Scoop’s Views

Not long ago, perhaps a few weeks or so, I was watching a TV “news” talk show and one of the guests happened to be Michael Eric Dyson. If you’re not familiar with him, that’s not a big deal. Perhaps you’ve heard of a few things he’s written, including, You Know What I Mean?; Reflections on Hip Hop; Debating Race; Come Hell or High Water; and Is Bill Cosby Right?

As you can see, there’s a theme in his writings: must of it focused on racial issues, which is generally a good thing.

On this TV talk show, Dyson made a comment that I’ve heard from very few well-educated blacks, all of whom I know and respect. If I am not mistaken, even though my notes don’t indicate it, I believe the show focused around some of the “aftermath,” if you will, following the Don Imus fiasco.

Dyson’s comment was something along the line of (sorry, I didn’t have a pen-and-paper at the ready when he blurted out the comment, but this is the gist of it):

White Americans ought bury the ‘N’ word, but for rappers and others, its sometimes a word of endearment.

When I heard this, I was floored. I have had this kind of conversation, far too many times, with many blacks, including black community leaders, black pastors, black business executives, black entrepreneurs, and others. Every single one of them said when they hear the so-called “N” word — the word half the world is seemingly terrified to speak publicly — they cringe. These people told me they didn’t care if their best friends, their mothers, their aunts, their children, or who is was using the word, it is nothing but a slicing term that is meant to denigrate, not “a word of endearment,” as Dyson wants to claim.

In society, everyone, nay, let’s change that to every race, since we’re quickly becoming a country that’s divided at the racial level, wants to say they do not want double-standards applied. Yet, from Dyson’s words, this is exactly what he is spouting: it’s fine for blacks to say the proverbial “N” word (by the way, is the “N” word “none”, “noon”, “nighty-night”, “nachos”, or something else), but if anyone else makes use of the word, it’s time for fire-and-brimstone talks from the corner loudmouths, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, and others.

When the arguing begins, though, put Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton aside. Bring out business leaders, bring out military leaders — hell, bring out Colin Powell. What do they have to say about the issue? Basically, the same thing: No one should use it! Period.

I agree. You can’t have it both ways. Pick one stance — either it is a nasty, filthy word and no one should use it, or it’s fine for anyone and everyone to use for any purpose whatsoever — and stick with it.

So, wat’s your take on the issue?

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