The NAACP held a large, mock funeral yesterday. They buried the N-Word. Sure the NAACP’s burial of the N-word got plenty of media coverage and maybe even stimulated further debate about the use of “nigger” within the African American community. Frankly, I wish to God that they had chosen to bury another of the ills that actually plagues the urban black community instead, like: teenage pregnancy, intra-community violence, feelings of powerlessness or obesity and its related diseases. But then of course, those issues are not so catchy or photo op ready.

For the record, I do not believe in banning any word. I think the idea is silly on its face. Although I am pleased and heartened that this whole N-word debate has the African American community taking a harder look at the way black people talk to and about each other. Ironically, the Don Imus incident and the Michael Richards’ tirade seem to have created a kind of funhouse mirror reflection of how we talk to and about each other, shaming some into a resolve to stop using the word “nigger” completely or at least with more discretion.

I am also skeptical that the word “nigger” or “nigga” can or will ever be re-appropriated to the point of being benign. The evidence is clear, despite decades of African Americans using the term among themselves, it’s still a deal breaker when a white person uses it. If the word were truly deactivated, then it wouldn’t matter who used it. And it does, absolutely. Further, I believe hearing “nigga” over and over again is damaging to our society as a whole. It’s an aural assault on the humanity of black people. Didn’t Chris Rock say that there are two kinds of black people? Hmmm.

I wonder why we black folks don’t choose another kind of term of intra-cultural endearment, one which conveys affection and affirmation in a more traditional sense, like “brotha” “man” or “sista,” those ubiquitous terms of the Sixties. How about something like: “Emperor” as in “My Empera” or “Hey Emp, what’s up?” How about using the name “Malcolm” as a term of camaraderie? Imagine walking through the urban streets and hearing one man after the other saying, “Aw, yea, that’s my Malcolm, right there.” Or “Hey, Malcom, what’s up?” or even “You should have seen me yesterday. I was one fly Malcolm for sho’.” You may be chuckling right now, but ask yourself why? Why couldn’t we honor the life and vision of Malcolm X and bequeath that vision to the young ones through our day-to-day speech, carriage and interaction?

I don’t see why not.

Read More – NAACP Holds Funeral for N-Word by Corey Williams, AP
Read More – Paul Mooney Cites Richards in N-Word Ban, ABC News
Read More – Leave the N-Word Alone By Ta-Neishi Coates, Time
Read More – Why I’m Good with the “N” Word by John Ridley, Time
Read More – In Bid to Ban Racial Slur, Blacks Are on Both Sides by Anahad O’Connor, New York Times
Read More – The N-Word, Brandt Williams, Minnesota Public Radio