Cornel West, Tavis Smiley and Michael Dyson - N Word

LetItBurnnn Says:

Mar 21, 2011 - nice, what is the name of the background song..?

PhrozenFenom Says:

Apr 28, 2011 - It's not a background song. This whole discussion, along with the music, is a track from Dr. Cornel West's album.

luv2h8blee Says:

Aug 15, 2011 - I believe that the very fact that these intellectuals did not come to the same conclusion suggest that there can be no moratorium of the word. I believe that there conclusion is no different than determining gender, with two main pathways, as well as other variable-perspectives. We must determine what is best for our maturation in the return to one mind, only with our faith in the MOST HIGH!

like2seeit86 Says:

Aug 17, 2011 - The debate continues speaking as a black person myself I feel like the whole "nigga" issue is tried. The word has become so much apart of everyday speech for a generation of black and non black people that it's almost desensitized. I think that the idea that only black people can say it is kinda silly now the word and the way in which it has become so much apart of the "hip hop" generations lingo. I agree with Dyson that we should use the word 2 continue the dialouge abouit it's meaning.

TheKrustyKlownz Says:

Oct 3, 2011 - To me, nigger and nigga are two different words and I think that's where a lot of the the misunderstanding comes from. White people see nigger and nigga as the same word and they aren't, I think of nigga as an honorific or maybe a reverse honorific. for example, only a king could be addressed with the honorific "your majesty" but nigga works the opposite way, only a black person can address someone with the nigga honorific although the word itself seems to be expanding beyond that original use.

aychmorgan21 Says:

Oct 27, 2011 - Excellent argument from both sides. Plus my uncles do it in a laid back, non-confrontational tone. Its a beautiful thang, baby...

dmagwaza Says:

Nov 14, 2011 - I have a lot of respect for both professors, but I have to agree with Dr Dyson on this one. The word has two definitions, one racist and one neutral (we know both spellings). I believe that Black people who choose to use the word in the latter context have earned the authority to redefine it. Besides, I'm not sure how a moratorium would be enforced, even if I agreed with one. Great discussion.

Renamandul Says:

Nov 24, 2011 - Hey can anyone give me the name of the music playing in the back if Brotha Cornell west gave a name to it?

Miss29J Says:

Nov 26, 2011 - If you are going to be using a term of endearment -wouldn't you want to use something that is from your cultural heritage? The n-word has originated from the Europeans, which means "uneducated person" and originally wasn't used just to describe people of color, but it became that -why wouldn't you use Brother, which originated with the African traditions. Also, if you use it, people around you will use it -so don't be upset when non-black people use that word, saying it means something else then

selfexplanitory Says:

Nov 28, 2011 - I agree totally!

daughterMYslaughter Says:

Nov 29, 2011 - Nigga -Never Ignorant Getting Goals Accomplished. (2pac)

bigbo45 Says:

Mar 1, 2012 - Man whats that music....

Renamandul Says:

Mar 31, 2012 - True Brotha but I believe what Dr Dyson is trying to say is that the approcriation of the term came out of a culture who used the word in opposition to how white culture was using it. So the n-word that we talk about today did originate from our culture, the approcreation of the term is what he is referring to.

OutSpokenGamer Says:

Apr 9, 2012 - Uncle Tom

gulfmen86 Says:

Apr 13, 2012 - I dont mean to offend anyone but the word "nigga" might have racist roots of how the white people used to call black people. But now-a-days its used as a positive thing. For example if I was to say "oh that guy is my friend" it seems like a normal friend that im not really close with but when I say "THATS MY NIGGA" then it shows that Im really good friends with him lol. Idk...

FreeFavl Says:

May 14, 2012 - MEANWHILE, ASIAN & JEWISH KIDS ARE STILL STUDYING MORE THAN BLACK AND MEXICAN (AND WHITE)--WHAT ARE YOU, AS PARENTS, GOING TO DO ABOUT YOUR KIDS BEING THIRD-RATE STUDENTS???(THAT SHOULD BE THE QUESTION/TOPIC...)