[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 53 (Friday, April 4, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E518]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING THE BENEFIT OF EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT THE NEGATIVE HISTORY 
                        AND IMPACT OF THE N-WORD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 4, 2008

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my full support 
and recognition of the efforts made by Council Member Leroy Comrie, 
with cosponsors Abolish The N-Word Project Inc. and the Universal 
Circus, to organize the second annual Black History Month Essay 
Contest, which essay theme was: ``Why The N-Word Should Never Be 
Used?''
  In New York City, freedom of speech is granted depending on which 
word you use, but do not dare let the ``n-word'' slip to your comrades. 
The ``n-word'' has been around for nearly as long as language itself. 
According to Merriam-Webster, the origin comes from the ``neger'' 
modification, and the French ``negre,'' and the Spanish ``negro.'' 
However, within the English language, the n-word was used to depict 
blacks during the slave trade. Blacks subsequently embraced a more 
palatable form, ``negro.'' This with the end of slavery and imposition 
of the Jim Crew was altered as a sign of disrespect and contempt. 
Today, some ``mainstream'' hip-hop recording artists slide the n-word 
into their albums. And when they clamor their way up the Billboard pop 
charts everyone listens, including the New York City Council.
  The abolish the N-Word Project Inc. has many worldwide supporters, 
with a mailing list of 27,000 people and 13 million hits on their Web 
site. Some critics state that focusing on a word will not solve the 
multitude of problems that exist within the black community. I support 
the council member's initiative; after all it has developed critical 
thinking wither and conversation about the use of the word is 
appropriate.
  The initiative of the council member's n-word essay contest educated 
young people about the negative history and impact of the n-word. 
Educating our society and making us conscious is important, because we 
need to begin to work with our children to have them understand the 
history and cultural meaning of a word that should only be used with 
such understanding.

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