by Joey Durant
During it's off-season meetings regarding policies and competition rules, the NFL considered a rule that would potentially change the entire culture of their game. The use of the "N-word" along with all other offensive slurs based on race, religion, and sexual orientation would be banned from use during NFL games, and would be followed by a 15-yard personal conduct penalty, under the proposed rule (Reid, 2014). Reid stakes his claim as a supporter for the rule in his column, speaking out against the N-word specifically saying, "In no other business are employees legally empowered to harass co-workers based on their race, ethnicity, religious preference or sexual orientation. Why should the working environment in the NFL be any different (Reid, 2014, para. 4)?" Reid follows up his critical stance of the use of the N-word and other slurs by explaining some of the complexities of the issue. He explains the vulgar, inappropriate meaning of the word and how it has become twisted in to a term of endearment and camaraderie in large segments of African-American culture. The newer connotation of the N-word makes this new anti-slur rule a little harder to comprehend because it has grown into such a common utterance (Reid, 2014). One of the NFL's most outspoke players, Richard Sherman of the Seattle Seahawks, expanded on the difficulties of passing such a rule. Sherman was quoted as saying, “it’s almost racist, to me. It’s weird they’re targeting one specific word. Why wouldn’t all curse words be banned then (Greenberg, 2014, para. 2)?" Echoing Sherman's belief, Michael Wilbon made a statement regarding the near racist implications of such a rule being imposed by a league ran by "middle-aged white men" when the league was comprised of "mostly black players (Greenberg, 2014, para. 6)."
Personally, I fall under the same category as Reid; all slurs should be banned from the workplace, whether that work place is an office or a football field. The N-word is no different from other slurs and should be included in the rule, regardless of the popularity of its use amongst any member(s) of the work force.
Do you think using slurs or other similar phrases is appropriate in sport? Do you think the NFL was doing the right thing by trying to ban slurs? Should the N-word be included in the new anti-slur rule? Do you think the N-word has become an irremovable part of the culture of the NFL?
References
Reid, J. (2014, February 25). NFL is right to ban N-word, other slurs, from the playing field. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/nfl-is-right-to-ban-n-word-other-slurs-from-the-playing-field/2014/02/25/970983ee-9e37-11e3-a050-dc3322a94fa7_story.html
Greenberg, C. (2014, March 4). Richard Sherman: NFL Banning The N-Word Is 'Almost Racist' Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/04/richard-sherman-n-word-nfl-ban-racist_n_4892616.html
Joey, I agree with you in saying that all slurs should be banned from the workplace. At no point is it appropriate to say something negative regarding someone’s race, religion, and sexual orientation. I think this especially comes into play at a football game because tensions are already high due to the implicit aggressiveness that is derived in the sport. Adding attacking and degrading words in to the mix is a recipe for violence and conflict.
ReplyDeleteSherman’s comment confuses me. How can a derogatory word such as the N-word become a word of endearment? The fact that the NFL wants to ban the N-word is not racist; it is protecting the players in the league who happen to mostly be African-American. How can a referee differentiate between the two meanings? Players could exchange the N-word, but how is the referee supposed to know if that word was intended as a word of endearment or a word meant to berate. Referees are there to manage the game and ensure safety and fairness. They are not guidance counselors in charge of tending to players’ feelings. If a player’s behavior is unruly, their team as a whole should receive punishment. Language is not an exception to this.
Kali Morgenstern
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHonestly I think they're are bigger fish to fry than attempting to control the language of adults. Yes, they are employees which gives the NFL reason to be concerned. However, freedom of speech is the issue they face. Richard Sherman said that it is sometimes used as a term of endearment which is actually correct, unfortunately. The casual use of the N word has been a part of African American culture for years. I personally feel that it's often used in ignorance and with lack of intellect. There are some people who have grown accustom to using a deragatory term in just about every sentence they speak and they mean no harm. I can say that I do not feel that this language is appropriate for sport or any workplace. I understand the NFL's concern in trying to ban the N word but again, I think there are bigger fish to fry. I do believe it has become irremovable but not due to the culture of the NFL, due to the culture of our society. I wish it wasn't that way, I wish people would instead choose to broaden their vocabulary but this is the world we live in today.
ReplyDeleteJonathan Robinson
Joey, you make several good points in your discussion of this issue. For one, if one slur is going to be banned, then all derogatory and potentially racist terms should also be banned. In order to such a ruling to be fair and justifiable, it must be applied evenly to all words that have similar connotation or purpose. Only banning the N-word would send the wrong message. This would let players and fans alike know that the NFL doesn’t “tolerate” racism but is fine allowing discrimination based on other characteristics like sexual orientation or religion.
ReplyDeleteAnother effective point you made was in regards to how despite the popularity of the word, banning it would not be racist. It is true that the meaning of the term has changed from what it once was, but it is still considered a racial slur, especially if uttered by a member of another race to an African American.
Marissa Tashenberg
Sherman brought up some good arguments. I am no way a fan of the N word but it is used so much that for some it is there everyday vocabulary. In some circles it is used as a term of endearment, and I like the NFL getting rid of it. These guys rather they know it or no are professionals. Kids look up to these guys and I do wish they would get rid of curse words as well. NFL has its fair share of problems but there has to be other words in the English vocabulary to use. I’m sure someone can pick up a dictionary or thesaurus and use words to release anger or something. I for one am okay with this rule but don’t just limit one word because they will just use another bad word to replace it. When these guys interview after a game I don’t hear them cursing or using the N word so get rid of all vulgar language. They don’t play football forever and in a working environment lawsuits are thrown around like the pigskin on Sunday. So NFL clean it up, you pay these guys plenty of money to learn plays now help them change their vocabulary.
ReplyDeleteVincent Marshall