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Extra: The power behind the N-word

March 20, 2011 4:57 PM

College Professor David Bradley explains to Byron Pitts the power behind the N-word.

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by ABLKMAN2KNOW June 12, 2011 9:00 PM EDT
?? First of all I feel Professor Bailey had some very salient points. Yet, I fail to see what all the controversy is about. I think it is all quite simple and can be explained as much: I have 7 brothers and sisters, we can talk about our mother and point out what we think are her faults, amongst each other but you may not. You do not have that privilege, you are not in the family and you do not have that authority. It's the same with Blacks using the word and Whites not being accepted to use the word. This is as old as humanity. If you have a fat sister you may talk to her about how fat she is but I cannot. I am not her brother and she will not accept my criticism as she will yours. It boils down to a matter of "Have you earned the right to get that close to me? Have you demonstrated that you do not hold animosity towards me? Do you really have my best interests at heart?" Unless you do I don't want you using that word in my presence, Period! Until you have proven or been proven yourself NOT to be a racist or a bigot I will assume that you are forwarding your idea of a way to insult and hurt me. It's that simple! To pretend as if you do not understand this logic is to pretend you don't know the history of racism in this country. The sensitivity demonstrated by Blacks towards Whites when they use this word can be historically justified. In other words "What exactly do you mean when you use the word"? I know what Black people mean but what exactly do you mean?
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by magnifyhim March 22, 2011 1:06 AM EDT
The Professor's comment that the "N" word was what we are as Blacks and that it represents the good and bad of us, was ridiculous! The teacher who had the nerve to say that what makes us uncomfortable shows an opportunity for us to grow... was equally ridiculous, and both showed absolute ignorance!

What makes them both hypocrites is that they would not dare to say the same things about a deragotary word used for Jews, Muslims, or women in general. I believe they feel free to say what they did because Blacks cannot come to a consensus on how they want to be respected! Which leads me to address the the fact that I think it was bad journalism for 60 minutes not to have a Black professor who had a dissenting point of view.

Where does professor Bradket come off feeling he can erase the connotations of a word by simply having people repeat it?! That is nonsense! I'm sure the Jews would not think having non-jews say a anti-semetic word about them over and over would magically eradicate the history and hurtfulness of that word. Words are powerful and that is why we choose our words, especially those who are involved in any form of Communication.

I felt that the only person who really showed a sense of true digninty was the gentleman from the South who was sincerely moved by his experience seeing Blacks during the 60s called out of their name while being hosed down and and attacked by dogs.

Maybe the real problem is that too many people no longer feel the pain for those who had to hear that word and experience the hatred and loathing that was spewed out when it was said.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8601-504803_162-20044765.html?assetTypeId=41&blogId=10391709&tag=socialBottom;commentWrapper#ixzz1HIffRDkF
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by magnifyhim March 22, 2011 12:53 AM EDT
The Professor's comment that the "N" word was what we are as Blacks and that it represents the good and bad of us, was ridiculous! The teacher who had the nerve to say that what makes us uncomfortable shows an opportunity for us to grow... was equally ridiculous, and both showed absolute ignorance!

What makes them both hypocrites is that they would not dare say the same things about a deragotary word used for Jew, Gays, Muslims, or Women in general. I believe they feel free to say what they did because Blacks cannot come to a consensus on how they want to be respected! Which leads me to address the the fact that I think it was bad journalism for 60 minutes not to have a Black professor who had a dissenting point of view.

Where does professor Bradley come off feeling he can erase the connotations of a word by simply having people repeat it?! That is nonsense! I'm sure the Jews would not think having non-Jews say an anti-semitic word over and over would magically eradicate the history and hurtfulness of that word. Words are powerful and that is why we choose our words, especially those who are involved in any form of Communication.

I felt that the only person who really showed a sense of true digninty was the gentleman from the South who was sincerely moved by his experience seeing Blacks during the 60s called out of their name while being hosed down and and attacked by dogs.

Maybe the real problem is that too many people no longer feel the pain for those who had to hear that word and experience the hatred and loathing that was spewed out when it was said.

Let's not play games... Words do carry weight and all of us have some words that better not be called to our face and words that we better not hear you call our mama.


Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8601-504803_162-20044765.html?assetTypeId=41&blogId=10391709&tag=socialBottom;commentWrapper#ixzz1HIffRDkF
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by mnbrant March 21, 2011 12:27 PM EDT
yeah I am not sure the word has much power left. When I see racists badmouthing other its more like monkey or suchlike. Its good for a discussion though.
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by bunzzee69 March 21, 2011 9:35 AM EDT
I can and do understand that the "n" word, brings with it a past, we would like to change...I guess the part I don't understand is when blacks call each other the "n" word, with impunity...so does it hinge on who says it? does the meaning of the word change , based on who delivers it? why is it ok for blacks to call each other names yet anyone else is labeled a racist for using the same word when speaking of blacks..hmmm..how are we to move on, as a society, and try to heal the wounds of the past, when the words, blacks say cause those wounds are used by themselves and then brand anyone else using them bigots and racists..no matter what the subject..there are always going to be cultural differences...there is no changing that...but we will never understand each other if we continue to use hurtful words in hurtful ways..we (men and women of all races) need to find the common ground that makes us human...move to the future..yes the past haunts us...and we need to learn from our past...but the past is the past..
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by John_Jacobs March 21, 2011 12:07 AM EDT
I totally agree with Professor Bradley the "******" is not a demeaning word to me in "Mark Twain's" "Huck Finn" which is an American Classic... I believe the only reason "Whites" want to change it is because they would really like to erase the wicked deeds of their past... For blacks it reminds us of how strong we are and how merciful our God is to deliver us from the hard living of that time... No one can tell us where the word "******" originated... I was told by an african ancestor that the word is the result of an illiterate slave owner trying to pronounce the word "Niger" which is a country in Africa where the fierce slaves where taken from... These were cannibals and meat eaters who were very hard to tame... This is when the educated slave ship owner told the illiterate slave owners that these are "Nigers" the worst for farming or training of all the slaves taken from Africa...
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