| Show Asim lectures at on The N Word Floyd W V Masters Special to The Globe Noted author Jabari Asim spoke to students and staff on April 7 Asim's book titled The Nr N r Word debates the use of a most controversial word in the English language and how that word has stereotyped and denigrated the black community throughout history We were not allowed ed to say the N word in the house I grew up in but that vulgarity was just one in a long list of forbidden expressions said Asim A native of St. St Louis Asim worked as an editor for the Washington Post for 11 years Asim has since embarked on his mission to enlighten humanity to as-to the racial inequality and disrespect that the the- theN N word has s been applied without guile to this s day Some of the United States' States best known and revered individuals have used the N word without impunity or remorse Thomas Jefferson Woodrow Wilson Vilson and George Washington to name just justa a few of many At one point the N word permeated every aspect of American society Blacks were depicted in a denigrating fashion on products products' ranging from pancake syrup to board games produced by Parker Brothers Although its it's hard to imagine such atrocities in today's culture many items still exist Uncle Bens Ben's Rice and Aunt Jamima Pancake Mix are remnants of a disheartening era in American history During his sobering yet enlightening speech Asim managed to talk about a subject that few dare to debate The predominantly white crowd shuttered at times clearly uncomfortable as each of them confronted the subject in their own way The Globe asked Asim if the younger generation is is ahead of oft the e loop on racial relationships and will the progress continue Yes said Asim This generation is not as rem as-rem remotely as-remotely hung up on r race ce I consider myself to be bea a progressive liberal sive person when it comes to racial issues but I look at my own children and think they are ahead of me Popular culture is far more influential now Asim Continued on Asim speaks to students Continued from Al Althan Althan than it ever has been this is isa isa isa a transitive moment The authors author's next book project will theme on the Barack campaign and how it has helped to transform America and race Barack is not a ablack ablack ablack black leader he is a leader that happens to be black For the first time in our history this is a good thing for everybody said Asim The black community J understands this s Asim was very verY encouraged by the way iri iii which has managed to create a movement across America in wa ways s that were unimaginable just justa a few years ago Within today's society the use of f the N word outside of the black community i is isan isan an unacceptable term tenn I l could be argued that man many words fall into the sam same category however no other derogatory phrase carries carrie carries the implications such as th the theN N word 3 As difficult a subject as it may be Asim tackles the issue of how this racial epithet has been used to divide Americans Asim has dared to bring the debate 0 out in in the open and is to b be t commended Asim's unique t insight and p perceptions o og o- o othis this controversial subject J. J have nave forced forced everyone everyone wh reads his book i i. i III i t r 1 4 r L LJ LN a N If J |
