wdaw's Blog

You know what I'd really like to see go away?

When a crime is being reported on the news
the fact that the crime was committed by a
black person.

How many times have we heard (or read)...so and
so, who was black, was arrested doing such and
such a thing.

I agree 100%. I was raised in the 70's and was taught by my parents that the n-word was a bad as saying the f-word. I try to teach my children the same respect. However, I find myself trying to answer the question asked by my son..."Why do African-American's say that word to each other"?

Actually that "If they do treat each other with respect others do not have to also" Is a very limited point of view...and weak one...

Especially since rap music biggest fan base and consumers are white people and I have never been on the character to join in on something because others are doing it?

Afterall, Wayne Dawson jus explain why he never used the word and what that word means to him and he is African-American so I do not see how he is "bringing it on himself"...Mr. Dawson is also NOT a rapper...

The slang of today. I agree It has become less an insult and more a catch frase for younger people. When I was a kid "BLEEP" refered to cigaettes. "Gay" was happy. The word will continue to be used but carry a differant maening. Mabe everyone will forget what it used to insinuate.

I think the older generation of Afro Americans are offended by the word...and of course most of the whites of the older generation...

The younger generation has made it a household word with their songs, dress, and language with both the younger generation of whites and blacks...
( I also think it has to do with the area that you dwell as well..)...
Me..being closer to the hood...hears it ALOT
from both black and white...

Like what coyotedave said...it will be used so much it is picking up a different meaning...

No the meaning has changed, what has it the justifications of using that word.....

I think that over the years the racial tension has decreased tremendously...especially with the younger generation....if it be the music, the clothes, the language what have you...the blacks and whites are blending more now today than ever before.....perhaps it is the younger generation that does not want to have to carry that hatred burden on them of the past. Even though they use that word..it is in the present day form...and not of what it meant from long ago.....The older black generation I feel your pain...and I understand it...(and I hope this does not upset you or is taken the wrong way )..but perhaps it is time to move forward....Yes..they should never be forgotten, but that everyone learn and never repeat a history like that again for anyone anywhere..just like the jews...I truly feel for those that is hurt by it..and get flashbacks from it...The irony of all of it..now..is that the whites are calling themselves the word just as much as the young blacks......Peace...

This all goes back to my most recent blog. There are just some people out there, that consider themselves to be authorities on everything. I've never been homeless,a drug addict, a soldier, a super- model...blah,blah,blah. I just get kind of annoyed by folks, that believe that they have the "inside track" on everyone else's life experiences. I can only SPEAK FOR MYSELF.

Reality, your last statement really hit home with me. In fact, it is probably the motto in which I try to pattern my life. To be blunt...Generalizations SUCK.

I think what I am meaning to say is that (taking part of it from klockone ) passing on the black history to the blacks but not the hatred that went with that history. Their are some that still do that (white & black )and it is so unfair to my kids and yours and to this and future generations that the hatred barrier between the races will already be in place by passing on that hatred. It was in place when I was a kid (which was so unfair)..we were transferred to a new school that was built and was mostly black...those black kids hated us and picked on us...and I had no idea why...I didnt know anything about slavery or their history...coming from a very poor white southern family...my mother who grew up in coal camps.. never told us about the black peoples history....but those kids at the new school sure did hate us...and it was so unfair...

That is just my point...a REAL history lesson should be one that opens ones eyes to (in this case) the suffering, the very long, hard years spent (Dr. Martin L. King) in the planning and creation of the PEACEFUL marches, and demonstrations. The movement was not based on hatred...but of the ...Pain... being endured..
If Kings movement would have been based on hatred..instead of pain...history would have been changed it would have been a slaughter of both races...if not for the sacrifices and patience of the black people. This in itself teaches us Pride.
Teaching the history should be with the pain, dignity, and pride that it was based to overcome...rather than from the hatred. And the most important fact that even though we are still a way off from total peace from the past...that in this world anywhere today..It can be recognized immediately ..(just as in some parts of the world where young girls are being sold as slaves,)
Even in our individual lives rather than a group..we have the knowlege to recognize when someone (mentally ill) such as the barbaric Hitler..or the Religious cults, are emerging, to enslave or take over.
The point: History should be taught with Pride.
As far as what we endured when we were kids...
I now understand ..but wish the parents of my classmates would not have taught them to hate me because I was white. My feelings changed from pain to sadness for them..because they had to endure the hatred taught to them...and thats and ugly feeling inside yourself...
I am over it...because I understand....it did not make me hate anyone...we ju