11-Year-Old Tries to Abolish the N-Word

(CBS)  Two days a week, 11-year-old Jonathan McCoy is at the gym with his mother.

But when this sixth grader is not working out, he is exercising another muscle of sorts, speaking truth to power.

"According to the definition of the n-word, an n-word will never be a lawyer, a doctor or a teacher," said McCoy.

CBS News Chief National correspondent Byron Pitts reports McCoy is on a mission to abolish the n-word.

"It is implausible that 40 years after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., that we still use this word that holds no worth in our lives and our future." McCoy said.

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In March, he gave a powerful speech about eliminating the n-word. More than 1,500 congregants at the Empowerment Temple in Baltimore, Md., heard his message.

McCoy's Speech on YouTube
Burying the N-Word
Dave Chappelle on the N-Word
End of the N-Word in Entertainment

"You gave your speech the adults were applauding," Pitts asked McCoy. "What did you think about that?"

McCoy replied, "I think that I am getting to them. I am getting people who are ready for a change."

McCoy is not a childhood preacher, nor is he an activist in the making. But last February, when he couldn't think of anything else to talk about for a speech competition - McCoy came up with the idea to write about the n-word. He won the competition.

Pitts asked, "why the n-word? Why write about that?"

McCoy said, "When it was used, we were beaten - we were put in slavery. And now people just don't even think about that they are like 'what's up n-word?'"

"And you think that's wrong?"

"Yes I think it's wrong."

The speech has gone viral. More than a million people have watched it on YouTube and more than 2600 people have signed his on-line petitionpromising never to use the n-word again.

Morehouse College in Atlanta was so impressed they invited this eleven year old to speak to their freshman class.

But he has met some resistance.

"I say 'don't use the n-word,'" said McCoy. "And some people just said, 'shut up.'"

"Discouraged when people say be quiet," Pitts asked.

"No, because that encourages me more to give a positive message."

Of all the attention he's getting now, McCoy said, "it's pretty cool but I don't let it get all to my head."

Gifted and talented, McCoy plans on taking his message all across the country until the n-word is gone.

[LC_Stone]

Here is the problem: We have decades of Civil Rights movement struggling for equality. People have died for such freedoms. It is a term used to opress a people while that opression was alive and well, and while there may not be ideal equality in the world, the reason for it's use is now dead. Now we have "black" people, "half black" people, thugish individuals, hip hop propegators, some dark skinned hispanic people, all who use the term freely amongst eachother. Even the "half white half black" people. But then the second a person of presumably "white" decent uses the word in the presence of someone who typically uses the word among his/her peers, that is immediately met with tension, stress, social akwardness, and even hate, sometimes violent. The fact that one color, or race, or ethnic group of individuals can use the word, but another color, race or ethnic group of people cannot is wrong. More pointedly, it's called "RACISM". I don't have a problem using ANY word. However, if it is not socially acceptable to use said word if you are one color, and the reason is soley based on the color of your skin, then this proves that this lovely word is only a catalyst for racism and that racism should be banned. Here I have a condition, and ultimatum: The day a white person can use the "N" word amongst a group of "colored" individuals with no fear, racial tension, hatred or prejudice, is the day that the word is acceptable to be used. Until then, no one is oermitted to use it knowledgably in my presence.

[fefeheart]

The first thing that have really stolen my attention from this comment forum is the subliminal usage of the "n" word which is "you people". The term "you people" clearly relates and depicts (targets) the people of color, PERIOD! It is amazing to know that a Society such as that one of the United States of America, still thinks and acts so PRIMITIVELY.

This little boy, "JONATHAN McCOY" needs help on his venture to abolish the "N" word. It's as simple as that. We as a civilized Nation of people need to do more than just sign a petition promising to never use the word again. Come on! What is that going help?!

We need to ban together and attack the core of this problem which is "COMMON SOCIAL RACISM". I still experience pure and plain RACISM each and every time I go and shop at stores such as MACY's and several others of that "denominational class".

Yes, I said it! This word is more powerful than people, (all of us) would dare to admit and some even fail to realize. It's sickening to Me and My 10 year old child; who gets shoved out the way, while she's attempting to correspond using Santa Mail in the store, by a "White Family" as if she has no right to be in such a place. Let alone, retrieve the same privileges.

Guess what? Our money spends the same way the "Whites" does and any other group residing in this country. We built it for GOD'S SAKE! I can't believe this story has died after only 86 comments. It's pitiful people, now stand up right now, and DO MORE ABOUT IT! This story has not left My mind since the day it aired and brought tears to My eyes because the the sheer reality of it.

Prejudice America:

Get used to seeing us, everywhere! Get used to giving us the respect we DESERVE!

Sincerely,
Felicia Hickson

[Hosheen]

He has a good idea and a good heart. But he if he believes he can make black people stop using it in everyday speech and no-talent rap "artists" leave it out of their "performances", he is going to be in a very long uphill battle. Ignorance is not the sole property of white bigots.

As I told a black friend that says the "n-word" incessantly, "When you use that word, you're giving permission for everyone else to use it, too."

His reply was. "It's just a word. It really has lost it's original meaning long ago." He may be right and we're making much ado about very little.

[joymotte]

I love this young man's ambition and drive. I'm glad he has a dream. He is a gifted speaker. I congradulate him.

[barbaram99]

My late aunt taught me this as I asked her what race am I...Her answer We are human beings and there is one race that being human. As humans we are all shades of colour from white to black. I have meet a black man whose skin whiter than me.
When I first heard the n word said I was appalled and had no idea what it meant..I trully did not..I knew it was a rude word. My birth Mum said darkie and I never heard it said. So I knew what her meant.. i was floored. Mother heard it as a child I guess. Words have power.
It is a child making a difference and asking everyone to not use it. We can say the negro. Dr King was for all persons. The founding faters wrote and talked in english so that is this nation's touge.

[Virgil-1]

James gave a warning of the evil poison of the tongue. He described some who try to use their tongue as praise and blessing to God, then turn around to use their tongue to speak evil of one another. ?With it we bless our God and Father, and with it rue curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so? (James 3:9-10). We cannot use our tongue to curse and bad-mouth our brethren, then continue ?business as usual? with our relationship with God. The Bible says that such tongue behavior is characteristic of hypocrites. ?The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor... ?(Prov. 11:9).

[brianbwb-2009]

Ignoring truth also is generally accepted as being against the commandments given Moses by his "god". The word was coined to further the cause of pre-judgment against people, and their subjugation, another folly advised against.

If there ever was a God, (which I do not believe) then He/She/It left this place, or died long ago.

The word is proof of the transgression against fellow humans, and exists as testimony against those who coined it.

This word is becoming like a cross to those guilty of its creation, now they pretend to be unable to bear it, when the truth is that they are unwilling to accept that there are now consequences to their intolerance. Too bad for them.

[Lawyers-Guns-n-Money-01]

by brianbwb-2009 October 24, 2009 9:51 AM EDT
As Bob Marley sang, "None of them can stop-a the time".
========================================

Redemption Song!!!

THE best Marley tune -- hands down.

[brianbwb-2009]

Agreed, simple, elegant, and oh so true.

[Lawyers-Guns-n-Money-01]

by 2easy2bme October 23, 2009 10:47 PM EDT
So DUDE, you actually think rocks are one of your higher life forms.
==========================================
Most of the rocks I've encountered are more intelligent than you. So yeah, if we're grading on a curve, you're responsible for dragging our species down below inanimate objects.

[mawskrat]

is the word ********* gonna go down the memory hole also?

[scgirl7]

brianbwb just can't see the use of the n word as anything but a white thing. But the only people I ever hear use it are black people against each other or black rappers and black comedians in general. Make all the excuses for them you want, brianbwb, but it's primarily black people who use this word. Your anger is misdirected.

[brianbwb-2009]

Just like those below, you don't get out much, just read the posts below, like the "samy" person, then repeat that lie.

Go to the suburbs of Detroit, Chicago, Kansas City, Los Angeles, all of Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Massachusetts, in fact any of the 50 states, and then repeat that lie.

Maybe it is a selective thing, you only hear it when a "Black" person says it, and perhaps it is so deeply ingrained in your psyche that you don't even notice when the usual "White" people you hang out with in your bunker use it.

Or maybe you never go outside in your neighborhood, never spoke to your own parents, and only listen to "rap" music, as these are the only situations that could possible make your claim possible.

Again I ask, and so far none of you have dared attempt an answer, If you claim not to use the word, but still practice the discrimination behind the word, what is the difference between you and the kkk, other than your slightly higher degree of hypocrisy?