A Giant Step (Thanks NAACP)
Joy! Joy! Joy! This came across my desk via a friend in San Jose, CA. There has been a change in Webster's Dictionary. Kweisi Mfume, President and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), recently gave a speech at Virginia Tech, and those in attendance were informed that a landmark decision was made last week with the people at Merriam-Webster Dictionary. They have recognized the error of their ways. So, beginning with the next edition, the word “nigger” will no longer be synonymous with African-Americans. It shall be duly noted that it is a racial slur and not what African-Americans themselves are. Along with this, all racial and religious slurs will finally be indicated for what they really are - cruel and evil slurs too often used to degrade people. Please pass this information on to others. This change should serve notice to people, corporations, etc., that when individuals stick together to right a wrong, a change is gonna come. This wasn't just a victory for African-Americans, but for everyone. Unfortunately, the next battle ahead of us is to get our black people, rappers, young men and women, and old alike, to stop using the word so freely. Until that happens, we really haven’t won.The word, itself, is a by product of years of a brainwashing that began with the first boat load of slaves, and was used to teach us to hate ourselves and to de-socialize ourselves from what was termed as ‘mainstream society’. It was during that time that nigger became your first name and gal or boy was your last name. This was not relegated to age. However, after your hair turned gray, you then became Uncle Tom or Aunt Sadie. Those were very painful times in our History, but we were forced to accept the terminology. Speaking out against it was not accepted, and often resulted in a hanging or a severe beating. However, our parents and teachers were strong enough to privately teach us in our home environment, that we were as good as any man or woman who walked the face of the earth. We were given two faces: one to wear in the public, and another to wear in our own social environment. When we were surrounded by whites, you smiled to mask your inward hostility toward them, and kept your mouth shut. This was survival. If they called you a nigger, you went on your way and did not dare reply. That was the way it was. In my latest book, Odyssey of Courage, (On sale at Under One Roof) I detail the strength and courage passed on to us by my grandparents. They made sure they instilled in us, the kind of pride that would take us far into the future. However, anyone who has read “Surviving the Storm,” also at Under One Roof, can easily see how that pride has cost me several jobs in the past. I do not regret on my part, any of the past incidents which caused me to lose those jobs. I do, however, pity those who caused me to react to their racist attitudes and comments. Yet, I personally feel that some where along the way, I was able to teach them the value of respecting others, regardless of their race.Two things I did not accept was, being called a nigger and being called a liar by whites. I felt then, and still feel now, that I have suffered enough that I should not have to tolerate either of them from anyone, whether by white or black. It is up to us to let young rappers know that referring to themselves as niggers, and to young women as bitches and whores, is simply perpetuating the self hatred that was taught to our forefathers, so many years ago.I will now go on record as saying that there are two shows on television that is bereft with such language. They are the Maury Povich and the Ricki Lake shows. Yet, I do not hear a loud chorus of indignant outcry among citizens rising up against the shows or their advertisers, demanding that they clean up the language on them. Our young men go on these shows, after having slept with the young women, who in turn may have given birth to, or be pregnant with their children, and call them such derogatory names that it is embarrassing just to hear it.This is not entertainment, but insults directed at who we are. If we do not rail against this perpetuation of degradation, who else will? Where is the indignant outcry of the Christian Majority? The Citizen’s for Decency on the Airwaves? Have you heard their voices? I have not.It has been proven that advertisers respond to the loss of dollars. I would hope that the NAACP and the many other clubs and organizations, black and white, will send letters, telegrams and phone calls of impending boycotts against both the shows and the hosts, unless these practices are stopped. This article is being forwarded to the NAACP, the networks and the shows. If you concur with the contents of this article, lift up your voice in protest, as well.Just last week, I was asked why do I insist on trying to produce plays in this area, and especially the upcoming one based on the life of Dr. King (Supreme Decree). Well, my answer to the question is, “Supreme Decree highlights our progress, better than any other single play in existence. Perhaps that by constantly producing this play, the participants, as well as those who come to see it, will realize that the movement was meant to allow us to live freely among within an established society, enjoying the freedom of equality and benefits provided by this Country’s Constitution. It was not meant that we should lose our unique identity through absorption as has been done. I further feel that through theater, we can provide a vehicle for our people, old and young, to gain exposure and experience to the stage in a positive manner. It is my hope that people will come away from the play with a new found respect for who they are and who we are. We are a very special people, with the ability to make great changes in this country, which is what we should be doing. You have only to study our History to see the changes we have made in the past. However, many of the milestones and contributions made within this country by our forefathers, have been stolen, hidden and outright deleted from the pages of History. I did, however, include a list of “Achievements by Blacks” in my book of poetry titled: Garden of My Soul. This, too, can be found at Under One Roof.If this was an equal society, Black History would be a required subject in the classroom. If that were to happen, then, from a very young age, our children would truly know that not only are they somebody, but that they are entitled to all the same rights and benefits afforded everyone else in this society, simply because they are citizens and human beings, and not just tokens because they are black. It is only we who do not know our abilities, talents and strengths. Only we do not know that self-denigration and self-degradation are not necessary for us to be somebody. 