2008 Woodie Awards
Powerful Words May Change Meaning, Not Emotions
Ivan Carlson/Muleskinner
Issue date: 12/7/06 Section: Opinion
Recently, the "N-word" has come back into mainstream America's consciousness with the explosive rant by comedian Michael Richards at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood.
Richards, who played Kramer on the long running show "Seinfeld," was being heckled by two African-American men in the audience and responded with a storm of racist remarks, including several references to the "N-word."
This caught the public by storm, and a host of politicians, activists and entertainers spoke out about the situation.
Richards' comments have major consequences to society, but most of America is missing the point. For days after the event, the headlines read "Is Kramer a racist?"
Obviously, for him to utter these vile slurs in the manner in which he did is a clear indication of racism. So, now that this is out of the way, the question remains: What should the citizens of America do about it?
The simple solution is to condemn the "N-word." At the forefront of this movement are Rev. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, long-time civil rights activists, and Rep. Maxine Waters (D - Calif.).
In a CBS2-Chicago interview, Waters said, "This is about understanding that this is pervasive, that this happens in all of our institutions in one way or another."
Jackson cut right to the point, stating no one should be allowed to use the "N-word." "We will challenge and urge all artists and comics to stop using this word," Jackson said. "What other group is subjected to such a degrading terminology?"
Actor-comedian Paul Mooney reflected this sentiment, announcing he would no longer say the word in any of his comedy.
However, this approach is like putting a Band-Aid on a broken arm useless. The reality of the situation is the "N-word" exists, and to simply say you will get rid of it is preposterous.
Proponents of the word cite many reasons why the "N-word" should be used. Some argue the "N-word" offers a sense of empowerment to a class of society that was persecuted. This claim however, is just as preposterous. The truth is, most black people say the "N-word" because they always have. In fact, most people do not know the historical meaning of the word.
Richards, who played Kramer on the long running show "Seinfeld," was being heckled by two African-American men in the audience and responded with a storm of racist remarks, including several references to the "N-word."
This caught the public by storm, and a host of politicians, activists and entertainers spoke out about the situation.
Richards' comments have major consequences to society, but most of America is missing the point. For days after the event, the headlines read "Is Kramer a racist?"
Obviously, for him to utter these vile slurs in the manner in which he did is a clear indication of racism. So, now that this is out of the way, the question remains: What should the citizens of America do about it?
The simple solution is to condemn the "N-word." At the forefront of this movement are Rev. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, long-time civil rights activists, and Rep. Maxine Waters (D - Calif.).
In a CBS2-Chicago interview, Waters said, "This is about understanding that this is pervasive, that this happens in all of our institutions in one way or another."
Jackson cut right to the point, stating no one should be allowed to use the "N-word." "We will challenge and urge all artists and comics to stop using this word," Jackson said. "What other group is subjected to such a degrading terminology?"
Actor-comedian Paul Mooney reflected this sentiment, announcing he would no longer say the word in any of his comedy.
However, this approach is like putting a Band-Aid on a broken arm useless. The reality of the situation is the "N-word" exists, and to simply say you will get rid of it is preposterous.
Proponents of the word cite many reasons why the "N-word" should be used. Some argue the "N-word" offers a sense of empowerment to a class of society that was persecuted. This claim however, is just as preposterous. The truth is, most black people say the "N-word" because they always have. In fact, most people do not know the historical meaning of the word.
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