President Obama walks fine line on race, justice
11 years ago
Monday, March 8, 2010
This past weekend I was at a birthday party for one of my good friends when a gangster rap song came on and the 'n' word blared from the speakers. Most of my friends are like me and don't like the use of the 'n' word in any context so I was sort of surprised. I decided to change the song. But then some slightly intoxicated guy, who I know but am not close friends with, got annoyed that I kept changing the songs he wanted to listen to and we ended up having an argument about the use of the 'n' word. I'm a pretty stubborn person and so I didn't just give up and let him play the song. Afterwards one of my friends came up to me and said that the whole discussion was awkward and unnecessary. What would you do in a situation like that? Do you just think that you should say something? Or do you actually act upon what you believe is right?
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Thats a tough situation to handle. First of all, most arguments/debates with drunk people don't go anywhere fast. Changing the music in someone else's room is also risky because there is the chance that they do not like the same songs as you. If it was your room I take back that last thought and you are entitled to play whatever you want. I believe there is a time and a place for discussions on the n word like this blog for instance. Hip hop music is very popular, especially at parties and we all know many of its songs are filled with the n word. As long as people are not going around the party dropping the n word I think it is okay to listen to the music. Don't get me wrong, I believe that you should stand up for what you believe in, but in this instance if it was too uncomfortable maybe going to another party could have helped the situation.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kyle I think that given the circumstances(weekend partying) it really depends on the variables such as whose room it is. You said it was your good friends birthday party and I think that another way to go about it would've just been to go up to your friend and express that you felt uncomfortable with that music selection and were going to go. Any real friend would act upon that because they don't want to harm their friendships, and because your friend was the guest of honor no one could really argue that.
ReplyDeleteI can not say what I would do in a situation like that because I am a firm believer in the fact that it is the context that is the problem, not the word. But if something is happening to offend me, often times the subtle way out can have a bigger impact. Like I said before just going up to the friend and saying "you know, I'm really not ok with this. I think I'm going to go" and just draw the friend onto your side of things. Cause noone wants to upset the birthday boy or girl. Just my .02
I agree that there is a place and a time for productive discussions about appropriate content for music. But in a drunken conversation in a crowded room is just not conducive to intelligent, respectful conversation.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I think more subtle cues directed towards the person controlling the music might help, depending on the level of intoxication involved.
I guess this post opens up a discussion that I would be interested to hear everyones thoughts on, which is the evolution of the "n" word. Beginning as a derogatory word against slaves, it seems to have been reclaimed by blacks, giving them the socially accepted power to use it freely. I do not feel offended hearing a black artist speak in a rap song. Does the black population have an implicit right to use the "n" word? Why does the word Nazi not carry this degree of inappropriateness?
ReplyDeleteAlong the same lines as Nick, I find the evolution of the "n" word to be quite interesting. While the term was used as a derogatory word against slaves, it has become a casual and almost endearing term when used within the African-American community. I think the context of the usage is critical in any situation; whether the person is using the term as derogatory or to classify an individual they do not know or whether they are casually referring to a friend.
ReplyDeleteWhile I don't think it is ever a good word to use, I think context is key. I challenge the idea of using it casually though because it seems to overlook the history of the word and making it more acceptable.
Much like the issue with comedy, there is a focus on who is on the inside and who is on the outside.