I think she's right. I hate the 'n-word' when anybody uses it. But let me be very clear about my opinion on all of this. ...
Anyone who thinks the move toward racial equality and harmony in this country rests on who uses or does not use the 'n-word' does not even begin to comprehend the kind of gut wrenching self examination and barrier blasting work it will take to build a color neutral society in America.
From "The View"
"We live in a world where pop culture uses that term and we're trying to get to a place where we feel like we're in the same place," Elisabeth said. "How are we supposed to then...move forward if we keep using terms that bring back such pain?"
"I can tell you how, here's how we do it, you listen and say 'Okay, this is how we're using this word and this is why we do it,' and you have to say, 'I understand that, but let's find a new way to move forward,'" Whoopi fired back.
"We don't live in different worlds,"
Elisabeth insisted, "We live in the same world."
However, Whoopi fiercely disagreed with her co-host, saying, "We do live in different worlds, it's just that way. It is Elisabeth."
Rev. Jesse Jackson
Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks during a news conference in Chicago, Wednesday, July 9, 2008. Jackson apologized Wednesday for comments he made about Barack Obama's speeches in black churches during what he thought was a private.
AP
"It was very private," Jackson said. A spokesman for the Obama campaign said that the Illinois senator accepts Jackson's apology. Jackson's son, however, was less kind. "I'm deeply outraged and disappointed in Reverend Jackson's reckless statements," Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. said. Here, Jackson and Obama share a lighter moment in Illinois last month.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson issued an apology to Obama Wednesday after comments he made about the presidential candidate were picked up on an open microphone. After a Fox News interview on Sunday, Jackson said, "Barack, he's talking down to black people."
Skip Peterson, AP
In this Feb. 5, 2008 file photo, Rev. Jesse Jackson holds a campaign sign for Obama, D-Ill., in Chicago. Jackson said Wednesday, July 9, 2008 he's "very sorry" for comments he made about Obama during what he thought was a private conversation with a reporter. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Yes Elizabeth, there is a double standard. A black person will not be penalized for using the 'n-word,' and a white person will.
But why does that matter? My perpetually unanswered question to all of the white people who make this complaint is why in the world would any racially sensitive white person want to use the 'n-word'? Why does this particular double standard tick you off so much?
I hate the 'n-word.' I don't use it. My family: me, my mom and my grandmother, sat down together and decided not to use that word. And we didn't and we don't. I have asked black people not to use it in my presence. I have strongly urged white people who wanted my friendship to stop using it altogether, even with other black people who condone it. And I've encouraged them to ask the same of their white friends. But I don't believe in banning words. You can't enforce it anyway.
I feel Elizabeth's pain. Honest talk about race is painful stuff. But as I say to myself many, many times everyday: the only way out is through.
Comments: (133)
Add a comment
By: Obama Fan on 7/18/2008 9:29AM
Rev Jackson should have never have called anyone the "N word". It is way worse for a white to call any Afro Americans the "N- Word"! If you are white, and you call an Afro American the "N-Word", you are truly in trouble! In America, White People should only call other White People Neighbor!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Get Togetha on 7/18/2008 9:38AM
They're both right. And I've never seen Whoopi this passionate. But I'm leaning more towards Elisabeth. As annoying as she can be on The View. She has a point. No matter what I just can't defend using that word for us and by us. I think the word will always be devisive. Period.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Get Togetha on 7/18/2008 10:52PM
I'm on the fence when the word is being used because I can hear one of my own people say the word and think its funny as hell. But I still think its hypocritical to defend our use of the word and then expect white people to not use it; public or private. That's why DOG got his show back. He said the word in private; just like we do.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Armanius on 7/18/2008 12:30PM
You are exactly right that racial harmony in America is not going to simply depend on the usage of the n-word. But it has to begin somewhere, and that's certainly one of the many parts of the solution. When blacks use it even for non-racist purposes, the usage still stirs feelings of divisiveness and racism. In a world where we as Americans need to be teaching unity, why perpetuate the hatred associated with a word by making the usage of the word acceptable even to the people who were originally the targets of such hatred? No one said that the n-word should be banned. Words can never be banned even if there was legislation. We could all be living under Stalin, and he still would not be able to ban words. It is because we can always say the words in our minds and thoughts. So there is no banning of words. However, the issue here is the acceptability and excusability of using the n-word. No one should accept it as a harmless word, whether black, white, yellow, red, or green. And no one should excuse it. Elizabeth's pain was not about honest talk on the issue of race. It was about two black women perpetuating the hatred and denigration associated with the n-word by advocating and justifying its use by blacks.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Bermudia on 7/18/2008 10:18AM
I am totally against the use of the "N" word; regardless, of whether the speaker is white or black. Jesse Jackson's comment about Obama was inflammatory enough before we discovered that he also integrated this derogatory word into his sentence. Jesse has been one of the most vocal political pundits rallying against the use of the "N" word. He reprimanded hip-hop artists for their random and rampant use of this term; and yet, here he is using it in a forum where he is "miked" and in front of one of the most conservative media outlets in this nation. I am vehemently opposed to this word under any and all circumstances, but as far as Elisabeth is concerned, I don't buy her tearful act one bit. She strikes me as a diehard racist. When she and Rosie got into their fisticuff, she resorted to these same crocodile tear tactics to solicit audience sympathy for poor little Lizzie. I respect and appreciate the differences that we might have in our politics and religion, but Elisabeth is a co-host on a show called “The View”; and yet, if her colleagues are not on the same page with her point-of-view, she always resorts to tearful outburst. She needs to grow up. They need to replace her with someone who can intelligently express and articulate their opinions, and respect the opinions of their colleagues.
I'm just saying... Peace and Blessings!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Geena on 7/18/2008 10:28AM
Allowing any kind of double standard means that rules have to apply. If the n word is okay for blacks and not whites, then what about the Tiger Woods of the world, or the Barack Obamas? What about those that are 1/4 black or 1/8 black? How black do you need to be for it to be okay? And how white do you have to be for it to be wrong? Who decides? Until a constitution of the n word is written up, I say nix it. Period. It's hateful, derogatory and no one is hurt by it being eliminated from the vernacular altogether!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: unknown on 7/18/2008 10:34AM
Well, as long as black people believe they live in a different world, they will...
I am sure Whoopie lives in the same world with the single black mothers trying to feed their kids, while avoiding getting assaulted coming home late at night in the ghetto. I hate when rich black people try to force segregation, while balcks and whites in similar social status get along just fine.
I think Tiger Woods cares that someone white in Alabama uses the n-word just as much as Donald Trump cares that someone black in urban Atlanta says "cracker" :) Do Mexicans also live in a different world? Only that the second richest man in the world is Mexican...yeah, tell him that :)
Why do you guys (blackvoices) write about the n-word? You don't feel offended by being called "the n-word"? Why don't you write about the forced segregation by Whoopie instead? Who is she to tell all black people they live in a different world?
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: no name on 7/18/2008 10:56AM
Whoopi is right, there are two worlds.
Blacks want to tell white people not to use it in both worlds.
But whites aren't allowed to tell Blacks not to use it in either.
If we are not one world, then let each manage it's own. And don't complain...
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: H.R.Dorsey on 7/18/2008 10:56AM
Rev.Jesse Jackson knows better, public life is not new to him. I did not like what he said, but who hasn't said or did something that he wish he hadn't. I am so glad that no matter how bad we as humans think something is, God is the only one that can judge us. It's been said and critized. Let's put it to bed and move on.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Brenda Dorsey on 7/18/2008 11:07AM
Rev. Jesse Jackson knows better, public life is not something new to him. I do not like what he said, but we all have said or did things we were sorry for. I don't care how bad we as humans think it is,only God can judge and Rev. Jackson and the rest of us need to be very glad of that. It has been said and critized,lets put it to rest and move on.
Reply to this Comment | Report This