The theme of race was in the news the last few weeks. It caught my eye, that although not an enforcable law, New York City has passed a ban on the use of the "N-word". (See Racial slur banned in New York.)
Does it make sense to you for a city government to take this action (especially in light of the fact that it is of questionable constitutionality given the First Amendment's protection of free speech)? Many in New York are disturbed that many young people believe it is okay to use the word as a friendly greeting, even those that are not African-American. I think that while this law will have little impact, it is good for government to make a principled stand on the use of what has been called the ugliest word in the English language. It remains a very offensive word to many.
The BBC reported on this, and had an accompanying article on the controversy over the modern usage of the word by the so-called "hip-hop" generation. It is written by a woman of mixed race that calls herself a "reformed n-word user". Check out her thoughts: Should racist word be rehabilitated?
In a related story, today (Sunday) was the anniversary of the attack on civil rights workers in Alabama in 1965. "Bloody Sunday" as it was called, and the outraged that followed the attack helped give momentum to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. (See Jubilant Crowd Recreates Selma March.)
Barak Obama and Hillary Clinton were on hand as both candidates are wooing the vote of African-Americans. (See Clinton, Obama Link Selma March to Present.)
Does it make sense to you for a city government to take this action (especially in light of the fact that it is of questionable constitutionality given the First Amendment's protection of free speech)? Many in New York are disturbed that many young people believe it is okay to use the word as a friendly greeting, even those that are not African-American. I think that while this law will have little impact, it is good for government to make a principled stand on the use of what has been called the ugliest word in the English language. It remains a very offensive word to many.
The BBC reported on this, and had an accompanying article on the controversy over the modern usage of the word by the so-called "hip-hop" generation. It is written by a woman of mixed race that calls herself a "reformed n-word user". Check out her thoughts: Should racist word be rehabilitated?
In a related story, today (Sunday) was the anniversary of the attack on civil rights workers in Alabama in 1965. "Bloody Sunday" as it was called, and the outraged that followed the attack helped give momentum to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. (See Jubilant Crowd Recreates Selma March.)
Barak Obama and Hillary Clinton were on hand as both candidates are wooing the vote of African-Americans. (See Clinton, Obama Link Selma March to Present.)
3 comments:
Commenting about the racial slur banned in New York. I definetly agree that the N-word should be illegal to say. I understand that certain ethnic groups have the supposed right to use the word. But any way you use it its degrading and demeaning. I feel like there are alot of words americans use on a daily basis and this is one thats used so frequently but no one considers the original meaning of the word. We hear it in songs and on T.V. but its a terrible word that should have never been discovered, it came from slavery, another even that should never have happened. And i think our country would be better as a whole if that racial slur was banned so future generations don't have to know about it.
hey corragio it's nick
so i agree with Kelly, i am glad to see this word be banned, it is very degrating it would be like calling myself a wop or a wet back or a honkey, why would you want to insult yourself? or your friends or family? these words are thrown around so loosly, and freely, it's sad. the people who say then give no thought to the pain they may cause someone and it is my personal opinion that all such words should be banned, and i also think that we should make rules for school restricting use of such words to their proper meaning, for example the word Hell should only be used for describing the actual place, and vulgar words like F*** should just be exed out. so that our society can actually learn to speak in an eloquent and intelegent manor.
hey Coraggio, it's nick
so i read the article about the recreation of the Selma march, i th8ink it is a really neat thing to do, and it is good that they are trying to teach a new genoration about past events, history is an amazing thing, it has the power to change lives, prevent wars, stop discrimination, and ultimately keep peace. so i think it is very important to recreate this historic event and remember those who lost their lives fighting for what is right for humanity, not what is right for engorged walletts.
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