Now you maybe be thinking “this kid is ignorant” or “he’s to young to understand.” But any African American is educated on this subject as a young kid, and you may think this clouds our judgement on this subject, and it might. But this is the reason why any other person that is black will not get why we are so offended.

Who gets to decide the titles of a specific group or any group that is acceptable to all? The media? Record labels? In order to to give a perspective on a racial or endeared slur, you must look at some other factors that go unquestioned, which build up to these themes. Why are blacks singled out and identified as “African-Americans”, but we don’t call whites “European-Americans?” Why don’t Native-Americans have a history month? Instead, they have “heritage” month. Why? Why are they Native? Why are they not identified by their tribe? Should they be called “American-Americans” instead? So who gets to make the rules, and apply them to society? If misogynistic or racial slurs in lyrics offends me, does the record label get sanctioned, fired, or fined? No, I don’t think so. Ask Don Imus; a Caucasian using the word nappy and ho in the same sentence will cost you your job though. Not a double standard!?

You don’t see Hispanic groups running around saying, “Hey wet back, what’s up?”
Why are Asians eliminated from affirmative action when it comes to college entrance, when they make up a smaller percentage than blacks? Are all minorities equal, but some are more equal than others? All these questions are never addressed by journalism and academia. It would require some moral courage and a deep self reflection in the aftermath. The “PC” themes ensures job security, and pits Americans against each other. “PC” is nothing more than embellishing honesty, avoiding responsibility, and making excuses.

If the word “Niggah”, is expressed as a term of endearment, then so let society embrace it — equal to all to identify with such a group or with each other freely, without retribution. Even a young child seems to be educated on the difference between “Nigger” and “Niggah,” and instinctively knows the difference. You notice how the record labels don’t have a problem selling it? Funny how when you pay money to hear a comedian tell a racial joke it is ok, but try repeating the joke. So where do we stand on what we can and cannot say? Who is allowed and why?

Confusion serves the debate best in these types of topics, so people do not know how to address it, without offending someone, being accused of racism, or instilling fear where ever it can relegate the responsibility. In a classroom, avoidance is echoed by the ever silencing need for “tolerance.” If a group does not like a word that can be repeated, than don’t use it. Rather than blame, make money off it, or make excuses, accept responsibility, and set a positive example, by which we all can live by.

For my entire life the “N” word and all of its derivative forms has been a part of my vernacular. I’m not quite sure when I first started using the word, but I am sure I was using the word before I truly understood it. Growing up, I was fortunate to be surrounded be a multitude of strong, responsible and independent minded men of color. Within our large Creole kinship, these men were fathers, uncles, grandfathers to many of the young men in my family. They were unsophisticated. However, this is not to say that they were simple or unintelligent. To the contrary, in fact most of them were beautifully complex, layered with imperfection that somehow homogenized them into men of uncommon character. Suffice to say that the example set by these men would be hard to follow, but we (my brothers and cousins) would try.
I suppose this is how our use of the word got its start. In an attempt to emulate these men, whom we looked up to so much, we naturally mimicked them. And the fact is, that some of these men, NOT all, used the word. As we grew older it was learned that the term, while widely applicable, was only used within a narrow context of trusted “comfortable” company. Even so, some “worldly”, “cosmopolitan” or “forward thinking” persons may find it easy to issue an off-handed condemnation of the use of this word, perhaps they should pause. Pause and consider whether their disapprobation is weighted and informed or merely fashionable. I suppose it would be easy and popular for me to disavow the term and relegate it to the category of “inappropriate” or “unacceptable” words. It would also, however, be disingenuous. For me personally, to do so would require me to autopsy the character of these men whom I have held in such high regard. I’m not prepared nor do I feel it is necessary to do that. I am prepared, however, to accept that perhaps these men and many like them, understood without examination exactly what that word meant to them. Maybe they realized that this one little word represented a small but notable victory in the history of race relations in this country. The word has in effect been transformed from one that was used freely and boldly by some in an attempt to berate and belittle, to one that dare not even be whispered in mixed company. I am certain also that these men understood well, better than most, the sacrifices that have been made to rise above the derogatory connotations that this term carried with it. And never would these men be expected to explain or rationalize its use.
So despite what the casual observer might choose to believe, about the use of this word, to dismiss its use as ignorant and “backwards”, may in fact reveal more about the observer than the user. It may reveal that the “forward” thinking cosmopolite that is “offended and appalled” may in fact lack the social acumen or intellectual maturity to allow for and accept that there may be a context to which he or she may not be privy. If you are uncomfortable with the word, don’t use it. If you are uncomfortable with its use in your presence then say so, respectfully. This may actually open up useful dialogue. If, however, you are convinced, absolutely, that anyone who chooses to use the word is beneath your elevated station, then you should exercise your third option… and leave. I doubt, however, that you’d be missed.

UNM N Word Luncheon Part 1
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5775053388822036288#

UNM N Word Luncheon Part 2
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=274781319953797942#

UNM N Word Luncheon Part 3
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5775053388822036288#docid=-4987126127316432043

UNM N Word Luncheon Part 4
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=274781319953797942#docid=-5202133199937436600