Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 9 April 1994 — Page 3

Opinions

The "N" word; should it be a part of Black dialect?

Nigger this and nigger that... Nigger, nigger, nigger, such an ‘ugly word’ that has been a part of African-American culture since about 1620, according to Clarence Major, author of Juba to Jive, a dictionary on AfricanAmerican slang. He believes the term was derived from “nick” as in nicking a coin; a “niggler” clips and files gold coins; and “niggling,” which is “cutting awkwardly”; “nig” is also a

By BRYAN THOMPSON

variant form of nick. To “niggle,” in early English, is to have sex. However, some researchers believe the word originated in Northern England in the Irish dialect (negar )-an attempt to pronounce the Spanish word negro around 1587. By the 17th century the word was widely accepted as a variant pronunciation of “negro.” Others feel the word came from the French word negre. Regardless of its origin, it’s a word that has a lot • power when used in varying contexts. When AfricanAmericans use the word, it is considered a ‘term of endearment,’ referring to friend, boy, girl, man or woman. But when whites or other ethnic groups use the word, it usually causes confrontation which sometimes results in violence. The amount of violence this one word produces should cause concern among a race who have experienced nothing but adversity. We should examine the word’s use and decide whether or not its a term we should hold ‘dear.’ It wasn’t until the Civil War that the word was used in a manner to offend Blacks, causing a dual standard. As a Black race, should we continue to uphold the term as solnething sacred or should we launch an aggressive campaign to distant ourselves from a loaded weapon? Major says one way of disarming a word is to overuse the term and get it out in the open. He bases this premise on James Baldwin’s ideology; “The way to defuse a weapon is to take it on and claim it.” If you take a word like “nigger” and use it yourself as your enemy, then would you rob the word of its power. Today, many Black youth contend the word “nigger” is not derogatory, and feel it does not imply race. They believe whites can be “niggers,” too. The use of words has been an integral part of understanding one’s culture. Black slang or language is very i^uch alive. It changes so rapidly that no researcher can hardly keep pace with new terminology. In fact, words usually have power and can cut like any two edged sword. That’s why its imperative to examine the words origin and history. The term can now be considered a sub-language with variances such as “niggerism,” and “niggerish.” There are 50 other words associated with the term. It’s becoming virtually impossible to keep up with its numerous translations and meanings. Major made a reference to Clarence E. Walker’s book, ‘Deromanticizing Black History Critical Essays and Reappraisals,’ which said “the word nigger was and is a crucial component in (the)... process of objectification.” According to this book the word has been around since 1620. Major also stresses that African-Americans have traditionally been abused and have always used adverse situations and made it positive. But is “Nigger” a term we should continue to embrace because of its ramificati(Jts? If one refuses to use the word, does it mean it will eventually go away?

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER PAGE A3

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Is the Klan's presence in Indy supported by local officials?

Dear people of Indianapolis who are right-minded and of goodwill. Does not the question arise in your mind of “why did the KKK choose Indianapolis for its focal point for continued promotion of racial ignorance”? Isn’t there enough confusion, misunderstanding and racial animosity among the local communities of Indianapolis without continued instigation from outside sources? Who, within the frame work of local government and business is supporting these KKK rallies?

Common-sense should tell you that if there was not local political support, the KKK would not have come back to Indianapolis. Just think, you the taxpayer will be footing the tab for the law enforcement and manpower used to maintain order at this function. Surely your tax dollars could be utilized in a more responsible manner. This entire idea smells of conspiracy and is a slap in the face to the right-minded tax-paying citizens of the community. Why should your tax dollars be used to support the very principles you as

a good citizen deplore. Good people of Indianapolis, it is time for you to wake up and smell the coffee. You must understand that you have forces within your own government working to undermine the very principles you as good people will support. It is even more appalling that you haVe so-called leaders, Black and white who are afraid to stand up and tell the truth, therefore leaving the people they supposedly represent mis-informed and ignorant about most issues that

effect their lives and their wallets. It is sad that Black and white youth are faced with the dilemma of racial insecurity, which diverts their young minds away from the truely important things that prepares them to be good human beings. The problems that face our children is the results of generations of re-sounding ignorance they have inherited from the so called intelligent minds they emulate. Ned Garrett

Blacks should know which part of Africa they come from Most Americans have always been proud of their heritage. You always hear white people boasting about being Irish, Italian, German or Polish, even though they were bom in the U.S. However, when Black people, whose ancestors were brought here in chains and forced to relinquish their knowledge of their African homeland, decided to use the term African-American, certain bigoted whites couldn’t understand. They started saying, “why can’t they be Americans like us white people.” Because of the brutality of the slave trade, which took away the religion and names of Africans who were brought to this country. Black people today have no idea what country in Africa they came from. They can’t say I’m Nigerian, Ghanian, Angolan or Gambian. And that’s why the term African-American is being used. If white people were not against the study of Black history so much, Blacks would know this. It has been a long struggle and anyone who hates Black people had better get used to the term AfricanAmerican. Blacks are not going to do an about face. As the old song goes “ain’t nobody gonna turn me around.” Edward McFarland

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