The N Word
Although I personally take great offense of the usage of the N-word by all ethnicities, I have come to accept the general notion that
empowerment comes from ownership of thought and action. To that end, the Black community, in particular the Black hip-hop nation, seeks to empower itself by using the N-word to change and control the N-word meaning in the world. As our brother MJ demonstrated, the world may often times be influenced by the spread of love in rhythms and beats. Similar to how the male gay community took hold of the word ‘fag’ by using it as a reference to their own positive being and laughing back at those who used the word to inflict pain and harm. It’s hard to put a beat down on someone who consciously chooses to avoid and walk away from your taunts and punches.
In actuality, I think the N-word discussion serves as a microcosm of a
more critical issue confronting the Black community: the growing
familial-divide between young and old. And I am not defining this
division in terms of chronological years. Technology is now guiding the
world and its effects are immense in many of our most persuasive
institutions. For example, in the Black church, we witness most of our
leadership still holding on to age-old traditions because they are
unwilling to listen and engage our youth and/or can’t let go of the
pulpit. Many question why are we still wasting time, money and energy
on paper church bulletins. To keep Sister Mary and her committee happy each week? Well. the youthful spirits in our community are now
e-churching by downloading sermons, calendars, bible studies, praise
sessions and watching services by way of “Bedside Baptist” and “St.
Mattress of the Spring.” It is of no surprise that the congregation is
often generationally split between the acceptance of two-hour services filled with ministers in street clothes holding PDAs, percussion-driven ensembles, dance performances and “Jesus-Light” messages vs. all-day services of hymns, lengthy “fire and brimstone” preaching, thick cotton robes in the middle of the summer heat and fear-generating “name-by-name” tithing reports.
Are we really talking to one another in our churches about timely
issues of the day such as the usage and appropriateness of the N-word? Or are the older-thinking folks hell-bent on holding the line on
progressive discussion and examination? Perhaps these same individuals are also oblivious to the genius of our rappers like Common and Mos Def. In addition, technology has drastically changed our economic strategies and conduits in our religious institution. Many embrace online giving platforms and full-disclosure videos that share how the building fund dollars are being spent. In summary, the church serves as an example of how the generations are challenged to find common ground to overcome longstanding differences that are magnified in this technological age of speed and access to information. Those leaders that choose to embrace this monumental change are more likely to be exposed to new thought, cutting-edge innovations and cultural adaptations – even in our vernacular. Let’s listen and seek to understand.
Dr. Debby Stroman
University of North Carolina
Exercise and Sport Science
Sport Administration - 04 Smith Building
CB 3182 Chapel Hill, NC 27599
919.843.0336
“There are two ways to get to the top of an oak tree. One way is to sit on an acorn and wait; the other is to climb it.”
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