Tuesday, February 12, 2008
The Flint Journal
FLINT -- Flint Southwestern Academy students are on a campaign to ban the "n word" among black students and young adults.
But they say not everyone understands the effort.
"I lost friends over this," Maurice Hood, 17, told the Flint City Council on Monday.
"They'll say, 'It's my mouth,' and I'll point out how it's not how I talk anymore and it's not being respectful. You find out who your real friends are."
But the students also have picked up a lot of support -- including the city council, which honored them on Monday.
Councilman Delrico Loyd said he doesn't buy the idea that the "n" word when said by blacks is not offensive.
Loyd, 22, said he hears the "n" word a lot among the under-30 crowd.
"They use it and I think it sends the wrong signal. We need to look inside ourselves and ask ourselves what kind of example are we setting?" Loyd said.
Loyd, 22, bought two t-shirts Monday that are being sold by the Southwestern students.
The shirts have a crossed out "n" and say "Just Don't Say It" on the front. On the back is a colorful African map and a phrase encouraging people to say "mukoma," which means respected brother in Zimbabwe.
Read More
The Flint Journal
FLINT -- Flint Southwestern Academy students are on a campaign to ban the "n word" among black students and young adults.
But they say not everyone understands the effort.
"I lost friends over this," Maurice Hood, 17, told the Flint City Council on Monday.
"They'll say, 'It's my mouth,' and I'll point out how it's not how I talk anymore and it's not being respectful. You find out who your real friends are."
But the students also have picked up a lot of support -- including the city council, which honored them on Monday.
Councilman Delrico Loyd said he doesn't buy the idea that the "n" word when said by blacks is not offensive.
Loyd, 22, said he hears the "n" word a lot among the under-30 crowd.
"They use it and I think it sends the wrong signal. We need to look inside ourselves and ask ourselves what kind of example are we setting?" Loyd said.
Loyd, 22, bought two t-shirts Monday that are being sold by the Southwestern students.
The shirts have a crossed out "n" and say "Just Don't Say It" on the front. On the back is a colorful African map and a phrase encouraging people to say "mukoma," which means respected brother in Zimbabwe.
Read More
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