I've long been an advocate to using words in order to rob them of their power - though, admittedly, as a white woman, I stuck to words that could be used in reference to me, like the dreaded c-word (which, as you can read in this long-ago post, shocked and cracked my sister up) but never the n-word - not my word, therefore not in my power to soften its ugliness. Still, I believed that even the n-word could eventually lose its power, over lots of time.
But poet Etan Thomas makes the argument that we shouldn't try to take its power - we should remember why that word originated and seal it in the ugly annals of history, along with swastikas and Confederate flags. Read his blog post here.
p.s. I'm still going to use the c-word.
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As a white woman I have neither the need nor the inclination to use either word (c or n) and find it's not the usage of the word that depletes it's power, but rather the reaction to it. As a teacher, reaction can be the make or break of your classroom discipline. My students know exactly what pushes my buttons, and they successfully will disrupt the class based upon my reaction to their behavior. I do find it hypocritical that a section of black folks will use the n word like it's the only word available, but will verbally, physically or politically attack non-black folks who dare to breath it. It has been made attractive by the media - by what is self-proclaimed cultural media - yet the rest of the world must not dare. That's like me, as an Irish-American woman eating potatoes and cabbage everyday and becoming enraged when others might wish to join me for my meal after seeing the enjoyment I get from it. Can not others find the same pleasure in the experience, regardless of their heritage? Am I to be insulted by their partaking of the meal I have obviously and repeatedly enjoyed?
After reading through a few posts on this subject area and the varied intellectual and emotional expressions, I have one last thought which I hope no one takes personal offense at but rather an answer can be uncovered. Find one culture that did not utilize forced slave labor at one point or another in it's history, please. In my admitted limited recall of World History, all cultures at one point or another have been subserviant to another - yes?
Zel, you make a great and very valid point about power being in reactions - after all, we can only control ourselves... however, I can understand the in-group acceptance of things like this while holding an out-group taboo. I'm Jewish and my sister and I have our fun with Jew jokes - but whether a non-Jew can get away with the same jokes totally depends on context - our husbands can because we know they're joking, but Mel Gibson can't because he intends the full dose of venom.
It's a double standard but somewhat understandable given the context of history. And I don't think the prevalence of slavery softens the blow. Even though American slavery ended more than a century ago, the repercussions continue...
Whether black people can call themselves the n-word or not is up to them though I tend to see Richard Pryor as the guiding light on that one...
I agree that humor and intent play a large part in the effect a comment/word will have on us.
Please don't take this next comment to mean I wish to minimize the suffering at the hands of another in whatever form or fashion.
That being said, "But man is not made for defeat...A man can be destroyed but not defeated." - Ernest Hemingway
While BEING victimized may be out of our control in most if not all situations, BEING A victim is an internal reaction. I can destroy you physically, financially and even emotionally, but if you choose to accept my actions and remain where I put you, you have chosen to be a victim, to defeat yourself. If I keep pointing my finger at others, blaming them for the negativity and dissatisfaction I find in my life, I cannot focus or find clarity to benefit myself.
After 13 years of teaching, this the first year the words "I wish I had a black teacher" were uttered (at least in my earshot). After hearing and ignoring that repeatedly I simply asked him: would the black teacher allow you to behave this way? He was kind of stunned and said "no". My response was, then what would be the difference. None. He just felt that same skin color would have more sympathy for his foolishness. My goal is to unite us as people, not colors - I react and respond to your heart and intent rather than accept less incredibleness due to your hue.
I have to admit, I am deeply and devotedly predjudiced against a particular group of people and it comes from a long, and painful exposure to their beliefs, actions and sense of entitlement.
STUPID PEOPLE!
I don't care what color, religion, culture or sexual orientation you find yourself loyal to - when we are stupid (and we all have our moments) is when we do the most damage to ourselves, our loved ones and our society. Kindness, compassion, empathy rather than pity and a "get what you give" philosophy are what I base my actions upon. oh, and a wicked sense of humor...
Words are just words till you hear them, then they take on a life of their own.
I know black people that are open minded enough to let me call them nigga, not nigger, but it doesn't mean I'll never utter the word or refer to it as the N word.
I feel in refering to the word nigger as the N word, is like trying to shy away from the truth.
Slavery should not be forgotten.(what happens when you forget the past?)
Don't get it twisted, I wouldn't use the word nigger like a slave master would,(for instance, get over here and pick my cotton nigger, its high time you got up off ur ass.) but I'm not going to restrain myself from saying the word the way a black man would. We are equal right? Constitutionally speaking.(or atleast in my mind)
I'm no wigga, but I will call my homie my nigga, as he or she may call me.
I believe the moment you try to separate yourself from others shit like the N word becomes a problem. You create greater rifts between people when you don't have an open accord.
When someone who is not racist can't say something without making the other person want their reperations, You have no open accord.
Why should I have to hide from a word.
If we were all closer as a people and did not try to create so many imaginary barriers with words and actions, maybe everybody wouldn't be such big babies.
Anybody gonna see Gibson's new movie?
Or would any body like to play punch the catholic in the head, Just don't wear any brass knuckles.(what you tryin' to kill me?)
P.s.Thanksgiving is not wrong, but its damn near close. Those damn pilgrims they killed some of my ancestors. That goes hand in hand with not forgetting about the past.
As a kid in school I always hated the holidays, so many lies.
You should definitely not forget the past; however, be honest enough to remember and acknowledge all of it, not just that which supports your agenda.
Also, it's a matter of respect.
"When someone who is not racist can't say something without making the other person want their reperations, You have no open accord."
While I believe that with all the political correctness we have gotten way to sensitive and ridiculous in trying to find words that will not offend - there are some words that historically do just that. It is not censoring myself by respecting the feelings of another to not use a word they find truly offensive, regardless of how they use it in their own lives.
Retarded is a fair example - how many ways has society tried to "rename" this population of intellectually delayed individuals - retarded by definition is what they are. Because we have put a negative connotation on it doesn't make it any less true.
How many nice ways can you say "fat"??? It is what it is...
While I may tease my friend with one of those terms, I would be cruel and disrespectful to approach a human being with either or both of those as a descriptor and address them as such. And, regardless of what may be my intention and personality, by an onlooker my usage of those words would still be seen as some type of discrimination - like it or not.
You're right, we all need to keep talking - but if my agenda is altered by openess rather than conflict I may choose the route that gets me where I want to be...
Randall Kennedy wrote a great book on the subject of this word.
He thoroughly examined its history, usage and acceptance, or lack thereof, in a variety of situations. If you're interested in the power of a single word, I highly recommend his book.
Jonathan Jones
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