Urban Thought Collective

There has been a lot of talk about the “N” word lately. There was a discussion last week on The View concerning the use of the “N” word and why black people can use it and white people cannot. It was a passionate debate which included bleeped out “N” words from Whoopi Goldberg, Barbara Walters and the million and a half dollar question, “Is it okay for Black comics primarily…and not okay for White people,” Joy Behar who is usually a motor mouth being almost mute, Sherri Shepherd telling BW, “I don’t want to hear it come out of your mouth” and ended with Elizabeth Hasselbeck frustrated and in tears.

The entire conversation was sparked by Jesse Jackson’s use of the word. Looks like youngsters, rappers, generation X, generation Y, and Jenny from the block are not the only ones who say things like “ni**a please.” Hypocritical civil rights activists and Whoopi Goldberg should also have a special place on the list.

Truth Be Told…It is hard to retire a word but it is an important discussion/debate to have in our community.

What is the status on the word?… Is it banished? Retired? Buried? Is it dead? A re people still using the “N” word? (Not Ni**er, but ni**a)

I am Generation X, mid 30’s and TRYING to show up as an adult. I am also imperfect. In high school I would rock my cross colors, listen to Jodeci, and say things like, “that’s my ni**a” and “look at this ni**a.” As I got older, I would hardly ever use it, but it would slip out every now and yes again. I decided not to use it anymore after Michael Richards had his ‘semi-psychotic break’ in that comedy club and all the discourse about the “N” word retirement slash burial. I’m always down for a good cause.

Honestly I’ve made a nice effort to stop using the word, but I have to admit I have let “that’s my ni**a” slip out a time or two. It HAS exited my lips, only in the privacy of my home and while I was alone, but it has. And I can not begin to count how many times it has popped into my head. I have not said it to anyone, since my commitment to the cause, nor have I used it in a negative or hurtful way. But it’s surprising how it is a bit of a challenge, for me, to eliminate a word from my vocabulary completely. I will continue to attempt to NOT use the word, but I am and it is a work in progress.

Is it hurtful or harmful to use the word? Does it still have the same negative connotation no matter which one is used? Have some Black people been successful at changing it up and into a “term of endearment”? Is it even possible to retire a word? Is it okay for white or other minorities to use it or does the use of the word by a non-Black person still warrant a royal a** kicking? Is it a double standard for us to use it and say others can’t? Does the context in which it is used really make a difference? Are we disrespecting the struggles and pain of the past by using it today?

Tell me what you think. Are we still using the “N” word? Are YOU?

Remember…It’s Always Love.

ReNina Minter is a former elementary school teacher who followed her passion and earned a Masters in Clinical Psychology. Minter is now a Certified Life Coach. Check out her website at www.CoachReNina.com. Her editorials are exclusive to Urban Thought Collective.