Blog #14: N-Word Blog Two

“The best way to get rid of a problem is to hold it up to the bright light and look at all sides…” Andy Rooney of “60 Minutes” said this about Mr. Randall Kennedy’s book. I believe that after reading this book, I do agree with this statement. This certainly is a sensitive subject to many Americans, and is perhaps the largest of its type. While examining the issue brings up protests and debates, I believe it to be necessary in resolving this issue. As the quote goes, “Anything worth doing takes time and effort,” and along with that goes opening up a severely sensitive issue. I believe that this book does more than its fair share of doing just that. Countless stories of harassed employees, students, and teachers show that while it may be hard, the discussion of this topic is vital to the advancement of abolishing the evil nature behind the N-word.

In 1990, Stanford University passed a school rule that “prohibited harassment by personal vilification.” This was passed as a result of an increased number of incidents around the country dealing with whites using the N-word against blacks. While Stanford’s rule didn’t have the effect they had hoped for, due to odd wording of the rule, nevertheless it provided an example for others in the form of action against those who use the N-word violently. However, there are many debates about this topic, stemming from the violation of our freedom of speech to the classification of the N-word as a “fighting word.” Also included in the debates is perhaps the most debated question: who is allowed to use the N-word, and under what circumstances? This also asks that if blacks can use it with other blacks, how is that all that different from whites using it, in terms of social acceptance. If whites see that blacks are “ok” with using the word within their own social groups, then it gives a false reading to the whites as to what is really acceptable. In the television episode of “Boston Public” that we viewed, they addressed this debate. The white teacher wanted to explore this book and adjoining discussions with his class, but the administration told him he could not. The administrator was black, and the teacher was white, and due to racial tension issues, the white teacher was told to forget about this topic. The class was going to discuss who was able to use the word, after a confrontation between a white and black student erupted from the use of the N-word, used affectionately.

There is one thing certain in all of this confusion, and it is that the N-word sparks controversy and protest when used, no matter what the context. “The word is simply too important to ignore.”

The webpage abolishthenword.com contradicts this when it states that the use of the N-word should be limited to only historical references, and that it should be removed from everyday language. I believe that eliminating the word will not solve anything, as too many people already know and possess the knowledge to use it against others. Plus, the concept of controlling the removal of the word would be impossible.

The N-word certainly has power. It is the people who give it its power though. Just mentioning the word brings discussions and petitions from both blacks and whites, and that certainly is power. The N-word is unquestionably one of the most demeaning terms in the English language, and to most, it is taken in that context.

In closing, I believe that there is a benefit to examining the N-word, even though it brings debate whenever mentioned. Sadly, I do not believe that the intent of the word can be changed without the immense amount of work that would be educating people about the origins of the N-word and proper replacements for it. However, with the acceptance of this by my generation, I believe that slowly, over time, the violent side will diminish until the word becomes obsolete, both because people don’t care about the word itself, and because people don’t care what you are, but rather who you are. I believe that as time continues, this will happen, and that the N-word will no longer have the power that it does now.