Speechless...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5FR1LGsT7E

I’m hesitant to post this video on this blog, but in some respects I feel it’s necessary to emphasize the difference between Black people, and those who represent characteristics of the “N” word. I also want to make it clear that it’s not just Black people that reflect the negative characteristics of this hateful word. Given the historical context of the "N" word, it’s assumed that those who represent these negative characteristics must be Black. However, as I have just explained, this word represents particular characteristics, NOT a race of people.

                The popular animated TV show “The Boondocks” has been harshly criticized by many of us in the Black community. The heavy use of vulgar language and controversial concepts sometimes make it difficult to communicate the underlying message in each episode. However, this show sheds light on issues and behaviors that negatively represent the Black community. As the caricature of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. describes in this clip, the ignorant behaviors associated with the Black community (especially in hip-hop) have created a subculture completely insensitive to the sacrifices made by the generation of the Civil Rights Movement. Again, it’s not just Black people who have created the ignorance of this subculture, but Black people have become the target to represent this type of behavior from popular media. I believe this video is a representation of how most Black people feel about the state of the Black community, but it’s difficult to broadly communicate this message if it's not addressed directly.

                So what does this mean for the future? Well, I believe the more open and direct we can be about issues that scar our community; the better we can heal the wounds that make us vulnerable to further infection from negative stereotypes and bigotry.