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David Ross Jackson
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Now that I have the title of my article out of the way, I will make sure I set an iPhone appointment reminder for the year 2040 so that I can remember to expect a complete over-reaction from the world around me for having typed the word "nigger" today.
(This is a Paula Deen reference for those who have been sequestered on a jury or living under a rock.)
I'd like to take a moment to point out a few critical facts:
- My heritage is African-American, Scottish, and Cherokee.
- I've been a victim of racism directed at me from both black and white people.
- I've been called a nigger by both white and black people.
- Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
Are we clear? Good. Moving on...
Let me further clarify, words of any kind, which are said from a place of hatred should not be met with indifference. I do, however, believe that American society will never be able to move past true racism because we simply choose to focus on words and censorship rather than love and education. We choose to give certain words power rather than being the living example of true power. We hold all the power to ending racism, but refuse to use it. Think about it in the simplest of terms. If children on a playground are calling another child names and that child exhibits ZERO reaction to the name-calling; 9 times out of 10, the name calling will end. It's really no different with racist words.
I truly believe that evolving beyond race and racism in this country will work in the same way. If we all stop choosing to be offended by a word, then perhaps it will stop being offensive and by default stop being used. It seems overly simple right? Well...perhaps it is. As much as we all like to think we can control what others say or feel; the simple truth is, we can only change the way we react.
I wont continue to dwell on this subject because I believe "dwelling" is the root issue. We want to dwell on the past. We want to lie down and take a long nap in past racism. Does racism still exist, of course it does. I have no delusions. Am I going to give another's words power over my very life? No.
The Bottom Line:
An offensive word doesn't exist without offense. Am I suggesting everyone run around screaming "nigger" at the top of their lungs while grocery shopping? Hell no! I am fairly sure we are not all evolved enough to endure that. I am suggesting that we all take a gigantic fucking deep breath and stop over-reacting at every turn. Only god, or the universe, or perhaps only one's self, can really judge one's heart. Give weight to one's actions rather than one's words. After all...
Anyone can say "nigger", but not just anyone can be one.
Origin of NIGGER
Alteration of earlier neger,
From Middle French negre,
From Spanish or Portuguese negro,
From Latin niger
