Thoughts on introduction and 1st Chapter of N*****

I thought the different ways Kennedy came to conclusions about the word was quite interesting, explaining the diametric points at which this word was used. A racial slam towards blacks coming from whites, and a common greeting for some blacks, this word's meaning should definitely be explored. I especially liked how Kennedy gave stories of well-known black people within society, naming Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods, and telling of their struggles this word. However, with today's changing society, and as this word comes more into the vocabulary as a greeting, I think it was wise to put Oliver Wendell Holmes's advice into print: '"a word is not a crystal, transparent and unchanged." A word is instead "the skin of a living thought (that) may vary greatly in color and content according to the circumstances and the time in which it is used."' This meaning that throughout time, although this word has signified violence and has even been the "glue" of some friendships, becoming a common greeting. Although, as you can see I do not feel comfortable using this word, and however we may try to get the taboo off of the word, I will not be the one to start; this was also addressed in the book. Especially memorable in the book were Eminem's words, who's colleagues are many black rappers, saying, "it just isn't in my vocabulary".