This is my response for question number four in the writing workshop:
4.) When the author states that when African Americans use the “N-word” among themselves it is a “damaging step backwards,” the author means that since society has battled with this “racially explosive” word for so long, it is insulting, and a step in the wrong direction for African Americans to throw around the word amongst themselves. I somewhat disagree with this statement, because I think that accepting the word is a way for African Americans to overcome the abuse they experienced with this very word many years ago. I view it basically as a way to fight against the hateful people who still use the word to demoralize African Americans.
I feel that this idea relates to the podcast we discussed last week, where we talked about how humor was a good way to help deal with things. I think by using the "N-word" in a humorous environment is a good way to take the harshness off the word, and maybe even stop people from using it in a demoralizing manor against African Americans.
Comments (2)
But aren't we, by continuing to use the n word, only making it easier for people to be racist and use the negative connotation of it? i don't think making light of a word that was used to humiliate African Americans for hundreds of years is the right answer to combat it. And is that the only word that you find offensive?
Posted by Dylan Fulater | October 24, 2007 4:07 PM
Posted on October 24, 2007 16:07
I am also going to have to agree with Dylan on this point. I think that by using the N-word, along with many other derogatory terms in a humorous way, that it almost makes it acceptable for people to use in everyday conversation. Humor is used as a way to lighten a situation, so wouldn't it be contradicting in that there is so much negativity behind it and offensive to a group of people?
Posted by Emily Bowe | October 25, 2007 9:32 AM
Posted on October 25, 2007 09:32