This time I am not talking about the "other" n-word (though so far at the start of the semester I have already repeatedly exercised my right to utter it). This time I am, in fact, talking about the capital-n N-word.
Recent events, as reported in this IHE piece, have reminded me once again what a combustible topic this is. (The comments to the piece are as informative as the original article.)
The Independent Florida Alligator, the student newspaper, ran a cartoon last week that criticized [Kanye] West’s statements by showing him holding a large playing card marked “The Race Card,” and having Condoleezza Rice, the secretary of state, exclaim with scorn at West: “Nigga Please!”
The cartoon, perhaps predictably, has started quite a controversy. The main issue largely revolves around the use of the word n*****--or, in popular (in some circles) parlance: n***a. Is the use of the word by a (I assume from the description of the cartoonist's ancestry in the IHE piece) non-Black person "racist" (or "insensitive" or any other more or less inflamatory adjectives)? Is the publication by the newspaper--independent of, but serving, a university campus--"racist" (again, or insensistive, whatever)?
The cartoon depicts one Black person calling another Black person that word. And, as is very apparent to anyone who has listened to rap music (including the music of Kanye West) this intra-group use of the word is widespread in some circles. Is that "racist" or a depiction of "self-hate" or just wrong? Does the use by some Blacks mean it is OK for other non-Blacks to use the term?
These questions are so old to me I can barely muster the strength to discuss them. I can only speak for myself, I guess. And as for myself, I did not grow up hearing that word used "lovingly" or "ironically"--or at all--by other African Americans in my immediate environment. But then again, the "other African Americans in my immediate environment" generally consisted of my immediate family. Most in my immediate environment--teachers, neighbors, friends, etc--were White. I heard that word enough in that environment. And I am pretty confident in my perception that these uses were never "loving" or "ironic."
So for me: Black people-> N-word = Not OK; White (and other) people-> N-Word = Not OK. So much so, in fact, that I cannot even bring myself to use the word in a relatively "scholarly" context like this. (It will be interesting to see if I can bear leaving the word in the direct quote above.)
However. I do consider myself to be censorship-averse. Thus, my general support of Kanye West's comments (see this post). Thus, my general support of the newspaper's right to print the cartoon. But also, my support of the university administration's and the protestors' rights to assert that, in this case, the press's free speech may have actually been yelling "fire" in a crowded theater.
More interesting to me than the fact of the use of the N-word are several other issues related to rhetoric and race relations on US college campuses that this controversy suggests to me. But more on that next time...
Posted by perry032 at September 24, 2005 08:54 AM | TrackBack