10-year old boy delivers eloquent, moving Black History Month address about the "n-word"

Aside from young Jonathan E. McCoy's exemplary oratory and critical/analytical skills, what did you like about the content of his address in Baltimore, MD and what would you have changed?

[H/T to Linda Yudin for bringing this to our attention!]

Comments

[PFC John Watson, Jr]

I am fighting in a country where we should not be all in the name of freedom (and oil). I can say what I want whenever. The last time I read the Bible it said that God chooses young men because they are strong, and He chooses older men because they are wise. I do not need a baby advising me on the N word. What has he been through, experienced? A bunch of gibberish from a kid who has only listened to words from older adults. Born in 1998 or 1999, I do not think he is an authority figure in 2009. I respect others opposition to the word, but after using it for decades (Redd Foxx, Richard Prior, Eddie Murphy, 2Pac, and other rappers)its use today will not stop on a dime. Many are offended by this former slave, Jim Crow word, but blacks continue saying slave, Jim Crow words like "poor white trash," "hill billy," and other profane 4-letter words that offend me.

[Veronica]

Wow! "Out of the mouths of babes"!

I am a white female who was raised in the deep south of Mississippi. I have always been highly offended by the use of this word and have spoken out on many occasions. Interestingly enough, the most spirited opposition to my opinion has come from those within the African American community who argue their right to use the word. They argue that when it is used by an African American there are no negative undertones or insinuations. Although this never made since to me, I did not engage in a debate due to the fact that I could not fully understand the African American perspective and never wanted to imply that I did or even could.

I will continue to do my part as a white woman to extinguish this word from the vocabulary of whites. It is so encouraging to see the same passion coming from a young man who is most certain to have a positive impact on the African American, United States and International community for years to come.

This courageous and bright young man exhibits a wisdom that too many adults in this country lack. Amen, amen, amen! So let it be!