Allen Zaruba, an adjunct faculty member teaching art at Towson University was fired for saying the magic word that most certainly leads to prompt dismissal regardless of intent or context in America, the “N” word. News of this professor’s poor judgment travelled rapidly across the country to where it was reported in the Huffington Post, the Chronicle of Higher Education, the Washington Post, and countless blogs across the country and even in Canada.
Source article: Towerlight, Towson University’s official campus newspaper:
http://www.thetowerlight.com/adjunct-faculty-member-fired-following-racial-slur-1.2174910Heck we’re an anonymous blog, and we don’t use the “N” word, but if it ever comes to a point where for the sake of absolute truthfulness in a posting – we can’t rule it out. Still, even the “F” word has become acceptable in many instances and substituting for it while clearly wanting to give the listener or reader the message that “F” is the intended word. How often do we read “what the fuck?” Well fuck, why are we so much more easily upset by “N”?
First, let’s look at the Towson situation. According to Towerlight, the Towson University newspaper, Allen Zaruba referred to himself as “a nigger on the corporate plantation.” Yes, Towerlight, did publish the article with the “N” bomb spelled out at least on line as of 11:00 pm March 2.
In the lesson, Zaruba was reviewing “Themes of Contemporary Art” to his Visual Concepts class. The text, authored by Jean Robertson and Craig McDaniel, the professor was said to identify as “very politically incorrect.” During his discussion of a chapter about identity and the body, he spoke his fatal remark.
Reports indicate Zaruba, a twelve year veteran at the university, was quite a provocative speaker known for his “in your face delivery” but at least one student attending the class said the remark was not used with malicious intent.
The “N” word controversy is understandable but likewise the pinnacle of polite society’s hypocrisy and denial on racial issues.
When we’re little children, we were once taught, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Ah, that was before the days of the uptight politically correct, easily offended litigious society. Furthermore, that’s easy for a middle-aged white American male to say having never been on the hated end of the “N” word.
In some contexts, we are taught that a white person quite simply can never use the word, period. It is never acceptable even when framed in all the proper contexts. Yet in many circles, we are supposed to tolerate it when one African-American calls another black person the detested word. “N” has several different meanings rich with nuance among the black community particularly among the street culture.
While the first amendment would indicate otherwise, the use of the word, nigger, has all but been outlawed in the United States when spoken by someone who is not a “person of color.” Anyone doubting this contention can surely test this thesis by screaming the taboo word at his place of employment or in any public gathering and see how quickly the sparks fly.
Now for the hard part, has the all but total ban on the majority population of which some members once enslaved the minority population from using the “N” word eliminate racism in our country? Are some of the social atrocities that are disproportionately far more prevalent in African-American communities made any better by banning the “N” word? As of March 2, 2010, there have been 24 homicides in Baltimore City, every single homicide victim is a black male. Does the fact that the white people in the suburbs insist none of them would ever use the “N” word make the situation just a few miles from their homes across the city line for these members of their community. Does the prohibition of using the “N” word lead the majority culture to help create a meaningful pathway for all members of society to become productive citizens by doing what’s necessary to close down failing schools mostly in African American communities, engage those children with effective programs that promote learning and success not continued failure?
The hypocrisy and self-righteousness shown by so many folks in today’s world regarding the “N” word does nothing to make the world a better place for some of our least fortunate citizens but surely instigates all kinds of bad faith and self-deception about the real issues that our society refuses to deal with.
Racism is fucking ugly. There’s no nice way to say it. If we never hear the second syllables of renege and swinger patched together as one word, the ugliness will still be with us.
Racism will be solved when we live in a truly post-racial world and if anyone reading this thinks the election of Barack Obama puts us one step closer to that reality, forget it. If nothing else, the Obama election has provided more excuses for all kinds of denial and false assumptions. The whole concept of white guilt just went away because so many white citizens voted for Obama for President? Hardly!
When our culture gets to the point where skin color is dealt with much the same way we react to people of different hair colors or physical height, we could finally say racism is eliminated. The problem is far more than skin color differences propel racism. There are all kinds of social and cultural factors no one wants to come to terms with solving. How many problems that appear racial on the surface are truly more socio-economic at heart?
There can be no question that many programs of the Great Society, massive government entitlements and quotas, and the notion of affirmative action have not truly balanced out the effects of the underlying social problems that won’t go away as they become a form of the exact thing they’re supposed to eliminate – favor based on race.
The United States needs to be an opportunity based society which uses its many resources and tremendous constitutional values to make it possible for all citizens to pursue life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
The root causes of urban violence often so dependent on the drug culture must be eliminated. One solution would be legalizing marijuana, and treating those addicted to hard drugs from an educational and medical standpoint not a criminal enforcement standpoint. There can be no more failing schools. Vouchers, charter schools, and other creative solutions must be employed to help kids get the education they deserve. Furthermore, while many of these children enter the school system with many disadvantages suburban white kids will never know, schools must stop blaming disadvantaged kids’ parents and their communities for their failure in school. The school system must develop the proper teaching methods and learn how to engage these kids so they will master reading, math, and other skill areas necessary to succeed in the world at large while instilling the proper values and work ethic to become productive participants in society where they will be equipped to take advantage of the opportunities our society can offer.
These are some of our ideas. Clearly, it’s not something that’s straightforward where gosh if the government would just spend enough money, the problem is all gone. The solution will require much discussion, debate, and finally consensus. Everyone will need to be involved in some measure. We are all brothers and neighbors. We cannot just assuming paying taxes absolves us of our personal responsibilities. Ideally more money will come out of our pockets, our charities, and our businesses not the government coffers. It can be done, but tough challenges are never easy.
We will lend our voice to the chorus, please do not ever use the “N” word. Know that doing so can subject your reputation to damage you might never be able to erase. It is a bad word. It symbolizes horrible things. It reminds us of things we try not to think about. It reminds us all is not right in the world. It makes us tingle and defensive.
In the meantime, say a prayer for Allen Zaruba. Regardless of what his heart is or where he stands on issues, that he used the “N” word while teaching a college class at a state university will be something from which he will never escape.
The ultimate solution for racial problems in America has far more to do with us opening our eyes and our hearts and a lot less with shutting our mouths.
