Dear Morning Team,
On a recent trip into Philadelphia with my husband and children we were enjoying the sites and walking from one historical landmark to another. We thoroughly enjoying our trip until we headed toward the Liberty Bell. Our 5 block walk behind 3 guys, who my husband and I estimate were in their mid to late 20’s, was a lesson that we hadn’t planned on teaching our kids that day. We actually had to stop and wait until they were far enough ahead of us so that we would no longer be offended by their repulsive choice of language. Every other word was the N Word. We are raising our 5, 8 and 11 year old children that that word is offensive and is never to be used for any reason what so ever. Imagine my surprise when I am asked by my 11 year old why the man in front of us as said that word 25 times. Evidently my son began to keep count. Ugh! We had to look at him and respond that we were offended by the language and it was inappropriate. We had to go a step further because the men were African American (we are white) and my son just couldn’t wrap his head around the fact that these men would so freely use that word when it has for hundreds of years been so demeaning and ugly.
Can you or your listeners help us find an explanation?
Completely Offended,
Ocean City, NJ
*What would YOU do in this situation? Is it OK for someone who is African American to use the “N” word? Is it appropriate for a white person to say something, especially with children around?