I had a chance to chat the other day with award-winning filmmaker Dorian Chandler. Chandler is the author of the film "Nigger Nation," which explores the use of the n-word, and why people might think it's O.K. I've always been impressed with Chandler's work and consider her to be the best young filmmaker in America today. Her film has won several awards, including The Emerging Filmmaker Award from the "Women Make Movies," organization and the 2005 Flicker Film Festival Jury Prize.

The n-word is an interesting and perpetually controversial topic within and outside of black America. It is also misunderstood by most of us. First of all, I've never thought of the n-word concept in a singular sense, as there are multiple variations of the word used in casual conversation. There is the word that ends with an "r" and the other version that ends with an "a." Yes, I do believe that the version of the word being used makes a difference. Also, there are a long list of voice inflexions that can change the definition on the spot: If I say "What's up my n*gga!" in a high pitched, enthusiastic voice, that's very different from me twisting my lip, cocking my head to the side and saying "What's up n*gger" in a low, grumbling voice. In the first case I want to hug you, but in the second, you're about to get knocked out.

Obviously, you cannot disconnect variants of the n-word from hip hop. Starting with the group NWA (Ni*gaz Wit Attitudes), the use of the n-word has been relatively consistent within the genre. In fact, at a house party, you might hear an artist refer to "n*ggaz" and "b*tches" as synonyms for "men" and "women." Chandler's film does a wonderful job of using hip hop and young people to help us gain perspective on how our language has been twisted through time.

The n-word debate reminds me of when I began the long and grueling process of learning to speak Chinese. The Chinese language, in all its complexities, gives you the ability to change the meaning of simple words like "ma" by adjusting the tone of your voice. I can't imagine why this same linguistic complication can't exist in Ebonics.

There are some who think that the n-word, and all variants, should be banished. The NAACP even had a funeral for the n-word, as many of its older members associate the word with terrible racial oppression. You can hardly blame them for the move, since there are clearly more productive ways for us to communicate with one another.

The other side of the story is that the n-word is simply a word. Words have power, sure. But they only have power if we give them power. It cannot be denied that, for right or wrong, the n-word (with an "a" at the end) has been transformed into a term of endearment for some, and that young people are going to continue using it, whether we like it or not. So, when we attack young people for using language we don't quite understand, perhaps we should be attacking ourselves for not addressing the fact that nearly half of all black teens can't find a job. We can also address the fact that inner city schools are woefully underfunded, destroying the futures of our kids. Changing the language of their suffering is not going to undo the suffering itself, so we must make sure we know the difference.


Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action Resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.