Our use of the “N” word feeds the disrespect we experience.
The tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmad Arbery are not in vain. The circumstances of their respective deaths set off an awakening throughout America. The voices of a mixed demographic of Americans have called for social justice, which includes an end to police brutality, and the removal of statues and monuments honoring the legacy of the old Confederacy. NASCAR has permanently removed the emblem of the old Confederacy from its sponsored events. Corporate America is boasting about their commitments to diversity. In response to the threats of boycotts, and the loss of sponsors, the professional football team in Washington officially announced it is retiring its current team name and logo that has been an affront to Native Americans. The team name and logo has represented the franchise for over 90 years. This awakening has become the beginning of the end of long-standing traditions that have racist and insensitive origins.
The imagery of “Black Lives Matter” is showcased on 16th Street in Washington, D.C., 5th Avenue, Manhattan, New York, Charlotte, North Carolina Montgomery, Alabama, Seattle, Washington, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Topeka, Kansas, and Dallas, Texas.
My white neighbors, friends and colleagues have been inquiring about my family’s welfare and seek my views on the events that have been the genesis of this awakening. I have no doubt many of the inquiries have been sincere. Many are publicly acknowledging the truth of the circumstances facing black people in this country. In short, there are white people who want to do something to eradicate institutional racism from our country’s landscape. Are people of color gaining allies? Possibly. Nevertheless, America’s racist hypocrisy is at a crossroads. Now it’s our turn.
Now is the time for black people to abandon what has been accepted as a term of endearment that epitomizes self-hate and marginalizes our people’s existence. I call upon all black people to abandon the use of the term “nigger”, “nigga”, and any other variations. It is a callous term. I do not buy the argument or accept the conclusion that linguistic re-appropriation or reclamation of the term “nigger” is sufficient to resist oppression or is a viable mechanism by which we derive power through self-labeling.[1] “Nigger” is not just a word. Its origins are despicable. It was employed to oppress, subjugate, control and condition the minds and spirits of a great people. It was never meant for good. I will never use it to address my black brothers or sisters. Re-appropriation or reclamation has become a convenient excuse to create a gateway to acceptance and legitimization of a word that still taunts older generations of black Americans. I have seen with my own eyes older and treasured generations shed tears at the mention of that word. It still incites anger, fear and recollections of trauma experienced throughout their lives. Generations of black Americans were denied the privilege of being called by their first name, middle name and surname, preceded by Miss, Mrs. or Mr.. “Nigger” was often the substituted first name of black men in America. “Boy” was their middle name and “George” was their last name. I cannot fathom why beautiful people with an amazing culture, history and legacy of survival and prosperity would choose to embrace the idea that “Nigger” can ever be an acceptable way for a black man or woman to refer to one another or themselves. “My nigga” does not cultivate a love of self. It must not remain a part of our everyday language. If it does we share in the responsibility for the creation of an atmosphere that invites people outside of our communities to use “Nigger” in daily discourse freely and in a context our people do not intend.
[1] https://thedailyaztec.com/91951/opinion/reclaiming-slurs-is-a-form-of-resisting-oppression/
