Posted on 03/22/2011 5:53:05 PM PDT by Graybeard58
In January, controversy surrounded the announcement that Waterbury Arts Magnet School students would perform the play "Joe Turner's Come and Gone." Some, led by Superintendent David L. Snead, objected to the frequent use of the N-word in the century-old, award-winning play by black playwright August Wilson. Mr. Snead initially took steps to block the performance but later relented.
Partly in response to this controversy, Waterbury school officials staged a forum March 16 on racial slurs, how their use can adversely affect people, and possible disciplinary action against students who use them.
Such a forum is welcome and a little overdue.
The N-word, the most egregious of racial slurs, is commonly used by today's young people, including African-Americans. In fact, at Wednesday's forum, several students (and adults) said they use the N-word, but with a slightly different pronunciation. They say this pronunciation difference changes the insulting word into a term of endearment. "N***er is a word that should never be used, but N***a is a way our generation found to use it but never forget what other generations went through," said Kennedy High School student Renaissance Cruz.
It also is common for contemporary musical artists to use the N-word in their songs, and for the word to turn up in movies that, unlike "Joe Turner's Come and Gone," are not depicting a time in which the term was more widely used. This also was noted by forum participants.
Using any form of the N-word is shameful, and Waterbury teachers who do not permit its informal use in their classrooms are to be applauded.
It is troubling that many young African-Americans see no problem with the "new" N-word. If they want to honor past generations, they should make a concerted effort to stay away from any form of the term used so cruelly to insult their ancestors, and even living family members.
Waterbury teacher Trevira Boatright, who is African-American, said she does not allow her students to use the term because "I know what my parents went through. They grew up in the South."
That is something to be respected, not trampled.
I grew up in the "south", this woman doesn't know what she is talking about. I've encountered more racism here in the "north" than I ever saw in the south.
Ping to a Republican-American Editorial.
If you want on or off this ping list, let me know.
So afraid of the PC police, the word “nigger” cannot be used, even in context. See “Huckleberry Finn” and the South Park episode “Naggers” (stet)
Something here for everybody to be offended by.
Unfortunately, what constitutes a racist or offensive term is a moving target. Terms that used to be considered polite are now offensive . . . and vice versa.
Various self-appointed arbiters of taking offense don't help by changing their minds periodically.
I think the best approach is what the school did here -- have a structured, rational discussion and clear the air. The corollary is don't mess with the text, because once you start altering things you'll have to do it every 10 years or so to keep up.
“N-word” forum? Did they discuss the use of “niggardly”? Or was it about “negate,” or “nugatory”?
Oh, they mean “nigger”? That’s rather a rude word to call someone else, but no worse than many other rude terms. How about we all address one other by our given names or titles?
It would have been tough for August Wilson to write a "century-old" play since he wasn't even born until 1945. "Joe Turner" was first performed in 1984 when (despite that year's bad reputation) political correctness was not half so asinine as it is today.
Only a ni**ah kin be caulin' a ni**ah a niga**h.....muggaflugga!
Thank goodness.
But Niggaz is ok or is it Niggaz are ok?
I just want to be up to date, I didn’t grow
up in the Souf.
Why are these so called journalists such liars!
The term is primarily used by African Americans. You know it and I know it!!
These liberals are making life more difficult for blacks by lying to them. Blacks know they're lying. It's part of the game. But it's a put-down to constantly protect - but in reality lie to them.
Between the gang-bangers and the liberals the blacks don't have a chance.
I grew up in the South, in the 70s and 80s, and nobody I knew, of any race, called anyone else “nigger,” at least not in front of me. I think it was a brief, shining moment in which the old racism had died, and the new racism hadn’t yet caught on.
I did and I can't recall a soul ever pronouncing it that way except children or hairlips.
I'm a Joe Turner fan!
But that was last century... < /sarc >
“I’m a Joe Turner fan!”
Me too...
Let em roll like a big wheel thru a Georgia cotton field!
Why is nigger any different than wop, kike, spic, wet back, mick, fag? If anything, I would say the “C-Word” is worse than all of these.
[”I know what my parents went through. They grew up in the South.”]
South Boston?
Having never heard of August Wilson before today, I'd never have caught it.
IMO, it is nothing more than an adolescent head game by self-proclaimed victims designed to maintain an effective level of guilt.
OK, you may call me Gray and I'll call you Tax or should it be Miss/Mrs. Tax and Mister Beard?
Take my lightness for what it is, I've been a fan of yours for a while now.
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