Joe Rogan in ‘Planet of the Apes,’ aka the ‘Blackest Neighborhood’ in Philly
Why is the N-word compilation catching all the flak?
I’ve never underestimated the power of the N-word.
It’s been part of my life since the first time I heard it on the kindergarten playground. A Black classmate used it on me. Afterward, he explained it was just another word for a tall person. Being a 5 year old who looked more like 7, I bought his explanation — until a few moments later when a White kid introduced the correct usage to me, changing my life forever.
I no longer hear White people say the N-word in everyday life as often as I did when I was growing up in Kissimmee, Florida, but when I do, it still has the power to send a shiver through my body.
The chill factor depends on the context. I don’t think I’ll ever be completely comfortable hearing White people say it, regardless of context, but hearing a White person say the N-word in a discussion about the N-word feels different from hearing a White person use the N-word in a fit of anger.
Perhaps that is why I wasn’t as upset as a lot of other people appeared to be when I watched the mash-up compilation video singer-songwriter India.Aire posted on Instagram of Joe Rogan repeatedly saying the N-word on his “The Joe Rogan…
