After attending my first year of college, racism at the time had become one of those topics I never wanted to talk about. In my experience, conversing about it usually sparked heated arguments and sometimes can reveal things about the other’s around you that you wished you could un-know. Most feel it’s best to say nothing if racism is brought up or mentioned in order to avoid the drama. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of people who will speak up and input their opinion upon the topic. They’ll speak with immense passion and usually anger. This is not the general behavior, however. Most people, when racism is mentioned, begin to uncomfortably shift in their seat and develop an unsettling look on their face. Some will joke about it (which I feel is even worse than having nothing to say). So, when the President of the United States Barack Obama, used the n-word during a podcast while addressing growing race issues in America, I knew we were in for a worldwide uproar.
If only I had heard the podcast for myself. I can imagine my shock by the use of the n-word followed by nods and that same passion and anger that others express building up within me. However, like most, I didn’t listen to the podcast. Instead, I became aware of the comment through social media. After being one of the last to know, I was able to witness an uproar amongst the public about President Obama’s use of the n-word (and I’m talking about with the hard r).
Here’s what the President said, courtesy of CNN, “Racism, we are not cured of it. And it's not just a matter of it not being polite to say nigger in public. That's not the measure of whether racism still exists or not. It's not just a matter of overt discrimination. Societies don't, overnight, completely erase everything that happened 200 to 300 years prior."
First off, thank you President Obama. It’s crazy that it took this long for this to be said by such a huge public figure. It’s just a shame that this will have to be repeatedly said for people to understand it, but I digress.
After word spread of the statement, the usage of the n-word sparked the very controversy most would expect. There were tweets, blog posts, statuses, etc. all essentially saying the same thing: The President of the United States should not be using such wild language.
Woooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwww. – My reaction.
I must admit, it was nice to not have to dispute the “racism doesn’t exist” comments that usually come with the racial topic but this was honestly no better. I can imagine the average patriot with his/her confederate flag waving proudly from their porch (along with the American one…I once again digress) waving his/her hands in an outrageous matter over Pres. Obama’s n-word usage. I agree, it takes you by shock, but we’re missing the point here people.
Obama was addressing a much deeper issue imbedded in the American history. He addressed an issue that still affects so many people to this day. He addressed an issue that I hope changes in my lifetime. Once again, thank you.
After his statement, so many of us hoped people would then acknowledge racism for what it is, look it in the eyes, and realize the very real problem in our country that seems to never be extinguished. No, we cannot expect racism to go away but we also can’t limit it to a single word or clear racist acts because there is so much unseen subtle and behind-closed-doors racism. This is the point he wanted to get across to Americans but we’re so stuck on one word, we’re missing the lesson. A word, might I add, used by so many presidents before in significantly more negative contexts than these and with significantly more negative connotations.
I’m so disappointed but as usual I feel unable to sway the strong willed and opinionated American so all I can say is this: don’t miss the whole painting because you keep staring at the trees.
Be blessed.
