Sunday Inspirations: Eliminate the N-Word (VIDEO)

Originally Posted: 8/29/2010


There was a time when the N-word was never used in our music or 
even by those of us who played the 'dozens' on our block. I'm old enough to remember when hearing the N-word out loud on the Roots mini-series was shocking and demeaning.

I've never been a hip-hop music fan. So, I guess I missed the transition to a time when the N-word became cool and fashionable. Heck, it is so cool nowadays that white female doctors feel free to say it loud and proud 11 times in a 5-minute rant on radio.

Personally, I've never thought of the N-word as a term of endearment. In my view, the word is a racial slur no matter who says it. I wouldn't use the word "Nazi" as a term of endearment for a Jewish person ... and my preference is that the other N-word not be used as a term of endearment for a Black person.

I've seen how the N-word can lead to ugly situations in our society. I think of lynchings whenever I hear the word. I don't see it as a friendly term that can be used by white folks or Black folks. In my view, whenever the N-word is used ... we are being disrespectful to our ancestors. My mother and father taught me better. My grandmothers and grandfathers taught them better. I pray that I'm teaching my three children better.

Villagers, it's time that we simply eliminate the N-Word entirely from our lexicon. It's not a word to use as a greeting ... or to complete sentences ... or to start conversations.

An 11-year old child, Johnathan McCoy, says it best in the following video clip:




I challenge all villagers to make a personal commitment to eliminate the N-word from their vocabulary. What say u?