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The 'N' Word Double Standard Enslaves

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By DOMENICK MAGLIO

Neo Traditionalist

Published: July 31, 2008

The most efficient and effective means of changing a negative stereotype of others toward a racial or ethnic group is to let the success of the members of a group transform it. Success breeds acceptance.
Barack Obama, Tiger Woods, Bill Cosby, Will Smith, Colin Powell, Michael Jordon, Condoleezza Rice, Thomas Sowell, Clarence Thomas, Serena and Venus Williams and a multitude of others from all levels and walks of life have reshaped the image of American blacks. Assimilation is a maturing and evolving process that takes effort and time.
Some black celebrities and intellectuals like Whoopie Goldberg, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the Rev. Al Sharpton, and black study professors are pushing an agenda to make the "N" word have a more positive connotation. The means of accomplishing this goal is to encourage blacks to use it as a "cool" term of endearment, a greeting and "hip jive talk" although warning non-blacks that using the "N" word could be a hate crime. This crime is totally subjective since it depends on the situation and ethnic group of the person uttering the "N" word.
Rev. Jackson recently used the "N" word in a derogatory reference to Barack Obama while waiting to appear on television. His use of the "N" word was not considered a hate crime while a naïve Asian, white, Native American or even an African immigrant could be prosecuted for attempting to fit in the "hood" by using it. This dichotomy is especially troubling for the younger, non-black, rapper exposed "N" word generation who does not appreciate the negative implications of the word.
This "I can say it, you can't" places all non-hip, non-blacks in an awkward position as to how to react when the word is bantered about in a casual social situation. If the non-black does not get into the flow of the conversation, he could be seen as a snob elitist and if he joins in he could be accused as a criminal racist. In either case, it places the non-black in an inferior position and any black in the superior position of judge and jury.
Creating a double standard for U.S. citizens is un-American and is counter productive to becoming an assimilated member of the mainstream society. Our freedom to say, do and be whatever we decide defines us as Americans. There is no lasting advantage to any group to impose their dictates on the rest of us.
The 2008 presidential election should be a referendum on choosing the best candidate, not about race. Americans should vote for the best candidate – not feel obliged to elect a black person so as not to appear racist. If you vote for John McCain because he is white and Obama is black, you are a racist. If you vote for Obama because he is black and McCain is white, you are not a racist. Playing the race card in reverse is a self-defeating process.
Historically allowing an ethnic or racial group to have special privileges while excluding others leads to resentment and separation, not to the melting into one whole. It does increase the importance of the privileged people while demeaning the others. Eventually the backlash causes the repudiation of the privileged group.
A double standard empowers people at the expense of others. The notion of some black leaders redefining the "N" word amongst themselves to shed chains of past white bigotry is harmful to the goal of being American blacks not black Americans. Nor is it healthy to live in the negative past. It prevents individuals and groups from having ample energy to solve the challenges or everyday life. The "N" word should die a natural death. This offensive label, as others have, will fade by emphasizing the positive aspects of one's roots not by intimidating others.
Focusing and appreciating the positives in life is uplifting for the person and others around him. Looking only in the rearview mirror results in a crash, but looking forward leads to getting to where you want to be. American optimism has made us a powerful force in the world.
The American dream is not based on one group being given special access to the upper rungs of the social ladder. Rather it is the freedom to climb as high and as fast as possible depending on positive choices and disciplined effort.
The "N" word punctuating every sentence enslaves, not frees, blacks. If blacks use the "N" word then everyone should use it. However, it is best that everyone, including blacks, stop using the "N" word and find a more inclusive and less offensive word to salute their successes as Americans.

Dr. Domenick J. Maglio, Ph.D., is the author of "Invasion Within" and "Essential Parenting." He is a psychotherapist and the owner/director of Wider Horizons School. Visit: www.drmaglio.com.

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