Posted on 03/22/2011 5:53:05 PM PDT by Graybeard58
In January, controversy surrounded the announcement that Waterbury Arts Magnet School students would perform the play "Joe Turner's Come and Gone." Some, led by Superintendent David L. Snead, objected to the frequent use of the N-word in the century-old, award-winning play by black playwright August Wilson. Mr. Snead initially took steps to block the performance but later relented.
Partly in response to this controversy, Waterbury school officials staged a forum March 16 on racial slurs, how their use can adversely affect people, and possible disciplinary action against students who use them.
Such a forum is welcome and a little overdue.
The N-word, the most egregious of racial slurs, is commonly used by today's young people, including African-Americans. In fact, at Wednesday's forum, several students (and adults) said they use the N-word, but with a slightly different pronunciation. They say this pronunciation difference changes the insulting word into a term of endearment. "N***er is a word that should never be used, but N***a is a way our generation found to use it but never forget what other generations went through," said Kennedy High School student Renaissance Cruz.
It also is common for contemporary musical artists to use the N-word in their songs, and for the word to turn up in movies that, unlike "Joe Turner's Come and Gone," are not depicting a time in which the term was more widely used. This also was noted by forum participants.
Using any form of the N-word is shameful, and Waterbury teachers who do not permit its informal use in their classrooms are to be applauded.
It is troubling that many young African-Americans see no problem with the "new" N-word. If they want to honor past generations, they should make a concerted effort to stay away from any form of the term used so cruelly to insult their ancestors, and even living family members.
Waterbury teacher Trevira Boatright, who is African-American, said she does not allow her students to use the term because "I know what my parents went through. They grew up in the South."
That is something to be respected, not trampled.
I remember several years back, the actor Marlon Brando was being interviewed on TV and he was talking about racial slurs for some reason. He rattled off a bunch of them, just like you did in your post. But only one of them was bleeped by the network...yep. The "N" word. A black radio host, Larry Elder, was furious about it. He felt it showed how all other ethnic groups were mature and sensible enough to hear a slur against their race without going to pieces over it, but blacks are so sensitive and touchy, *their* word must be bleeped. I think that's why it's considered the worst word of all. Because those offended by it are the most touchy.
Good point. And liberals show that they're ripe to be rolled when they flinch like that. Which guarantees they'll be rolled and never respected.
Being called a "white m***********" at four in the morning by a stupid woman who thought she was safe in her booth, all locked in ......on top of 50,000 gallons of gasoline..... tends to make one a little callous toward the tetchiness and indignation of others.
“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLZA32oHbC4";
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLZA32oHbC4
Everyone here please please watch this whole video. Remember laughter is the best medicine.
Well, you could call me “Chick,” but not “B*tch,” and I could call you Mr. Gray, since I assume you are older than I am, if 58 is either your age or the year you were born.
My general practice is to address those who look older as “Sir” or “Ma’am,” and those who seem younger as “Son” or “Hon.”
And thank you for the kind words! I admire your posts as well.
58 years was how old I was when I joined, I will be 66 in June, 2011.
Caucasian?
Then you’re definitely a “Sir.”
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