It's kind of interesting that this is a part of the eight-fold path when I had already been thinking along these lines two years ago. I actually ended a friendship over the issue because I could no longer tolerate my friend consistently verbalizing his anger and hatred towards others.
The first time I spoke thoroughly about the issue was with some West Indian friends who were
running around using the word, "Nigga" with each other. It was in a counter-culture, play with language, affectionate way but it really bothered me. I myself was guilty, when hanging out with my friends of using the term, "Niggeritis". Basically, in present day it's just a reference for the lack of energy one experiences after consuming a large meal. The historical meaning however, was derogatory. During the years of slavery, often only one, very starchy meal was served to slaves. Afterwards the slaves would experience a drop in their sugar levels and that would affect their ability to work. They would often be beaten for their sluggishness, or deemed, "slow" and "lazy".
So I let them know tt bothered me because for the rest of the world "Nigga" sounds too much like, "Nigger" which still has derogotory, hateful connotations to it. So, I just told my friends that they should think about how they're using language because it isn't really helping them. Most other people don't understand what they're trying to accomplish and so they're just spewing a lot of negativity. For anyone who's family has been subject to slavery and racism they are recalling a lot of painful memories. I asked, "Is it really neccessary?" And since that time I have stopped using the term, "niggeritis". I'm not going to be putting negative energy into the world through my words.
Now I just have to work on some of my thought patters.
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