I know this is old news, but I watched The View yesterday when Whoopi Goldberg talked about how she agreed with CNN anchor Don Lemon that journalists should say the full n-word on air while reporting stories.
I'm black and find that particular word to be very degrading and offensive. But, I agree with Lemon that saying 'the n-word.' takes the value out of what that word really means when they're reporting it, regardless of what color the reporter is.
Lemon said, "I think someone should say, that person called someone 'nigger,' instead of saying 'the n-word,' because I think it sanitizes it." I agree with that.
I also agree with Whoopi. "Do not eliminate it," she said. "It's part of our history."
And Barbara Walters went on to say, "We're quoting somebody else, and it's intrinsic to what the person was saying, then you have to be able to say it."
Whoopi added, "That's what reporters are supposed to do,"
I agree with each of them because this is about journalism. We're not talking about it being acceptable to use openly in the streets or in music.
I have never openly been called a nigger, nor have I used the word in conversation. Furthermore, I have issues when I hear the word tossed around regardless of the race, age or gender of the person that's using it. But, if my job is that of a journalist and I'm reporting on something that involves the use of the word to give the full impact of the story to my audience, should I use it because that's my job?
I think I should and I would in hopes that it would somehow educate our society.
What do you think?
I'm black and find that particular word to be very degrading and offensive. But, I agree with Lemon that saying 'the n-word.' takes the value out of what that word really means when they're reporting it, regardless of what color the reporter is.
Lemon said, "I think someone should say, that person called someone 'nigger,' instead of saying 'the n-word,' because I think it sanitizes it." I agree with that.
I also agree with Whoopi. "Do not eliminate it," she said. "It's part of our history."
And Barbara Walters went on to say, "We're quoting somebody else, and it's intrinsic to what the person was saying, then you have to be able to say it."
Whoopi added, "That's what reporters are supposed to do,"
I agree with each of them because this is about journalism. We're not talking about it being acceptable to use openly in the streets or in music.
I have never openly been called a nigger, nor have I used the word in conversation. Furthermore, I have issues when I hear the word tossed around regardless of the race, age or gender of the person that's using it. But, if my job is that of a journalist and I'm reporting on something that involves the use of the word to give the full impact of the story to my audience, should I use it because that's my job?
I think I should and I would in hopes that it would somehow educate our society.
What do you think?
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