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This two-syllable expression is arguably the most divisive word in society. Dr. Phil tackled this touchy topic with help from a panel of outspoken luminaries: civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton; legendary comedian and writer Paul Mooney; CSI actor and author Hill Harper; comedian Sheryl Underwood and conservative radio talk show host Michael Graham.

I though the whole program was interesting but failed to address the issue. I personally find it offensive to use the word no matter your race. It’s a BAD word, a HATEFUL word and I don’t understand why a black person can continue to use it as part of conversation either in kind or not. If you listen to rap music, television shows, and movies, Its N@#$ this N@#$ that and always from the mouths of black people.


I often ask myself do black people use the word to belittle each other? Or do they just use it because it’s a fashionable statement, like calling women bitches?

I don’t get it and like I mentioned earlier, I find it to be very offensive despite your race. When you look at the history of the name and the people who suffered its continued use and association, I find it very alarming that a black person can find it amusing or fun to continue to throw the name around.



I want to know, because if a white person used the name. All black people would be up in arms. That to me reeks of a double standard.


The debate heated up when Rachel, a white guest, said she calls her husband the N-word all the time. Then, should hip-hop artists be censored or fined for using the N-word in their songs? Becky says rappers promote negative stereotypes with their lyrics, but find out who Rev. Al Sharpton thinks should face the music.


Some say the N-word is a term of endearment, while others believe nothing can improve an epithet historically used to oppress African-Americans. Endearment or not I say NEVER use the word. Because the very fact that the world in discussing how it could be used is a perfect example that it should be used.



The debate heats up when Rachel, a white guest, says she freely utters this incendiary term. Then Becky, another guest, said that she clutches her purse when some black people walk by, because the blacks in her town are “gangsta.” She also feels that blacks cry racism too often and believes Black Entertainment Television promotes separatism. Hill Harper critiqued her logic since BET is owned by a white conglomerate.


I find that people who did not suffer from the use of the word from history, will continue to find it exciting and use it without thinking about it.

Also some use it because they just want to make money out of the ignorance of the public.



When faced with increasing criticism for his "nappy-headed hos" commentary, Don Imus deftly flipped the conversation, suggesting that he found inspiration from the world of hip-hop. The conversation quickly and disingenuously turned into a debate about the role of hip-hop in spreading sexist and vulgar language, as if scripted by the folks at CBS Radio and NBC. Central to this discussion was the sense that a double standard exists where black male rappers are permitted to call women "bitches" and "hos" and are subject to little scrutiny while old white men like Imus face a public crucifixion for what some deem a bad joke.


Author and longtime Washington Post Book World editor Jabari Asim had heard all of these arguments before in relation to the use of the word "nigger" in American popular culture. In his book, "The N Word: Who Can Say It, Who Shouldn't, and Why," he places the focus squarely on American society and the undercurrents of white supremacy in our culture.


On the other side of TheTVObserver landscape is The View which offered another perspective on the matter. It all started when Barbara Walters asked Sherri Shepherd if it is okay, essentially, for black people, (particularly black comedians) to use the n-word. Shepherd responded “Yeah I have no problem with them using it. It’s something that means something way different to me than it does to you.” Then Barbara started to ask so, “If I used it” and Sherri cut her off saying, “I don’t wanna hear it come out of your mouth.”


Then ultra-conservative co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck chimed in, and all hell broke loose. She and Whoopi Goldberg got into a tense discussion that left Hasselbeck crying at the end. After using the word n**** at least 8 times, Whoopi then gave Elisabeth an explanation of how the world isn’t peachy keen for black people and how it is acceptable for blacks to use the n-word and not whites.

On the other side of the coin we have Hip Hop moguls who’ve made million from the use of the word. Some of hip hop’s biggest names like Jay-Z, Ashanti, Chuck D and Pharoahe Monch use the word, but their white counterpart s are not ALLOWED to use the workd.



I'm half black half white, a huge hip hop fan and feel the word has no real use I'm in agreement that it can only serve to divide the races. The "empowerment" of the word doesn't apply it's usage is unnecessary in hip hop AND life, if it's being used by black people as a word of unification then why not use the term brother ? Some people need to realise that it is not a reference to our people it's a reference to our colour and we are more than that.
Complex Shun

I think that the 'n' word is ok used between two black people... if you listen to some of Jay-Z's songs he uses the term non-racially therefore its ok. around where i live a lot of people use this term, i personally dont take it seriously. (my dad is half afro-american) so really i should take offence but sometimes people use it as a joke. it should not be used as a "joke" and as Paul says: "Like the n word, "Paddy" when used by the English against the Irish has connotations of centuries of brutal repression" i agree it "paddy" and the 'N' word should only be used between the appropriate people.
Ben, Manchester



am mixed race n i live ina white village n all i hear is that word thrown to ma family by white youths its a harsh word no race shud use it, but white youths are wanting 2 b black n acting black so they use that word i think its stupid to be honest
natalie

I think that using the 'N' word is completely un-acceptable among the black community and people really need to education themselves as they are disrespecting firstly themselves, their ancestors and the millions of black people that died because of that racist name! I have no respect for any so-called artist that chose to use that degrading word and promote it around the world this is one of the reasons why no-one takes the people seriously! Anyone, either black or white who calls another person that has a real problem and needs to understand that it VERY OFFENSIVE!
Aaliyah, London


Yes, I do use the word I use it very frequently but only when I greet in people I know the way we say it now it is not use in a negative manner but it can be I don't really think its cool for white people to use the word cause what if you have a incident where a white person gets mad and he uses the word at a black person we all know the outcome of that story but I was just stating my opinion.
Chris

I think you can see the N Word as turning what the white oppressors said to black slaves into a positive thing, as a word that binds together people. (note: you cant class all white people together like some of you do). But with a word with such a harsh past, should we promote it? I think not.
Roberto, Nottingham

The question remains:



There is also a website called niggermania which I found to be disgusting. I can only imagine how proud the people who came up with this name must be that years after its birth. It is still alive and used by its victims amongst each other in a lively fashion. 

By The TV Observer
International Blog: http://www.thetvobserver.blogspot.com/
© 2009. TheTVObserver. All Rights Reserved. Pictures used on TheTVObserver graphics are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved. The Dr. Phil Show © Peteski Productions and Harpo Productions, Inc. All rights reserved.

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