The "N" Word: Why would you defend it?

It is exhausting listening to some members of the black community defend the “N” word. There is no defense to the “N” word and to do so is perpetuating segregation and perpetuating oppression.

I am a white person. It is socially unacceptable for me to say that word simply because I am a white person. If a black person argues that it is okay for them to say that word simply because they are a black person, they are perpetuating segregation. If they are singling themselves out on the basis of race they are perpetuating racism. They will argue it is “how" you say it or the “way" you say it and it is not considered negative by many members of the black community. The fact remains it will never matter “how" I say it or the “way" I say it if I said it to a black person or anyone for that matter. I’m certain he or she would find it offensive. There is no defense to the “N” word.

Additionally, it will never matter “how" you say it or the “way" you say it, the degradation, humiliation and oppression associated with that word is ingrained in our society. That will never go away. It has occurred to me that the members of the black community that continue to embrace that word are oppressing one another without even being cognizant of it.

For our future generations and the hope of us ever finally coming together as a people we need to dig a deep hole and finally bury that word.

If you have questions or comments about this article, please share them with me at beth@empathylessons.com.

- Elizabeth Fink, September 19, 2008