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**
AP
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**
AP
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: posterior_sling on 3/02/2009 5:33PM
We're far too caught up on words, colors, and all the etcs. If that's what we think it's all about, then it's no wonder we are on our way to becoming, and almost are, a communist regime. Can't we fools see by now that all of our weaknesses have been leveraged against us for decades upon decades to bring this about? Don't complain when we're all standing in bread lines. We've allowed a common enemy to distract us with trivia while (he's) painted us into (his) big picture. Nobody really cares about those differences, except as they have been prodded. Why take we issue against ourselves? A house divided shall not stand.
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By: will on 3/03/2009 8:10AM
One of the main reasons other races use the Nword is because they hear us use it casually when speaking to each other,and think its okay to use the Nword.When we stop using the Nword towards each other,other races will stop using the word.Lets start respecting each other and other races will start respecting us.
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By: Curtis on 3/07/2009 10:10AM
Why not edit the ni***** word. Everytime it is spoken by a non black it creates a big arguement and a round of apologies. I think it is amazing that a black can call me honkie or cracker and I'm just supposed to stand there and smile. Let me use the n-word or even the term negro. All hell will break loose.
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By: DJN on 3/12/2009 12:29PM
And this is why I watch old cartoons and TV shows on DVD.
I don't want "offensive" dialogue or scenes edited, even if they really are offensive, just as I don't want old books edited to modern standards. What was is what was.
To clean up history is to deny history, whether artistic or real world. To deny history makes others ignorant of history, which contributes to being ignorant of the present and foolish about the future.
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By: Maceo on 3/14/2009 8:27PM
I just watched an episode and the term was used openly. Episode: Here comes the bride, there goes the bride.
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By: Maceo on 3/16/2009 11:13AM
I just watched an episode of Sanford and son titled "Here comes the bride, there goes the bride and Fred used the "N" word.
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By: Tim on 5/08/2009 1:12PM
I'm a white kid who grew up in culturally diverse neighborhood and am thankful for it. We were taught which words were appropriate and which words weren't.
Whether I was watching Sanford & Son or All in the Family or The Jeffersons, I knew that George calling someone a honkey or Fred calling someone a nigger was not appropriate in real life.
Editing our past won't help our future.
Imagine if anything related to slavery was cut out of Roots or any death camp scenes taken out of Schindler's List.
Without an accurate, uncensored view of the past, how can we ever hope to advance as a society?
Maybe someone should think about this the next time Iran's President implies that the Holocaust never happened.
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