If I could put a pen and paper to my head, I'll tell ya. I'm getting too southern there, or Pittsburgh. whatever.
Its times like these that make you question everything. Question your entire world. But that's, or those, are both statements uttered all the time in this sick world. So, does this one, by myself, have or make any difference? No. But it's still worth noting, and even writing about, especially in my non-creative/conformist stages.
There has been a lot of death lately; thinking about it, I assumed it was our age. But, as we see children all around us growing into adults, or just bigger children, we can be reminded, life also happens a lot. 3 deaths in the last year is not one in which my average 1 death a year childhood and manhood can handle quite as well. My mom is having a hard time with it, but that's to be expected. And the settling down after my father's passing. My family is coping.
And there's life. It goes on.
But, I still beg the question, should everything be questioned, should everything change? Change is good. Change is bad. I question myself daily, hourly, probably minutely, so it's no wonder that I am sitting here questioning everything. But what is everything. God is everything. Well that won't change. But how I get through my daily routine, how I survive to the next day, and how I am here now and what to do are all questioned.
I need an answer.
I once said, Selah.
I don't think that now. I've changed.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Sunday, July 7, 2013
The 'N' Word (Sorry, I'm white)
First, I'd like to say, I already said sorry up above.
Now that that's out of the way, it's sad to see just how far we as a society have NOT come. The 'N' word used by any race is a terrible derogatory term that should not be used by any race, and especially those that are not of African American descent. I don't know if we all can agree on that, and that's most obvious by not all agree on much, especially in this place we deem the US of A. We have the independence to do(within reason) and say what we want, and can, which just may not be the best gift we've even been given. But we do have it good, white or black, or anything in between, or outside of that.
Let's back up and not just in to such a touchy, hard-edged topic like the 'N' word, but back up to racism. This will and has existed for all time, but even backing up from there, is hate. Hate, like racism, and words like the 'N' word, will not disappear EVER but separate us all, no matter color, creed, and affiliation.
Growing up in a mainly African American neighbor hood shows the separation that exists, but also the mutual respect that can be gained. Also growing up in such an area exposes both sides to the culture of each other, which includes a mixture of media, such as music and movies, which so blatantly and is some cases, so excessively, use the 'N' word. So, how does a media product adopted for one segment of society, adapt to another segment of that society? It doesn't, it just does without regard for either side since media does not have a mind of its own.
I always felt that if thee 'N' word(the version ending in 'a') were included in song, the artist meant this to be a brother, a friend, about the complete opposite of this word being used for hate. So, that brings up even more confusion, and questions, and most certainly not answers or solidarity for both parties. If the artist meant for friend, then I as 'a white'(that's a Hangover joke, just to throw in something less serious, maybe lighten the mood?), would move right over the word just like I may with a phrase such as G-damn, one I also attempt and chose not to acknowledge due to personal and Biblical convictions. So, these phrases, and more importantly, the 'N' word, will still be in the song, or the movie, or general everyday language, so how do we address that?
Let's get one thing straight with the reasoning(Paula Deen) for such a reason to write; she, from the alleged sounds of it, was not only using such a word but treating others as if they were inferior, one of the purposes of this word in its derogatory sense. A word is just a word, but actions and feelings behind that word are those and in this case appear to be much more that just a word but an all out negative and harmful position.
Now that that's out of the way, it's sad to see just how far we as a society have NOT come. The 'N' word used by any race is a terrible derogatory term that should not be used by any race, and especially those that are not of African American descent. I don't know if we all can agree on that, and that's most obvious by not all agree on much, especially in this place we deem the US of A. We have the independence to do(within reason) and say what we want, and can, which just may not be the best gift we've even been given. But we do have it good, white or black, or anything in between, or outside of that.
Let's back up and not just in to such a touchy, hard-edged topic like the 'N' word, but back up to racism. This will and has existed for all time, but even backing up from there, is hate. Hate, like racism, and words like the 'N' word, will not disappear EVER but separate us all, no matter color, creed, and affiliation.
Growing up in a mainly African American neighbor hood shows the separation that exists, but also the mutual respect that can be gained. Also growing up in such an area exposes both sides to the culture of each other, which includes a mixture of media, such as music and movies, which so blatantly and is some cases, so excessively, use the 'N' word. So, how does a media product adopted for one segment of society, adapt to another segment of that society? It doesn't, it just does without regard for either side since media does not have a mind of its own.
I always felt that if thee 'N' word(the version ending in 'a') were included in song, the artist meant this to be a brother, a friend, about the complete opposite of this word being used for hate. So, that brings up even more confusion, and questions, and most certainly not answers or solidarity for both parties. If the artist meant for friend, then I as 'a white'(that's a Hangover joke, just to throw in something less serious, maybe lighten the mood?), would move right over the word just like I may with a phrase such as G-damn, one I also attempt and chose not to acknowledge due to personal and Biblical convictions. So, these phrases, and more importantly, the 'N' word, will still be in the song, or the movie, or general everyday language, so how do we address that?
Let's get one thing straight with the reasoning(Paula Deen) for such a reason to write; she, from the alleged sounds of it, was not only using such a word but treating others as if they were inferior, one of the purposes of this word in its derogatory sense. A word is just a word, but actions and feelings behind that word are those and in this case appear to be much more that just a word but an all out negative and harmful position.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)