Comments on: The N-Word

By: Susan Bryant

Susan Bryant — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:24:51 +0000

I will definitely have to read this book. I recently watched an exerpt from, “The View” where I saw intelligent women of color arguing the the use of the N word as an endearment amongst people of color. I was outraged and decided after seeing a show on the History Channel about the Civil War and the aftermath I was compelled to do some research of my own. I am an artist. The thought occurred to me to write a book about it and illustrate it so get the message accross.

I am White and married an African American and my children (3) are from that union. I am appauled that they should ever use that word. I have tried to explain to many youths what they are undoing all the good that past generations have done to promote civil rights! I marched in demostrations myself back in my college days… it’s an insult to me and to all intelligent people (And so my assumption that the women on, “The View” are intelligent women must be erroneous.).

We have Black History Month in this country and why aren’t we teaching our youth how ignorant they are being by flaunting the N word?

I could go on and on, but since so many books have already been written, without impact; I am thinking that a pictoral book on the subject or an art exhibit of paintings depicting the atrocities associated with the N word may serve society better.

By: Bill Brown

Bill Brown — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 09:48:47 +0000

Very interesting post. In general I am not an admirer of the”politically correct” campaigners as they have gone too far and will continue to enforce policies that are totally redicoulous, however the n word is definatly something derogatory and should be strongly fround on.

By: jd2718

jd2718 — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 18:56:51 +0000

I’ve never used it in writing, until a few minutes from now, never used it in speech, at least not as an adult (which has been a long time). But once I was talking to an old, retired union organizer, and he said even the use of such a strong epithet can be relative. Here’s the story he told:

He was a factory worker in a big midwest factory. I don’t know if it was the 30′s, 40′s or 50′s, but we’ll say “back in the day.”

The factory had Blacks and whites in it, but they did different jobs, socialized separately, lived in different neighborhoods and suburbs.

One day there was a strike. There was a Black picket line on one side, white on the other. And the factory owner was bringing scabs in, only through the Black line. There were fewer Blacks, and the bosses hired thugs to assault the line.

So the old man telling me the story, he was a young man back then. At a strike meeting he puts to words what they are seeing. As long as the picket lines are segregated, the bosses will break the Black line, bring scabs in, and all the workers would lose.

And they integrated their picket lines, not out of love, but to win their strike. And they won the strike. But they also began to socialize, Blacks and whites, at least a bit.

So a few months later the story teller tries talking to some of his fellow white workers; wants to go somewhere with them after work. “No” they tell him “we’re going bowling with some of our N_____-buddies.”

The story doesn’t change what the word is, what effect it has. I still never use it. But it is a reminder that speech involves a speaker and a listener and both historical and social context.

You have interesting post-topics. Nice site.

By: Fenris Badwulf

Fenris Badwulf — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 00:45:11 +0000

I enjoyed this. Thank you.

By: transgressingengineer

transgressingengineer — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 00:38:43 +0000

ABW said…
“I keep saying this and I’ll say it again: Language has power. Its power is not always direct, not always immediate, but it is there. So let’s use language in an intelligent way. Let’s take this word, born from hate and ignorance, and put it where it belongs: in a museum with other relics. Not in a forgotten corner, but in the main exhibition hall. We can write about it, talk about it, learn about it. But let’s not use it. Not at each other, not for each other, not in camaraderie or in anger.”

I could not have said it better.

I just picked this book up when I was on vacation in Chicago over Easter weekend and am looking forward to reading it- especially after your post.

By: nezua limón xolagrafik-jonez

nezua limón xolagrafik-jonez — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 21:19:33 +0000

great post.

i never use the word. and i agree that the context needs to be understood by those who do. but i am against making any word illegal. that is insane to my way of thinking. a bandaid.

By: Manchild

Manchild — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 15:34:51 +0000

It’s about time. Old habits still die hard but Change is inevitable.

Thank you for your insightful,informative commentary.