Dr. Laura 'N' Word Controversy
Dr. Laura's exchange with a listener created an opportunity for the famous radio expert on interpersonal relations to clearly demonstrate her understanding of cross-cultural communications. Instead, she exhibited a distant disconnect with African Americans akin to the reputations of fellow radio cohorts Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck.
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Dr. Laura Receives Relationship Advice
Dr. Laura, here's a word of advice. Ironic, I know. Usually YOU'RE the one giving advice. But here goes: Let's bypass the fact that you cut off the explanation offered by your caller when you might have gained insight into why her feelings were hurt by what she considered racially demeaning remarks.
You chose to twist the woman's complaint about insensitive racial remarks into an unrelated political commentary aimed at reiterating your frustration toward some of President Obama's supporters. The caller turned the tables by offering you an opportunity to disclose your views regarding use of the "N" word. That's when you fell off your normally smart, pithy, advisory pedestal into a chasm of irrationality. Here's a bit of advice and insight. I hope this helps to start a much-needed conversation.
Don't Spit In My Face!
I don't use the "N" word. I'm offended by its use by anyone to anyone. It casts aspersions, dredges up and keeps alive a disdainful, disgraceful period in American history that spanned generations and seeks to demean and deride an entire group of people.
Here's the part of that history with which you may be already acquainted: Whites castigated Blacks using the "N" Word. It wasn't enough to demoralize us in every way possible, including rapes, torture, murders and an overall subjugation through many generations. Even the legalized separation of Blacks from much of what you hold dear in the sacrosanct Constitution and Declaration of Independence didn't satisfy the insatiable violent urge to strip Black men, women and children of respect.
The "N" Word Is Degrading By Design
Courtesy James Logan High School Courier
It wasn't enough for many Whites (not all) to praise God while holding a bible in one hand and waving Old Glory high in the other, all the while standing on the backs of Blacks and deriding them for not owning anything, failing to get jobs and living in slum-like conditions to which most were relegated by the foot on their backs.
It was truly the "N" word that drove home the spike in the heart of Black people. Whenever it was uttered by a White person, it was meant as yet another spit in the face, another piling on, another kick in the teeth ... to remind us that no matter what happens, Blacks will always be considered inferior to Whites.
No Altruistic Use of the "N" Word
The misguided notion that proclaims the historic meaning behind the "N" word can be turned about according to its use is akin to saying its OK for you and your girlfriends to call each other (pick your nastiest derogatory term used to demean women and insert here) but no one else is allowed to do so. Does that really change the meaning of the word ... or does it further demean and degrade you and your girlfriends in the eyes of those who subscribe to the historic and widespread understanding of the word?
Dr. Laura Should Re-Discover America
Dr. Laura, the point you actually DID make is that you are very much out of touch with African Americans ... and likely a good portion of America as well (notice the demographic shifts occurring).
Posted under :
dr. laura,
ella rose riehle,
laura ingraham,
rush limbaugh
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