The N-Blog

So the new "n-word" rule (assessing a 15 yard penalty to the teams player that uses the word in the field of play) that the NFL is attempting to impose is creating a lot of controversy.

There are respected sports media figures such as Stephen A. Smith and Michael Wilbon who are in favor of the word when it's used under "appropriate" conditions.  Of course "appropriate" meaning amongst other black people.

Players are still processing the proposed rule and the results are mixed.  The ever outspoken Richard Sherman declared his definitive stance against the rule in a recent interview with themmqb.com:

"It's an atrocious idea. It's almost racist to me. It's weird they're targeting one specific word. Why wouldn't all curse words be banned then? It's a common word in so many players' everyday lives. Among African-American players and people, it's used among friends all the time. It seems like a bit much for the NFL to try to get rid of it. It's a pretty common word in the locker room."

My initial response to Sherman's statement is that I appreciate his candor but respectfully disagree nonetheless.  Number 1,  don't you ever insult, undermine and disrespect the history of the "n-word" by classifying it as a regular "cussword."  As much as I love a good "Motherfucker" as both a term of endearment and an attack word, it doesn't have the reverberating effect as the epithet of all epithets: nigger.

Secondly, when Sherman says "it's used among friends all the time" that's just another way of resorting to the ever popular excuse for using the word as a "term of endearment."  That maybe true but until all blacks are unanimously responsible enough to discern and utilize "n-word" discretion, that luxury may have to be put on hold.  How many times have you ever felt awkward and uncomfortable when you're out in public because raucous black people are calling each other the "n-word" in front of non-blacks? As Pimp C said on 'Big Pimpin', "Take those monkey shits off you embarrassing us."  Im tired of the monkeys embarrassing us!---That may have been out of control.

Behavior of that ilk is counterproductive regardless and misleading to other races.  Yes, other races should have enough common sense to implicitly infer, under any condition, they can never have the green light to utter the word; no matter how often black people abuse or cavalierly say it in their presence.

With that said, all black people are born with the ordained power to enforce their unlimited jurisdiction of the word when it involves other races.   If your honey boo is down for the cause and you don't mind her calling you her "nigga," then that's up to you to give her a pass.  You may let it ride when your white friend says it because he was raised in the black culture.  It's strictly up to you (if you're black and reading this).  On the same token don't ever think twice to voice your displeasure with the word being used in your presence and if you have to, check a "blankety blank."

Again, as the word relates to being legislated in the professional game of football, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson makes an excellent point:  "(The NFL) wants the use of the n-word to be outlawed while the use of racism to remain sanctioned."  Shiiiiit, that was deep!

And therein lies the real crux of this whole matter:  ego, control and/or being "infantilized" as Dr. Dyson says.  Im interpreting all the criticism of the rule as people (the players and pundits) feeling insulted that an entity (the NFL) would have the audacity to regulate their speech and communication.  

So if that's the issue then focus your argument on freedom of speech.  I can't believe that people are  crying over the potentiality of being prohibited from using such a poisonous and nefarious word.  If eradicating the use of the word in the NFL-with all it's influence and popularity-can inevitably lead to the declination and extinction (like the year 2130) of the word altogether, then why not embrace this change even if it comes at the expense of your own selfish inconvenience?  But that's only big picture talk.

I usually don't agree with Jason Whitlock but last week  he brought up a point that I thought was fascinating in regards to the "n-word" being used as a term of endearment. Im paraphrasing but Whitlock said that in the 1940s similar discussions were held amongst white people regarding the n-word as a term of endearment.  In essence the same zeal and sense of ownership we are showcasing now, is the same zeal whites who were in favor of keeping the word in everyday dialogue had in the 1940s.

The target of the 'n-word' rule is John Wooten, an Afro-American and former player.  I'll continue to use the word at my own discretion and with my people, but I'm not mad at what Wooten is trying to do.  On  surface level, yes maybe it is a micro-managing sham designed to infantilize black people yet again.  Or maybe Mr. Wooten is really trying to make a difference, no matter how small the increment is.  When good ideas are born they're usually met with criticism and allegations of crazy talk.  Wootens words don't sound that crazy to me:

"I want players to know and understand that it is the most vicious word in the language. It's about us, as a race of African-American people, have to continually make our youngsters understand that the word can't be endearing. The word was created to make you feel, as a black man, that you were inferior; that you were nothing; that you were sub-human; that you had no talents; that all you could do is pick cotton. This is what the word was intended for."