2008 Woodie Awards
NYC takes stand on racial slur
Gina Cruz
Issue date: 4/19/07 Section: News
Efforts that began in the beginning of February to ban the N-word in New York City have been successful, according to an article in JET Magazine. On Feb. 28, city council members approved a resolution to ban the N-word with a 49-0 vote.
"People are using it [the word] out of context and denigrating themselves by using the word, disrespecting their history, disrespecting a history of a people and a country and also putting themselves in a negative light that we need to correct," said Councilman Leroy Comrie, sponsor of the bill, in an interview with the Associated Press.
The resolution was put in place to get New Yorkers to voluntarily stop using the word.
"The word can be heard over and over in the streets of New York City," Comrie said. "Young people casually addressing each other using a racial slur that has a painful history intertwined with slavery."
The use of the N-word received media attention last year after comedian and actor Michael Richards used the word several times in response to audience members he said were heckling him during his show.
"I personally think the ban was a good idea because that word needs to go," said Arlene Thompson, 34, an early childhood education major. "The (N-word) is degrading and I don't understand why young people use it."
Others siad that that bringing the word into the mainstream takes away its negativity.
"I use the word all the time and I don't see [anything] wrong with it," said Justin Aguilar, 19, an undecided major. Aguilar said he doesn't think the word is racist anymore because people of all races use it.
Comrie said it is impossible to neglect the N-word's history.
"This word was derived solely from hate and anger, and you just can't recreate it," Comrie said.
"People are using it [the word] out of context and denigrating themselves by using the word, disrespecting their history, disrespecting a history of a people and a country and also putting themselves in a negative light that we need to correct," said Councilman Leroy Comrie, sponsor of the bill, in an interview with the Associated Press.
The resolution was put in place to get New Yorkers to voluntarily stop using the word.
"The word can be heard over and over in the streets of New York City," Comrie said. "Young people casually addressing each other using a racial slur that has a painful history intertwined with slavery."
The use of the N-word received media attention last year after comedian and actor Michael Richards used the word several times in response to audience members he said were heckling him during his show.
"I personally think the ban was a good idea because that word needs to go," said Arlene Thompson, 34, an early childhood education major. "The (N-word) is degrading and I don't understand why young people use it."
Others siad that that bringing the word into the mainstream takes away its negativity.
"I use the word all the time and I don't see [anything] wrong with it," said Justin Aguilar, 19, an undecided major. Aguilar said he doesn't think the word is racist anymore because people of all races use it.
Comrie said it is impossible to neglect the N-word's history.
"This word was derived solely from hate and anger, and you just can't recreate it," Comrie said.
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