Before I even get into the proposed NFL rule accessing a
15-yard penalty for using the word "nigga" (I refuse to say "N-word" as
it is a complete cop-out) in all its iterations on the field, I offer a
moment of full disclosure: I don't use the word, or at least I make
conscious effort not to. This is mostly in deference to my mother who
grew up in the midst of Jim Crow and my great-grandmother who was born
into slavery (yes, my family is only three generations out of slavery). I
have friends and family who do say "nigga" unflinchingly, and for the
most part I pay it little mind.
This week at the behest of John
Wooten, whom I have a great level of respect for, and on the tails of
the Martin/Incognito controversy, the NFL rules committee is
considering the idea of a 15-yard penalty for saying "nigga" during a
game. The proposal has, to no surprise, re-sparked conversations and
debates about the use of the word ranging from its morphing etymology to
who can say it and how.
I really hope the league sees all the reasons why this can't work, including...
The rule already exists
The NFL has rules addressing player conduct during game play including...
Pretty straight forward to me.
If you ascribe to the idea that the
word "nigga" is offensive what part of this rule doesn't apply?
Creating a rule addressing one word or phrase is redundant at best. It
also creates an unwanted hierarchy of offensiveness. It's not ok to call
Michael Sam "nigga" but there is no "fag" or "homo" rule, so...
For
those who argue that the NFL needs to conform to the laws that govern
workplace culture 1) it's by no means a standard workplace 2) the rule
does not address the NFL workplace as a whole but rather one relatively
small, though important, portion of the overall NFL work environment. It
is the equivalent of saying that there is no cursing in the office
bathroom on Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m.
The rule enforced by (very) rich (very) white men
I
am under no delusion that Roger Goodell or any NFL owner has ever owned
any of my ancestors. That said the word gained its prevalence and
pervasiveness during a time when some -- if not all -- of their
ancestors owned the ancestors of the black players who make up 70
percent of the league. Should an organization with no black majority
owners and a very small handful of black coaches and executives be
legislators of black culture? And yes, regardless of where you stand on
the "nigga" line it is in fact a matter of culture.
No NFL referee will (or wants to) throw that flag
Consider
this part two of the previous paragraph. There are a relatively small
number of black referees in the NFL and I have a hard time picturing Ed
Hochuli calling a 15-yard "nigga" penalty on the offense. Add to this
the number of judgement calls a football referee has to make during the
course of a game as 22 incredibly large, incredibly fast men collide
into each other and I would venture to guess that how players address
each other is the least of their concern.
The rule will do nothing to curb the word's use
The
John Wootens of the world would love nothing more than to see the word
and all its forms erased from the lexicon. So much so that it has become
the Lord Voldemort of language (he that shall not be named). To that
cause, this rule is the most ineffectual option possible. This cause is a
cultural one, not one of fair play or competition. This rule is the
equivalent of cutting the top off of a dandelion and ignoring the roots
that choke off the flowers around it.
There are so many other issues the league needs to address first
If
the NFL is in need of addressing cultural taboo, there are a plethora
of issues that are staring the league in the face that trump how black
players acknowledge each other. The Washington Redskins sorely need a
name change (and possibly the Chiefs as well). Again I call attention to
the lack of minority ownership and executives. The specter of domestic
violence (hello,
Ray Rice). Marijuana use among players (hello,
Bears/Ravens).
Add to all of this, the entire world watching to see where the league's
first openly gay player will get drafted and subsequently treated among
his peers.
When cleaning a house it's best to throw out the garbage before you worry about sweeping up the dust.
