N-word

So as I am sitting here writing a report on discrimination in mortgage lending, I turn the television on to Comedy Central to find South Park playing. Now, we all know that South Park is very, very controversial, due to its comedic approach to addressing raw societal issues. Randy, the dad of one of the main characters Stan, was on Wheel of Fortune attempting to solve the puzzle to the statement, “People who annoy you”. As the Wheel of Fortune scene began to unfold, the letters, N_G G E R S appear on the screen, immediately putting me in a state of shock but I had faith that “Post-racial America” would not venture into such territories. Unfortunately, I was both disappointed and angry when the word “n*ggers” was said by Randy. Although Randy was wrong, and the correct word was actually Naggers, the implications behind this episode speak to a larger issue of language, who’s entitled to the language, and the historical context of language. Randy apologized to Jesse Jackson and literally kissed his backside but still received a lot of discrimination the whole show for saying it. Throughout the show the word was said and Token (the TOKEN black character) was mad at another character, Stan, but didn’t resort to violence and continued throughout the show to tell Kyle he didn’t understand that it was an issue that could not be simply apologized for. The word was used mostly used in referral to Randy in which they called him “n*gger guy” the remainder of the show. Long story short: the term “N*gger Guy” was made illegal (not n*gger) and the word “N*gger” could not be used within 7 words of the word “guy”. It was quite a show.

This post is not really about South Park. It is about the use of the N word. Now, anyone that knows me is probably wondering “who is he to talk about using the n word” because I use it just as much as the next man. Personally, I was really offended but amazed at the same time on how much they could not only use the word and it not be completely offensive or a racial slur. They masked it to a point that you could help to see what was going on. The way they used it was wrong but South Park and other shows such as Family Guy do it all the time. The shows are funny. Are they to funny for you to complain? Plus no one is safe on those kinds of shows. Can we really be mad?

I personally feel like I and every other African-American have every right to be offended. N*gger is off limits completely and I don’t care if your black, blue, red or yellow. The word Nigga. It’s up for discussion even though black activist has caused an uproar and campaign against the use. To say that certain people can say something and its cool and others can’t is kind of crazy. In California, some races say it. Some people trip but some don’t. Especially if they are hood. White people more often than not do not slide. I am kind of torn on the nigga subject. I may not want to stop saying it in my personal life just yet but we have to sort of lead by example. What are your thoughts?

Q. Young