Dr. Laura Schlessinger is under fire for her repeated use of the “N” word during a live radio broadcast last week. And although her actions and words are being widely panned as insensitive and down right rude, some of her words may surprisingly prove that she might actually have a point.
“You turn on HBO and listen to a black comic and all you hear is n—–, n—–, n—-,” Dr. Laura said during her radio show, adding “If anybody without enough melanin says it, it’s a horrible thing — but when black people say it, it’s affectionate.” Hmmm…
During the dark days of slavery in this country, the “N” word was frequently used as a demeaning term against blacks, who were thought of as less than human and therefore incapable of being legitimate citizens. The term caught fire and found itself deeply rooted in the civil rights era of the 1960’s. And it is still freely wielded today as a bonafide racial epithet by racists looking for the “ultimate dig.”
But some blacks, particularly within a younger generation, who have no real memory or connection to the racially charged 1960’s, look at the “N” word with a different set of glasses. Some believe that if they openly use the word for any and all to hear, it becomes powerless and allows them to take back ownership of exactly what a “Nig**r” is. Still, many other African-Americans, both young and old, have adopted what some consider an odd mentality of “I-can-use-the-word-but-you-can’t.” And it is this double-standard mentality that has confused many whites and was partially behind Dr. Laura’s comments.
“So a word can belong to one race, huh? Oh, now I get it,” Dr. Laura smugly said to the African-American female caller, who chastised the radio host for even forming her lips to utter the word. But in truth, NO… a word should NOT belong solely to one race. But somehow, African-Americans have bent that rule, which continues to cause all sorts of chaos and confusion such as with Dr. Laura.
The unwritten rule is this: Any BLACK person can call another black, white, latin, or other person a “N*gga” (with the “r” correctly dropped for slang purposes). Any BLACK person may also freely use the word “N*gga” on television, in music, while on public transportation or anywhere else they choose. But no WHITE person may call ANYBODY a “N*gga” or use the term “N*gga” as a term of endearment or for ANY reason whatsoever, ANYTIME or ANYWHERE. Should this be acceptable? Or is this the craziest and stupidest thing you’ve ever heard?
This past weekend, a panel took to the airwaves on CNN to discuss this very subject. Some panelists believed that the use of the “N” word by other blacks is harmless, since it is done within the “family”. They pointed out that gay men frequently refer to each other as a “F*g” endearingly, and that it’s all part of the old school concept of “I-can-talk-about-my-mama-but-nobody-else-can.” But others quickly pointed out that with the history of slavery and racism in America, paired with the thousands of deaths and murders associated with the word across centuries, any casual use of the “N” word is like joking about 9/11 — you just don’t go there. They also pointed out that Jews, for example, would never take a term or memory from the holocaust and try to flip it into something endearing or light-hearted.
So, should the “N” word remain the sole property of African-Americans to use at will? Or should everybody get rid of using the term out of respect for its history and those who died because of it?
AND BURY THE “N” WORD?
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Wow that was deep. Video and all. It was a bit disturbing to watch. But it makes me remember how much I HATE the word N***a. Let me say again I HATE the word N***a! There is no double standard or nothing like that. it should be banned PERIOD. Just like you said DJ we don't joke about 9-11 so we shouldn't be taking lightly the N word. Let it go people!!
Are we doomed for repeated history? Are we considering burying the K word? And all words defensive to everyone?
Growing up I realized there were BAD words assigned to every ethnic group. I also knew there would be a fight on your hands if you called that ethnic group the name assigned them. I've seen practically EVERY ethnic group call THEMSELVES THEIR bad name in arguments and in endearment, but I wouldn't dare use THEIR word on them. It's like I can call my dad an S.O.B. but you can't. Is it REALLY that hard to understand?To be sure, even though it may not be ideal for you and I in our space and circle of friends, the hard reality is ethnic groups, be them Black, Polish, Irish, Jewish, Italian, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Asian, etc., all say things within their race or culture to each other that, coming out of the mouths of a different races or cultures, is COMPLETELY out of bounds. I've heard each of these groups say things within there group that I found appalling, but they use some of those words as "terms of endearment" even if we don't like it. It's just true.The reality is, I'm not saying it's OK, but it is permissible for someone within that group to use such language with each other.Part of the problem is rappers started using the word to speak of their lives and report on the evils in their neighborhood, and the message changed as some record labels started to embrace it gratuitistly, and the masses had access to a word that was considered taboo. I don't blame the rappers as much as I blame the record labels who pushed this particular brand of rap at the expense of ALL OF US who hear the wretched word used so commonly. Shameful!The real problem is a word was manufactured to demoralize and oppress Black folks and in short the word was taken out of the hands of the oppressors, and they are mad they cant use it anymore and we can (not that we should). In short the racists are mad that they cant use it publicly anymore and want to point to rap lyrics and comedians to bolster their point and sight a double standard. All the while ignoring the double standard of life and death that the word was born out of. Indeed, most white people who are not racist have no desire to use the word.
@Gavin:If fellow blacks only kept the term among themselves that would be one thing and your argument would be sensible. But they spew the word in music, on television, in public like it's nothing – then get angry when a non black uses it. You can't have it both ways. It's an ugly word and everybody should stop its use.