by Desiree Gordon

Created on: June 28, 2008

Ah yes, the legendary "N" word. Until recently the word has again been publicized and brought to the attention of the public. Hip Hop lyricist Nas was scheduled to name his album the "N" word but was strongly influenced by his record label to change the title. As a teenager the word was used in my presence both in school and in my neighborhood. People would ignorantly argue that they were not using the term for what it was, they were making it their own by changing the last 2 letters to an "a".

Some have even said that members of another race had no right to say it. Being a black woman I say no one has the right to say that one group can say a word and another can't; how ludicrous is that? That's equivalent to one group saying that they are the only ones that can breathe in air and the other group cannot; equivalent to there being a bathroom for white's only. If one group can't say it then no one can say it. How can there be equality for all if there are limitations to some? The word in general carries behind it a lot of hate and suffering. My great aunt who was a member of the civil rights movement and who participated in marches with Dr. King has told me on many occasions that every time she hears the word it makes her skin crawl and I too get that same feeling when it is recited in my presence.

It has gotten to the point where the word is now used as a greeting among other races to one another. Just as I would say "hey girl" to a girlfriend of mine young men and women would greet their peers as an "N". Just the other day I was riding on the train coming from work and overheard two Caucasian teens dressed in baggy jeans and t-shirts refer to one another as "N". I guess there goes that proclaimed rule that only one group can use the word. I honestly believe the banning of the word is not the solution; it will only make the problem worse than it already is. It has been used so much that it has become customary in the English language.

I believe the solution for this issue, is to educate the youth and the community about how and why this word came to be instead of banning it. Educate and inform the hip hop artists who use the word so prominently in their music, where the word originated from and what it really means. My aunt told me the first time she was called an "N", she was 21 years old and was coming out of a library and was called an "N" while being spit on by two white men. How hard it must be for her to hear that today's youth is revolutionizing a word she so eagerly wants to forget.

As for the banning of the word butting against free speech, though the word is free speech it is also classified as fighting words-meaning the word can and may be used to incite violence, hatred or can cause a verbal or physical confrontation if said to another-but again that varies by jurisdiction. It is important to find solutions for problems instead of running away from them. I believe the solution is not banning the "N" word it is getting down to the core of its existence and refusing to turn a blind eye.

Learn more about this author, Desiree Gordon.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.