NAACP Buries the N-Word

I was talking to a friend of mine today and as we were getting off the phone he says, "Take care my n*gga". It reminded me that the NAACP had actually held an official burying of one of the most taboo words known to English speaking Americans. The word N*gger was used to slander the ancestors of most African Americans throughout centuries of slavery and beyond.

My friend explained to me that it is not the word, but the meaning behind it that counts. He also pointed out that the meaning has changed from a derogatory racial distinction to a neutral distinction of urban culture. I can relate to his reasoning as I am guilty, as most of my urban peers, of dropping the n-bomb here and there and meant no ill intent.

The bigger point is the reality of current generations calling themselves and their peers by the same name that slave masters and racists called African Americans to denigrate them. To put this in perspective swap the N-word with the word 'slave' and even though you mean it in a nice way say "What's good my slave?". That would not fly with any of my friends.

Its not about free speech either. I don't believe the intent of the NAACP was to silence speech. I believe it more to be a call of action, a challenge to the urban communities to consciously make a positive change.

It has been a dream of many civil rights leaders to unite the middle and lower class so that their voices may be heard. This initiative could be viewed as litmus test to see how cohesive we can be.

Food for thought:
How did you learn the N-Word? Which meaning did you learn first?