Monday, December 04, 2006
No more n-word
Pittsburgh Courier: "Since the 1970s, Mooney has operated at the highest levels of Black comedy -- writing for artists such as Richard Pryor (who was largely responsible for mainstreaming the word) and Redd Foxx and television shows like 'In Living Color' and 'Good Times.' He's performed countless standup routines, been in movies and on television, most recently Comedy Central's enormously popular but now-defunct 'The Dave Chappelle Show,' where he anchored sketches like Negrodamus (a black version of the psychic Nostradamus) and 'Ask a Black Dude.'"
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3 comments:
This is a very interesting concept. There was a wonderful piece on NPR about this campaign against the "N-word." The problem is that it is a piece of cultural identity in our society. I don't say it - and I don't identify with it - but a lot of people do. Just as easily campaign against the S-word or the F-word. Good intention - but will it actually work.
And seriously - THIS is what we focus our energy on. Instead, let's work on actually fixing the problem that this is symptomatic of.
I've always thought the prevalent use of the word was a bit strange and while i understand the theory of weakening the value of the word through desensitivity, I could never really view it that way. I feel the same way about women comedians etc. who use mysogynistic and chauvenist materials for their bits, or gay/lesbian people who make fun of homeosexuality and its stereotypes just to get a laugh. While all these methods certainly get the laugh, I cant help but think that they also help perpetuate the prejudiced beliefs rather than break them down.
-samantha englender
Any sort of derogatory (spelling?) word like that should be locked away in a closet, along with all of the ideals and thoughts of people that once used them. How are we to ever escape the wrongs and harsh thoughts of our ancestors when the very people the persecuted are still using them? Being from the South, I recognize that racism is till prevalent...but I would say that it is more prevalent coming from the black community towards the white community. And the use of that word doesn't make it any easier to grow up among people that you want to be friends with...especially when they call you cracka and heckle you and heckle themselves using that slur. I agree whole heartedly with him; it should be put to rest.
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