Must You Say Nigger?
essay44 total reviews
Comment from artemis53
Ah! You've unearthed the 'secret' that was always in plain sight. Prejudice seems to be the easiest remedy to relieve oneself of their very own flaws. It's similar to being a bully. If you are pointing at someone else they will not be pointing at you. Your quote " I understand that using that word is a way to defeat its original meaning." has some sense to it but is not a solution since it can only be construed correctly by a certain set of the population and not to be used universally for there are strings attached to the use of the terminology making it a word that is still not free or to be used without controversy. It's all still a band aid and all cannot fix a situation unless they admit to playing a part within it.
I thank you for the heavily weighted decision to call this one out. I'm sure it wasn't easy.
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Ah! You've unearthed the 'secret' that was always in plain sight. Prejudice seems to be the easiest remedy to relieve oneself of their very own flaws. It's similar to being a bully. If you are pointing at someone else they will not be pointing at you. Your quote " I understand that using that word is a way to defeat its original meaning." has some sense to it but is not a solution since it can only be construed correctly by a certain set of the population and not to be used universally for there are strings attached to the use of the terminology making it a word that is still not free or to be used without controversy. It's all still a band aid and all cannot fix a situation unless they admit to playing a part within it.
I thank you for the heavily weighted decision to call this one out. I'm sure it wasn't easy.
Comment Written 28-Apr-2015
Comment from lancellot
Well, I have to say, this is a very strange post, but I respect your honesty and how you feel. I have a different view of the word or any word hurled by me or to me. I feel a word only has power if the listener gives it power. Anyway, well written. Don't be too hard on yourself, I don't think what's in your mind makes you a racist, it much more complicated than that.
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Well, I have to say, this is a very strange post, but I respect your honesty and how you feel. I have a different view of the word or any word hurled by me or to me. I feel a word only has power if the listener gives it power. Anyway, well written. Don't be too hard on yourself, I don't think what's in your mind makes you a racist, it much more complicated than that.
Comment Written 28-Apr-2015
Comment from jshep
I really like this essay, Mikey. It breathes such honesty it is almost painful to read. I believe the African Americans are allowed to call themselves niggers, but we are slitting our own throats if we were to call them that.
You use the word nigger quite a bit. I might suggest you reread and see if you could tighten it up by removing a few and seeing if restructure of the sentence would show snd not tell quite so much. Just a thought.
There is a great deal of powerful thought and emotion behind your words. I felt them. Maybe because Batimore, MD (I live a few miles outside of) have been having riots. It is horrid to see the gangs destoying their own neighborhoods. I found myself critiqing this essay as I read it.
I seem to have quite a few suggestions. I hope you do not take offence as I still want to stress how moving your words are to this reader...
I don't doubt that words -I might suggest "Undoubtedly words like "kike".
are all equally vile - "are equally vile".
Black children - I believe the correct term now is African American.
drug or dragged - I am not sure which or if either one is correct.
I find the unwecome thought in my head(where else would a thought be but in you head). I would suggest you delete that second part.you repeat yourself in the prior paragragh with "see it beginning to define them", and then you say "by tossing the word nigger around are becoming that". Is that not kind if saying the same thing?
"not happy to realise this" -maybe, not happy to realise that fact.
I grew up in Santa Barbara, CA and my high school (1960-1963) had a large population of African American and Hispanic. I get ehat you are saying about Alhambra. When I was very young we lived in Lynwood and Compton, which were the same back then.
Great job and kutos for posting it. Joyce x
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I really like this essay, Mikey. It breathes such honesty it is almost painful to read. I believe the African Americans are allowed to call themselves niggers, but we are slitting our own throats if we were to call them that.
You use the word nigger quite a bit. I might suggest you reread and see if you could tighten it up by removing a few and seeing if restructure of the sentence would show snd not tell quite so much. Just a thought.
There is a great deal of powerful thought and emotion behind your words. I felt them. Maybe because Batimore, MD (I live a few miles outside of) have been having riots. It is horrid to see the gangs destoying their own neighborhoods. I found myself critiqing this essay as I read it.
I seem to have quite a few suggestions. I hope you do not take offence as I still want to stress how moving your words are to this reader...
I don't doubt that words -I might suggest "Undoubtedly words like "kike".
are all equally vile - "are equally vile".
Black children - I believe the correct term now is African American.
drug or dragged - I am not sure which or if either one is correct.
I find the unwecome thought in my head(where else would a thought be but in you head). I would suggest you delete that second part.you repeat yourself in the prior paragragh with "see it beginning to define them", and then you say "by tossing the word nigger around are becoming that". Is that not kind if saying the same thing?
"not happy to realise this" -maybe, not happy to realise that fact.
I grew up in Santa Barbara, CA and my high school (1960-1963) had a large population of African American and Hispanic. I get ehat you are saying about Alhambra. When I was very young we lived in Lynwood and Compton, which were the same back then.
Great job and kutos for posting it. Joyce x
Comment Written 28-Apr-2015
Comment from nordicgirl
Bravo. I think you probably had some trepidation about posting this, i sure would. However, this is an excellent honest piece. Your candor about your own experience put me at ease and allowed me to explore your piece with candor of my own. This is powerful and I feel on the money. It at least opens the door to discussion. No one has room for any animosity. Soooo important. You open the door with sincerity. Exceptional work.
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Bravo. I think you probably had some trepidation about posting this, i sure would. However, this is an excellent honest piece. Your candor about your own experience put me at ease and allowed me to explore your piece with candor of my own. This is powerful and I feel on the money. It at least opens the door to discussion. No one has room for any animosity. Soooo important. You open the door with sincerity. Exceptional work.
Comment Written 28-Apr-2015
Comment from Spitfire
A brave write. Unfortunately, we were brought up during that era, so I blame the media. Today's riots are bringing the whole thing back. Let's let a generation rest from the past and accept blacks, gays, whatever!
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A brave write. Unfortunately, we were brought up during that era, so I blame the media. Today's riots are bringing the whole thing back. Let's let a generation rest from the past and accept blacks, gays, whatever!
Comment Written 28-Apr-2015
Comment from Zinnia48
You really have this nailed, Michael! I live in the general Ferguson community, and have had to confront much of this myself. I have learned that most of us are both part of the problem and the solution. I recently read a terrific book: Waking Up White which is a memoir that addresses most of the issues that you list. It's by a woman in our situation that writes about her healing (an ongoing forever process). I'm currently in a racial dialogue class based on another book: Witnessing Whiteness (hate the title, but the book is helpful).
I appreciate the clarity in which you discuss your own history. I also appreciated your conversational tone. Caroline
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You really have this nailed, Michael! I live in the general Ferguson community, and have had to confront much of this myself. I have learned that most of us are both part of the problem and the solution. I recently read a terrific book: Waking Up White which is a memoir that addresses most of the issues that you list. It's by a woman in our situation that writes about her healing (an ongoing forever process). I'm currently in a racial dialogue class based on another book: Witnessing Whiteness (hate the title, but the book is helpful).
I appreciate the clarity in which you discuss your own history. I also appreciated your conversational tone. Caroline
Comment Written 28-Apr-2015
Comment from joann r romei
I agree, i abhor the word and never use it, it is a reminder of how they african americans were taken and treated like objects, i am writing a sequel to gone with the wind, and coincidentally i am debating a scene where that word will be used, but it is scarlet and she was such a shrew,
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I agree, i abhor the word and never use it, it is a reminder of how they african americans were taken and treated like objects, i am writing a sequel to gone with the wind, and coincidentally i am debating a scene where that word will be used, but it is scarlet and she was such a shrew,
Comment Written 28-Apr-2015
Comment from seaglass
I agree with you. In spite of less than perfect parenting skills, my parents did raise me to not use negative words toward or about anyone. I had a handle on political correctness before it was a word. That being said, what is the value of society attempting to guide youth in the direction of respect when these words are over the airways, on IPods, social media. Everyone needs to get on the same page. End of story.
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I agree with you. In spite of less than perfect parenting skills, my parents did raise me to not use negative words toward or about anyone. I had a handle on political correctness before it was a word. That being said, what is the value of society attempting to guide youth in the direction of respect when these words are over the airways, on IPods, social media. Everyone needs to get on the same page. End of story.
Comment Written 28-Apr-2015
Comment from NicciFaye
I am soley rating this on the intent of your heart. It is geninue and it is heard. Thank you for this message and I understand. God bless you.
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I am soley rating this on the intent of your heart. It is geninue and it is heard. Thank you for this message and I understand. God bless you.
Comment Written 28-Apr-2015
Comment from nelliesellie
I hate the word too. Racism is two fold. Many black people are racist. It has to be a two way street. I know most racists are middle or lower class. Rich people just hate who does not have money. Great work.
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I hate the word too. Racism is two fold. Many black people are racist. It has to be a two way street. I know most racists are middle or lower class. Rich people just hate who does not have money. Great work.
Comment Written 28-Apr-2015