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Sept. 20, 2005
Explosion Over the N-Word
When Kanye West blasted President Bush’s treatment of poor black people in New Orleans after Katrina hit, the rapper unintentionally set off a hurricane of words in Florida.
Related stories
- Satire as Racial Backlash Against Asian Americans, Feb. 28
- New Furor Over Race and Cartoons, Oct. 8, 2007
- Racism Rears Its Head, Nov. 16, 2006
- Is the Schoolhouse Door Open?, June 27, 2006
- If There’s a Will, May 12, 2006
The Independent Florida Alligator, the student newspaper, ran a cartoon last week that criticized West’s statements by showing him holding a large playing card marked “The Race Card,” and having Condoleezza Rice, the secretary of state, exclaim with scorn at West: “Nigga Please!” Since the cartoon ran, there have been multiple rallies against the student newspaper, with the latest drawing several hundred on Monday; the president of the university and other senior officials have condemned the cartoon and called on the paper to apologize for it; and there have been reports that students reading the paper on campus have had other students come up and grab the paper away from them, saying that it is racist.
In a statement published in the newspaper, Bernie Machen, Florida’s president, said of the cartoon, “Such depictions reinforce hurtful and damaging stereotypes. They poison the ongoing struggle to overcome the racial barriers that divide our country, and give comfort to bigots who seek affirmation for their racism.” He added that he and many students and faculty members were “disgusted by the image and discouraged that such an insensitive cartoon could be published in a newspaper that, while independent from the university, is written and edited by UF students.”
The newspaper is holding its ground and refusing to apologize. In fact, it is going on the offensive, calling many of its critics hypocrites. An editorial published Monday noted that the university has invited West and numerous other performers to its campus, paying them tens of thousands of dollars — even though they use various forms of the n-word in their work.
In addition, the editorial noted that some of the students who are leading attacks on the paper use forms of the n-word in their profiles on Facebook, the popular Web site with which college students meet others and stay in touch with their friends. Many black students at Florida, the editorial said, are members of a group called “N*ggas That Pledge.”
Mike Gimignani, editor of the paper, said in an interview Monday that the university was using “double standards” to criticize the paper. Editorial cartoons need to be short and to the point, and good cartoons get people talking and thinking, he said, adding that this one succeeded. “I would run it again tomorrow,” he said.
In fact, the paper already has run the cartoon again — sort of. Some of the paper’s critics have said that the problem was the lack of a full explanation of the cartoon’s meaning. To make the point that editorial cartoons need to be succinct and provocative, the paper ran the same images, but with a lengthy quote from Rice blasting West, instead of using the words that offended people. In the second version of the cartoon, Rice says: “As per the cultural standard of African-American entertainers deriding each other using a racial and/or ethnic context, I would like to address you in the same way. You are a rapper who constantly uses terminology denigrating to the African-American community. I am an African-American and close friends with President Bush; hence, Bush does not hate black people. Please.”
Gimignani stressed that he does not take racism or the use of racist phrases lightly. “I would never use that word in conversation,” he said. But when it is making a political point, he said it should not be banned — especially when it is widely used by others.
The editor added that he has a diverse background himself, with Irish, Italian, Japanese and Jewish branches of his family, and said that he would apply the same standard to epithets about any of those groups. The protesters and administrators, he said, “are all grandstanding.”
Organizers of the student protests did not respond to messages.
But in letters to the editor and online postings on the newspaper’s Web site, black students have rejected the logic put forth by the newspaper editors. Ashley N. Mitchell called the cartoon “irresponsible and inappropriate,” regardless of whether rappers and others use the n-word. “Sure, some black Americans have taken ownership of the term ‘nigga.’ Yet others, like myself, feel the word is detrimental to the growth of my community. Furthermore, we deserve the right to be respected in a media that is so widely circulated on campus and the greater Gainesville community,” she wrote.
Another student, in a posting without his name, said, “It is true that many Black students found the problem with the word because a White person used it. I would like for the White community to realize that when White people have called Blacks ‘nigger’ for generations and Blacks find a means of ‘changing’ the meaning of the word as a source of ’strength,’ it is still obviously not meant for White people to use.”
Joe Hice, a university spokesman, said that Florida officials saw the use of the word in a newspaper as different from its use in a concert. People who don’t want to hear the word “can choose not to buy a ticket” to a performance by someone who uses it, and can even protest if they want, Hice said. But in a newspaper, the word “stands out” and people have no idea that they are going to find it there. “This might have been more appropriate with an explanation,” he said.
The controversy at Florida does not surprise Randall L. Kennedy, a law professor at Harvard University and the author of Nigger: The Strange Career of a Troublesome Word. Kennedy said in an interview Monday that after his book was published in 2002, one Southern university invited him to speak, and then uninvited him, fearful of any public discussion of the word whose history he had documented.
Kennedy said that he didn’t know the facts of the Florida cartoon and so did not want to comment directly on whether it was appropriate. But he said that his general position is that “in making assessments, one needs to know a lot more than, ‘did so and so use the term nigger or nigga.’ For what purpose was the word used? What was the context?”
Using the word “is very combustible,” he said, especially on a college campus. Many students hear variations of the word used in entertainment, “but a lot of younger people of all racial backgrounds don’t have a good enough sense of the historical baggage associated with this term,” Kennedy said.
“I’m not a person who says no one can ever use this word,” he added. “But I do think people should know why people get so anxious about this word.”
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Comments
Mortal Sin
It is a mortal sin to call African American a ‘nigger’ “nigga” by a non-black.
Is this word reserved exclusively for African Americans maybe? I may not call an African American acquaintance a nigger, usage of nigger – nigga indicates closeness, elevating a person to a kin, relative and so forth [when spoken by African American in 21st century – it is an identity issue for African American]; I do use it toward my children and my friends.
African Americans have endured dehumanization even in the late 1970s; at the hands of Caucasians, who have used the word nigger-nigga ‘exclusively’ towards African Americans as a tool in that dehumanization process.
Now in 21st century if a Caucasian uses the word nigger-nigga towards African American it is clear s/he does not fit within the context of a kin – the only conclusion you come to is dehumanization.
David Robertson, Professor at SUNY, at 9:28 am EDT on September 20, 2005
An Effective cartoon
One cringes, then laughs aloud at the holier-than-thou sniffling of David Robertson, a self-anointed guide to “mortal sins,” eager to tell us who can and who cannot use what term, where, and when in reference to black Americans
The cartoon in question depicted a learned and powerful black woman (Condi Rice) properly rebuking a semi-literate, rap singer (Kanye West) for his despicably racist and libelous attack on President Bush.
Yo’ Reverend Robertson….. it showed a black woman scolding a black man. No white folks were depicted. Got that?
The resultant angst and furor among the politically correct of Gainesville confirm that the University of Florida student newspaper did the right thing.
If censorious folks like Robertson or other academic brownshirts in Gainesville don’t like or approve of the offending cartoon, then they should submit their own ones to the newspaper or to other papers.
Chuck, at 10:34 am EDT on September 20, 2005
explosing on n word
the only time i have every heard this word was from a black man. NOW WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO “I DON’T LIKE WHAT YOU SAY, BUT I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT". What happened to freedom of speech?
Pat, at 11:16 am EDT on September 20, 2005
Give me a break
Hello... it was an editorial cartoon, expressing an OPINION and trying at the same time to be humorous.
If you say that this person or that person can never use this or that word or phrase, regardless of context, you are trampling on the first amendment. And if you just wake up and get out from under your umbrella of ubersensitive racial protection, you might find that this cartoon has an intelligent point to make, though you may not agree with it.
Pseudo-intellectual race police will make no friends.
Marie, at 11:16 am EDT on September 20, 2005
won’t someone think of the CONDI?
Did anyone stop to think that the cartoon was offensive because it depicted Condi Rice as an illiterate thug?
That even when a black woman works her ass off, becomes fluent in Russian, becomes the most powerful women in the world, she can never disassociate herself from the ‘ghetto’ in the mind of white people, like those who published this cartoon?
Why don’t you send Condi a copy of this cartoon and ask her what she thinks about it?
The cartoon is offensive to blacks because it proclaims that African Americans can never ‘escape’ their association with crudeness and illiteracy no matter how hard they try. That IS racist.
I don’t particularly like Kanye’s music, but I know he raps about Jesus and how much he loves his mom. He’s hardly a stereotypical rapper Does he use the N-word in his music? I don’t know. But I know that since he’s a black rapper, ya’ll think he’s a brain-dead thug.
metafilter:delmoi, at 11:49 am EDT on September 20, 2005
David Robinson’s post (above) has to be the best troll I’ve seen at IHE. Kudos to whoever wrote it.
Best. Troll. Ever., at 12:51 pm EDT on September 20, 2005
Explosion over the N-word
I, for one, worry that the only people being denied their constitutional right to freedom of speech, are those who say something offensive to or about minorities. A minority, it seems, is entitled to say anything he or she wants to or about anyone without any comment from the media or anyone else. We are carrying PC to new levels — of sensorship.
Gale, at 12:52 pm EDT on September 20, 2005
I see your point, metafilter (?), but might I suggest that what we have exhibited in the cartoon’s depiction of Dr. Rice is, in fact, irony. The whole point of the cartoon, as I take, is to satirize a sort of monopoly on ‘blackness’ held by people like Kayne. Isn’t the point of the cartoon to illicit laughter by cheekily pointing out that Rice, even though she is unlikely to speak as depicted in the cartoon, is equally authentically “black.” In fact, the second version of the cartoon, using Rice’s own words, says exactly that. Isn’t the point of the piece, in fact, that one doesn’t have to be a thug to be black.
The piece could very easily be read as a tribute to Rice. Perhaps liberals are upset by the cartoon because it is just another reminder that the intellectual honesty of the right has a far greater chance than the tokenism of liberalism of putting the first black woman in the White House.
Before reacting, close read.
Cicero, at 12:53 pm EDT on September 20, 2005
Uh, reader assist here?
Can the reporter of this story be bothered to name the artist of this editorial cartoon? I see that it’s someone named Marlette. Kin to Doug Marlette of the Tallahassee Democrat? It might expand my understanding of this issue knowing a white kid, and relative of a cartoonist of some notoriety and controversy, created the cartoon in question.
Owen Good, at 12:53 pm EDT on September 20, 2005
Do a search for Kanye’s lyrics and you’ll find that he uses Nigga, Niggaz, etc. in almost every song (5 out of the 6 I looked at). Isn’t this one of the things that Bill Cosby took issue with?
Jerome, at 12:54 pm EDT on September 20, 2005
Everybody breathe regular.
The second one’s a lot funnier ...
PolicyQueen, at 1:49 pm EDT on September 20, 2005
.... Please!
So where is the damage? How has this cartoon tarnished the hard-fought battle against discrimination in America? How many African Americans or Caucasians will die because of this? How many riots has this incited?
I can’t even conceive how this might even tarnish the reputation of the Alligator. Newspapers have always endured criticism and usually prevail. This is a mere waste of time.
Luis Gomez, The magic word. at media watcher, at 2:18 pm EDT on September 20, 2005
i’m glad people are reading and are aware of the media’s agenda to diminish the right of EVERY american.... FREEDOM OF SPEECH! Kanye voiced his opinion after seeing what was going on that is the preface of his music..... i like how Bush NEVER discounted what was said and his handling of the situation BEFORE, DURING & AFTER was with the speed of a slug (while people died) Having friends or co-workers of other races does not insulate you from being classified as a racist!you are only as good as your actions and we see by actions (or lack thereof) who George Bush really is......
KYLE, at 2:42 pm EDT on September 20, 2005
I forgot to mention: Thanks to the author of article above for examining this issue in an appropriate manner, instead of following the lead of other media and automatically taking the side of the protesters without even lip service to the many nuances of such an event.
J. Hemlepp, FSU Law student; UF political science and journalism alumnus;Former Alligator editor and Sun employee. ###
J Hemlepp, at 3:48 pm EDT on September 20, 2005
Shortened to fit here
Any time issues of color, race or ethnicity rear their heads in any publication – particularly one serving a college campus populated by hopeless idealists largely devoid of real-world experience – readers both with and without sound reason call for heads to roll; editors know that. The current protests, calls for editorial resignations and demands for the Alligator to be “kicked off” campus ring hollow when not backed by reality and sound judgment. A look at reality shows that the student body has paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to bring N-word spewing entertainers like OutKast, Snoop Dogg, Charlie Murphy, Wayne Brady and West to the university. The Alligator, however, is independent from the university and free to readers, and not a dime of student money is used to publish and distribute it. If the protestors really cared so much about the casual use of the N-word, those individuals would organize their protests against UF’s Student Government, UF administration and seemingly every major record label and television network in response to their continued funding and distribution of entertainment featuring such language. Or better yet, protest a greater, more proximate and substantial evil than poor word choice: the publication of the city’s new segregated newspaper, The Gainesville Guardian. At least the Alligator stirs up debate on important cultural issues and speaks frankly and directly to the diverse campus community, while the Guardian’s publisher, The Gainesville Sun, only seriously pays attention to the black community when called upon to expose the “racism” at a student newspaper constantly derided as “liberal.”
J. Hemlepp
J Hemlepp, at 4:16 pm EDT on September 20, 2005
Race Matters
Events and debates like this one reaffirm Cornel West’s assertion — race matters. They draw more heat than light seemingly every time. They certainly draw plenty epithets exchanged.
One way to view such turmoil is that the “dialog” is the virtue. Holmes the best antidote for bad speech is more speech. Hard to say who’s the conveyor of “bad speech” here — well, easy to say, but consensus is impossible.
Maybe at UFla in dorms and cafeterias individuals are debating across boundaries with other individuals, alike and different, coming to different positions. Perhaps some find surprising common ground, in part or whole. Relationships are quite different than policies and public postures — more complicated and fluid, and ultimately, much more educative.
So, my idealism is that the public conflagration, full of sound and fury, etc, is undergirded by quieter (?) and more personal probings and exchanges. Race matters — it’s a devilishly complex boundary — but as between humans, it’s a worthwhile challenge and arena for growth. It can be much less serendipitous things too — but it can always be a site for growth and love to occur.
Mike Sacken, prof of educ at tcu, at 5:07 pm EDT on September 20, 2005
Relation to the other Marlette
In response to the earlier comment, I believe Doug Marlette is Andy’s uncle.
yodeller, at 7:48 pm EDT on September 20, 2005
The ‘N’ Word
The ‘N’ word certainly has had a troublesome history, (read Randall Kennedy’s book on the word), but at the same time no one can actually ban the word no matter how denigrading or disrespectful it is towards a culture that has, in this case, suffered tremendously from it when used by white Southerners. While the newspaper does have the right to print and even reprint such material, it is also well within the rights of those who understand the complexities involved in the usage of such an explosive term to speak out against the largely ignorant and poorly-educated editorial staff of the paper that may have advanced the cause of fascism instead of making any real headway in the debate between freedom of speech and censorship.
Harvey Havel, Adjunct at Bergen Community College, at 7:49 pm EDT on September 20, 2005
Fascism?
“..it is also well within the rights of those who understand the complexities involved in the usage of such an explosive term to speak out against the largely ignorant and poorly-educated editorial staff of the paper that may have advanced the cause of fascism..”
It is disheartening and disgusting to see anyone persuing this line of argument. Does our Adjunct friend who wrote this even understand what fascism is? That poor word has been used improperly and abused terribly as of late. Seeing the reaction to the Alligator cartoon by the self-proclaimed ‘PC morality police’ seems to indicate very strongly that it is not the paper or the artist who are advancing the cause of fascism.
Forget ‘nigga/er’. Take back the word fascism! Remind people that fascists by definition favor a centralized government who counter any opposition with censorship and threats. Smells like political correctness to me.
It is not the paper who is threatening anyone. It is not the paper taking the role of the schutzstaffel censoring and attacking those who speak their honest opinions. It is every person who protests and demands apologies or the heads of the staff doing the goosestepping.
Ethan Deneault, Dr. at College of Charleston, at 4:35 am EDT on September 21, 2005
Harvey, you couldn’t be more wrong. The dialogue is occurring as we type. And as far as the editorial staff being uneducated — you must be hanging around your community college students a bit too much. Keep the condescension between you and your better half.
Jake, at 4:37 am EDT on September 21, 2005
Simple, Poor Choice
Frankly, Im surprised that the editor and his allies are surprised that there would be objections to his choice of words chosen for the cartoon. Needless to say, it’s obvious that the university and his family has failed in reaching him regarding social graces.
Vernon, at 7:30 pm EDT on September 21, 2005
N-Word Scandal
It was certainly a question of good sense whether or not to print a word with such a dark history, no pun intended, but the reality, though not a pleasant one, is that the N-word is a cultural norm, spoken on a daily basis by many of those who protested and asked for apologies. Clearly, the cartoon meant no harm racially, evident to anyone even remotely in touch with the street. I think Condi Rice should have been spared the comparison, but the reprinted cartoon removes all doubt of insult. Kanye West was made fun of in a much more subtle way than the way in which he chose to attack Bush, regardless of whether or not what he said was right. If the word had been used in an article or political report, this would have been a different story, but consider the source: an opinionated political cartoon in an opinion section. The word, whether spoken or written, is crass. But the protestors and the University can’t help but look like hypocrites in this situation.
Calamaury, UFL, at 9:33 pm EDT on September 21, 2005
In an article following the cartoon, the artist stated that he thought the cartoon was appropriate because he could picture a black woman saying the phrase to a black man. It is generalizations like this one, about a race that create problems. Just because a group of blacks have chosen to take this word and make it their own, does not mean that the race has a whole is okay with.
While many people feel there should not be a double standard of who is allowed to say this word and who isn’t, but there is. Though the rappers may toss the word around, I sit by listening because I know that they are not trying to hurt me with this word. The only times that I have heard this word directed at me, by someone outside my race, they were trying to hurt me. Pointing fingers at black artists that have been on campus and have used the word is not going to win any arguments. Just the way other minorities may have embraced terms that were once derogatory, it is still not okay for someone outside that group to spout it off.
Dee, at 9:17 pm EDT on September 22, 2005
Dee? Where is the logic in your argument? It’s okay for one group to perform a certain action, but no other group cannot perform the same action? I’ll stop right here and let you think about it. Think about all the consequences that can come about by using this type of reasoning.
Steven — PhD Assoc Prof at UGA, at 4:39 am EDT on September 23, 2005
Dee, the cartoonist’s quote has been chopped up and spit out so many times on so many biased news sources it’s not true anymore. He never said “generic black woman could tell generic black man” anything. Just like the editor never said it was meant to be a joke, although that’s what BET says.
It’s Kanye’s words in Condi’s mouth. That’s it.
MG, at 4:40 am EDT on September 23, 2005
I am a student at UF, and I can tell you that debates on this issue are going on in the cafeterias and dorms. It’s provoked a lot of debate. Whether or not it’s a meaningful debate is to be determined as it seems I’ve yet to hear a decent response to the Alligator’s editorials on the matter, which continue to blow holes in the logic of the campus PC police.
I’m very much reminded of George Carlin’s routine about this word. He uses the word in his comedy because he thinks context is important. He’s right. No word should be above context. The context in this case was to point out that the word is hurtful. West uses a word that is hurtful to his community and then decides to stammer out a poorly worded indictment of Dubya, which diverts attention away from race issues revealed by the hurricane and onto him. It isn’t Marlette’s fault that once people hear that word, they are blind to any context and are not willing to consider any context. And the icing on the cake is the hypocrisy of UF and a host of student groups condemning the privately funded paper while paying ridiculously high fees to bring rappers and comedians who use that word. UF’s President Machen and his Director of Diversity (not diversity of thought mind you) are angered because they want UF to increase in rankings, and cartoons like Marlette’s tend to piss off some minorities, which does not help UF rise in those rankings. The real issue that certain minorities seem to have here is that white people cannot use that word, regardless of the context. No one will say it publically because they know it is illogical. When certain people cannot even use the word to criticize racism or for educational purposes, a word has been allowed to acquire too much power.
The students and faculty certainly have a right to protest, but they’ve yet to come up with a valid couterpoint to the Alligator’s very articulate editorials.
And to the person who referred to the Alligator staff as poorly educated — Sir, you couldn’t be more wrong. With fairly high grades and SAT scores, I expected to come to UF and be the smartest kid in my classes. WRONG! The average SAT score is well into the 1300s, and a lot of students turn down very prestigious schools in favor of the cheap, quality education provided at UF. Think twice before you piss on a state school. They’re not all the same.
Emilie, at 4:41 am EDT on September 23, 2005
Yes, fascism
I think fascism is a fair word: http://www.expha.com/alligatorforum/viewtopic.php?id=324&p=5
Nat Turner, at 4:16 pm EDT on September 25, 2005
Not all Blacks us the N-word!! Respect Diveristy
I have actively participated in the protest of the Independent Florida Alligator due to its racist comments. I think that the cartoonist is trying to say that since Condi is Bush’s best friend that he does care about black people.COntrary to Kanye’s comments. This is just on the several things wrong with the cartoon. Just because a person has a black friend does not mean that they are empathetic to all of black issues, as the cartoonist assumed. Rappers do not represent all Blacks. I was offended because the n-word is a racial epithet use by whites and blacks to continue to oppress Blacks. Malcom X described in his autobiography that he was called the N-word so much that he thought that was his name. This thinking still continues. Until we all take a stand against racism and all its forms it will never die.
Ashley Bryant, UF Black Student Union Academic Affairs Assistant Director at Univeristy of Florida, at 3:44 pm EDT on September 27, 2005
come on
Oh how defeating it is to read such foolish words. Just because Kanye West or any other popular celebrity says nigga does not make it ok for white people to say nigga. White people can’t say nigga not only because they have defined it historically to be racist, but also because a white person, no matter how much hip-hop they listen to or black friends they have, will NEVER....EVER..relate to Black people close enough to where they feel or understand African Struggle, so when a white person does say it, no matter if its racist or not, it is offensive to black people. How dare you think that you relate to black people and black culture close enough to where you would say that.theres is the separation. Black people did’t make that separation, old man whitey back in the day did, and yes it is still relevant today no matter how much eurocentric minds want Africans to forget it.
persons name, at 8:45 pm EDT on September 27, 2005
If black people find this word so offensive, then why do they constantly use it?
I have yet to hear a logical response to that question. I understand it’s not the entire black community that uses or condones the use of the word ‘nigga,’ however the part of that community that does is the part the world sees the most of (an example being Kayne West).
UF’s response to allowing people that use the term ‘nigga’ in their acts to preform here at UF was ‘if they don’t like it, don’t attend.’ How can they find fault with the Alligator then? It’s a paper. You don’t have to read it, just as I don’t have to watch MTV or attend the Kayne West concert because I find the things that most rappers say offensive and derogatory.
Freedom of speech is something that is precious. Just last year I was afraid to give a speech talking about why I think that the ethnicity question should be eliminated from college applications because I thought people would consider me racist. Personally, I don’t care if you’re green; if you have the credentials, you should be accepted to the school. But it’s a terrible thing to be afraid to express one’s opinion. This cartoon made people uncomfortable, yes, but it also has sparked a debate that is forcing us to look at the double standards in society today.
Nicole, at 8:46 pm EDT on September 27, 2005
Less blame, more discussion
Speaking as a UF student, race relations at UF are in a sorry state. Walk through Turlington Plaza (a busy commons area) any day, and you’ll see my point. There is a decidedly black side, and the “other” side. This is a problem. A much bigger problem than the use of the “n-word,” the Administration’s hyprocritical response, Student Government’s exploitation of the issue, or anything else people are complaining about. Instead of pointing fingers at someone else, let’s all admit we’re in the wrong, and start a dialogue. The bigger problem is segregation at UF, and it’s coming from all sides. The student body (both black and white) and the administration are all at fault for racial tensions at UF. Marlette’s cartoon has sparked a debate on campus. In classes, in the union, in the residence halls, people are talking about the issue. It’s a relatively simple segue from the Alligator to race relations, and then we can make real change. Marlette comes under fire at least once per semester for his cartoons, but people are missing the point. He’s a political cartoonist- his work isn’t supposed to be pretty or artistic. Cartoons are intended to ask difficult questions, challenge our assumptions, raise vital issues, and in some cases, piss people off enough to get them moving on a pressing issue. Marlette’s doing a fantastic job- if he makes people uncomfortable, good. They should be. Bottom line- race relations at Florida are disgusting, given that it’s now the 21st century, and UF wants to be a top academic institution. Diversity is not based on double standards. Kudos to Marlette and the Alligator for pointing out a disturbing social problem and getting people talking about it. Instead of trying to improve their public image with the black community at UF, SG and the administration need to stop perpetuating the problem.
As to whether Marlette was “wrong” to use the “n-word:” if we’re going to improve race relations in this country, we need to end the double standard. Yes, context matters, but context is not solely defined by the race of the speaker.
Jessica, Student at University of Florida, at 8:47 pm EDT on September 30, 2005
This is my first time hearing about the cartoon. Perhaps I’ve been hiding under a rock. I do not understand how you all are so ignorant on this issue. If I, a black woman, published a cartoon in a newspaper that referred to other ethnicities in derragatory terms the world would lash out at me. As they very well should. You all do not seem to understand the meaning of “free speech.” Free speech means that I can speak out against the war and not have my head chopped off. It means that I can publically disagree with the president, without fear of being imprisoned. But it DOES NOT mean that you can call me a derragtory or degrading term and think that it is ok. It also DOES NOT mean that you can draw a picture of two black people (regarless of socio-economic status) referring to one another using that derragatory term and think that I should be ok with it. Yes, I am offended by the cartoon. Yes, I am offended by the overusage of the term by rap artists. But I’m even more offended that people don’t seem to think that this word is harmful. The term itself was born out of ignorance, when illiterate white people could not pronounce the Spanish word for “Black".Get over yourself!
Meagan, at 10:50 am EST on February 8, 2006
Professor David Robertson says “It is a mortal sin to call African American a ‘nigger’ by a non-black.” Dee says “It is still not okay for someone outside that group to spout it off.” Ashley Bryant says “I was offended because the n-word is a racial epithet use by whites and blacks to continue to oppress Blacks.” persons name says “White people can’t say nigga”
I do not agree with this concept of discrimination of who can say what based on race, and I ask David, Dee, Ashley and ‘persons’ to rethink their policy of racial discrimination. Do I really need to remind you that racial discrimination is wrong? Meagan says “Yes, I am offended by the cartoon. Yes, I am offended by the overusage of the term by rap artists. However, when researching the above persons offense to the numerous use of the term ‘Nigga’ in the Billboard top 10 songs for the last years, I found no indignation or protest at all.
Asking some not to drink at this ‘reserved’ water fountain, and to segregate it to only a privileged class, is a racist policy best left in the ignorant past.
Paul Simsky, Stop the Discrimination, at 8:55 am EST on March 14, 2006
That’s amazing. First off the cartoon in the first place was awesome. It pointed out West’s comment as completely ridiculous, which it in fact was. But that’s not what’s amazing. The fact that the newspaper stood up for itself and refused to back down against such an unreasonable attack. The first ammendment at it’s finest ladies and gentlemen.
M., at 5:15 am EDT on May 3, 2006
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Medical Insurance Billing/Coding Instructor
Corinthian Colleges
Everest College, a respected member of the Corinthian Colleges’ network of schools, is dedicated to helping students ... see job
Assistant Professor – Physics
Robert Morris University PA
Robert Morris University (RMU), founded in 1921, is a private university with an enrollment of approximately 5,100 students. ... see job
Lab Specialist
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Founded in 1898, and affiliated with what is now New York-Presbyterian Hospital since 1927, Weill Cornell Medical College ... see job
Assistant Professor, Food Safety and Dairy Processing Extension Specialist
NC State University
Join the Pack! A community with nearly 8,000 faculty and staff, and 30,000 students. NC State is one of the largest employers ... see job
Biological Sciences Instructor
Hillsborough Community College
Hillsborough Community College is a public, comprehensive multi-campus, state-supported community college located in the ... see job
Assistant/Associate Dean of Students & Director of Residence Life and Orientation
Grinnell College
A leader in the Division of Student Affairs, the Assistant/Associate Dean of Students/Director of Residence Life and ... see job
Senior Vice President
Morton College
Morton College has an existing opportunity for a senior administrator. Morton College has the distinction of being the second ... see job
Prof Asst
Cornell University
Cornell University, located in Ithaca, New York, is an inclusive, dynamic, and innovative Ivy League university and New ... see job
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...and They Didn’t Whine About Censorship
Why it was just yesterday that we were all abuzz here about people who didn’t know what censorship really meant. Kudos to the Alligator for standing their ground and for not resorting to hackneyed cliches in their defense, even if in this case they border on being true.
Oh, and to “normalview” who was commenting yesterday that censorship was right-wing phenomenon: do you think the people stealing the newspapers out of the hands of students are on the right or the left?
Stu Gittelman, at 8:59 am EDT on September 20, 2005