Stillman College Hosts N-Word Conference

[Little32]

Originally Posted by AKA2D '91

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/02/24/nwo....ap/index.html



TUSCALOOSA, Alabama (AP) -- With a debate swirling nationwide over the n-word, a historically black college in Alabama has set aside four days to discuss the racial slur.

Participants at the conference, which began Thursday and ends Sunday, discussed topics ranging from the origins of the epithet to whether juggling a few letters makes it socially acceptable at the "N" Surrection Conference at Stillman College.

Organizers said the goal of the event is to challenge the use of the n-word "through the use of intelligent dialogue and a thorough examination of black history."

Debate over the use of the word has escalated in recent months, with comedian Michael Richards' racial rant prompting black leaders such as the Rev. Jesse Jackson and California Congresswoman Maxine Waters to urge the public and the entertainment industry to stop using it.

Interesting, an entire conference devoted a discussion about this word. I am not sure about the usefulness of it though.

I don't use the word, I don't think that anyone should use it. I don't think that people should use a slightly altered form of the word either. Though I understand the theory behind the use of an altered form of the word, I am not sure that it really works that way in practice. It has too much historical baggage.