Letters to the Editor
-
Baffled
I don't know. I am surprised how many people, black AND white, deem his firing necessary or reasonable on the basis of this. I just don't think this phrase really is that offensive. If I were challenged to write a screenplay about a vicious racist, I don't even know that such a phrase would occur to me since it seems more of a nasty slight than a truely racist slur. White people can't say 'nappy?' While I may be a dumb cracker, I do live (and play!) in a predominantly black community, and have more non-white friends that white friends -- (in fact, I need to make some white friends, so if your white and lonely, call me! we'll form a bowling team.) I'm at a loss to understand this one -- it seems to me akin to 'ugly bitches'.
If you were to suggest he should have been fired for repeatedly calling middle easterners 'ragheads' -- which he did -- I might agree with you. From interviews that I have seen with numerous lawyers, talking heads and peeps-on-the-street, mostly black, it seems older citizens find it offensive, younger ones just seem to cringe, maybe even crack a smile, and say that its not a nice thing to say.