I have included a 5 min video clip from the Dave Chapelle Show. Many of you are probably familiar with his comedy. He often used controversial and taboo topics in his skits, and people of all races were completely drawn into it. It was almost liberating, in a sense, to see these topics addressed outside of debate or political forum. This short clip is called "The Niggar Family" (spelled with an 'ar', pronounced the same) and the Family happens to be white. Niggar is their last name. He even reintroduces the tension at the end of the video. I think it brings attention to the fact that words sometimes only possess the power that "we" give them over us. One you tuber commented that when a word no longer defines you, it ceases to be offensive.
However, I know people who feel just the opposite. I even have a relative that says no one should ever use the "n" word. Ever. I can't say that trying to irradicate it from language will acheive anything. It is a part of our american history, and will likely never be forgotten. Censoring it from speech will only succeed to lock in the negative connotations associated with its use. I do think that the "n" word, even when used derogitorily, is not worth the vailidation of an aggressive or militant response. I hope you enjoy the video, and I'm really looking forward to your comments.
Several controversial/derogatory terms have been reclaimed. Women, including feminists, have reclaimed the word "bitch" and "slut," among some other more colorful terms. "Queer," "fag," and "dyke" have been reclaimed by the LGBTQ+ communities. I'm sure we could come up with some more.
ReplyDeleteReclaiming a term that has been used to shame, humiliate, and discriminate takes away the power that word possesses. Reclaiming a word takes away the meaning associated with it, like you mentioned. But, you cannot walk around throwing out terms like "slut," "fag," and the n-word if you don't have access to that word (in my opinion). I think that an awareness of different people's experiences and their reactions should always be taken into account. Just because a word no longer has power over one person, does not mean it still does not affect another.
I love Dave Chappelle. I've watched his LIVE AT THE FILMORE countless times, and I never get tired of the Rick James skit. You mentioned a liberating feeling. Chappelle was able to disempower tense topics and subjects through humor. I know he has critics, but I feel he made people think. Even if folks weren't examining their prejudices, at least he put them out there.
I am very familiar with Dave Chappelle and his work, but had never seen the clip about "The Niggar Family". The clip is very enlighten and informs us on how words only have the power that we give them, as stated by Michelle. In agreement with Kathleen, there are several words in society today that evoke controversy, which cause for the oppressed group to work toward reclaiming those terms. Reclaiming a word involves re-evaluating a term that in the dominant culture is, or at one time was, used by a majority to oppress those of different groups.
ReplyDeleteThere are several sexual, racial, disability, and religious terms that as humans we use without continuously think of the harm or negative meaning it has toward those of that group. It is not often that we think before we speak or even consider the selection of words we use. Without being fully aware of a term and its meaning one shouldn't be so willingly to use it.
Let me first say that I loved the skit "The Niggar Family." I'm not too familiar with the Dave Chappelle but of course I know that he is a well know comedian. I notice in your entry post, you mentioned that Chappelle is known for bringing attention to hot or taboo topics in his comedy which fascinates me. I am sure he has a lot of great work.
ReplyDeleteHowever getting to the point of your post, I personally believe that only those that were first discrinmated by a term and then therefore use the term. For the example the word nigger/nigga (I don't know anyone that says the word nigg-ER that pronounciation isn't really used today..at least by Blacks) I only beleive that Black Americans should be the only one using that term. For one the term has changed so much from when it was first used. In the creation of the term, nigger was used as a derogatory term that simply meant hatred, today when used by Black Americans that is not always the case. Of course my thought process may have a lot to do with the generation in which I have grown in but I still believe that only Blacks should be able to use that word, regardless of this whole idea of "we make words have power." If I hear someone of a different race use the word nigger/nigga I will most definitely get offend because my usage (my culture) and another race usage of that term cannot correlate or compare.