COMMENTARY: The N-Word Or Nah?

Madonna has made headlines and been the topic of water cooler conversations around the country in the last few days.  Last week, when she wanted to brag about her son’s boxing skills, the 55-year-old singer posted a picture of him boxing and included in the message was the n-word.

Madonna Uses The N-Word & Sparks Social Media Controversy

The net blew up blasting Madonna for using the word. She later apologized.

I am confused though.

First, why are we mad that she called HER SON the n-word?

Second, why are we still allowing this word to hold us hostage?

Over the weekend I had a debate about the n-word with a college friend via Facebook.

I posted a note with a link to a blog post about Kanye West being a social justice fighter.

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My college friend took issue with my position stating:

… he’s also an ultra rich capitalist whose lyrics have motivated many (read, MANY) more people to use the N-word while they bob their heads to hits like: Ns in Paris, gold digger, and even the seemingly pro social Jesus walks. … words continue to shape a mentality of those who use them, regardless if they understand that or not. For some of us, its Super challenging to stand in front of a classroom of students to lecture when their only previous experience with Black men is to hear them refer to each other as N’s. … I would never refer to my brothers like that in front of an audience of white people. ..and it’d be Awesome for me if others did the same.

Fair enough, but I still think we give the word too much power, which I shared with him in my response.

[I am] truly not bothered by the N-word. I wasn’t bothered by him wearing the Confederate flag either. I truly believe you can take the power out of something. Think about when you are fighting with a spouse and they say you are a douche. If you say okay, I am it kills the argument. I think him using the word and wearing the flag is similar.

Before you start throwing daggers and stones at me, please know that I do believe words have power. I know there is power in the tongue. The Bible says that life and death rests in your words, but you also have to allow those words to have power over you. You control the level of power they have. If you don’t accept the things being said, they have no power over you.

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So, I ask you again. Why are we concerned about what Madonna called her child AND why are we allowing this word to hold us hostage? If we stop responding to it in a negative way, then it loses it’s power. We continue to give it power by acknowledging it. I challenge us all to stop allowing the n-word to have power over us. When we release that fight we free ourselves to begin fighting for other civil and human rights. There are plenty 21st century issues that are alive and need attention. Let’s leave the n-word in the 20th century.

brandi n. williams, apr has been called angela davis: the sequel. while she views this as a compliment, she prefers to position herself as a bridge builder and new-age, fist-in-the-air social justice fighter. The bicentennial baby, Accredited PR pro and hip-hop music lover uses her formal training in public relations to advocate for causes. For nearly two decades brandi has worked in the non-profit, government, entertainment, lifestyle and corporate sectors to bridge divide between the streets and the suites. as the co-founder and principal at the bridge | pr for social good, brandi consults, trains, writes and provides social commentary from a reality-based perspective on issues that impact black and brown people – and the world. Follow @mizzbea2u Friend me facebook.com/mizzbeapr.