Arguing that the last thing African Americans need is for one of their own to speak down to them, Ebony's Michael Arceneaux checks CNN's Don Lemon for urging blacks to stop using the n-word, describing it as a cultural term of affection.
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โฆ Also, for the millionth time, even if you donโt agree with the use of the word as a โterm of endearment,โ if youโve passed high school English you should be able to understand that the context in usage varies. Again, you donโt have to like it, but acknowledging its difference is fine.
That leads me to you, Don Lemonย and this despicable editorial of yours in which you so audaciously opine: "Have you ever considered that you may be perpetuating the stereotype that massa intended? Acting like a n*gger. Stop acting like n*ggers and saying 'n*gga,' n*gga."
Well, โrespectable Black,โ massa didnโt even want me to read so you might as well stone me to death for being able to differentiate context and shifts in language, huh?
I hope and pray I never catch Bill Cosby disease, because that brand of self-loathing and uppity point of view makes me want to bury my head in shea butter. If youโre really about going against the wishes of โmassa,โ why not do your part to discuss institutional racism? Wouldnโt that be far more of a worthy discussion on a huge outlet like CNN versus this trite debate?
Read Michael Arceneaux's entire piece at Ebony.
The Rootย aims to foster and advance conversations about issues relevant to the black Diaspora by presenting a variety of opinions from all perspectives, whether or not those opinions are shared by our editorial staff.
Michael Arceneauxย hails from Houston, lives in Harlem and praises Beyoncรฉโs name wherever he goes. Follow him onย Twitter.
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