You know, I thought about that after watching last week's episode of The Boondocks (The Legend of Jimmy Rebel). Taking into consideration the creator, the message, and how the episode ended, blah, blah, blah…it basically has become acceptable to…be a racist in the most public forum possible…the television. Okay, so, Dave Chappelle did his thing with the Chappelle's Show. That's not quite the same. This episode of the Boondocks went too far for me. It just about lost me as a fan.

I agree, racism has become the new “it” thing since we've elected a black President. People think that by making racism a joke, they are proving how much we've moved past race. I don't buy it. If you want proof that we are still as racist as ever, go to a site like yahoo (where regular, everyday people who aren't afraid to express themselves post), and every single time a story appears about a black person, whether it's Tiger Woods, Serena Williams, or their favorite, Barack Obama, the conversation automatically turns racial, with more than a few white people calling them monkeys and n-words, rather than focusing on whatever the story is about. If anything, we are more racially charged in this country than ever, and nowhere near being the “post-racial” society the pundits would have you believe that we are.

You're right, Tenicia, White people (or anyone for that matter, which is where I disagree with you) don't have a right to use the n-word, though not just because their ancestors abused the word but its wrong because of how it makes a Black person feel. I do think that theres another reason white people want to use the n-word. Because its damn fun to say. And people they grew up loving and admiring (talking Gen Y, I guess) used that word so freely and effectively. And Whites in America, especially in urban America with liberal parents, are trained to ignore and be ashamed of their own whiteness. I think that when most of them say it, they don't think of the outside image that they've been presented with that a Black person sees. They're taught that the only thing that Whites have in common is colonization, rape and oppression. That's the image that a Black person sees, but since the image is extremely foreign to many of them and the evilness of the image is very internalized by white kids, they can't see themselves that way. They can only see themselves as empathizing with Black people by imitation. BTW, as someone who checked both Black AND White boxes on the Census, where do I fit? Am I “allowed” to say the n-word? Does my father's family being oppressed give me a pass over my mother's family, who were the oppressors? My soul of two colors is hidden by others perceiving only the blackness, but should I act that way, just because they see me as Black?

Good question LaughyHalfie, and excellent perspective. Of course the n-word is not the best word for anyone to use, but let's face it, it's used. Even though it's so pervasive in the urban culture, my objection is against the word becoming mainstream. If Lil Wayne uses it on his album, you will have to buy that album in order to hear it. But if it's said openly on television, and no one says anything, then that gives passive permission to incorporate the word into everyday vocabulary. And by the way, anyone is 'allowed' to say whatever words they'd like, in the privacy of their homes and around their friends and families. Most of us have a filter though, and don't use that word and others in inappropriate places. I don't believe in the notion of people 'acting a color'. If I could act a color, I'd choose purple. You should act like yourself and forget all of the stereotypes. Be you, do what you do .

The only disagreement I have with this post is the use of the term “politically correct” as a pejorative. This phrase has been used to denounce points of view close to my heart for much too long. It's to the point that not many people seem to understand what it really means to be “politically correct”.

I love this quote from the racilicious entry, ““POLITICAL CORRECTNESS” IS A REACTIONARY TERM AGAINST THE LOSS OF PRIVILEGE.”

“What [they]’re calling the ‘PC movement’ I would call a social movement by marginalised people and the people who support them,” he said. “[A movement] to use language that’s more correct—not ‘politically correct’—that more accurately represents reality.”

I agree, there is nothing wrong with political correctness, and I didn't mean to convey a negative connotation to the term. But as you stated, sometimes people don't quite know what it really means to be PC. Sometimes it's not taken far enough…and sometimes, it's taken too far. I like that quote as well.

Ugh. I have to say one of my pet peeves with black people is when we put dividing lines between ourselves. When we were slaves and “mixed” the white man didn't care what you were “mixed” with – you were still black. Black folx got beat to death for 'trying to pass.' All our accomplishments were attributed to 'black' – first black this or that. It's amazing how much control we still give the 'white man' because now, white folx tell YOU – “Oh, you're not black… you're mixed” because now there's too many of you 'black' folx out there making big accomplishments and you buy into it. Now back folx don't want to be seen as black. Don't even twist your mouth to call them black they'll be the the first one to tell you off the bat “I'm HALF white.” This, too, is a not-so-subtle form of racism. I've seen a new phenomenon happening – when you look up white artists on Wikipedia – you get that they are American, European, etc. But look up artists you thought were black or artists that self-dentify as black and you know what you get? “Mya – an American singer of African American and Italian decent” where it would have said Black or just African American (which in itself is a misnomer). So what does that do? That sends the message that the only kinds of blacks that accomplish things – are mixed ones. After all – they have to be mixed with SOMETHING in order for them to pass at life. This waters down our accomplishments, dilutes and even distorts our history, and just causes infighting among our race. EVERYBODY can probably tell that YOU'RE MIXED. It's like people are proud of it and gloat – “ha ha …I'm not ALL black like you. MY momma is white – YAY!” Black is not about your racial make-up. It's about a political identification. Truth be told – ALL black Americans who are decedents of slaves are MIXED. Give me a break. But most of us don't feel the need to flaunt it or try to use it as an excuse to not own our blackness. You are black! Just a black person of mixed heritage. But we are so ashamed of being black that we relish any opportunity to set ourselves apart. I am glad that Barack identifies himself as the first Black president. We all know he's mixed, but like he said – a cab driver doesn't pass him up because he's a Mixed guy. C'mon. We need to wake up as a people. Why is it that we never see through the schemes that are put there just to divide and conquer us? Own your blackness and you won't question whether or not you can use the word Nigga. If you want to use it – use it. It's part of your heritage, culture, and legacy as a black man. Now, whether or not your mother uses it is a different story. I imagine if she told you”Nigger, get upstairs and clean your room NOW!” you might be taken aback – and rightfully so. Just because a white person marries a black person and makes black babies doesn't give them the right to use racially charged language that they have, historically (although not personally) abused. I know plenty of gays that call each other faggots or dykes, Asians that call each other Chinks or Slanty Eyes, Hispanics that call each other Beaners or Wet Backs – but I've yet to call them that. Because, like the sistah that wrote this peace said, I'm intelligent enough to understand that just because two people call each other something – doesn't mean I can. Girls often call each other “Bitch” but let someone else call them that and they'll knock your head off. This common sense stuff. You know what I don't see – I don't see white folx just going around calling themselves “Cracker” or “Honkey” or “Red Neck.” And you know what else is interesting?? You don't ever see black people calling each other Chink, Beaner, Cracker… but why is it that you can find Asians, Hispanics, and Whites calling each other “Nigga”??? I hear it all the time in the inner city where I live. Basically what it boils down to is every other culture adopting our culture as their own – they dress like us, wear their hair like us, listen to/imitate our music, and talk like us – while condemning us for being us. And yet we still got black folx talkin bout – well, I'm mixed so where does that put me??? Where do you want it to put you? You still black. Your conflict is internal. I don't care how light or white you look – you can embrace your blackness or don't – whatever. But I certainly hope we black Americans don't get caught up in that whole race confusion like they have in Europe. I met a few mixed race blacks and was saddened to see they drank the koolaid. One beautiful little girl with waist length hair and hazel eyes told me “I'm not black. I'm peach” when I told her she was such a beautiful little black girl. Another girl, much older, when I was braiding her hair, said to me – “I'm not black, man, my dad's white” after I made a comment that I didn't know too many black women that never had their hair braided before. And another guy – I guess because he could 'pass' for white – told me “I consider myself white. period” yet on halloween he doesn't mind dressing up like a black pimp wearing a big afro and 'talking black.' Such a shame how every other culture tries to imitate us while we buy into the lies about us. It's very sad.

And I'm not hating on white people or any other race. I'm just sayin – DAMN, when are WE gonna get it together as black folx? We're the laughingstock race of the known world and we got this petty conversation still happening in the race? I mean, please, if it's that traumatic – just call yourself white and problem solved. You can't use the N-word. It's done. I don't have a problem usin the word Nigga. I use it all the time. Like Paul Mooney said “I say Nigga a hundred times when I wake up in the morning. It makes my teeth whiter!” lol. But – I also know when it's appropriate to use it and with whom. And no – I don't think “wiggers” get a pass on using the Nword. In fact – I don't legitimize the word “wigger.” It's an incendiary term and there's nothing good or positive meant by it.

All I can say is, Bravo. I agree. If we stop splitting hairs and use common sense, we would see that often we are creating issues that don't need to exist, such as “should we allow whites to say nigger”. Common sense says, NO. We don't have to have conventions and new conferences to justify it. Some things are just black and white.

All I can say is, Bravo. I agree. If we stop splitting hairs and use common sense, we would see that often we are creating issues that don't need to exist, such as “should we allow whites to say nigger”. Common sense says, NO. We don't have to have conventions and new conferences to justify it. Some things are just black and white.