School Denies Bullying Of 7-year-old Who Allegedly…
Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell: Words Matter
But I would kindly ask the TV Land folks to stop censoring 'Sanford and Son,' specifically editing out the n-word from several episodes of the hit comedy, which ran from 1972-1977. ...
I've noticed that on several episodes, when the word nigger is uttered by a character, another word is substituted in its place.
For example, in the original broadcast of the 'Big Money Grip' episode, when Grip, an old friend of Fred Sanford, declares Fred's son, Lamont, is his own child, Aunt Esther exclaims "What did you say, nigger?"
The original line brought howls of laughter from the studio audience, but you wouldn't know that from watching the show on TV Land. The word sucker is clumsily dubbed into the audio track.
I can remember at least two other instances where the n-word is pulled from the original broadcast. I'm not sure who or what is to blame. Political correctness, perhaps, but it's funny how we have regressed.
Hearing the n-word doesn't cause black people to turn into a pile of dust. Yes, I admit it is still a word that can start a fight if uttered by the wrong person in the wrong tone of voice. But that's not what we were talking about in the 'Sanford and Son' episodes. There, it's part of an extremely funny joke.
So come on, TV Land. Let Fred Sanford and Aunt Esther speak the way they were intended.
Mel B Pictures
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
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In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
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In this undated image released by Oxfam Tuesday Sept. 23, 2008, British singer Mel B participates in the 'In My Name' global campaign calling for action against poverty and demanding world leaders keep their promises on millennium development goals. (AP Photo/Oxfam, HO) ** NO SALES **
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In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl Mel B, left, serves as the emcee at a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. Mel B wears a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. The woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Ultimo Scottish designer lingerie brand founder Michelle Mone (L) and pop singer Melanie Brown pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and singer Aubrey O'Day (R) poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown, Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard, singer Aubrey O'Day and TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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Comments: (527)
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By: rosematt on 2/16/2009 2:20PM
If we don't ban the n-word here, then I have to think it is ok for people like Imus and Limbaugh to use it too, if they so desire. Or is that different? If so, why? Because they are white? Wouldn't that be giving different standards to different races? And wouldn't that be at the least bigoted and at worst racist? Just thought I would ask.
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By: Mark on 2/16/2009 2:35PM
If you were to think that it's ok for those men to use that word then you will never understand the true meaning of why people get up set when they used it, yes it has a big part to do with them being white and the context that they used that they used the word. There are different standards to different races as much as a lot of people wish that could change in some cases this being one of them that shouldn't change ever. Me personaly i don't think that's bigoted or racist at all to think it's wrong for a white person to use that word, im not saying that it's right for a black person or anybody for that matter to use it but that's what some people do and it's always gonna be wrong.
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By: Nathan Forest on 2/16/2009 3:36PM
You dumb ho's Limbaugh and Imus don't use the word ni%$er we do down South because that is what you are. Like obammie he is reneging on all his promises and we call him a reneger. But please cut the coloreds some slack they've only been out of the jungle for a few generations. We call them feral ni@@ers down here!
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By: american on 2/16/2009 2:25PM
another example of the race thing being kept alive if you all would not give such power to words like this we would not have a problem change the meaning like has been done with other words and let racism die
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By: Tony on 2/16/2009 2:28PM
I have to agree with the censorship is wrong. I remember one show as a very young person that used to sit and listen to a Radio show, it moved to TV but only last for a short while after moving to TV, but the show was very funny. It was canceled because of people screaming foul back then. Some of you maybe old enough to also remember fondly the Amos and Andy show. That was back when TV was entertainment and not a tool to fuel hatred.
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By: Donna54 on 2/16/2009 2:30PM
The word "n#ggah" was NEVER used in Sanford and Son YOU BIG DUMMY - do your homework before writing an article.
Aunt Esther used the word "Negro" versus black or African-American whenever she wanted to "call" Fred out about something. Simple as that!
Ya gettin' ready to get a lot of little white kids beat up - LOL!
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By: Don E. on 2/16/2009 4:22PM
That is why the YouTube clip is attached . . Aunt Esther clearly says "nigger" in the clip -- which is partly why the audience reacts as it does and why Fred smirks on camera.
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By: rose on 2/16/2009 5:03PM
White kids getting beat up over this, maybe because it is always 16 to 1.
never 1 on 1,
If it was it would be the other way around.
something else for you to b#### about!!!!
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By: Jimmy on 2/16/2009 6:36PM
Your wrong.
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By: Flagrante Delicto on 2/16/2009 2:31PM
I am offended by TV Land substituting sucker for n_gger. This network is mostly watched by teen viewers. Sucker gives the connotation of homosexual tendencies.
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