ThE iNfAmOuS "N" WoRd TaKeS cEnTeR sTaGe...AgAiN

The infamous "N" word takes center stage yet again in light of the controversial remarks made by former Food Network star, Paula Deen.

Deens' blatant use of the "N" word brought into question, who bears the right to use the infamous "N" word? Some repetitive comments I've heard over the past week is that, "Rappers use the word all the time. If rappers can use it and if Hollywood can use it, then how come other people can't?"

This comment in particular was made on the day time talk show 'The View' when guest Rachel Campos-Duffy, wife of Republican Congressman Sean Duffy, decided to chime in her opinion on why people should be able to use the "N" word, since rappers use it; and if "Black" America is so outraged when white people use the word, then why use it at all?

Mrs. Duffy's questions were valid. I did find it interesting that she JUMPED at the opportunity to defend Paula Deen using the infamous "N" word as if she herself, or others in her private circle frequent the word, but I digress.

Whoopi's take on the infamous "N" word: "If you decide to use it, just know there are consequences."

Sherri's take on the infamous "N" word: "Yes, our culture uses it and no, White America can't."

My take on the infamous "N" word?

Black people OWN the word, as it was taken from its original creators and reinvented. "Nigger" became "Nigga"; it is still used in a negative connotation that means ignorant, however, it can also be used as a term of endearment which sometimes perplexes people -- and understandably so. But in Black culture because the meaning of the word is already understood when it's said with regards to the tone, no offense is taken.

However, if a white person uses the infamous "N" word -- black people are immediately on guard because the original creators of the word were white; it's like being in a crowded noisy room of people, and as soon as a white person uses the infamous "N" word the music is stopped, people are no longer talking, and the silence is so deafening that you could hear a pin drop. Did I paint a clear enough picture?

Black America understands that people of all races use the infamous "N" word, however, we also understand that due to the sensitive nature of the word -- empathy from other races should be a given. Paula Deen's issue is that she spoke her truth trusting that those around her would accept her race baiting language, but to the contrary it back fired on her. 

She literally wanted to recreate a period in time when millions suffered and died by the hands of their oppressors, which in fact she admitted that her ancestors owned at least 35 slaves! 

The infamous "N" word represents a human holocaust that was only recently acknowledged by our government 6 years ago, when Barack Obama began running for the presidency. Republicans didn't want to acknowledge an apology for slavery because they felt that black America would rightfully ask for well over due reparations. If the American government paid out reparations to Jewish holocaust survivors and to Japanese Vietnam survivors (which both atrocities didn't even take place in America), why is it so hard for the American government to address reparations for the human holocaust that took place for over 500 centuries right here on American soil?

Can we blame Paula Deen for how she was raised?

No we can't but as we become adults, we also become responsible for our words. And although Deen's family owned slaves that she claims were like family to her, it doesn't change the fact that in all these decades gone by she should've learned from first hand experience that using the infamous "N" word was indeed inappropriate.
  
My advice to white America? 

Think twice before using the infamous "N" word.

2013 LA