Saturday 24 February 2007

BAN THE N-WORD

February is Black History Month in the USA and Ebony Magazine has launched a campaign to “convince everyone –White and Black –that, in the future, no one should use the ‘N-word’ in any form or fashion, or for any reason.”

N*gger is a racial slur used to insult and degenerate black people. Although in present times the use of the word is frowned upon by society, it was commonly used before the civil rights movement of 1954.

Ebony is not the first to start such a campaign, as Ban The N-word (BN-W) was set up in 2004 and aims to: “Put an end to the widespread acceptance and use of this insulting, derogatory, degrading, demeaning, malicious, venomous, debilitating, and self-defeating word.”



BN-W dismisses claims that the use of the N-word amongst black people is a form of endearment. They deem the use of the word as “a passively slick form of psychological, social, mental, and spiritual abuse. It’s unfathomable, but many people have actually become immune to hearing the N-word – not good at all.”

BN-W presents their argument by making reference to other derogatory words such as kike, hooknose, wetback, spic, honky, cracker, paleface, peckerwood, blue-eyed devil, dago, wop, greaseball, guinea, chink, slant-eyes, and gook and the organisation highlights that no one refers to themselves in such a way. Also the organisation pinpoints the fact that the above words are not prominently featured on TV, radio, songs etc unlike the word N*gger.

American comedian Paul Mooney although formerly an advocate of the N-word; has stated he will no longer use the word and other people shouldn’t either, the comedian remarked: "I'm gonna stop using it. I'm not gonna use it again and I'm not gonna use the 'B word.' And we're gonna put an end to the 'N word.' Just say no to the 'N word.' We want all human beings throughout the world to stop using the N-word”. He also stated: "It's not an equal opportunity word and it's not a very nice word."

Rap artists like N.W.A (N*ggaz With Attitude) advocate the use of N*gga instead of N*gger. The use of N*gga has become a trend amongst black and non black youth, due to the mainstream popularity of Hip Hop.

Those who advocate the word’s use claim there is a difference between N*gga and N*igger. For example rapper Tupac Shakur once stated: “N*ggers was the ones on the rope, hanging off the thing; n*ggas is the ones with gold ropes, hanging out at clubs."

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Be aware of Opening Pandora’s Box


The last time I checked The U.S. Constitution Amendment 1 (The Bill of Rights) I noticed it says nothing about clauses or exceptions such as (unless a crime is being committed) (unless it is violent) (whether it is good or evil) (unless it is obscene) (unless it is offensive) (whether you like it or not) (feel free to interpret) There is no interpretation if you use a dictionary ! Remember this is not about whether it is pretty or ugly, it is about POWER DISTRIBUTION ! What is next, that obscene book called the bible.(it has sex stories) Those violent snuff films called W.W. 2 footage !!! Do not forget, Hitler almost won the WAR. It is 100% Constitutional to look at or read or say anything !!!!

If you open the door to power abuse someone will walk through it.

Amendment 1 Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Ps. If you are interested in your own freedom, than copy this and spread it around !!!!!!!!