We remember watching the inauguration of Barack Obama thinking that sweeping waves of change were on the way. Now that the United States of America was finally seeing our first black president, the walls of racism and cultural divisiveness were, no doubt, going to come crumbling down. However, as time goes on, it seems that racial issues have grown and become more polarizing. Instead of breaking down barriers, it seems new ones are being erected, and old ones are being dusted off and used again. Most notably the use of the N-Word. Public figures such as Michael Richards, Paula Dean, Hulk Hogan, and others have all been called out for it's use.
Granted, some African Americans toss it back and forth between each other in a casual and even endearing way. Usually in these cases it is an example of a culture embracing and using a once painful word in the spirit of taking it's power away. In these cases, its use is not intended to injure. But when it is used with hurtful intentions, then it becomes something entirely different.
Depending on your race, your upbringing, and your past experiences, the N-Word can be internalized, interpreted and used very differently. It's very meaning when used hinges on the users own morals, character, and beliefs. If you choose to use the N-Word, then perhaps you should understand the history behind it, as well as all the baggage it carries and think of the consequences. Think of the very real effect it has on some people. After all, words are powerful. They can change minds and freeze hearts. Benjamin Franklin was once quoted as saying, "Give me 26 soldiers of lead and I can change the world." He was of course referring to the Gutenberg style lead type setting letters used to create the printed word. However, when you arrange just six of them, in a certain order, it can on one hand incite riots and cause social upheaval, while on the other, it can bring together a culturally diverse community and inspire artists who use the word as urban poetry. It all comes down to context. Is this word being used to provoke thought and discussion, or simply to provoke?
Check out how we magically break down and arrange these six letters while carefully listening to the poem. Evaluate how it makes you feel. We believe that a constructive dialog is needed, now more then ever, if we want to truly knock down the barriers of racism. We hope this video will help in starting that conversation.
For more magic like this, be sure and catch Scott and Puck on the CW Network show Penn & Teller: Fool Us.
Episode drops on Monday, September 21, at 8PM