Are They Still Just Words?
From Dr. Laura to Mel Gibson to that guy from Seinfield and various shows shedding light on the verbal taboo, the N-word is at controversy once again. I checked out articles and opinion pieces from websites, such as Brown Sista and the Huffington Post. It's a well known fact that no matter how the word is spelled or used, its meaning will not change. In a like manner, the groups of people who are allowed and not allowed to use it will not change either.
As a Black woman navigating my way in the game of life, I was naturally hurt to hear this word from someone's mouth because you're not just hurting one person. At the same time, I'm no longer surprised; with the choice of free will, free speech, and the such. This actually motivated me to do some research on other uses of not only the n-word, but also the b-word and the infamous lexicon of Don Imus, 'nappy-headed hoes.'
In late July, Cobleskill mayor Mark Nadeau had his own racist rant pertaining his mocking of to President Obama's campaign. This story took over many news outlets, like YNN, Fox23, ABC, NBC, and News One. Miffed off much? Just a smidge. Now, there is talk of him trying to become mayor again. With a tad bit of sarcasm, I dare ask, surprised much? Nope!
I was 20 years old and a newbie transfer woman-child at New Paltz College when the Imus story hit. I had some angry words and rants myself. He was on a brief hiatus but eventually, he got his job back; that was a foreshadowing obvious. There so many talks, discussions and forums about what he said as well as the b-word and women and sistas everywhere were advised to keep on empowering each other, praying for each other and reminded that a smiling face could lighten the darkness of a defeated soul...what happened to that?
The b-word and the n-word have become terms of endearment to our fellow men and women. They have been reinvented into something positive, or sweeter, in efforts to ignore the negative, bitter meaning. The solution to stop using such speech is either said than done. It's gonna take time, discipline, and effort but it can be done.
These are more than just words. They have a powerful impact to break someone's self-esteem and inner beauty. If you're playin around with friends and you or someone else use the b-word or the n-word, do you pause and respond? Do you ignore it and keep it movin? Would you let someone outside of your circle, perhaps your oppressor call you that? Do you call yourself that? These little annoying questions do encourage your synapses to think just a little bit outside the box of societal norms (which change whenever they feel like it).
To men everywhere, you call a woman the b-word like it's her nickname, right? Do you want someone saying that to your wife/girlfriend? Daughter? Sister? Niece? Auntie? Grandmother? Do you say that to female members of your own family? Are these questions making you feel uncomfortable yet?
Here's a helpful tip (disclaimer: I AM NOT TELLING THOSE WHO ARE READING THIS WHAT TO DO; YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY GROWN FOLK, BUT I'M JUST SAYIN...)
-Write down a list of hurtful words that people have said to you.
-Write hurtful words that you've have said to others.
-What are the reasons that you use these words?
To the ladies as well, the same questions listed above (including the uncomfortable ones) apply to you as well. You don't have to like it, but it has to be addressed. Why? Here is another question; would you let your own child call you that?
As a Black woman navigating my way in the game of life, I was naturally hurt to hear this word from someone's mouth because you're not just hurting one person. At the same time, I'm no longer surprised; with the choice of free will, free speech, and the such. This actually motivated me to do some research on other uses of not only the n-word, but also the b-word and the infamous lexicon of Don Imus, 'nappy-headed hoes.'
In late July, Cobleskill mayor Mark Nadeau had his own racist rant pertaining his mocking of to President Obama's campaign. This story took over many news outlets, like YNN, Fox23, ABC, NBC, and News One. Miffed off much? Just a smidge. Now, there is talk of him trying to become mayor again. With a tad bit of sarcasm, I dare ask, surprised much? Nope!
I was 20 years old and a newbie transfer woman-child at New Paltz College when the Imus story hit. I had some angry words and rants myself. He was on a brief hiatus but eventually, he got his job back; that was a foreshadowing obvious. There so many talks, discussions and forums about what he said as well as the b-word and women and sistas everywhere were advised to keep on empowering each other, praying for each other and reminded that a smiling face could lighten the darkness of a defeated soul...what happened to that?
The b-word and the n-word have become terms of endearment to our fellow men and women. They have been reinvented into something positive, or sweeter, in efforts to ignore the negative, bitter meaning. The solution to stop using such speech is either said than done. It's gonna take time, discipline, and effort but it can be done.
These are more than just words. They have a powerful impact to break someone's self-esteem and inner beauty. If you're playin around with friends and you or someone else use the b-word or the n-word, do you pause and respond? Do you ignore it and keep it movin? Would you let someone outside of your circle, perhaps your oppressor call you that? Do you call yourself that? These little annoying questions do encourage your synapses to think just a little bit outside the box of societal norms (which change whenever they feel like it).
To men everywhere, you call a woman the b-word like it's her nickname, right? Do you want someone saying that to your wife/girlfriend? Daughter? Sister? Niece? Auntie? Grandmother? Do you say that to female members of your own family? Are these questions making you feel uncomfortable yet?
Here's a helpful tip (disclaimer: I AM NOT TELLING THOSE WHO ARE READING THIS WHAT TO DO; YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY GROWN FOLK, BUT I'M JUST SAYIN...)
-Write down a list of hurtful words that people have said to you.
-Write hurtful words that you've have said to others.
-What are the reasons that you use these words?
To the ladies as well, the same questions listed above (including the uncomfortable ones) apply to you as well. You don't have to like it, but it has to be addressed. Why? Here is another question; would you let your own child call you that?
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