The Bigger Issue

After reading some of the responses to my article "Apology Not Accepted", I felt compelled to write on a broader topic. But before I get into that, there are a few responses I would like to address. First, the two recipients of Richards' verbal attack retaining of council have drawn countless objections. Many contest that this isn't the proper form of retribution. Honestly, I can't say that I disagree. Now, if they sue Richards, use the money to pay for the legal representation and whatever various court fees, and then donate the rest to charity, then they proved their point. I know we live in a very litigious society, but maybe that's not the best approach. I do however think that he should face some form of punishment. Secondly, I was not trying to plug my book. Nobody really reads poetry anyway; it's just something I like to do. Trust me, if I really wanted to rack up sells I wouldn't have chosen a book of poetry. Thirdly, why is it that so many want to call for black people to simply move past Richards' comments and basically forget about the entire ordeal? One blogger said I was wrong for holding this against him and then quoted Dr. King on me. I'm not calling for "his head on a platter", or "a chunk of his side" but some things aren't that easy to move past. Maybe they don't understand the seriousness or deep hatred of his comments. That being said, I know that as a Christian I am suppose to forgive him in that if Jesus can forgive me for my sins, who am I to not forgive anyone else. But what do you do when that person doesn't appear to be sincere? Do you forgive them anyway? I don't know. Lastly there were a slew of comments made regarding black people's constant use of this word. Apparently, this brings about a certain level of confusion.

It is well concluded that Richards is a racist, so we can leave that alone. No amount of apologies can make up for his outburst. I'm sure he will never have a public eruption like that again. But rather will confine his racist rants to the privacy of his own home. But there is a bigger issue, and that is dealing with this "N Word". I constantly find myself asking why so many black people constantly use this word. What we heard from the mouth of Richards was the way this word was meant to be used. I have heard young white kids referring to each other as this word. Currently, this word is thrown around as if everyone has forgotten about the history of it. For no one to have a problem with Mark Whalberg easily saying it in the movies "Four Brothas" or the recent "The Departed", or for Quentin Tarantino to have it used with rapid fire in Pulp Fiction tells me that people are starting to become far too comfortable with it. They don't even bleep it out on USA anymore. This word should never become socially acceptable, nor should it be tolerated. There is no other way that it should be interpreted or utilized. I'm only see one way to view a swastika or a confederate flag, but I digress.

Here in lies the dichotomy. Why then do so many black people constantly use this word with absolutely no restrain or hesitation. Randall Kennedy, well respected scholar, dedicated an entire book to the history of the word, and then concluded that "we can change the word from a negative to a positive appellation". Various discussions and forums have been held in the black community on the use of this word. Growing up, anybody who knew me knew not to use that word in my presence because they were going to get a long winded speech about the reasons why they shouldn't use it. Even now, I constantly correct anyone who uses it and I don't tolerate anyone no matter who it is to refer to me personally with that word. I am disgusted every time I hear black people using it especially in the presence of white people. Two summers ago at a Seeds Of Peace Camp, Dave Chapelle did a routine, and I had to ask him how does he feel comfortable throwing that word around and making jokes involving that word to a room full of white people. I was just watching the Comic Relief 2006 and cringed at Mike Epps' continued use of the word, to a mostly white audience. I have nothing but respect for them, and any of my other black brothas and sisters who have lost the real meaning and importance of this word I just disagree with their constant usage of something that was meant for nothing but evil. They all use Richard Pryor as the example of the pioneer who consistently used the word. Understandably they follow his example in that he was and always will be one the best if not the best stand up comics ever. But they leave out the part where he proclaimed that he was wrong. After a trip to Africa enlightened him, Richard Pryor swore on stage never to use the word again. That word was created to annihilate us as a people. There were no ulterior motives, solely hate and destruction. I've heard all of the arguments. From transforming it into a term of endearment, forming some non-derogatory version, to the constant usage of the word robbing it of its power, to different spellings meaning different things, and each one is equally ridiculous. It begs the question, why would I make their hate suit me? It is completely absurd to the point of racial treason to disrespect our ancestors and employ a word that was used to oppress their minds, bodies, and souls. In conclusion, as deplorable and disgusting as it is for black people to use this term, that in no way deems it acceptable for any white person to ever let that word come out of their mouths. At the same, I do understand the dichotomy.

An excerpt from a poem entitled "The N Word"

Accepting the unacceptable

Our oppressors' dream should have been deemed impossible
How can we fail to reject their views of our second class existence?
Seeing our self worth through their eyes
Embracing a word aimed to teach us to despise our own reflection
Their whips have scarred our minds as well as our backs
If we don't respect ourselves how can we expect anyone else to?
Even educated fools should be smarter than that