I don't have cable so I haven't seen this show. But if I were in the situation described, I would have politely informed the Norwegian that using the 'N' word is inappropriate, even if he hears some African Americans use it. If he intended to be malicious, I still would not have struck him.
Why do we allow this word to have so much power over us? The 'N' word is just that. A word. Yes, I fully understand the history behind its use. Yes, I have been called a n*gger on more than one occasion. However, I am intelligent enough to realize that 'others' use this word to provoke an ugly response from us. When we stop providing everyone's entertainment, like this young lady did, there will no longer be a reason for 'others' to use it against us.
Maybe I'm not being sensitive enough again, but that's my $.02.
[This message has been edited by MIDWESTDIVA (edited February 15, 2001).]
|