By Patricia Morris
A forum sponsored by the SLU Chapter of the NAACP was held in the Student Union Theatre last night.
I am honored and humbled in having been asked to serve as one of ten panelists for this event. Also, I am honored and humbled that my daughter, who is a junior political science major attending SLU serve as well, after learning she would replace one of the panelist who cancelled shortly before the program began.
The excerpts shown from various movies brought painful memories of days gone by referencing the slavery era, but it is realized that slavery yet exists in this era, although in a different form, and it continues to be addressed.
As the panelists gave their views on why slavery existed, and its origin, it was painful to hear some students who felt the N-Word is okay and acceptable to use in today's society, however, there were so many more students and panelists who felt the use of the word was wrong then, and it is wrong now.
As we continued to delve into the true origins of the usage of the N-Word, as well as how it is used in the Comedy and Rap Genre, some felt it was done to take back the nasty meanings surrounding how this word is used against and by black people, and how it should not be used by black, nor white people. I agree with Oprah Winfrey as she interviewed the Rap Artist Jay-Z on the same subject, that there are two generations of believers in why this negative connotation of the N-Word is used. Oprah, as well as I am from the baby-boomer generation, and our beliefs, having lived through the turbulant 1960's would be different because we were there and lived through the pain both directly and indirectly, and know we are who we are today, because of those turbulant times. Jay-Z's view is different, but the fact is this word came from hatred, as my daughter Ebony proclaimed that "while some things can be forgiven, there are some things that will never be forgotten."
It is our hope to see more venues of communicating with each other opened to better understand each other, and not agree with the misconceptions we have of each other, but venture to learn more about each other's cultures as well.
In creating man/woman, God knew what He would do in creating a beautiful bouquet of children. As we continue to communicate this message, let us desire to see malice and hatred used removed, simply because of the color of one's skin and live together as God intended it to be.
While many who attended did not know the outcome of how this meeting would be, we all left with the understanding this forum was good, and is needed. Communication, and understanding what is being communicated is paramount in any situation. Many points was made in this forum, and all left with the understanding we all must respect the rights and feelings of our fellow man/woman. It can be no other way.
Thank you SLU NAACP Chapter for hosting this forum, and it is our desire to see it happen again in the near future.
Always remember; never let anyone dictate who you are. As young men and women, you make that decision.