Isn't banning one curse word discrimination itself?
Why is Richard Sherman disagreeing with the ban?
The NFL has banned the on-field use of the N word, but Richard Sherman disagrees with the banishment.
Sherman called the banishment an “atrocious idea” that is “almost racist.”
Players will now be penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct after any use of the racial slur on the field.
“It's weird they're targeting one specific word.” Sherman said. “Why wouldn't all curse words be banned then?"
If
you want to get technical, Mr. Sherman, the N word is not a curse word. It is,
confusedly, a derogatory racial slur or a term of endearment. Categorizing the
N word as just another curse word is wrong in and of itself because it
specifically targets a racial group.
But the N word is just another word. It’s just one word. Right, it’s just one word. It’s one word so vile and hated that we refrain from writing it when we are discussing it. Even discussing the word makes people uncomfortable because we don’t want to offend anybody because we know—better yet, we think we know—the origin of this word and the power it possesses.
Sherman thinks banning the N word from the field of play is “almost racist” because for some people the term is used for the endearment of another. Now, we already say the repercussions of the word when Riley Cooper was caught on camera. Some of his teammates disregarded his mistake, but others were angered by his outburst and rightfully so. But banning the word for some players while making it acceptable to use for others is the very definition of racism. Welcome back, "separate but equal."
You cannot simply impose two different sets of rules for different players. For one, enforcing the rule for some players while others are granted a free pass would be confusing to the officiating committee. Secondly, this promotes "separate but equal" treatment of players.
If the NFL wants to get rid of the Redskins name because it is offensive, then why, under any circumstance, should the N word—whose very origin is derogatory and extremely offensive—be allowed to be said on the field? If this progressive nation wants to escape a hefty portion of our riddled past, then why should we not eliminate this word from our vocabulary?
Playing in the NFL is a job. Underneath the bright lights on Sunday can be considered the workplace for these NFL players. In any workplace anywhere in the United States, using this term, even casually, is unprofessional and could be considered hate speech. What power does the NFL hold over the United States of America that this word should be allowed in their workplace? If you need any help, the answer is none.
With its prevalent use in pop-culture today, the N word is only de-sensitizing the reactions of our society because it feels as if we are so far removed from the Civil Rights Movement and the long period of slavery. The NFL’s firm stance on the issue is a step in the right direction.
