African American Poetry

Larry, There's an interesting article in the Editorial page about the issue of the "n" word. Although it's left most peoples vocabulary, black rappers seem to use it frequently. It talks to the issue of whether the "n" word should be considered racial harrassment? Any thoughts? c.i.

Given the sensitivity of its usage to African Americans, there are few instances when whites should use the word. I understand and don't think it is hypocritical for African Americans to use it amongst themselves. But I don't like that artists and writers should be censored into not using the word because of political correctness - for example the recent book called "Nigger - The Strange Career of a Troublesome Word" by an African American. There was a little uproar over that from black leaders.

I used the word in another topic when asked for an example of an early 20th century writer's very "un-pc" language. To use it carelessly and indiscriminately is just stupid, but to pretend it wasn't used in the past and not talk about it because of political correctness is dishonest.

Larry, I don't ever have a need to use the "n" word in any of my communication. I don't use racial epithets. I think black artists use the "n" word for shock value, and it works with selling their recordings. The only problem I have is that the use of the "n" word by black artists makes it's use legitimate for young people that buy those recordings, yet they are told not to use the "n" word. That is a big contradiction, and unfair. c.i.