Black History Month: A time for African-American slave descendants to reflect, uplift the honorable triumphs attained by ancestors, and pay righteous homage to African-American ascendants whom fought hard for the freedoms in which African Americans are privileged today? Or is it?
Descendants of African-American slaves seem to place no value on the valor, courage and fortitude demonstrated by their ascendants. The life and death struggles seem to be unappreciated by these sons and daughters of those once subjugated.
How is it that some of the most significant moments in Black American History remain ignored and ill-appreciated? For instance, the Middle Passage. African-Americans of today seem to disregard, rather than cherish, the memories of the millions who lost their lives after being forced—shackled and underfed—to walk in slave caravans—sometimes as far as 1,000 miles—to a fate worse than death:
Ascendants were placed on slave ships bound for the Americas; those too sick or weary to keep pace with the caravans were often killed or left to die. Others that did make the ship either voluntarily jumped overboard as means of escaping the horrific new life, or were deliberately pushed overboard due to failing health. No honoring the memories of these millions who perished during the Middle Passage exists.
As for the countless numbers who survived the Middle Passage, they were met with an even more dismal fate than the voyage to the new world—the harsh realities of enslavement. They were stripped of their identities, given new names, and taught to envision themselves and their African heritage as inferior and barbaric. Their slave masters insisted on total obedience. This led to complete dependence on the master, which cultivated infantile characteristics in many of the slaves. The masters taught slaves to reject their past while adopting the values of their masters. These transformations were achieved in the most heinous and inhumane ways—through torture, maiming, castrating, sodomizing—ever before witnessed by humankind.
However, in spite of all torturous experiences endured, the resilience of the African-American slave prevailed. Somehow from these ashes of despair, like the mighty phoenix, arose a solid, strong, and magnificent race of people founded on individuality, pride, and dignity. Negro Spirituals, Blues and Jazz are all by-products of African American ingenuity during these trying times, created to maintain a sense of sanity, individuality, and heritage. These innovations also represented their sheer refusal to allow their spirit to be defeated.
Yet the struggles, sacrifices, and accomplishments of the African slaves have largely been ignored or underappreciated by their descendants. As though to rub salt into one’s wound, no greater evidence exists to support this argument than that of the shameless embracing—by the progenies of African slaves—a word that was used to dehumanize, degrade and demean their ascendants: the n-word.
This month, rapper Nas will shamelessly release an album entitled, N**ger, and the on-going saga of Aaron McGruder’s Boondocks continues. These entertainment figures, comedians, other rappers and entertainers alike, along with many in the general public, are all byproducts of a dastardly mind-controlling past which has conditioned them to disrespect themselves and the sacred memories of their ancestry.
The chilling effects of a mind manipulating process that slaves fought hard not to succumb to and African-American civil rights leaders gave their lives to reverse has withstood the test of time, continues to be passed down through the generations, and prevails in this 21st Century—at the hand of African Americans. Carter G. Woodson said it best: “When you control a man’s thinking, you do not have to worry about his actions.”
This trickling down effect is highly evident in Nas’s thought process, who has not only elected the word “N**ger” for the title of his album, but deliberately chose to wait until this month, Black History Month, to release the album. Self-respect, honor, dignity and pride are non-existent among way too many descendants of the once proud and self-respecting African slaves.
Black History Month seemingly becomes less significant with each passing year. This year is proving to be no exception. Nas will so obligingly demonstrate that his black voice serves as a ventriloquist from the acculturation of the slavery process, casting further aspersions upon the true significance of Black History Month.
Instead of erecting a monument to the sacred and cherished memories of their ascendants, a maelstrom of contempt, disrespect and rejection exists in its place. Centuries ago, blacks were leading other blacks into physical enslavement. Centuries later, history is repeating itself. Blacks are once again leading other blacks into enslavement, only this time, towards mental bondage.
Well stated, some are and have been moving in positive directions. Bob Marley is one who has acheived lasting presece through celebrating his people.
African-American people need to build our own monument if any is to be built..
African Americans do need to built their own monument. God knows that with all the black millionaires and the two or three billionaires the funds are certainly there to get the job done. The only thing that I see to keep it from happening is the mind-set, which can be changed.
About Nas. He might be trying to say something by calling his album Nigger. Maybe he's naming his album that to say that no matter how much someone demeans him, he is still strong. Even if that word is permanently attched to him,it will not hurt him. I think he's trying to take the power away from that word by forcing us to see, hear and experience it. I'll have to listen to it. That's my guess anyway. I'm actually kind of pissed i didn't think of that. Everytime somebody says Nigger, it's not because they are ignorant and have no idea what they're doing. Nas is obviously smarter than that and has a purpose in what he is doing. I think it's unfair to put him in the same category with other rappers in that respect.
I too noticed that Black history Month was becoming less significant. Although I think that's changing. This year I'm seeing a lot more celebration of Black history and culture. maybe it's because of Jena 6, and imus, etc.
As far as a monument, we can't expect anyone to do anything for us except ourselves.
I'm going back to Africa
Snakes are Cunning
Confusion reigns supreme as to what the uproar over the n-word is truly about. The following paragraph from my article states:
"Yet the struggles, sacrifices, and accomplishments of the African slaves have largely been ignored or underappreciated by their descendants. As though to rub salt into one’s wound, no greater evidence exists to support this argument than that of the shameless embracing—by the progenies of African slaves—a word that was used to dehumanize, degrade and demean their ascendants: the n-word."
In other words your argument about Nas trying to prove a point to show how strong he is validates the fact that you have totally missed the point from the above paragraph. Today, the n-word is nothing more than a racial slur, however, for almost three centuries it brought terror and fear into the hearts, minds and souls of your ancestry. It served as a license to kill, demean, brutalize and dehumanize a race of people. There memories should be sacred and not desescrated by mocking their experiences with the use of the n-word. There is absolutely no justification for any person of a black heritage to invoke the use of it. If Nas and anyone else wants to truly show how strong they are -- then refrain from using the word. For more than three centuries you have been programmed and conditioned to relate to it -- continual use of the word is nothing more than a show of mental instability and weakness. Based on what the word "n**ger" meant to our ancestry there isn't a black person alive today -- who is in their right mind -- should want to use that word.
I normally wouldn't feel qualified to talk about this sort of thing, but as it so happens, I'm taking a sociology class and we talked about this exact subject today.
And the consensus is that Nas (no clue who that is, even.) could be in the right. That this kind of strategy can, in effect, take the meaning out of a word such as the n-word. (which would make talking about these kinds of things a hell of a lot easier in addition to other benefits)
I could swear up a storm (fuck, bitch, damn, ass, shit) and nobody cares. If I used that kind of language to insult somebody, it wouldn't be that I was using that language, but that I was insulting somebody that people would have a problem with. Reactions to the words themselves would probably vary from non-existent to "oh how childish", but I highly doubt any large number of people would be particularly insulted by the fact that I used those words in particular.
So it's not just the n-word, but any sort of derogatory term (say, for instance, a British cigarette) that could, through a certain kind of usage be made to lose the truly derogatory meaning.
If, for instance, I walked up to a homosexual person and said "Hey, fag" (sorry if I offended anybody) and he gave me a cigarette, what do you think will happen. My thunder will have been stolen. If that sort of thing was done on a big scale, or by influential people, it could essentially kill the derogatory meaning of the word. Maybe (probably) the word would be replaced, but that word would have lost its meaning. The same is theoretically possible for a word like nigger. (sorry if I offend.)
What I basically had to do, even when I was talking about the words, was apologize for using them. That just gives them more power to be hateful.
"Alliance - in international politics, the union of two thieves who have their hands so deeply inserted in each other's pockets that they cannot separately plunder a third."
Ambrose Bierce
I suppose my natural inclination is to inquire as to whether you are African American or Caucasian? Since I'm not sure which you are, suffice it to say that if you are Caucasian, you really should stand off on the sidelines and simply observe since it were your ancestors who programmed, conditioned and trained African Americans to relate to that word in the first place. And all you would be doing is simply carrying out a 300 year old mission or agenda. If you are African American I shall pray for you because you really do need help.
Get use to it, this anti n-word movement is only going to get bigger. You try to reduce this issue to be nothing more than an offensive word, a racial slur. That dog simply doesn't hunt anymore. The days of pulling the wool over people eyes are slowly but surely slipping away. The word n**ger's historical baggage is going to have the spotlight shone on it more and more, as the ugly truth becomes increasingly evident.
"I suppose my natural inclination is to inquire as to whether you are African American or Caucasian?"
I am Caucasian.
"suffice it to say that if you are Caucasian, you really should stand off on the sidelines and simply observe since it were your ancestors who programmed, conditioned and trained African Americans to relate to that word in the first place. And all you would be doing is simply carrying out a 300 year old mission or agenda."
Ah, so a white person can't talk about the issue? And, for your information, my ancestors, for the bulk of that 300 years were being horribly oppressed by the Czars.
"Get use to it, this anti n-word movement is only going to get bigger." I couldn't care less. I was merely making an observation. Out of curiosity, have you ever read the Harry Potter books?
"You try to reduce this issue to be nothing more than an offensive word, a racial slur."
What is it then, if not that? I'm not saying that racism isn't a bigger issue, but I don't see how the word in question is more than a racial slur. I'd be happy for edification.
"The days of pulling the wool over people eyes are slowly but surely slipping away."
Indeed. Language is a powerful tool. Removing the meaning of such a word is like removing the bark from a dog. It's not the last step, but it is important.
"The word n**ger's historical baggage is going to have the spotlight shone on it more and more, as the ugly truth becomes increasingly evident."
Yeah. The ugly truth that it is a very racist term. The fact that it was dehumanizing. But that doesn't mean it has to stay that way. I'm not saying that it would, or should use the word cavalierly, but that it be reduced in potency to words like your average curse words, which hardly have any meaning any more.
"Alliance - in international politics, the union of two thieves who have their hands so deeply inserted in each other's pockets that they cannot separately plunder a third."
Ambrose Bierce
If my demand for respect seems to alienate you that's most unfortunate.
"Ah, so a white person can't talk about the issue? And, for your information, my ancestors, for the bulk of that 300 years were being horribly oppressed by the Czars."
YOU HAVE DONE MORE THAN JUST TALK ABOUT THIS ISSUE, YOU RENDERED AN OPINION THAT I HAPPEN TO FIND TO BE INSULTING. YOU HAVE RATIONALIZED AS TO HOW I SHOULD BE WILLING TO GO ALONG WITH THIS 300 YEAR OLD TRADITION OF RELATING TO MYSELF AS THE N-WORD AND WITH THE HISTORICAL BAGGAGE THAT ACCOMPANIES THIS WORD YOU SHOULD BE THE LAST PERSON TO SUGGEST THAT I DEFINE MYSELF WITH IT.
"I couldn't care less. I was merely making an observation. Out of curiosity, have you ever read the Harry Potter books?" AMAZING! SIMPLY AMAZING! ARE YOU SUGGESTING THAT BY MY READING HARRY POTTER, I WOULD SOMEHOW ACCEPT THE IDEA OF BEING THE N-WORD? AND ONCE AGAIN, YOU HAVE GONE BEYOND OBSERVING, YOU HAVE IMPLIED THAT I SHOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH IDENTIFYING WITH A WORD THAT JUSTIFIED SOME OF THE MOST HORRIBLE ATTROCTIES EVER PERPERATED UPON MANKIND -- N**GER.
"What is it then, if not that? I'm not saying that racism isn't a bigger issue, but I don't see how the word in question is more than a racial slur. I'd be happy for edification."
THIS IS WHERE BOTH MANY BLACKS AND WHITES ALIKE ARE IN THE SAME BOAT. FAR TOO MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN KEPT IN THE DARK ABOUT THE MOST SINISTER, VILE AND IMMORAL MOMENTS OF TIME IN AMERICAN HISTORY -- THE DAYS OF SUBJUGATION. YOU DON'T SEE BECAUSE OUR GRAND AND ILLUSTRIOUS INSTITUATIONALIZED EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM HAS SEEN TO IT THAT WHEN IT COMES TO THE DARKEST MOMENT IN AMERICAN HISTORY THAT IT REMAINS THAT WAY -- IN THE DARK. HOWEVER, FOR THOSE WHO CARE TO DO THE RESEARCH -- THEY CAN LEARN PLENTY, AND WHEREAS IT ISN'T INCUMBENT UPON YOU TO PUT YOURSELF THROUGH SO MUCH TROUBLE, IT CERTAINLY BEHOOVES THE AFRICAN AMERICAN TO GET UP OFF THERE COLLECTIVE BOTTOMS AND USE THEIR HEADS FOR MORE THAN JUST A HAT RACK.
"Indeed. Language is a powerful tool. Removing the meaning of such a word is like removing the bark from a dog. It's not the last step, but it is important." MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WERE KILLED, MAIMED, BRUTALLY RAPED, BOILED AND BURNED ALIVE, CASTRATED, HUNG, EYES AND TEETH KNOCKED OUT, SODOMIZED WITH HOT POKERS -- DO I NEED TO GO ON OR DO YOU GET MY DRIFT? NOW IF SOMEHOW YOU CAN REMOVE THESE ATTROCITIES THEN YEAH, I SUPPOSE SOMEHOW WE COULD REMOVE THE MEANING OF THE WORD.
"Yeah. The ugly truth that it is a very racist term. The fact that it was dehumanizing. But that doesn't mean it has to stay that way. I'm not saying that it would, or should use the word cavalierly, but that it be reduced in potency to words like your average curse words, which hardly have any meaning any more." I BELIEVE THAT I'VE ALREADY ADDRESSED THIS,THE ONLY OTHER THING TO ADD IS THAT THE HISTORY BEHIND THIS WORD IS FAR MORE POTENT THAN JUST AN EVERDAY CURSE WORD.
Your comment lost nearly all it's value to me because it was written in all CAPS.
ISN'T IT DIFFICULT TO READ SOMETHING WHEN IT'S WRITTEN IN ALL CAPS AND THERE'S HARDLY ANY PUNCTUATION AND YOU CAN'T TELL WHERE A SENTENCE BEGINS OR ENDS?
Not only that, but it alludes to yelling, which is uneccessary in an educated, mature argument.
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What's the worst that could happen, apart from all of us being flattened or fried or whatever bombs do? [Rudy Steiner from The Book Thief]
http://progressiveu.org/143541-how-to-survive-the-2008-elections
With you it doesn't matter, whether it's all cap's or not, you still going to be you. And just for the record the cap's are to distinguish one comment from the other and not for screaming, but then I understand that you will use anything for an excuse to cloud the issue.
He actually has a point. There are far better ways to distinguish between the comments you are responding to and your responses. Caps will result in the same sort of response here at ProgressiveU every single time. The simple truth is that it irritates people, is unnecessary and make it even more difficult to read the comment than it needs to be. Assuming that he is simply pointing that out because he disagrees with you and wants to "cloud the issue" is a tad irrational.
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~Fallon~
“What is insanity, anyway? Is it when you scream and everyone else whispers, or is it when you fight for what's right, even when everyone else thinks your wrong?” Ethergoth
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There's no need to scream. And, as long as we remain civil, I don't feel alienated. I merely disagree with your tactics.
"YOU HAVE DONE MORE THAN JUST TALK ABOUT THIS ISSUE, YOU RENDERED AN OPINION THAT I HAPPEN TO FIND TO BE INSULTING. YOU HAVE RATIONALIZED AS TO HOW I SHOULD BE WILLING TO GO ALONG WITH THIS 300 YEAR OLD TRADITION OF RELATING TO MYSELF AS THE N-WORD AND WITH THE HISTORICAL BAGGAGE THAT ACCOMPANIES THIS WORD YOU SHOULD BE THE LAST PERSON TO SUGGEST THAT I DEFINE MYSELF WITH IT."
Talking about something tends to imply rendering an opinion on it. I'm sorry that you're insulted, but that should not rule out rational discussion.
"AMAZING! SIMPLY AMAZING! ARE YOU SUGGESTING THAT BY MY READING HARRY POTTER, I WOULD SOMEHOW ACCEPT THE IDEA OF BEING THE N-WORD? AND ONCE AGAIN, YOU HAVE GONE BEYOND OBSERVING, YOU HAVE IMPLIED THAT I SHOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH IDENTIFYING WITH A WORD THAT JUSTIFIED SOME OF THE MOST HORRIBLE ATTROCTIES EVER PERPERATED UPON MANKIND -- N**GER."
You missed my point. The Harry Potter point is that, in the book, it is pointed out that the refusal to name Voldemort gave him more power. It made the people fear him more. The same is true, I believe, in this situation. That the significance of the word is heightened BECAUSE of the stigma that surrounds it.
:MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WERE KILLED, MAIMED, BRUTALLY RAPED, BOILED AND BURNED ALIVE, CASTRATED, HUNG, EYES AND TEETH KNOCKED OUT, SODOMIZED WITH HOT POKERS -- DO I NEED TO GO ON OR DO YOU GET MY DRIFT? NOW IF SOMEHOW YOU CAN REMOVE THESE ATTROCITIES THEN YEAH, I SUPPOSE SOMEHOW WE COULD REMOVE THE MEANING OF THE WORD."
Yes. These are atrocities. Yes. They should be remembered and condemned as the horrors they are. It seems, that it is you, not I, that insists on connecting yourself to the offending word.Through your insistence that this word can never be weakened. That it must mean these things. That by weakening the word these things will be forgotten. I don't need to hate the word kike to remember the Holocaust. I don't think that you need the n-word to remember the suffering of your people.
"I BELIEVE THAT I'VE ALREADY ADDRESSED THIS,THE ONLY OTHER THING TO ADD IS THAT THE HISTORY BEHIND THIS WORD IS FAR MORE POTENT THAN JUST AN EVERDAY CURSE WORD."
Yes, it is more potent than other curse words. But it gets that power from the veneration, almost, that surrounds the word.
"Alliance - in international politics, the union of two thieves who have their hands so deeply inserted in each other's pockets that they cannot separately plunder a third."
Ambrose Bierce
The cap's are not being used for the purpose of screaming but for easier distinction between my comments and yours, if you don't mind your highness.
"Talking about something tends to imply rendering an opinion on it. I'm sorry that you're insulted, but that should not rule out rational discussion." WHEN YOU MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO DO MY THINKING FOR ME IN TERMS OF HOW I SHOULD DEFINE MYSELF, THAT IS NOT A RATIONAL DISCUSSION.
"You missed my point, again. The Harry Potter point is that, in the book, it is pointed out that the refusal to name Voldemort gave him more power. It made the people fear him more. The same is true, I believe, in this situation. That the significance of the word is heightened BECAUSE of the stigma that surrounds it." NO YOU MISSED MY POINT ! WHEN YOU CAN PROVE TO ME THAT YOU HAVE THE POWER TO ERADICATE THE EVIL HISTORY BEHIND THIS WORD, THEN WE CAN TALK ABOUT YOUR SO-CALLED RATIONAL SUGGESTIONS.
"Yes. These are atrocities. Yes. They should be remembered and condemned as the horrors they are. In fact, it seems, that it is you, not I, that insists on connecting yourself to the offending word.Through your insistence that this word can never be weakened. That it must mean these things. That by weakening the word these things will be forgotten. I don't need to hate the word kike to remember the Holocaust. I don't think that you need the n-word to remember the suffering of your people." PLEASE, GIVE ME A BREAK, LET ME SEE YOU PUT UP SWATISKIS ALL AROUND YOUR HOUSE AND INVITE SOME OF YOUR JEWISH FRIENDS OVER. I WOULD LOVE TO BE AROUND YOU AND SOME OF YOUR JEWISH FRIENDS AND SEE THE REACTION WHEN OVEN JOKES ARE TOLD. GET REAL, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE AND SELL YOUR BALONEY. AND SPEAKING OF THE WORDS KIKE AND HYMIE, I DON'T HEAR THOSE WORDS BEING BLASTED ALL OVER GOD'S CREATION. WHEN MICHAEL JACKSON TRIED USING THOSE VERY SAME WORDS ON ONE OF HIS RECORDINGS BACK IN THE MID 90s THE JEWISH COMMUNITY WAS UP IN ARMS. HE HAD TO REMOVE THE WORDS AND RENDERED AN APOLOGY. ** GO FOR ANYTHING. GOT NEWS FOR -- STAY TUNED, YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHING YET.
Edited by Fallon for Terms of Service Violation 2-5-08
"The cap's are not being used for the purpose of screaming but for easier distinction between my comments and yours, if you don't mind your highness."
They most commonly symbolize yelling. So, I beg your pardon for misreading your use of caps.
"WHEN YOU MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO DO MY THINKING FOR ME IN TERMS OF HOW I SHOULD DEFINE MYSELF, THAT IS NOT A RATIONAL DISCUSSION."
In what way am I doing your thinking for you? I'm merely advocating another opinion. You can think however and whatever you like. Someone arguing a position isn't trying to think for you, they're trying to argue a position.
"NO YOU MISSED MY POINT ! WHEN YOU CAN PROVE TO ME THAT YOU HAVE THE POWER TO ERADICATE THE EVIL HISTORY BEHIND THIS WORD, THEN WE CAN TALK ABOUT YOUR SO-CALLED RATIONAL SUGGESTIONS."
Perhaps my suggestion is not rational. Like I said before, I may be wrong. I did not say rational suggestions. I said rational discussion. You can't change history, but you can change how you remember it. When the chips come down, it is a word. You don't need the word to remember the atrocities of the past.
"PLEASE, GIVE ME A BREAK, LET ME SEE YOU PUT UP SWATISKIS ALL AROUND YOUR HOUSE AND INVITE SOME OF YOUR JEWISH FRIENDS OVER."
Quite. I agree. And, if the neo-Nazi movement lost the power behind that symbol, then it would lose a good deal of power, just as racist organizations would lose power with the loss of their word.
"AND SPEAKING OF THE WORDS KIKE AND HYMIE, I DON'T HEAR THOSE WORDS BEING BLASTED ALL OVER GOD'S CREATION. WHEN MICHAEL JACKSON TRIED USING THOSE VERY SAME WORDS ON ONE OF HIS RECORDINGS BACK IN THE MID 90s THE JEWISH COMMUNITY WAS UP IN ARMS."
That doesn't mean that I agree with that reaction. I didn't say that there wasn't a negative reaction to those words. I said that I didn't have a negative reaction to those words.If someone called me a kike, I wouldn't be insulted by the word, but by the fact that somebody was using that word to insult me.
And, no, you don't hear those words as much.
"YOU SEE THE PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND IS THAT YOU THINK ALL BLACKS ARE FOOLS AND THAT WE ARE LIKE GOPHERS AND WILL GO FOR ANYTHING. GOT NEWS FOR -- STAY TUNED, YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHING YET."
I don't think all of any race is anything.
Thank you for all your input, but half my mission has been accomplished and the other half will eventually be and that is the building of the monument. Read my UPDATE response. Take Care!
Your update has been read. Where are you going to build your monument?
If your only point was to get this Nas person not to release his album in Black History Month I must say, you were a bit inflammatory.
Take care yourself.
"Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do."
Benjamin Franklin
:-)
As much as I see it here on ProU, I am still shocked and offended at how comments like this do nothing but promote racism.
Oh wait, I'm white... I'm not allowed to talk about race issues. My mistake.
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What's the worst that could happen, apart from all of us being flattened or fried or whatever bombs do? [Rudy Steiner from The Book Thief]
http://progressiveu.org/143541-how-to-survive-the-2008-elections
There's a big difference in discussing racial issues and advocating that a race of people identify with, and to define themselves by, a word that's drenched in ignorance and degradation. A word that was invoked on them by your forefathers and the fact that you in this 21st Century see fit to want to advocate carrying on this same 300 year old tradition is yes at the very least...a mistake, a BIG mistake.
You don't know where I'm from.
You don't know where my family is from.
How do you know that anyone in my family ever advocated for slaves or called black people "niggers'?
How dare you accuse my (or anyone's) ancestors of what you are accusing them of?
Furthermore, I never once said that I advocated carrying on the use of the word "nigger." I'm appalled that you would suggest that.
I think we had an argument about this before, my friend Goldfingers. I still stand where I did before. I really believe that comments like this do nothing but advocate racism.
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What's the worst that could happen, apart from all of us being flattened or fried or whatever bombs do? [Rudy Steiner from The Book Thief]
http://progressiveu.org/143541-how-to-survive-the-2008-elections
So, then just exactly what is it you are trying to say?
"Furthermore, I never once said that I advocated carrying on the use of the word "nigger." I'm appalled that you would suggest that."
I said exactly what I was trying to say.
The way you came off makes it sound like you are accusing all white people (and/or all white people's ancestors) of oppressing your ancestors.
I don't know what was so confusing about that.
I also think that it's completely ridiculous that you exclude white people from the conversation and suggest that white peoples' arguments don't have any justification or bearing in a conversation about the word "nigger" and racism.
Ask anyone if my comment which you replied to: "As much as I see it here on ProU, I am still shocked and offended at how comments like this do nothing but promote racism.
Oh wait, I'm white... I'm not allowed to talk about race issues. My mistake.
" suggested that I promote the use of the word Nigger.
It doesn't.
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What's the worst that could happen, apart from all of us being flattened or fried or whatever bombs do? [Rudy Steiner from The Book Thief]
http://progressiveu.org/143541-how-to-survive-the-2008-elections
Burning Example get real, you are truly a burning example of what I'm trying to convey here.
"I think it's stupid for you to come here and accuse all white people (and/or all white people's ancestors) of oppressing your ancestors." TRYING TO PUT WORDS IN MY MOUTH ISN'T GOING TO GET YOU ANYWHERE. I HAVE NOT ACCUSED ALL WHITE PEOPLE OF BEING OPPRESSORS. HOWEVER, THE VERY FACT THAT YOU ARE WHITE DISQUALIFIES YOU FROM TRYING TO DEFINE BLACKS AS THE N-WORD.
"I also think that it's completely ridiculous that you exclude white people from the conversation and suggest that white peoples' arguments don't have any justification or bearing in a conversation about the word "nigger" and racism." I THINK IT IS MORE THAN RIDICULOUS IF YOU THINK YOU SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO DETERMINE HOW I SHOULD DEFINE MYSELF. SEEMS TO ME YOU ARE TRYING TO TAKE A PAGE OUT OF THE 17TH, 18TH, AND 19TH CENTURY. YOU WISH TO DO MY THINKING FOR ME. TRUST ME I KNOW OF MANY WHITES WHOSE HEARTS ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE AND WOULD NEVER DREAM OF TRYING TO PUT THE BULLSHYT YOU ARE TRYING TO PULL HERE.
You said "if you are Caucasian, you really should stand off on the sidelines and simply observe"...
meaning that caucasians should not have a part in this conversation.
Correct me if I'm wrong. But that's what you said.
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What's the worst that could happen, apart from all of us being flattened or fried or whatever bombs do? [Rudy Steiner from The Book Thief]
http://progressiveu.org/143541-how-to-survive-the-2008-elections
meaning that caucasians should not have a part in this conversation.
Correct me if I'm wrong. But that's what you said.
What you did is interpret the meaning of what I said to suit yourself. I don't need your input as to how I should define myself especially with a word such as the n-word. That's a matter for blacks to decide on their own, with no help from non-blacks, it may come as a surprise to you but some of us are perfectly capable of thinking for ourselves.
Hm. Apparently don't think black people can think for themselves because I interpret what you say as it was said. You accuse people of putting words in your mouth, but then turn around and do the same thing.
It seems as if all you're doing in all of your comments is taking whatever you want out of the conversation and somehow turning it into a racist statement when no one is doing anything to degrade you.
I'm leaving this conversation before it gets out of hand.
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What's the worst that could happen, apart from all of us being flattened or fried or whatever bombs do? [Rudy Steiner from The Book Thief]
http://progressiveu.org/143541-how-to-survive-the-2008-elections
"...it may come as a surprise to you but some of us are perfectly capable of thinking for ourselves."
I think that you are confusing people thinking for themselves, and thinking the way you do.
As you said earlier in regards to someone of African American heritage holding Jsaj's opinion that n**ger could be diminished as a slur without diminishing the pride of African Americans,
“If you are African American I shall pray for you because you really do need help.”
Are you suggesting that even within the community that you say should be allowed to discuss the topic there is only one correct view?
So what do we have here, somebody trying to be a mouthpiece for someone else?
"I think that you are confusing people thinking for themselves, and thinking the way you do." DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE WAY PEOPLE LIKE ME THINK?
"Are you suggesting that even within the community that you say should be allowed to discuss the topic there is only one correct view?" IF THAT WAS INDEED THE CASE THERE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A NEED FOR MY ARTICLE, NOW WOULD IT?
I am perfectly capable of speaking for myself. Just because another blogger took issue with something you said to me does not mean that said blogger is speaking for me.
"Alliance - in international politics, the union of two thieves who have their hands so deeply inserted in each other's pockets that they cannot separately plunder a third."
Ambrose Bierce
It seems to me that Jsaj is perfectly vocal.
DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE WAY PEOPLE LIKE ME THINK?
No. I'm skeptical of Jsaj's premise but don't think that the idea is without merit.
I am however troubled with the thought process that leads you to believe that you need to pray for someone that holds an opposite opinion from you. Not even an opposite opinion, merely a different one. Seeing as you both want the same thing, a world where people need not be degraded by a word.
"IF THAT WAS INDEED THE CASE THERE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A NEED FOR MY ARTICLE, NOW WOULD IT?"
Indeed.
I can't help but think that you've missed my point. The point is that railing so strongly against a WORD, you are increasing the potency and power of that degradation. If I called someone a bitch in the past, it would have been a big deal that I used the word. Now, who bats an eye? It's not that we've become insensitive to insults, but that the word has lost its power to insult and a swear is little more than a child's "you're stupid!"
"Alliance - in international politics, the union of two thieves who have their hands so deeply inserted in each other's pockets that they cannot separately plunder a third."
Ambrose Bierce
You can talk until you are blue in the face, but hell will freeze over first before you can sell me that bill of goods. This not about that WORD, this is about the historical baggage which that word brings with it that you wish I would so conveniently forget about. America certainly didn't forget about 9/11, DID THEY? No we went over an took it out on a country totally innocent. -- Iraq. The Jewish community is making damn sure that the world never forgets about their Holocaust.
But this is America who is the culprit now, and there are those of you who will do whatever you can to keep that foot on the African American's neck, if they are silly enough to allow you to keep it there. Just as Blacks have been conditioned to relate to that word, there are Whites who have been conditioned to keep the tradition alive.
"You can talk until you are blue in the face, but hell will freeze over first before you can sell me that bill of goods."
I never refuse to be convinced of something. Perhaps if you tried not yelling an insulting you may convince me that I am wrong. I think, though, that it is harmful to conversation when one side so bluntly states their refusal to consider what the other is saying.
"This not about that WORD, this is about the historical baggage which that word brings with it that you wish I would so conveniently forget about."
It is about a word. That baggage can be remembered without it. There was a time when the word Commie meant you could lose everything. I remember McCarthyism. I don't have any problems with the word Commie.
"America certainly didn't forget about 9/11, DID THEY? No we went over an took it out on a country totally innocent. -- Iraq."
Indeed we did, and that was a very stupid thing to do on their part. But again, we remember the event, not through a word, but through itself.
"The Jewish community is making damn sure that the world never forgets about their Holocaust."
And I don't need to explode when I hear the word kike because my ancestors could have been sent to concentration camps. In fact, it's pretty likely that some of my family of that generation which lived in Poland did get sent to concentration camps. I can remember that tragedy, but not through a nasty word.
"But this is America who is the culprit now, and there are those of you who will do whatever you can to keep that foot on the African American's neck, if they are silly enough to allow you to keep it there."
My foot is on nothing but the floor. As I said, I merely disagree with your tactics in relation to the word.
"Just as Blacks have been conditioned to relate to that word, there are Whites who have been conditioned to keep the tradition alive."
And I'm the one accused of racism. Just because I disagree with you. Maybe I am wrong. I don't think I am, but I could be. You have done nothing but insult me, only for pointing out that your way MAY not be the best way to handle things, for pointing out that, from an academic standpoint, there are other ways, which I happen to agree with. I think that overcoming the word by changing its nature would be much more effective than some pseudo-reverence that can be railed against for all eternity and never fall.
"Alliance - in international politics, the union of two thieves who have their hands so deeply inserted in each other's pockets that they cannot separately plunder a third."
Ambrose Bierce
" I never refuse to be convinced of something. Perhaps if you tried not yelling an insulting you may convince me that I am wrong. I think, though, that it is harmful to conversation when one side so bluntly states their refusal to consider what the other is saying." YOU ARE ASKING ME TO CONSIDER WHETHER OR NOT I SHOULD DEFINE MYSELF WITH THE N-WORD? ARE YOU CRAZY? NO, YOU AREN'T CRAZY, YOU JUST EXPECT ME TO BE.
"It is about a word. That baggage can be remembered without it. There was a time when the word Commie meant you could lose everything. I remember McCarthyism. I don't have any problems with the word Commie." THERE YOU GO AGAIN TRYING TO DO OUR THINKING FOR US. THE N-WORD IS A MOCKERY TO THE MEMORY OF ALL AFRICAN AMERICANS ANCESTRY, AND THE MORE I SEE OF THE COMMENTS HERE, THE MORE IT IS APPARENT THAT THE PREVAILING THOUGHTS OF THE 17th, l8th and 19th CENTURIES ARE STILL ALIVE.
"And I don't need to explode when I hear the word kike because my ancestors could have been sent to concentration camps. In fact, it's pretty likely that some of my family of that generation which lived in Poland did get sent to concentration camps. I can remember that tragedy, but not through a nasty word." SURE THAT'S WHY MICHAEL JACKSON HAD TO REMOVE KIKE AND HYMIE FROM HIS CD AND APOLOGIZE TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY FOR PUTTING THEM THEIR IN THE FIRST PLACE.
"My foot is on nothing but the floor. As I said, I merely disagree with your tactics in relation to the word." CORRECT IF I AM WRONG, BUT I DON'T EVER RECALL ASKING FOR YOUR PERMISSION AS TO HOW I SHOULD PROCEED IN MY QUEST FOR SOME RESPECT. THE SAME RESPECT THAT WAS DEMANDED FROM MICHAEL JACKSON. ARE IS IT THAT BLACKS ARE NOT WORTHY OF SUCH RESPECT?
"And I'm the one accused of racism. Just because I disagree with you. Maybe I am wrong. I don't think I am, but I could be. But you have to learn to get over yourself. You have done nothing but insult me, only for pointing out that your way MAY not be the best way to handle things, for pointing out that, from an academic standpoint, there are other ways, which I happen to agree with. I think that overcoming the word by changing its nature would be much more effective than some pseudo-reverence that can be railed against for all eternity and never fall." LISTEN, UNDERSTAND ONE THING, RESPECT BEGETS RESPECT. YOU SHOW ME NO RESPECT, I SHOW YOU NONE. THERE IS NOTHING RESPECTFUL ABOUT YOU TRYING TO INSULT MY INTELLIGENCE WITH THE NONSENSE ON HOW I SHOULD DEFINE MYSELF WITH THE N-WORD. YOU HAVE NO IDEA, UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, I AM BEING VERY CIVIL WITH YOU.
"YOU ARE ASKING ME TO CONSIDER WHETHER OR NOT I SHOULD DEFINE MYSELF WITH THE N-WORD? ARE YOU CRAZY? NO, YOU AREN'T CRAZY, YOU JUST EXPECT ME TO BE."
It is you, not I, that continuously insists on defining yourself with that word by suggesting that the heritage of African Americans can not be separated from the word. I say they can be. That is the point that I am trying to make.
"CORRECT IF I AM WRONG, BUT I DON'T EVER RECALL ASKING FOR YOUR PERMISSION AS TO HOW I SHOULD PROCEED IN MY QUEST FOR SOME RESPECT. THE SAME RESPECT THAT WAS DEMANDED FROM MICHAEL JACKSON. ARE IS IT THAT BLACKS ARE NOT WORTHY OF SUCH RESPECT?"
Wow. I'm not saying that you can't do whatever you want. I honestly don't care. If you think jumping up and down, screaming "racist" will get you respect, then do so.
"CORRECT IF I AM WRONG, BUT I DON'T EVER RECALL ASKING FOR YOUR PERMISSION AS TO HOW I SHOULD PROCEED IN MY QUEST FOR SOME RESPECT. THE SAME RESPECT THAT WAS DEMANDED FROM MICHAEL JACKSON. ARE IS IT THAT BLACKS ARE NOT WORTHY OF SUCH RESPECT?"
I show you no respect! :)) That's a laugh. All I did was suggest that there could be a different approach and you instantly exploded. You accused me (and my ancestors) of being part of some huge scheme to oppress you. You accused me, again and again of racism. And I'm the one disrespecting you! :))
"Alliance - in international politics, the union of two thieves who have their hands so deeply inserted in each other's pockets that they cannot separately plunder a third."
Ambrose Bierce
My article served a purpose and it has been accomplished for the most part, insofar as the building of the monument that too will eventually happen. Thank you for all your input, my response entitled UPDATE will sufficiently serve as an answer to any and all other comments you may happen to have. Have a good day, I certainly shall.
Take care!
"My foot is on nothing but the floor."
Classic. :))
Oh look, Jsaj, I was able to differentiate your text and my text without the use of all caps! It's AMAZING! X-(
----
What's the worst that could happen, apart from all of us being flattened or fried or whatever bombs do? [Rudy Steiner from The Book Thief]
http://progressiveu.org/143541-how-to-survive-the-2008-elections
heh heh. Thanks.
"Alliance - in international politics, the union of two thieves who have their hands so deeply inserted in each other's pockets that they cannot separately plunder a third."
Ambrose Bierce
He who laughs last, laughs the longest, I will allow my UPDATE to do my laughing for me. Take care! And oh, yes, stay tuned there is more to come.
I saw your update and couldn't be more pleased. I really don't think that your update really stops me from laughing. I'm perfectly jovial.
"Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do."
Benjamin Franklin
Why should he refrain from using it? Because of the pain caused by that word? I most certainly did not miss the point of your paragraph, but the Nas album was a bad example to use. You feel that no one should use it because it's only been used to dehumanize people, but no people should let a single word make them feel less than human. I've been called nigger a few times in my life and never once did it dehumanize me. Your reaction to his album title shows the power of that word. This is why I say it shows his strength, because he will not be taken down by a single word. He has taken the single most offensive word that any Black person can be called, branded himself with it, and still has his strength, pride, honor, etc. You should think more about Why he chose this title.
I'm going back to Africa
Snakes are Cunning
**
"Why should he refrain from using it? Because of the pain caused by that word?" THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTIONS LIES IN MY ARTICLE, IF YOU REFUSE TO ACCEPT THOSE ANSWERS, THAT IS YOUR CHOICE.
"I most certainly did not miss the point of your paragraph, but the Nas album was a bad example to use. You feel that no one should use it because it's only been used to dehumanize people, but no people should let a single word make them feel less than human." THE ONLY REASON WE ARE HAVING THIS DISCUSSION IS BECAUSE YOU DID INDEED MISS THE POINT. EVERY WORD YOU ARE USING HERE VALIDATES THE FACT THAT YOU JUST DON'T GET IT.
"I've been called nigger a few times in my life and never once did it dehumanize me." THIS COMMENT YOU MAKE IS FURTHER VALIDATION THAT YOU JUST DON'T GET IT. THIS ISN'T ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS OR MY FEELINGS, THIS IS ABOUT THE SACRED MEMORIES OF YOUR ANCESTORS WHICH YOU CLEARLY HAVE DEMONSTRATED YOU DON'T GIVE LESS THAN A DAMN ABOUT. I DON'T THINK YOU WOULD LIKE IT IF PEOPLE BROKE INTO YOUR HOME ONE NIGHT, KIDNAPPED YOUR MOTHER, FATHER, BROTHER AND SISTER AND YES EVEN YOU. TIED YOU UP TO A TREE TAPED YOUR MOUTH AND ALLOWED YOU TO WATCH WHILE THEY RAPED YOUR MOTHER AND SISTER, SODOMIZE YOUR FATHER WITH A HOT POKER, THEN PUNCH OUT ONE OF HIS EYES, CASTRATE HIM, THEN BURN HIM ALIVE. TAKE YOUR BROTHER AND BOIL HIM ALIVE -- AND WHY? BECAUSE THEY LOOKED UPON YOUR RELATIVES AS BEING 3/5 of a person, subhuman and therefore were classified as n**gers, making it okay to do whatever they want to them and you. AFTER THEY ARE FINISHED THEY THEN DRAW THEIR ATTENTION ON YOU AND ALL THEY WHILE THEY ARE DOING AS THEY PLEASE TO YOU, THE JEERS OF n**ger, n**ger, n**ger ringing in your ears -- well at least one of them, because they cut the other one off.
THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR ANCESTORS AND WORST -- AND YET HERE YOU ARE IN THE 21ST CENTURY, SHOWING NO RESPECT FOR THEIR MEMORIES-- BY EMBRACING THE VERY SAME WORD THAT WAS USED TO DEHUMANIZE THEM.
NO, THE WORD DOESN'T DEHUMANIZE YOU IN THIS 21ST CENTURY, TOO BAD YOUR ANCESTORS WASN'T SO LUCKY.
"This is why I say it shows his strength, because he will not be taken down by a single word." AS RECENT AS THE 60s LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN THE SOUTH WOULD HARRASS YOUNG BLACK MEN BY BEATING ON THEM, ASKING THEM THEIR NAMES, AND WOULD NOT STOP BEATING THEM UNTIL THE WORDS, I'm a n**ger flowed from their lips. FOR 300 YEARS YOU HAVE BEEN ABUSED AND MISUSED, PROGRAMMED, TRAINED AND CONDITIONED TO RELATE TO THAT WORD. TO THIS VERY DAY YOU ARE PROGRAMMED TO USE THAT WORD, AS IS EVIDENT BY SOME OF THE COMMENTS HERE. IT IS FAR EASIER FOR YOU, NAS AND ANYONE ELSE TO USE THE WORD THAN IT IS FOR YOU NOT TO USE IT. YOU JUST SIMPLY DON'T HAVE THE MENTAL STRENGTH TO REFRAIN FROM USING IT.
WHEN WWII WAS OVER AND THE BLACK SOLDIERS CAME HOME, THEY CAME HOME TO JEERS OF, "Don't forger you will always be a n**ger", BASED ON YOUR COMMENTS HERE, YOU SEEM TO KNOW YOUR PLACE.
"He has taken the single most offensive word that any Black person can be called, branded himself with it, and still has his strength, pride, honor, etc. You should think more about Why he chose this title." AND YOU SHOULD GIVE MORE THOUGHT TO WHY THERE IS NO HONOR, DIGNITY AND PRIDE IN HIS USING THAT WORD FOR A TITLE. AND YOU LOOK UPON AS STRENGTH IS NOTHING MORE THAN AN INFANTILE GESTURE SUCH AS HE HAS BEEN CONDITIONED FOR.
**Edited by Fallon on 2-5-08 for Terms of Service Violation.
** How old are you? Anyone who has taken an English lit class should get my argument. I'm sorry a single word has the power to destroy you. Maybe one day you'll realize that everything is not black or white (figuratively seapking).
I'm going back to Africa
Snakes are Cunning
**Edited by Fallon for ToS violation; 2-5-08.
I understand perfectly well what you are saying , you are saying in so many words how content you are with defining yourself as the n-word.
You are saying that you will forever let a word make you feel powerless. If someone else defines me as a nigger, that does not change anything about me.
I'm going back to Africa
Snakes are Cunning
You are obviously somewhat confused, you are assuming that your feelings are mines as well, when you use such a word as powerless, it's an expression of yours not mine. As I once before pointed out to you, your primary concern is a selfish one, your entire approach is from a position of self-centerness.
I also pointed out to you that much of what is covered in my article has gone completely over your head. Perhaps, hopefully, in another five or ten years it will register with you the point that's being made here.
When you can mustered the courage to address the issues of your ancestry which you have yet to acknowledge then perhaps we can transcend to a higher level of reality.
Please don't insult. You don't know what I know about my ancestors.
You are obviously somewhat confused, you are assuming that your feelings are mines as well, when you use such a word as powerless, it's an expression of yours not mine.
I do not feel powerless. What part of my comments gave you that impression? I said that even when called a nigger I can hold my head up. Is that powerlessness? If it is we have different dictionaries.
As I once before pointed out to you, your primary concern is a selfish one, your entire approach is from a position of self-centerness.
That's your opinion. I shouldn't have to pretend to have emotions I don't. If that makes me selfish too bad.
I also pointed out to you that much of what is covered in my article has gone completely over your head. Perhaps, hopefully, in another five or ten years it will register with you the point that's being made here.
Your point did not go over my head. is it that hard for you to imagine that there might be meaning behind Nas giving his album that title? Do you really think he's dping it because he's that ignorant? He's not.
When you can mustered the courage to address the issues of your ancestry which you have yet to acknowledge then perhaps we can transcend to a higher level of reality.
What issues do I have yet to acknowledge? I know my history well (or as well as a Black person can). Please enlighten me. There is a difference between someone mindlessly uttering the word "nigger" and someone saying something meaningful while using that word. You won't even write the word, even though everyone knows what word we're discussing. It won't hurt you if you don't let it.
I'm going back to Africa
Actions speaks louder than words, a message was received loud and clear or did you not read my UPDATE message. You may not get it but they sure did.
Had African Americans received monetary reparations for racism, slavery, and all those dreadful lynches, the word "nigger" most likely would bring laughter to an African American.
NAS, N**GER ALBUM HAS BEEN MOVED BACK ONCE AGAIN"
In Category: Hip-Hop News Archive on February 4, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Reports had the album coming out in February with the first single coming out in January. But it looks like Nas will not be dropping the controversial, “Nigger,” album during Black History Month. Inside sources have told RealTalkNY the album will not be hitting stores this month. A single should however be released in [...]
Original Link From Real Talk NY (or you can use regular link here)
Well, this has turned into quite a mess...
Okay, first, Goldfingers - there are several ways you can distinguish between one person's comments and your own replies. The easiest way would be to insert the "blockquote" tags around their comments, which will separate their comments easily.
your reply will appear normal. If you need help with this or other HTML coding, please let me know. I'd be happy to help you make your writing more understandable through the use of this code. Additionally, this will minimize the chances that others will misread or misinterpret your comments.
Second - This blog is confusing. Black History Month does not celebrate African American descendents of slaves. It celebrates Black Americans and the many many cultures that comprise that population. This includes people whose Ancesters did not hail from Africa, and those whose ancesters were never slaves. It is not supposed to be a reminder of the harsh times or of slavery - but of the sheer strength of the Black people (as a collective whole) to overcome such hardships. It's to help them celebrate the culture from which they've grown - not to drudge up old memories and hatred.
As far as the use of the N word; I understand that there are several groups trying to change its meaning. They do so in an attempt to remove the word's power. And yes, this is a powerful word - it's an awful word. You don't have to be a Black American to understand how bad that word is. And I, for one, do not believe the power from this word will ever be removed simply because no one is willing to let it go - as this blog entry clearly demonstrates. You're not the only person who has insinuated that this word is so bad that its use should be discontinued - I've even been told by many that the word should be illegalized. With so many people holding such strong feelings over this word - there's no way to completely remove its power, or to change its meaning.
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"when you have nothing else to say, "Fwonk" is always the perfect thing."
"yeah well, fwonk"
--Devon
Fanaile Essence
Thank you for the advice I appreciate you pointing out to me the need for the use of "blockquote" tags and I am indeed a novice when it comes to the use of HTML and am open to further suggestions on how to use it. So yes further help from you would be warranted.
Second - You stand to be corrected, African American ancestors are indeed a part of Black History and in fact a MAJOR part, not to mention that it is also a part of American History as well. To say African American ancestors isn't a part of history is ludicrous and simply absurd. Also, if our public educational system didn't find it so convenient to omit positive aspects of black Americans from its history books, such as it has and still do, there would be no need to re-visit the harsh times of slavery and all of its evil attributes. Black and whites alike are totally ignorant about the significant contributions made by black Americans in general, and this is in large part due to the deliberate omissions in America's portrayal of it's history via it's institutionalized educational system.
To understand all of the underhandedness that's going on today in America's society one is compelled to re-live all that went on during the days of subjugation, because it is there where the key lies for answers to today's racial injustices. Not only the racial injustices that's still going on in America today, but the past will also reveal answers to some disturbing issues that are alive and prevalent in today's black community.
Insofar, as the n-word is concern, there is no justification or rationale for African Americans to define themselves with a word that's drenched in ignorance, degradation and immorality. That word is linked to a very dark and sinister history and if it means re-visiting such a wicked and evil period of time to gain an understanding as to why that word should be off-limits then so be it. There are many such as yourself who would prefer that all of what did indeed happen be swept underneath a rug and forgotten about. It is in the African Americans best interest that none of it is forgotten as is evident by there willingness to embrace the very word that brought a rain of terror, fear, and ruthlessness into the hearts, minds and souls of their ancestry. The n-word is being kept alive because there are indeed far too many African Americans who have forgotten.
This is not about the removal of a power from a word, unless you can eradicate history that word shall always exist in infamy, no, this is about restoring self-respect, pride, dignity and honor something that word does not possess. For three centuries there has been a campaign to instill into the hearts and minds of blacks that they are the n-word. That campaign, in this 21st century, is still very much alive.
I think you misunderstood my meaning. [-(
I didn't say that descendants of slaves weren't part of history - I meant that Black History Month was not solely for their celebration. It was set up as a starting point for all Black Americans to celebrate their history and heritage, and to help educate others on that history and heritage. But the history of Black Americans is not centered solely on their hardships wrought by the slave trade. I know several Black Americans who would be highly insulted by the insinuation that the month does not include them, since they do not hail from Africa and their ancestry never included slavery.
Of course the slave trade is an important part of American history - and it's one that should be taught and remembered, good bad and ugly. But it is not the defining point of Black Americans. And the point of the month is not to celebrate just them.
That's all I meant.
For help with HTML, you can look at this FAQ: http://www.progressiveu.org/node/37581. It describes some of the most commonly used tags to help emphasize your points.
Or, you can feel free to send me a private message if you have any other questions.
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"when you have nothing else to say, "Fwonk" is always the perfect thing."
"yeah well, fwonk"
--Devon
Fanaile Essence
No problem, but there is one little thing that perhaps should be cleared up. It was never said, nor implied, that Black History Month was solely for the celebration of African Americans ancestry and/or the hardships of slavery. Nor was there a statement implying that slavery is the defining point of Black Americans.
What was said and emphasized is the need for a Monument saluting the heroics, struggles and sacrifices of the African American ancestry.
I had a lot of respect for you and your writing after reading this blog until I saw all of the ridiculous attacks you made against the people who left comments. I was really disappointed that you would lose your cool and pour all of the respect you earned with your writing down the drain.
I love abortion. Read more here:
http://progressiveu.org/044921-i-love-abortion-even-if-it-murder