The Lucky Mushroom “Bad Language Swear words” what is the N-Word?

N-Words start with me!

Bad as in “Bad Lanugage”

All S-WORDS start with me!

There is a lot of talk discussion about language at the moment.

Actually the conversation is about  what language is “appropriate”. Words seem to be under attack. They are being banned and reinterpreted. One thing remains the same; despite their ubiquity in media, swear word or curse words remain “bad words”. 

In Hip Hop or rap music the presumed acceptance of swear words in the Black American community is causing a lot of confusion.

For example, contrary to popular belief the n-word has never been embraced by the entire black community no matter how many black people are paraded in front of the camera or presented on a stage as a “representatives” of  the black community that say otherwise. As a black American I have always found it disturbing how easily the concept of a representative of  the black community is so easily embraced by white media but that’s a story for another post.

My grandfather was a man named Clifton Slater Sr and he like his son were present in my life. My mother’s mother was a proud woman named Beulah May. I have never heard the aforementioned nor my mother or father use the n-word! They did not swear at me nor did they swear in my presence.  I have never heard my father, Clifton Slater Jr, use the f-word let alone the n-word. These men and women who molded me were not n-words with or without the A (nigga/nigger) My grandfather would turn in his grave at the thought that I came to embrace the term. 

They were not angels and nor am I

However, I absolutely believe that the spirit of God dwells within our children and I will not participate in the perception that the using swearing words is normal communication. I love hip ho but I will not allow hip hop or the so called “black media” justify the use of the n-word as a term of endearment or otherwise. It’s not sweet and it’s not funny. If you are an adult and you live in an English speaking community but you disagree to borrow language that your sub culture is used to, “Fuck You”! I refuse to participate. If one man is an n-word, every man is an n-word! The term will never be a part of my active vocabulary and it will never be a part of Lucky Mushroom. In fact,

The Lucky Mushroom will in fact allow kids to make one recording using English swear words of their own choice.

We will not publish the recordings! We will instead encourage children to never use the words again until they become adults or have reached a level of maturity that is reflected in all their lexical choices. They will always know that the language is “bad” and the could have made better lexical choices. Unless, they were simply having fun with other adult friends that were mature enough to recognize that the words are being used consciously and the intention was to have fun. The use of swear words outside of fun is usually the manifestation of one’s inability to articulate effectively. 

Despite what you hear; Native speakers will judge you on based on the lexical choices you make regardless of what they say to your face.

The point of reference for appropriate language, especially for young learners, should be; “Can I use these words with my grandparents?”. If the answer is no, make different lexical choices. If your purpose is to shock, disappoint, or confuse, go ahead and use swear words. If the n-word were a part of my active vocabulary, any friend of mine that I used the n-word with could use it with me. After all that’s what terms of endearment are for. However, it is not and I would never encourage any person let alone a child to use it. 

A lot of people will disagree with most of what I am saying about the n-word. They will look you straight in the eyes and tell you that it is in fact not problematic. If they are black just ask them if it’s ok with everybody in their family. I know that is it ubiquitous in black entertainment but like machine guns in shopping malls unless you are looking for open for confrontation, I would strongly advise caution with their use in public as well as private spaces.