The “ n- word” is likely the most controversial word in the English language. In the episode of the popular sitcom Black-ish they tackle the seemly paradoxical rules surrounding this word. In the premiere episode of the 2nd season, the Johnson’s youngest son, Miles, raps Kanye West’s hit song, Gold Digger in the talent show. This rap. Like many others, includes the word, n**gga. The administrator’s are clearly disturbed by this, and due to the school’s zero- tolerance policy for hate speech, he is set to be expelled. Andre, the patriarch of the Johnson family, does not understand why his son can be kicked out of school for using hate speech against his own race. He eventually is able to convince the school administrators to pardon his
…show more content…
White people, excluding Bill Clinton, should definitely never say it. According to them, Bill Clinton probably should not say it, but if he did, he would not be too upset. Police officers should definitely not say it, neither should Mexicans. However, Puerto Ricans and Dominicans can sometimes say it, if they are darker-skinned. Personally, I do not feel the word is ethical for general use by those who are not black. Before one uses the word as an insult, they must understand where it comes from. Traced from the Latin word, niger, meaning black. The words it was traced from originally were not used generally as a slur. Never the less, by the early 1800’s it became a common slur against African Americans. Before using the word, to describe someone as stupid, claiming that as its new meaning, we must remember that the word will always mean a person of African descent. Whether meaning it or not, you are connecting blackness with lower intelligence. Before using it to mean a black person, as non African American, you must remember that it was used to dehumanize and discriminate against them. Personally, I think its ok to be used in a historical context. I also believe one should have the legal right to say whatever they …show more content…
One of the most obvious ways it relates back to the novel is how to discusses the use of AAVE or African American Vernacular English. AAVE is a dialect often used by working class urban African American communities. People who use this sub-set of the English language are often shamed. In To Kill A Mockingbird, Jem and Scout reprimand Calpurnia when they hear her speak in this way. Scout asks Calpurnia,” Why do you nigger –talk to the-to your folks when you know its not right?” (167 H.P). Like in the novel, when Miles uses one of the staple words in AAVE, he is severely punished. His school’s administrators refuse to acknowledge the word’s completely different connation in the black patois. In both situations, the non- minorities attempt to shame these people of color for using a sect of the English language they do not understand. Both groups make almost no attempt to understand it. This summarizes the main reason why I believe black people should be more entitled to say the word. Not all, but many African Ameericans are raised seeing the word in an extremely different way from how whites see it. In AAVE it is even sometimes used as a term of endearment. This is shown in many rap songs such as “
White people, excluding Bill Clinton, should definitely never say it. According to them, Bill Clinton probably should not say it, but if he did, he would not be too upset. Police officers should definitely not say it, neither should Mexicans. However, Puerto Ricans and Dominicans can sometimes say it, if they are darker-skinned. Personally, I do not feel the word is ethical for general use by those who are not black. Before one uses the word as an insult, they must understand where it comes from. Traced from the Latin word, niger, meaning black. The words it was traced from originally were not used generally as a slur. Never the less, by the early 1800’s it became a common slur against African Americans. Before using the word, to describe someone as stupid, claiming that as its new meaning, we must remember that the word will always mean a person of African descent. Whether meaning it or not, you are connecting blackness with lower intelligence. Before using it to mean a black person, as non African American, you must remember that it was used to dehumanize and discriminate against them. Personally, I think its ok to be used in a historical context. I also believe one should have the legal right to say whatever they …show more content…
One of the most obvious ways it relates back to the novel is how to discusses the use of AAVE or African American Vernacular English. AAVE is a dialect often used by working class urban African American communities. People who use this sub-set of the English language are often shamed. In To Kill A Mockingbird, Jem and Scout reprimand Calpurnia when they hear her speak in this way. Scout asks Calpurnia,” Why do you nigger –talk to the-to your folks when you know its not right?” (167 H.P). Like in the novel, when Miles uses one of the staple words in AAVE, he is severely punished. His school’s administrators refuse to acknowledge the word’s completely different connation in the black patois. In both situations, the non- minorities attempt to shame these people of color for using a sect of the English language they do not understand. Both groups make almost no attempt to understand it. This summarizes the main reason why I believe black people should be more entitled to say the word. Not all, but many African Ameericans are raised seeing the word in an extremely different way from how whites see it. In AAVE it is even sometimes used as a term of endearment. This is shown in many rap songs such as “