An N-word By Any Other Name

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In an age where one’s opinions can be published in seconds, the power of words becomes ever-more relevant. “Sticks and stones may break my bones,” they say, “but words can never hurt me.”

The truth is, words CAN hurt. They can be detrimental to emotional development and have long-lasting effects. Words are powerful, motivational, but they can also be destructive, insensitive and completely harmful. And, if used continuously, they can harbor in one’s mind and influence all future decisions for generations to come.

In a 1712 speech to southern slave owners, William Lynch read excerpts from his handbook “Let’s Make a Slave”, which outlines a procedure to properly handle and maintain slaves. According to Lynch, it makes more economic sense to “take the body”  but “keep the mind” of slaves. If executed properly, the system should last at least 300 years.

Lynch states: “…You take a slave, if you teach him all about your language, he will know all your secrets, and he is then no more a slave, for you can’t fool him any longer and having a fool is one of the basic ingredients of and incidents to the making of the slavery system.”

Part of “fooling” the slaves included using words that constantly reminded them of their imposed inferiority and subhuman-ness. The use of the n-word was essential to the systematic cultivation of slaves and slave owners used derogatory language to ensure their slaves remained subservient and ignorant. Today, 303 years after Lynch’s speech, the n-word can still be heard frequently in the media, especially in music lyrics. Rapper Jay- Z even defends the use of the n-word, claiming that African Americans have taken ownership of the word.

And yet, with Lynch’s comments in the background, one cannot help but wonder if, in fact, it is now socially correct to use the n-word? Has the word evolved (or devolved?) almost to the point of endearment? Can white people, or any race for that matter, use the n-word now without guilt? What up, ma n-word? For real, my n-word?

The answer is no. No. No. And no again. This word, in all its conniving political control, has not evolved. It is still an ugly, hurtful, incredibly painful word. It still the last word so many blacks heard before they were hanged. It is still the word that was spray-painted on the Black establishments and homes as a hate crime. It is still the word that recalls centuries of enslavement, segregation and genocide.

No political jargon discussion is complete without mentioning the use of the n-word. It was –and still is– the most successful word used for political control in the history of the United States.

The bodies may have been emancipated but, though we have come a long way, we have yet to fully emancipate the minds. And on that part, Mr. Lynch was right.

 

 

Deliberation and Political Writing

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After reading these pieces, I can understand that political discourse may be viewed as being deceptive or as obfuscation.  But political writing and political speeches have a specific viewpoint or perspective to convey, so it seems that a “neutral” writing style is not possible.  Also, how does a political writer attract voters or supporters without manipulating language?

On other hand, I think the public would be more receptive and trusting of politicians and want to be more involved in political debate if the language were more transparent.   Garfinkle makes a great point when he says that metaphorical and mythical language arouses emotions.  I think that memorable political writing/speech has both a rational argument and evokes strong emotional responses.

The political speech that I chose was President Obama’s 2013 Inaugural Address. He invokes the words of the Founding Fathers and the Declaration of Independence.  Yet, he weaves in his message for the political agenda he is presenting to the public, using the phrase”climate change.”  Instead of using the phrase “global warming,” he is trying to bridge the bipartisan gap.  This speech does promote deliberative discussion for important issues, such as immigration, gay marriage, etc.  I also think this speech is a good example of political language being crafted to promote deliberative discussion because is appealing to citizens and people in general, not to any particular group.

http://youtu.be/zncqb-n3zMo