Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Nigger! ...aka..."The N Word"

The so-called "N Word"!   Think about it...its use is stupid!   Who's kidding who?

No doubt about it...Nigger...is a vile and ugly word...but it is...what it is!   Check out any dictionary...and you'll find it!   Quite honestly, I'd prefer to abolish the use of the phrase the "N Word" and insist on using "Nigger"!   I know this will go against the grain of (aka...piss off) many Black...African-American...Negro...Colored folks...but so be it!

Why Nigger?

Imagine the impact if the American/World news media would have reported that the so called "tea baggers" called John Lewis (a Civil Rights icon) a Nigger instead of...as reported, they (the tea baggers), called him the "N Word"!   Again...who's kidding who?



Had these same reporters stated that these "tea baggers" yelled out the word "Nigger" it would have driven a spike through many (but not all) American hearts.   It would have underscored a message to the world that in spite of the fact that we have elected a black (African-American, Negro, colored) President / Commander-in-Chief...he is still considered a Nigger (and other repulsive identities/associations) by more than enough Americans.



Let's call a spade a spade! (no pun intended)

When the American media refers to the "N Word" everyone says to themselves...oh...they really mean Nigger...but they can't say Nigger...they have to use the "N Word" instead.   Sorry Oprah and Dr. Cosby...but it is...what it is!

The good...the bad...and the ugly!

The Ugly
Like I said...the word Nigger is vile.   It's ugly.   It's disgusting.   It conjures up painful memories!   History speaks for itself!



The Bad
Hip Hop...duh!   Quite honestly...I'm not its biggest fan...but I'll admit, most do carry powerful messages.   Since this genre of music is consumed by a worldwide audience, and the word Nigger is often used in the lyrics...doesn't make me a happy camper because it assumes that its use is carte blanche for everyone else to use! Aka...if the rappers can use it...why can't I (regardless of race)

The Good

Within the Black (African-American, Negro, colored) community it is often used as a term of endearment.   My best friend is an Irish-American Catholic...but he's my main nigga! And I tell him that!   Sorry Oprah!

I have yet to locate a definition of   "N Word" in any dictionary!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

219 to 212!



Yes Joe..."This is a big fucking deal!"

Welcome to the Tea Party!


They spat upon representative Emanuel Cleaver (a black Congressman from Missouri); they called John Lewis (another Congressman and civil rights icon) a “nigger” (more about that later)…and Barney Frank a “faggot” (more about that later too!).   I don’t believe it was just one person in the crowd…but many.   I couldn’t believe it.   It took me back 50 years ago and it left me disgusted.

Where were these “teabaggers” when “Dubya” took us to war in Iraq on the pretense of “weapons of mass destruction”?   Where were they when he cut taxes for the rich…and ran the deficit to historic highs?   Where were they when he turned his back on Katrina?   Did they know at the time that “Dubya” and his crew (Rove, Cheney, Rumsfield) laid the groundwork for the polarization of America?   I think they did and probably embraced it!   I didn’t see any protesters then…but I’m not surprised that I didn’t!

Again...I'm disgusted...but in spite of their protests and ignorance...the health care bill passed...219 to 212!   Is it the best of everything or all that it could have been?   Probably not?   Is it a step in the right direction and a moral obligation to this nation?   Absolutely!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

The GOD Factor…other voices.


“Believing there's no God stops me from being solipsistic (egotistic).   I can read ideas from all different people from all different cultures.   Without God, we can agree on reality, and I can keep learning where I'm wrong.   We can all keep adjusting, so we can really communicate.   I don't travel in circles where people say, "I have faith, I believe this in my heart and nothing you can say or do can shake my faith."   That's just a long-winded religious way to say, "shut up," or another two words that the FCC likes less.   But all obscenity is less insulting than, "How I was brought up and my imaginary friend means more to me than anything you can ever say or do."   So, believing there is no God lets me be proven wrong and that's always fun.   It means I'm learning something.

Believing there is no God means the suffering I've seen in my family, and indeed all the suffering in the world, isn't caused by an omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent force that isn't bothered to help or is just testing us, but rather something we all may be able to help others with in the future.   No God means the possibility of less suffering in the future.”

Penn Jillette
Mr Jillette is part of the magic and comedy act Penn and Teller. The original article is posted here

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

The Paperback!

Anyone who knows me...knows I'm a big fan of Matthew Goodman and his awesome 1st novel..."Hold Love Strong".   Well folks...it's now in paperback.   No more excuses!   Buy it now...you won't regret it.

“Matthew Aaron Goodman’s Hold Love Strong is a powerful and poignant story of the gallant Abraham who struggles on the night side of American society yet exudes a light of genuine hope.   Goodman is an activist and artist who never loses sight of the humanity of those either imprisoned or free!”  -Dr. Cornel West, author of Race Matters and Democracy Matters