Race/Ethnicity
Questions 301-310
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THE
QUESTION:
R310: Why are there so many black TV sitcoms nowadays? It
seems the number far exceeds the demographic numbers. Is it possible
we are reverting to the days of Amos and Andy? Also, are black
people offended by these shows? It seems to me they are a bit
demeaning.
POSTED JUNE 8, 1998
Wayne, 52, white male, WayneHD@aol.com, Anaheim, CA
ANSWER 1:
I don't think the situation is as bad as Amos and
Andy. These were whites in blackface, which is far more offensive
than anything going on now. Furthermore, it's hard for African
Americans to make shows other than comedies that will sell. You may
remember an African-American soap opera called Generations a
few years back. Why did that get cut? Because nobody was watching
it.
POSTED JUNE 21, 1998
Katherine, Richmond, IN
FURTHER NOTICE:
I am black and yes, I am offended by some of these
sitcoms. Especially shows like The Wayans Brothers Show. It is
no more flattering than Step N Fetchit or Amos and
Andy. It is one of the most degrading shows I have ever seen both
times I watched. Our forefathers must be turning over in their graves
in protest of this setback. Have you ever thought of why it can place
last in the ratings for so many years and still remain on TV? Have
you ever thought of why sitcoms lead the sector of TV work for
blacks? No accident. Much better shows like The Gregory Hines
Show and many tries by Tim and Daphne Reid (Frank's Place)
have lasted only two or three weeks at best. Sometimes I think whites
make sure such stupidity stays in front of TV audiences to perpetuate
the clown myth. Their is nothing wrong with the amount of shows, but
the fault lies in the quality and the lack of chance in the drama
sector.
POSTED JULY 2, 1998
Embarrassed As Heck, black
<Firdinand@AOL.Com>,
Gainesville, FL
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
I feel that because there is such a stress nowadays on
diversity, etc., people think we need shows to reflect all kinds of
people. I feel, however, that may of these shows are stereotypical of
black people. I am not offended, but would rather see more diverse
shows - not just all black or all white. It makes it seem as if
blacks are friends only with blacks, etc..
POSTED JULY 28, 1998
K.P., 18, African American
<klp113@theglobe.com>,
NJ
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
I am definitely offended by these shows. I seldom watch
these programs that portray African Americans in a negative and
stereotypical light, such as Martin (now cancelled), The
Jamie Foxx Show, etc. These stay on the longest, but decent,
positive shows like Living Single get the ax for no apparent
reason. These shows are there for a reason: To keep those images in
the minds of others and perpetuate myths that already exist about
blacks. It is not that there are a lot of shows, just the ones that
don't show real African-American life.
POSTED AUG. 9, 1998
T. Spen, 26, black female, Largo, MD
FURTHER NOTICE 4:
First, I guess it is important to say I am black or Afro
American or whatever term Iam this time around. I remember the
Amos and Andy radio shows, and the actors might have been in
black face but the radio did not reveal this information. This was an
extremely popuplar show. I remember the show on TV and there was no
blackface. I thought it was some of the funniest stuff I have ever
seen to this day. The reason there are so many perhaps inane black
sitcoms on TV is that they deal with the situations people want to
watch and laugh about. Perhaps doing the show black is a way for the
writers to get the show/point across. The age group that watches
these shows is not the sophisticated adult black or white; in the
main, it is the dominant younger set, who probably do not see the
actors as black.
POSTED AUG. 10, 1998
Henry, Raleigh, NC
FURTHER NOTICE 5:
There may seem to be a lot of black shows on now, because
there were so few on before. I would dare to take a guess that if you
were to count the number of black shows, their numbers would pale in
comparison to the number of white shows on TV. As to the quality of
the shows, the blame lies squarely on those who advertise and those
who watch and buy from those advertisers. If an advertiser is losing
money, the show goes away. Remember, it's all about money.
Advertisers want to reach certain markets. There are segments of our
society that don't make the dollars to spend on advertisers'
products. Therefore, from a business standpoint, you advertise your
product to those who can afford to buy and purchase your product. The
consumer has a say in the types of show that appear on TV, through
the use of their buying power (i.e. who they buy from) and the power
of the pen to write to those who do the programming for the various
networks. You get what you pay for in more ways than one.
AUG. 18, 1998
Dewy B. ,46, black
<brooksdy@thecb.state.tx.us>,
Austin, TX
FURTHER NOTICE 6:
To Embarrassed as Heck: The rampant stupidity of "black"
sitcoms has nothing to do with "white"execs plotting to continue some
stereotype. If you look at TV in general, there are a lot more
sitcoms than dramas, and very few of them are intelligent. Race has
very little to do with it. On the other hand, if you look at dramas
or action shows, you usually see a more varied cast with less
stereotyping (take ER or Homicide). Also, the truly
awful black sitcoms would not exist if black performers refused to
work on them.
POSTED AUG. 18, 1998
John K., 25, straight Irish-American male
<the-macs@geocities.com>,
Cranford, NJ
FURTHER NOTICE 7:
As a black male, I can only ask white people, "Aren't
there a lot of dumb shows on TV?" The answer is a definite
"yes." I think we're seeing more black TV shows because the
"minority" demographic is rising. Pretty soon, there'll be many more
Hispanic and Asian-American programs. The fact that they'll probably
be stupid too can be traced to the one-celled brains of network
executives who think archetypes and formulas are the best ways to
script a show.
POSTED AUG. 21, 1998
Randal O., 24, black
<rmantooth@yahoo.com>,
Troy, OH
FURTHER NOTICE 8:
To Embarrassed as Heck: White people keep the shows on to
perpetuate the "clown image"? That not only sounds somewhat racist,
but also somewhat paranoid. No one's trying to put an image on
anybody by keeping a show on the air. I don't claim to know why
stupid shows stay on the air, but if you've noticed, there are a lot
of them, black and white. There are just as many shows that are
really stupid that stay on the air with mainly white audiences. There
have been shows with black people in them that have stayed on a long
time, even a few with some drama in them. The old Cosby Show
holds one of the longest records for being aired. The reason shows
like that were successful is that they weren't aimed to appeal to any
one race. The shows being talked about here are obviously launched
entirely at the black audience. Though there are a lot of shows with
white people, they're not specifically geared to the white audience.
I think that's the difference.
POSTED SEPT. 5, 1998
Nick
<kotula@hotmail.com>,
Newport News, VA
FURTHER NOTICE 9:
To add to "Embarassed as heck's" comment, it seems to me
that for the most part, the reason black sitcoms that last for a long
time are those that portray blacks as "silly" or not having any
importance is that in general (I know I'm not supposed to
generalize), blacks are viewed in this country as being outside of
the "norm" - they are "others." Thus, they are objectified; they are
any and everything but the subject in this society. They are not the
central players or actors in the story of this society, they are
extras. Therefore, they cannot be portrayed in such a way that can be
perceived as deviating from this system of existence. The problem is
that this mode of perception and thinking seems to be so deeply
ingrained in the American psyche that anything that conflicts with
this perception is immediatly seen as "wrong." Thus, black sitcoms
that do not follow this mode of black objectification are seen as
being "boring," "weird" or just plain "stupid." This is an extremely
unfortunate situation.
POSTED OCT. 9, 1998
K.R., black female, Maplewood, MN
FURTHER NOTICE 10:
While I'm not black, I can easily understand how African
Americans might be offended. Sitcoms rarely present developed, whole
characters; usually, the characters are stereotypes. As a father, I
am often dismayed at the portrayal of fathers' ineptitude as parents,
always outsmarted by the wife and kids. I'm not sure what can be done
about it, other than supporting the better shows and tuning out the
bad ones.
POSTED OCT. 15, 1998
Dan, 34, white male
<dnh6n@virginia.edu>,
Charlottesville, VA
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
R309: Many Mexican males I see over the age of 13 wear
mustaches. Is there some significance to this?
POSTED JUNE 7, 1998
Tony H., thamm@computoredge.com, Chgula Vista, CA
ANSWER 1:
My boyfriend is Mexican and does not wear a mustache. I
have many Mexican friends, and they say it's a sign they are now a
man, even if it is peach fuzz.
POSTED MARCH 10, 1999
Ariel, 16, Armenian female, Fresno, CA
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
R308: Are most African Americans liberal Democrats? I ask
because almost all media attention seems to go to black leaders who
are left of wing in the way they think. I always assumed there would
be far more Republican blacks due to the fact that it was a
Republican president who signed the Emancipation Proclamation into
law. Also, it was predominantly northern Republicans who started and
fueled the abolition movement.
POSTED JUNE 5, 1998
Moo Moo, 29, white male, bigmooch@mindspring.com, Los Angeles, CA
ANSWER 1:
While I call myself conservative, I will never be a
Republican as long as Newt Gingrich, Pat Buchanan, Abigail
Thernstrom, Ronald Reagan, Strom Thurmond, Jerry Falwell, David Duke
and Jesse Helms and their followers are in the party.
POSTED JUNE 18, 1998
Wanda, black, Detroit, MI
FURTHER NOTICE:
The Republican party was formed in the mid-1850s. The Abolition
movement predated the birth of the GOP by several decades. And for
all intents and purposes, the goal of the Republican party was to was
prevent slavery from expanding to the Western territories, not to
abolish it were it already existed. The party was strongest in the
"Northwestern" states of Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, etc., by those
who wanted to protect the "free" farming interests of their states,
which didn't want to have to compete with slave holders in the West.
"Wrong as we think Slavery is, we can yet afford to let it
alone where it is, because that much is due to the necessity arising
from its actual presence in the nation; but can we, while our votes
will prevent it, allow it to spread into the National Territories,
and to overrun us here in these Free States?" - Abraham Lincoln,
March 6, 1860
And while the Emancipation Proclamation put the GOP in the good
graces of the black electorate for many decades, that was 135 years
ago.
Are most African-American voters "liberal Democrats"? If being a
Democrat makes you a liberal, then yes. But if you were to discuss a
variety of issues with individual African Americans, I think you
might find a large number African Americans are "conservative" on
many issues.
I think what prevents many blacks from considering becoming
Republican is that on issues concerning race in America, the GOP
seems indifferent, with the exception of those policies they oppose.
Other than occasionally trotting out a black conservative to oppose
welfare or affirmative action, or to say that Democrats are bad, the
GOP acts as if it couldn't care less about black votes.
POSTED JUNE 19, 1998
Jay B., black
<jayboyd@ameritech.net>,
Detroit, MI
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
R307: I was raised in Los Angeles County, and I have noticed
that the only times I've seen people expressing racism toward each
other in person (i.e. not in front of TV cameras) have been between
blacks and Hispanics. Do these groups have greater animosity toward
each other than toward whites?
POSTED JUNE 5, 1998
A.J., 43, white male, alanjones@access1.net, Mission Viejo, CA
ANSWER 1:
I was raised in a suburb of Los Angeles where the
population is 75 percent Mexican and 25 percent black. There is a
small part of town called "ghost town," and that's where the black
people live. I think it has to do with gangs. Mexican gangs and black
gangs do not get along. They are always killing each other. I think
it's because these are two very agressive cultures, and they clash a
lot, but if for some reason they had to, I believe they would unite
against whites.
POSTED JUNE 24, 1998
Aztlan, 21, Mexican female
<aestra@chmc.org>,
Bothell, WA
FURTHER NOTICE:
There was a lot of racism against blacks by Mexicans when
I was growing up. Partly this was from stereotyping. My grandfather
said blacks had no culture and thus were not worthy of respect. This
has changed dramatically in the past decade. Most Mexicans I knew
growing up looked down on blacks, but young Mexicans today often have
black friends from school. I think the factor that changed their
minds was the popularity of rap music, which expressed their own
views better than their parents' music. I hope this change is
permanent.
POSTED AUG. 4, 1998
A.C.C., 32, Mexican, San Antonio, TX
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
R306: Why do many black people seem to dance and perform at
sports better than people of other races?
POSTED JUNE 5, 1998
O. Sai, North Hills, CA
(Similar question posted Aug. 3, 1998, by David J., 15, white,
Jefferson City, MO)
ANSWER 1:
I, too, have noticed that hundreds of successful
performers of various types are black, and this partially is
influenced by slight genetic differences, but even more by
environment or society. Where I live, thousands of people are under
the misconception that black people are naturally born athletes and
dancers, largely because of their portrayal on television and other
forms of media. In fact, this is not the case because I must admit I
cannot dance especially well nor play basketball or football with any
exquisite amount of skill. This can be attributed to the fact that
where I reside, although a number of people expect me to be a certain
way, I experience very little pressure to mold my life in that
manner. In fact, my goal in numerous cases is to break stereotypes
and exhibit through my behavior that all African Americans do not
think and act in the same fashion. In other words, my opinion is that
many black people can dance and play certain sports well for exactly
the same reason many white people can play golf better than a number
of black people. It is because of the effort one puts into improving
himself at doing whatever an activity is. I put little effort into
improving my basketball skills; thus, I do not become much better at
playing. If you were to put much effort into playing pool, swimming
or singing, you could probably become just as talented at these
activities as many black people.
POSTED JUNE 19, 1998
Joe C., 15, African-American male, Pleasanton, CA
FURTHER NOTICE:
Being Chinese, I can't say from my own experience. What I
have seen on documentaries and conversations with immigrant blacks is
that they have much more music and dance in their culture. Since I
was raised as a Canadian, there was not a lot of music and dance in
my childhood except for what we did in school. My mother and her
brothers and sisters are great singers, but they never did a
traditional Christmas carol sing-sing or anything close to that. I
wish they had and I'd bet that myself and my cousins would have been
more avid singers and dancers. With great song, dance is not very far
behind - you just gotta move! I think we have a lot to learn from
these singing and dancing cultures. It keeps our spirit alive. I sing
and dance with my 3 1/2-month-old virtually every day.
POSTED JUNE 27, 1998
Corey K.-L., 37, Canadian Chinese, Edmonton, Alberta
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
Black people have excelled in those areas because those
are the venues we have been traditionally allowed to compete and
excel in. We were kept out of the best schools until very recently
(remember that the desegregation of major universities in the South
happened only a little more than 30 years ago), so achievements in
other areas were more difficult to come by. The triumph of black
people in America is even more remarkable when you consider that. In
the future, you will see less emphasis on sports and entertainment
and more on education, culture and capitalism. I pray for that.
POSTED JULY 28, 1998
Erik B., 47, black male,
<erikdb@mailexcite.com>,
Boulder, CO
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
I think black people genrally are more athletic. You can
see it in them. I am not saying they all are athletic, just that more
blacks are athletic than whites. I noticed this when I went to play
basketball (I am white living in Cyprus, were very few black live)
and this black boy was there. He was naturally thin, fit and strong.
I could see he had never been to a gym, but if he went he would shape
muscles very easily. I repeat, this is not something that applies to
all blacks, just a higher percentage of them than whites. Fewer
whites have a naturally athletic body.
POSTED OCT. 22, 1998
Mike, 18, white male, Republic of Cyprus
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
R305: Some of my closest friends are German, and experience
has shown me time and again that they seem to have few qualms about
being overly critical of those around them. Why is this? Is it
something fundamental to the German personality?
POSTED JUNE 3, 1998
Don G., 27, American of European descent, Salinas, CA
ANSWER 1:
Many northern Europeans tend to be blunt and overly
straightforward in their dealings with people in general. This is
true of Germans bu is not limited to them. I have traveled
extensively in Poland (my wife is Polish) and have noticed it there,
too. As with the French (in another reply at this site), they are not
taught to "make nice" as Americans are. Their defense, when
challenged for their behavior, is to say "Well, it's the truth." In
short, there is no incentive to be nice, unless you are just
naturally a nice person, anyway. Verbal bluntness and rudeness (not
necessarily synonymous) are just not the big deal they are in the
United States. I don't recommend this as a norm for human relations;
I am just stating what I have observed.
POSTED JUNE 25, 1998
S., S.C.
FURTHER NOTICE:
I am half-German, and here's my dimestore philosophy on
why this might be. My mother is 100 percent German and my father is a
Russian/Czech mix. Growing up in that household, there was a low
tolerance for errant behavior and there was no tolerance for
crybaby-type behavior. You had to "suck it up" if anything went
wrong. To this day, when I see someone blame someone else for why
something didn't go their way, or if someone is giving less than 100
percent on an endeavor, I am likely to be critical because I know
that in my family, we would be given no pity. Anything we did not get
was our fault, i.e.,we did not work hard enough, end of story. I
cannot attribute this strictly to my German heritage - it's probably
safe to assume that first- or second-generation Americans of Eastern
European descent have similar situations because our ancestors had it
"so much harder than us" and their toil and work ethic rubbed off on
us.
POSTED JUNE 28, 1998
Erika
<nuerika@yahoo.com>,
Chicago, IL
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
R304: Why does it seem that many families of American Indian
and Hispanic descent go generations without upgrading their
educational and economic status?
POSTED JUNE 3, 1998
Female, 36, Antelope, CA
ANSWER 1:
It's my belief that goverment programs such as free health
care and cheap, if not free, housing bleed the will of people to
promote themselves. I see it a lot here.
POSTED JUNE 27, 1998
Married to woman of native descent, Tulsa, OK
FURTHER NOTICE:
Many people assume government "handouts" encourage
laziness among First Nations peoples. On the contrary, it is the
shortsightedness of most government programs that keeps the
recipients of subsidized housing, etc., from improving their living
conditions. What good is a house, and how can it be maintained, when,
as is often the case, essential services like running water,
electricity and sewage systems are not provided for a reserve, and
the profits from a house's construction go into the pockets of white
contractors? As a teacher at a Native-run university, I meet people
every day who, with help from their own communities, have managed to
overcome enormous obstacles to improve their own lives and those of
their families and friends. Recovering from long-term discrimination
and economic disadvantage is a slow process, but there are many
people of courage and vision who are seeking and creating positive
social change.
POSTED JULY 20, 1998
Patricia M., 41, white, Regina , Saskatchewan, Canada
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
Who says we don't improve? My family has gone from
dirt-poor to all of us having education at the doctoral level in two
generations. You need to understand that Mexican and especially
Indian people are in an almost colonial relation with the United
States. Labor and resources are sucked out of our communities to
benefit the wealthy, and enormous obstacles, both legal and economic,
have been placed in our way. My family got out of poverty by the
military service of every male. We also have more of a group or
family than an individual materialistic idea of what makes for
success. It's common to turn down a better job if that job would take
you away from family. A teacher or soldier is a success because they
serve their people, but a wealthy businessman or salesman isn't
unless he gives back to the community. In fact, he's rather sad
because he's deluding himself into thinking wealth is important.
POSTED NOV. 27, 1998
A.C.C., Mexican and Indian, San Antonio, Tx
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
R303: Why are commercials on, for example, NBC often
multiracial, but on BET and Soul Train they're predominantly
black?
POSTED JUNE 3, 1998
Ray S., 35, white, fundbuyer@aol.com, Santa Ana, CA
ANSWER 1:
I would imagine that BET and the advertisers who buy time
on that network are focusing on who they believe their primary
audience is. Networks like NBC are truly "broadcasters," as they
offer a variety of differing programs in an effort to attract a broad
demographic, whereas BET is a "narrowcaster" trying to reach a
specific niche by providing programs designed to appeal to a
particular interest. In this respect, the lack of whites in BET
commercials is no more unusual than the lack of senior citizens in
MTV commercials.
POSTED JUNE 17, 1998
Jay B.
<jayboyd@ameritech.net>,
Detroit, MI
FURTHER NOTICE:
Let's look at these multiracial commercials. Most are some
of the most demeaning and stereotypical on television. Why are we
(blacks) always portrayed as "dancing, singing and rapping" for our
beer, soft drinks and hamburgers? The commercials on BET are more
balanced, but even BET has a lot of work to do. Also, look at the
demographics of viewers. BET has an overwhelmingly black audience
because of the lack of black television shows on major networks.
POSTED JUNE 18, 1998
Wanda, black, Detroit, MI
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
There may be people of all different races in commercials
on NBC, but I have seen more whites than other groups in these
commercials. The situation with commercials on BET is the same, but
in reverse. I have seen commercials on BET that had white people in
them, but the predominant characters were black. Also, you have to
realize who they are targeting. It would make more sense for a "Dark
and Lovely Black Hair Care" ad to appear where the advertiser knows
more blacks will see it.
POSTED JUNE 22, 1998
Katherine, Richmond, IN
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
The answer is plain and simple: Racism. NBC and their
local affiliates must do a better job at getting advertising that
reflects the people who use the products, and also the people who
watch their shows. Most of the prime-time advertising on NBC that I
see is "chock full o' whites." The advertising firms share some blame
in this, too. Blacks (and other minorities) are never thought of
unless it is shown that we spend a bazillion dollars on a product -
and even then, they'll "think about it" (remember The Cosby Show ads?
If it wasn't Bill peddling JELL-O, many times the folks in
commercials were lily white). Anyway, BET (and other black media
outlets) has a long way to go, too. We don't all rap, sing, dance,
have unbridled sexual bravado, etc., and many of us do speak standard
English. And, by the way, we don't all drink Old English 800 Malt
Liquor or Colt 45.
POSTED DEC. 7, 1998
Mel B., black female, Detroit, MI
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
R302: My family and the guy I am dating make racist remarks.
What can I say to them that will not put them on the defensive but
instead open their minds to human beings who are different then
themselves?
POSTED JUNE 3, 1998
W.J.C., 24, white, wjc9473@aol.com, Des Moines, IA
ANSWER 1:
First, I wonder why you would want to date a person who
makes racial remarks. Obviously you see the ugliness involved in this
type of self-expression. You are an individual with the right to
choose and set boundaries. Inform your family and boyfriend that you
simply don't like their racial remarks and would appreciate their
trying not to use racial remarks in your presence. It may make them
think new thoughts themselves. You never know!
POSTED JUNE 17, 1998
Mama Fixit, 58,
<detached30@hotmail.com>,
Rancho Cordova, CA
FURTHER NOTICE:
Dear W.J.C.: Don't be concerned with racist remarks, as
they are no true indicator of whether one is actually racist. Racism
is manifested through conduct rather than words or jokes. Words often
merely indicate a lack of knowledge about a particular group. Jokes
often are used to release stress rather than perpetuate racism. The
bottom line is, if your friends or family take action against another
race, I think you should be extremely concerned. Until then, do not
waste your energy worrying.
POSTED JUNE 19, 1998
David L., 38 <Lawstnt@aol>,
Chatsworth, CA
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
To W.J.C.: Have you ever told them you don't like it when
they make these racist comments? Or do you remain quiet? Sometimes
silence means acceptance, and they may feel you agree with what they
are saying if you say neither yea nor nay. It is very hard,
sometimes, to teach others, even our own family, about things they
have no experience with. In Iowa, where you live, are there many
people of different races nearby? Does your family/boyfriend have
friends or acquaintances of other races? If not, that's part of the
problem. We fear what we don't know. How about you? Do you have
friends of different races? Do they come over to your home or go out
with you and your boyfriend? Communicate your feelings, in a calm
way, to your family/boyfriend and try to open up a conversation about
the subject. You may encounter resistance at first, but if this is
important to you, don't give up. Good luck!
POSTED JUNE 24, 1998
Cheryl, 44, black
<blackcherrie@yahoo.com>,
Jacksonville, FL
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
Say they make a comment about the action of some member of
an ethnic group, either portrayed on television on in the movies, and
they make a statement accusing the entire group of that action. Just
think of a time when they did almost the same thing and remind them
of it. For instance, if they make the observation that such-and-such
group is lazy, just remind them of an incident where they showed a
bit of laziness themselves. You'll subtly point out to them that
those racial stereotypes and comments they make apply to all people,
not just that group.
POSTED JULY 28, 1998
K. Green, 30, African American
<KennyG9@yahoo.com>,
Chicago, IL
To respond
BACK TO TOP
THE QUESTION:
R301: Why have some prominent blacks promoted the idea that it
is all right for a black person to use the "N" word, but it is not OK
for non-blacks to use it? Not many years ago, we were told it was one
of the worst words in the English language, but lately people such as
Oprah Winfrey have preached it as acceptable if used by the right
person. Why do these people want to keep this word alive?
POSTED JUNE 3, 1998
Eric K., 33, white, Pensacola, FL
(Similar questions posted June 5, 1998, by Kristy S.,
sime@mistic.net, Manteca, CA; and Robert, 52, Los Angeles, CA)
ANSWER 1
Both who is using the word and how the word is used are
important. As for who, are the speaker and listener strangers or
close friends? Same race or not? As for how the word is used,
remember what Ali McGraw called Ryan O'Neal in Love Story?
("You f***ing bas**rd.") My students at Sophia University in Tokyo
were very confused by this. Why? Because McGraw said it in such a
loving way. Go figure.
POSTED JUNE 17, 1998
Ron G.
<goze@webgalaxy.com>,
Encinitas, CA
FURTHER NOTICE:
As a black person, I think is is contradictory for us to
tell others this is offensive, but that it is OK a black person or
the "right" person uses it. To do away with something so negative and
stop its usage, black people should be the first to remove it from
their language and everyday use. There are times when the "N" word
can be used as a term of endearment among blacks, but we can't, nor
should prominent blacks, promote something that is an ugly part of
history.
POSTED JUNE 19, 1998
T. Spen, 26, female, African American
<auset2be@aol.com>,
MD
FURTHER NOTICE 2:
I feel the intent of these people using the "N" word may
have been misconstrued. Personally, this word brings nothing but
detestation and negative recollection of the past when I hear it, but
others do not have such a problem with it, as we both know. If, in
fact, Oprah Winfrey did claim the use of the "N" word is acceptable
by those of African descent, I sincerely doubt her motivation was to
keep it alive. Let's face the truth: The "N" word may be here to
stay. In many low-income areas, people apply it in their diurnal
vernacular. This is not because they love to hear everyone using it;
it is because that is how they have learned to speak for whatever
reasons. Whether the usage of this word is a positive development,
virtually all black people agree they dislike hearing a person use
the word in a derogatory or hateful manner. So, whether some black
people continue to use the "N" word, everyone involved will likely be
much better off if it is not used in a superfluous manner or by
anyone who might be perceived to be employing it with malicious
intent.
POSTED JUNE 19, 1998
Joe C., 15, African-American male, Pleasanton, CA
FURTHER NOTICE 3:
People who make racist remarks do so out of fear. People
who are not afraid of racially different people do not make such
remarks. Your lack of racist fear is commendable. How can you
convince your racist loved ones to embrace your more tolerant
attitude? Gently, honestly and with love.
POSTED JUNE 25, 1998
Z., Bellingham, WA
FURTHER NOTICE 4:
The "N" word has been embraced and redefined by many
blacks, particularly within many inner-city communities. By
redefining the word, we took away the oppressive power that once
stood behind the meaning. Whites have owned the "N" word for many
centuries. As an act of rebellion, many blacks have used the "N" word
as a term of endearment. For example, many black men refer to some of
their closet friends as their "N"'s. However, only blacks and those
inducted into the black community are entitled to use the word. There
is a "cultural understanding" and rights of passage that make us
uniquely qualified to use it in its newly found meaning, especially
because our usage is not the same as its original, racist
connotation. The "N" word in American culture is deemed a "bad" word,
but within the cultural context of the black community it can stand
for brotherhood and sisterhood.
POSTED JUNE 27, 1998
Patrice D., African American, Philadelphia, PA
FURTHER NOTICE 5:
Patrice: I can't buy your position or those of others who
propose this argument. One minute we're supposed to be up in arms,
protesting a publisher for even listing the "N" word in the
dictionary, and the next we're suggesting it's OK to defame
ourselves. That's illogical, hypocritical and self-defeating. I
believe in the power of the spoken word. I believe we are affected by
the connotations associated with words. Why would I use a term that
has historically been derogatory and insist that in a contemporary
context it is a term of endearment? I think that logic makes us look
neurotic. I will never ascribe words like "nigga(er)," "bitch,"
"hoe," "dog,"etc., to my peers or anyone else. Where do we get off
telling the world, "You have no right to disrespect me, but it's OK
if I demean myself"?
POSTED SEPT. 1, 1998
Zawadi, 33, black female, Detroit, MI
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