Just to shed some light on how far away from equality we truly are, I thought this issue was worth discussing.
So, my mother was helping my little sister look up words in the dictionary while playing scrabble. While flipping through the pages she came across the word "nigger". To her surprise (and mine) she found that the meaning has been slightly altered. Before, the word was defined as a derogatory word often used when referring to the African American race; or something to that effect. Now, Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "nigger" as :
1 usually offensive; see usage paragraph below : a black person
2 usually offensive; see usage paragraph below : a member of any
dark-skinned race
3: a member of a socially disadvantaged class of persons
Now, maybe I am just out of the loop, but I have never seen the word "nigger" actually, openly defined as "a black person". What gets me is that I have an older dictionary (published in the 80's) that is much more generalized like definition #3. Why is it that in this day and age the meaning has been changed and primarily targeted at the African American race? A race which, by the way, has done nothing but continue to advance in all areas of life (economically, socially, POLITICALLY). It would be one thing if that had always been the definition, but it hasn't. Why would it become more specific now?
Of course we still have some stereotypes being played out, but we cannot let those overshadow the prosperity of our Black leaders, executives, doctors, lawyers and graduates. I am sorry but I am a Black woman, and I am not a nigger. How dare someone define me as such. I am not socially disadvantaged. I love how they only have one true description of the word (#3). The other two define it by a person's unchangeable, physical characteristic. So, according to that definition, no matter what you have, can, or will accomplish, according to Merriam-Webster, if you are a person of color, you will always be a nigger.
This is just one example of the current mindset that is plaguing the advancement of our races; especially our women and girls. I think that it is so beautiful, encouraging, and empowering to see our new President, Barack Obama, come into office, but it will be a minute before we see a Black woman (or a woman period) be given that type of leadership and respect.
What are we going to do about this...
With S.W.A.G.,
"FANCY"
So, my mother was helping my little sister look up words in the dictionary while playing scrabble. While flipping through the pages she came across the word "nigger". To her surprise (and mine) she found that the meaning has been slightly altered. Before, the word was defined as a derogatory word often used when referring to the African American race; or something to that effect. Now, Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "nigger" as :
1 usually offensive; see usage paragraph below : a black person
2 usually offensive; see usage paragraph below : a member of any
dark-skinned race
3: a member of a socially disadvantaged class of persons
Now, maybe I am just out of the loop, but I have never seen the word "nigger" actually, openly defined as "a black person". What gets me is that I have an older dictionary (published in the 80's) that is much more generalized like definition #3. Why is it that in this day and age the meaning has been changed and primarily targeted at the African American race? A race which, by the way, has done nothing but continue to advance in all areas of life (economically, socially, POLITICALLY). It would be one thing if that had always been the definition, but it hasn't. Why would it become more specific now?
Of course we still have some stereotypes being played out, but we cannot let those overshadow the prosperity of our Black leaders, executives, doctors, lawyers and graduates. I am sorry but I am a Black woman, and I am not a nigger. How dare someone define me as such. I am not socially disadvantaged. I love how they only have one true description of the word (#3). The other two define it by a person's unchangeable, physical characteristic. So, according to that definition, no matter what you have, can, or will accomplish, according to Merriam-Webster, if you are a person of color, you will always be a nigger.
This is just one example of the current mindset that is plaguing the advancement of our races; especially our women and girls. I think that it is so beautiful, encouraging, and empowering to see our new President, Barack Obama, come into office, but it will be a minute before we see a Black woman (or a woman period) be given that type of leadership and respect.
What are we going to do about this...
With S.W.A.G.,
"FANCY"
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