Thursday, December 19, 2013
CNN debate: The N Word
This is the link to the CNN clip we watched in class today (12/19/2013) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rZYtNa890s You are to write a 1 paragraph response to the clip. This is your own reflection so make sure it is introspective and respectful. I suggest you re-watch the clip, because you might catch something the second time around that you missed while watching it in class. Think about when the N word is used. We've seen it in literature, we hear in music, on the streets and in the hallways, so now is your chance to comment and reflect on why the word is used and should it be used? After you write your reflection, please include your name as well. If you have any questions please e-mail me. See you Monday =)
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After watching the video on the N word, I have gained some knowledge about saying it. I honestly think no one should be allowed to say it. The historical context behind it is powerful to African Americans. It is a scarring word that will forever be with them. Although white people shouldn't be saying it, no one can ever stop one from saying the word, it will always come out. I believe it is more disrespectful to say the actual N, than to be called a 'cracker'. There is no scarring context behind the word 'cracker' besides it is just a racial slur. With the N word, there are many mixed emotions. I believe that if African Americans want the white people to stop saying the N word, they should stop saying it themselves too. In my opinion, it makes no sense that there are movies, songs, and even just people saying the N word, for no reason. Many people just use it to sound cool or act tough, or even just out of habit at this point. The thing is, we don't live in a 'perfect world' so there really isn't a way to stop the word for sure. I think everyone who says it should just try to understand the history behind the N word and cut down on who they say it to, or when they say it. - Christina Rocha
ReplyDeleteThe N word is very powerful. It carries a lot of historical background. It was used to dehumanize African Americans. No one should use it. For African Americans whenever it is said it gets deep into there bones and reminds of such horrific pass. There's no way of stoping this word from being said but we have to acknowledge what this word really means, and how it can destroy somebody emotionally. But we aren't living in perfect world and we have a lot of ignorant people out there. So just think before you say something. Know what you're saying. Some say it to be go with flow because everyone is doing , others because they want offend, and some because they simply come out, how they're environment is determines if they say it. There's no other racist term that can compare. Cracker is an insulting word but does it have an context to it, was it used to bring someone done and dehumanize them? No this word is just to powerful to be said. It's was used in dark times. It's a scar in America.
Delete- Bryan Baculima
Before watching the video in class, in my previous school there was debate among various people over this same topic. Although my point of view on the word didn't change much I learned some new history behind the word itself. During the debate some of the guests said that the word and its meaning weren't bad at all. They said & it's proven that the world meant "kings" and "leaders" this showed me that the word isn't entirely bad as people paint it to be. The video didn't really show much of point of views, mostly just personal opinions on why the word was "bad" and to be abolished. among the people I associate with, grown and young, the word doesn't have any derogatory power. we use it to call out among one another, in friendly ways, joking ways, and "just because" ways. It is used in music the same ways I use the word. When I hear the word I think of it not as a bad thing but more of an honor. To be someone's "n***" can have it's "benefits" be it personal or public benefits. Overall the video just showed me that people see the word in a bad way but mostly because they hide it rather than use it, and for personal reasons. The "N" word isn't "bad" the word is a word just like any other word, people just make it worse than what it really is. To get rid of it, is to just add more wood to the fire and make things worst. All in all, the "N" word isn't "bad" people just make it seem that way. - Michael Demata
ReplyDeleteWe constantly talk about how racism still occurs in our world today. We talk about how the ‘N’ word isn’t supposed to be used by white folks. After watching this video it tells me that when someone calls an African American the ‘N’ word it scars them. Just as if someone would call a white folk a ‘Cracker’ it wouldn’t hurt ass bad because unlike the ‘N’ word ‘cracker’ has no history behind the word! To be completely honest before this video I didn’t think it was that serious. We constantly use the word but with a different meaning. When we’re out and hear someone say ‘Nigga’ replacing the er with an a it changes the meaning. In songs, movies, and books the word could be used in different context. Just as if you would say “That n****r” compared to “That’s my n***a” it would be a whole different meaning. But why is it that Mark along with many African American folks feel free to say the same word whites cant if it means the same thing? Does it have a different meaning just because a person from the same color is using it?
ReplyDeleteAfter completely seeing the clip i realize that the "n" word should never be said in a conversation. We hear that word in Newark and we think its okay to say it but in reality its not. The history behind that word is very rich and just adds more power to the word and to be not said. If I was put in the situation where I see my race being hung or enslave I would definitely no like it to hear the "n" word. Songs play a vital role too because they use it non stop and influences kids and teenagers to use the "n" word. Say there wasn't any slaves or people being hung the "n" word would be useless and wouldn't have such a big deal and definitely wouldn't be used today either.-Miguel Ferreira
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the video, I realized that using the 'N' word is different than it was in previous years. Its use is clearly different since people of older generations grew up in a time where it was used commonly and was seen funny to the public. Just as the clip of Saturday Night Live in 1975 was appealing to the audience.But many other racial slurs were used in the clip so it would be appealing to everyone. In our generation of people we are confused how to use these words because we live in a post-segregated society, with the older generations seeing the use of these racial slurs different than the current generations. - Daniel Tymochko
ReplyDeleteThe "N" word is a very powerful word that has different meanings. This word has a historical background leaning on the use of dehumanizing people. The old definition of the "N" word was to refer to someone being mentally challenged, illiterate, and even stupid. This word shouldn't be used at all because a whole race of people was tortured and put into suffrage and hung just for the color of their skin. Even though there are many meanings to this word it will always have the harmful perspective. Music influences kids to use this word by showing that it is okay for people to say it when referring to a friend. Whether the fact only black people should use the word makes completely no sense because it was use against them so it contradicts there right to be the only people to use it. If black people feel the need that the word shouldn't be used by anyone but them, then no one should use it at all if you ask me.
ReplyDelete-Rommel Sosa
After watching the video on the "n" word there is much to realize, the word has a meaning and is also symbolic to the people. The word nigger sums up colored people and all the bitter years of insult and struggle in America. The word was frequently used in the time of slaves, the reason for this was to rip away their identity and pin the people to a minority in power. Since those times, the word has experienced changes in factors and definition to the point in which it becomes an everyday thing. Over time, racial slurs have victimized all racial and ethnic groups; but no American group has endured as many racial nicknames as Blacks. The word, nigger, carries with it much of the hatred and disgust directed toward Black Africans and African Americans. Historically, nigger defined, limited, made fun of, and ridiculed all Blacks. It was a term of exclusion, a verbal reason for discrimination. Whether used as a noun, verb, or adjective, it strengthened the stereotype of the lazy, stupid, dirty, worthless nobody. No other American surname carries as much purposeful cruelty. The “n” word portrays many derogatory meanings to it. The power of the “n” comes with a larger echo, although the use of it will not stop, it does not mean we can simple misuse it.
ReplyDelete-Daniel Silva