Writers' Corner
Surprisingly literate for anything ESPN-branded, Page 2
is a frequent surf-stop for me and, if I remember correctly, UBlo. Two columnists stand out for their wit and insight on sports, among other topics: Bill Simmons and LZ Granderson, who's new to me, but has two sharp pieces up on who gets to say "Nigger" and my favorite show, The Wire.
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I'm a huge fan of page 2, and would like to give a shout-out to the TMQ while we're there.
I thought LZ's article was very solid. I remember growing up and hearing people I respected us the "n-word" and getting torn. I too was taught that it's about as bad a word you can call someone as there is, but growing up in the South, it was still used in pockets of the community. Oddly, not always in a derogatory manner.
Anyway, Rev. Jackson got me thinking. I'm certainly hearing it more now than ever before, even more than back then. Yes, now it's only by the black community, but it's there. But I do hear some younger white kids saying it among themselves (always before I yell at them to turn down that racket and get off my lawn). How long before it creeps back into general usage. As people become numb to the slander, and they will, the word will make a comeback. This is America. If something is ok, or cool for some, it will be adopted by all. Especially if its "rebellious" or "edgy." Think thongs. Ok for some, not all, but a whole lot who shouldn't wear them do.
So I think Rev. Jackson and LZ are right. If the African-American community stops using it, it will go away. And if the word is as bad as I was taught it was, shouldn't that be the goal?
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