There are words I hear every day from students that make me cringe. It’s not the incorrect crafting of sentence structure and or the misuse of adverbs. They are the words I have been hearing for years in the classrooms and hallways of our schools. And sadly enough, they have become part of the student vocabulary.
While these kids think these words give them street cred, what they really are nasty, hateful and disgusting. They toss them around as ways to connect with each other. Yes I get the fact that talking “gangsta” momentarily transforms them into a persona they can only achieve through these words. But, stop using the N-word and F-word.
The casual use of such hurtful slurs must be rightfully condemned. There have been leaders in our community, in the business and sports worlds that apparently do not agree with my thinking.
The N-word
The N-word should not be uttered by anyone. Let’s not play dumb. Let’s not pretend that it isn’t as loaded with hate as it was in 1818 and in 1938, 1968 and today. It was historically used by white people to dehumanize African Americans and remind them they didn’t measure up.
Regardless of how or when it’s used, the N-word simply has no place in society and our students shouldn’t be tossing it around as if it’s a noun.
Why would you ever want or need to say the N-word? I have had conversations where I was told African Americans have the right to say it. Whether they have the right to say it or not, I find deplorable to hear it in any context, by anyone.
Yet every time debate of the word pops up, you have the predictable white “whataboutisms” of the word:
• What about the constant use of it in rap and hip-hop songs?
• What about the African Americans who call each other that word all the time?
• What about the black comedians who use it in their stand-up routines?
• What about the African American athletes who say it?
The N-word carries an overbearing history of suffering and racist baggage. It is not an acceptable word to use.
So follow my lead — don’t say the word, don’t sing the word, don’t rap the word, don’t greet friends with the word — just don’t use the word. And don’t defend anyone else who does.
Then we have the F-word, no not that one.
First of all, let’s start with the obvious fact that “gay” often doesn’t even make sense in most contexts in which it is used to describe something or someone.
Take for example when you are hanging around with your friends and you say something along the lines of, “Why won’t you come out tonight? Stop being gay.” There is nothing gay about staying in.
Is there really no better adjective you can find in your brain to use — one that is not only more politically correct but also more accurate for the point you’re trying to make?
Justifying your use of these words by saying “I didn’t mean it offensively,” doesn’t make it okay. Not only does it show ignorance, but it also shows a concerning lack of intellect. Yes, context is important.
But it’s the implication behind it that is the problem.
“But it’s just a word!” Some people argue that by rejecting the word you could potentially give it more power, making it taboo or more controversial, and that they choose to use it as a means of “reclaiming” it.
You don’t get to impose your own meaning on words and use them on, or against, other people… at least not while holding the ignorant belief it will go without ridicule — that the context you’re using it in is excusable.
To you, it may be “just a word.” If so, you are fortunate. A lot more fortunate than others who have a lot of pain and suffering tied to it. Sure, it’s not a big deal to everyone, but just because it doesn’t affect some people doesn’t mean it isn’t your obligation to care about who it may — and why.
This column is by Ritchie Lucas, Founder of The Student Success Project and Think Factory Marketing. He can be reached at 305-788-4105 or via email at ritchie@thinkfactory.com and on Facebook and You Tube as The Student Success Project.
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