The NAACP is "burying" the N-word this summer in Detroit. What do you think is the purpose of them doing this?

Question

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-04-30-n-word-funeral_N.htm

I'm puzzled as to what they hope to accomplish by doing this. I don't use the word, and I know a lot of other black people who don't either, but I do know, that there are just as many people, if not more, who do use the n-word. Those who do, will not stop using the word because the NAACP has "buried" it. Or do you think they know that, they just hope to send some type of message?

What do you think?

Answer 1

I believe the NAACP's gesture of burying the n-word symbolizes the hope of putting this word to death for good. It's an act to discourage whites, rappers, singers, the youth, anyone in America from using the word in all the various ways it can be said.

Answer 2

So, the NAACP thinks that by saying they are against a word that almost everybody in the USA knows is a bad-slang word, it will be destroyed? Do they hope to eliminate it from all media?

Do they honestly think that a racist in the ozarks will be like "I can't call them that bad word no more cus they done buried it?"

Do they think a Gangsta Rapper that brags about killing to other people, going to jail, and selling drugs will stop using this word because an orginization has said it is wrong to use?

It will change nothing. It will accomplish nothing. It will be symbolic, but nothing will change.

Answer 3

Having spent many years working among black people, I found that the "N" word was very prevalent as a form of address, from one to another. Although these same people would be highly insulted if a non-black person used it. The NAACP's purpose could be to draw attention to their organization, and stir up a little racist publicity.

Answer 4

Too bad there wasn't a microphone in the meetings. Bet you could have heard it 100 times or more. For all the complaining about the word, I hear blacks using it way more than I have ever heard whites or any other race use the term. If they are going to ban the word, they should truly start with their own people.

Answer 5

Gestures have power. The gesture behind burying the word is an attempt to cut off our, /black people, association with us owning the word, with thinking of it as some "badge of honor" or as shackles to oppress us.

Of course there will be people who still use the "N word"; bigots, racist, the ignorant, and other folks who feel the need be "cool"

For those of us who either have or wish to move beyond "N", the gesture will have power, the rest can wallow in the stagnant pool of their own stupidity and bigotry.

Answer 6

I think it's more of a symbolic gesture than anything. They want to call attention to the fact that it is a word that is very hurtful and carries a lot of negative feelings with it.
I think they are trying to get America to move on - stop using the word.

Answer 7

Good luck to those retards. It's not going to do anything. Black rappers are still going to use it in every song. Pissed off white people are going to say it. Wannabe gangstas are going to say it... just goes to show how retarded the NAACP is.

But if this is the new cool thing to do... I'm going to dig a hole in my garden and bury a piece of paper with the word "honkey" and "cracker" on it. You are all welcome to attend.

Answer 8

I think that I'd love to see people who are speaking out against it despite the fact that their entire fortunes are based on the word (i.e. Russell Simmons, can't go more than 2 minutes on Russell Simmons Deaf Jam on HBO without hearing the word). I'd love to see these rappers and comics who are wallowing in cash give it all away. That's the only way that I'd believe that they are really opposed to it.

Answer 9

I'm in support of this as long as the NAACP also buries those that the words apply to. AND, I'm not necessarily referring to blacks in general!

Answer 10

I think it is mostly for publicity to get Black people thinking and talking about the effects of us using this word.