas began over Richards’ anger-fueled racist rant in a comedy club, Jackson thinks all use of the word should cease. “We want to give our ancestors a present,” he said. Of course, the sector in which this term crops up most is undoubtedly music, predominantly hip-hop, and that will also be Jackson’s hardest sell. The use of the N-word has not gone unconsidered in the hip-hop world, as such politically and socially conscious musicians as Public Enemy, Kanye West, Common, Mos Def, and A Tribe Called Quest have all used, explained, and defended use of the term.
Jackson also recommended that the public refrain from buying the 7th season Seinfeld DVD boxed set, which was released last week. Apparently Richards hasn’t done his penance yet.
http://Spin.com
Well, perhaps Michael Richards, who seemed to eager to revive his post Seinfeld career might have accomplished some good afterall. Is this what it takes for us to realize that the N-word just isn’t flattering or that it’s a term of endearment best left for the scrap heap?
I’ve heard the arguments countless times from people that people have been able to turn into something that was once negative into something positive, even empowering. I could never buy that argument; are we so bereft of imagination that we can’t come up with another friendly greeting that is empowering? People have died and sacrified their freedom so that we wouldn’t have endure that awful stinging word and we go slinging it around to a beat. I always feared that someone outside of the black community would take it too far after having witnessed black people use it so casually with each other (though it’s hard to say what the hell was going on in Michael Richard’s head at the time).
Well, I truly hope that this is the step in the right direction and that this word will someday be flushed down the toilet.
my heart as well, J.
I saw the michael richard’s video and all I can say is “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks”
I saw a man scream from his soul. I will never look at him the same again.
and the apology. he was deeply, deeply, sorry he let anyone see that side of him spewing like a maniac. contrite indeed, he lost control and told everyone how he REALLY feels.
the n word-
I have no use for it.
BOOK CRITICAL OF AFRICAN AMERICANS WHO USE THE N-WORD
Los Angeles, CA., – Author H. Lewis Smith has written a thought provoking, culturally divided book that will not only spark heated conversation, but can also bring about real change. The N-word is often used in the African American community amongst each other and is generally not a problem when spoken by another African American. However, once the word is used by a Caucasian person, it brings on other effects. The question is “who can use the word and why?” Smith believes it is a word that should be BURIED!!!!
The book is written in a manner that all can understand. The points are well-taken and the wording is easy to follow. There are quotes from great people in our history including Martin Luther King, Jr., Harriet Tubman, James Baldwin and many, many others. Smith has mixed history with honesty, love with life, education with effects. This is a great book for educators, parents, managers, professionals, newsmen, and anyone else wanting an in-depth look at the N-word, the effects and the solutions. A MUST READ!!!!
To learn more about Bury that Sucka, please visit http://www.burythatsucka.com
Yes J..it’s time we all stand up and eradicate this now. It’s also time that we listen to our souls and if negativity and hatred exists down there..pull it out and confront it.
Yes it was funny that we should both blog about this today. (Or yesterday).
[...] BlackStar 27: the end of the N-word? [...]
yeah, laurie, my thoughts on michael richards:
i think he felt humiliated at being heckled on stage and wanted to bring the hecklers down to his level. and what would be the very worst thing that he could do or say to bring these guys down to his level? call them the very worst thing in the book and in this cake that would be the N-word. whether or not he really thinks this of black people is debatable and we will probably never know. somehow i’m inclined to think that he goes around thinking this about black people so in THAT sense, he’s not a racist.
however, what makes his actions racist is that he KNEW that something like this would infuriate a black man and that it’s the worst thing you can call someone. it’s like calling another person an asshole or a bitch in the heat of an argument because you just want to make them really feel bad but you don’t necessarily think that person is what you actually called them. i watched the video for the first time last night and it reminded me of a personal experience i had when someone called me the n-word when he thought i was heckling him too much (this was when i was in middle school). i could see the flush of embarassment, anger and humiliartion crossing his face and suddenly the word came tumbling out of his mouth. he wanted to take me down to his level and calling me the n-word was the best thing that he could come up with. he ended up catching hell for it from his mother (who was guatamalean and outraged that her son would say such things) and the school administration.
on the other hand, then you look at part of the definition of racism, which includes the that the person committing the racist act has some sort of power over the other person. in this case, Richard’s “power” is that he could try and hide behind his comedy routine, by insisting it’s all in jest and that it’s cool now since black comedians and the entertainment industry throw it around, right?
the word needs to die. plain and simple.
There is no “n” word in my vocabulary. I hate it as much as the “c” word.
Nuff said
it’s sad because people around me use it like crazy. They even call my little God-Son (9 months old) and little cousin (2 years old) that!!! I wish we could just get rid of it all together.