This is off subject, but . . . Hodges mentioned after class that the NAACP had an official burial of the word "nigger." NAACP might be happy to know that I was not familiar with the word until college. Granted, I was home schooled, lived four miles out of town, AND my town was populated by white Americans, Latin Americans, and three African Americans, one who was mayor for two terms. I read "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" on my own in late middle school or early high school--checked it out from the public library and enjoyed it quite a bit. (I had tried to read "Tom Sawyer," but I never finished it.) As far as I could tell, and believe me I'm so embarrassed now, the n-word was how Jim pronounced "Negro," and that was how all the people of the Southern lower class said it. Oh, innocence! I am glad that I learned that the word was derogatory not in conversation, but in Advanced Comp. with Dr. Dyer when we read "Teaching the N-Word" by Emily Bernard in "Best American Essays 2006." The essay is a very good one on the subject . . . if you would like to read it, I have a copy.
I'm sorry Daniel and the NAACP, the word will not be buried, even to folks who hold respect and love for all neighbors . . . it still haunts people (of all colors) and has even been preserved by writers of good intentions, like Twain.
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There's been some interesting conversation about a similar word over in India with the appearance of "Slumdog Millionaire." Evidently, "slumdog" is the Indian equivalent of the "n-word," and so saying "Slumdog Millionaire" as the title of a movie creates an uncomfortable tension. I find it interesting how much power we give words.
Agreed...
Though, I feel that the burial was more for the black community.
Many blacks have taken the N-word and embraced it as a term of endearment almost. This is a topic that has been a great struggle for the black community. Some rap artists use the word in there songs and this translates to young blacks and they don't have a full understanding of the implications the word has.
The will always be around. In an odd way I find that it is important that the word stay in conversation. But, for blacks to use it as a term of endearment is probably not a good thing.
Lib, would it have been right for our family to use language like 'nigger'? There are racial slurs for Mexican which also have not found a place in the language of our home. Does this leave you at a disadvantage?
I have the American Essays collection and I remember reading that essay in class so I will have to revisit that book. Also, I just recieved a packet today in a communcaitons class that has a variety of speaches in it. One of the speeches, in general, was about cleaning up a specific area of town and getting rid of the "slumlords". I have to admit that I had not heard of the term before the growing population of the movie. It is interesting how specific words hold so much value(whether that be positive or negative)depending on the area in which it is spoken. Through meeting people in college and getting to know their heritage, culture and beliefs, it is interesting to hear what people believe to be okay or not okay to say based on where they come from. Some of these terms include: Indian giver, gyped, jewed, etc. Our world is full of slang terms that are created based on history. However, most were created as negative terms and have now become common language for many. How do we know what to say and who to say it to?
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