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" "Yada Yada. I don't think the only time you hear the word is just from black people. You being white I'm preety sure you heard the word before. Please don't try it. To my black brothers and sisters find another word to use for empowerment. "

" The black community needs leadership and guidance. I'm glad that black leaders are taking a position on the N-word and I commend Alpha Phi Alpha for its position and its efforts to discourage blacks from using the word. However, I do not think the word will die until it ceases to be a part of the mainstream pop, hip-hop, and american media and entertainment culture. Who is going to pressure the major (often white-owned) record labels and film producers to stop allowing the word to be a part of their work? If contracts for rappers, actors, and singers contained a "no N-word clause" I'm sure the death of the word would happen much more quickly...and I'm sure these entertainers would find another word to puts in its place in order to sign their multi-million dollar contracts. "

" Alpha's General President Darryl R. Matthews, Sr. shared in his State of the Fraternity Address the fraternity’s bold new stance and policy on as he stated, “language has been used to define, limit, make fun of, and ridicule all African Americans; specifically, the ‘N-word’, a justification for a demonstrable air of racial superiority.” ... “Whether used as a noun, verb, or adjective, it strengthened the stereotype of the lazy, stupid, dirty, worthless nobody. …no other ethnic group allows others to use denigrating and derogatory terms when referring to their community, nor do they empower others to think they can use them without repercussion.” ... “We believe in the right of free speech. However, we do not believe that right should be used to bring harm and ridicule to anyone. Now, this is only the first step. We must follow-up and continue to change the thinking of our people, the young and the old, and drive them to more positive and noble pursuits. We must share the serum of healthy self-respect with others most in need of hope. We can have an impact and become that agent of change, but we must first, believe it ourselves.” "

" President Lyndon Johnson did more for civil rights at the time then any other cut him some slack. The Kenndy's stated going down the that road but did so with votes in mind not heart. Johnson made it happen weather his white member liked it or not. He did what he thought was right in that time. "

" There's no such thing as "just a word". That would be similar to saying a bomb is only dangerous if a person sets it off. Yes, words have power b/c people give them power, but the fact remains that they HAVE power. Ignoring this fact doesn't make it go away. Just like ignoring a ticking time bomb won't stop it from exploding. Words are symbolic conduits of ideas, feelings, and facts. It's not so much the word that is the problem. It is what it and its usage represents. However, the fact remains that the word is LOADED with a historical context which many of our black youth today feel no sincere connection toward- hence they feel it is ok to use it "as our own". While this is only a symptom of a larger set of problems, there is no foul in taking medication when you have a cold. I'm glad abolitionists didn't quit thinking slavery was too daunting to eradicate. All that needs to be done is for rappers to stop using it and effectively make it “uncool” to do so. Within a few months, I guarantee its usage would drop by 80% or more "

" The "Ban" is out of line. I am very supportive of guidance, leadership and tone that encourages Black folk, among others...to stop using the N-word. Indeed, I think that most of the content of the article, as well as the efforts by the NAACP to call attention to the issue...is laudable. Good work. Negro Puhleese! However, it is ridiculous for Black leadership of any caliber...to be calling for a "ban" of any words. Need I remind us that back in the day "Black" was pejorative. Need I remind us that back in the day, "Negro" was pejorative. So if the NAACP wants to "bury" words...why not start with a ban on Negro? I'll tell you why...because to do so would deny much of Black history. And I do support the intent and sentiment. We need to set a good example. We need to voluntarily discontinue use of the n-word...in my opinion. But a "ban" is ridiculous. That notion is obscene...particularly in light of all we have gone through to secure the civil rights of people. "

" Organizations have been banning the use of the N word for years and years...its about time a BGLO joins in the fight...hopefully this encourages the others to join the campaign. Its a really hard fight, but the more orgs that join the cause, the sooner it becomes desolved...kudos! "

" The talking is find and great but come on people. If the happens then there will be no more frat parties. What is a frat party. Popular music played at a social event. Now you find one popular song that that fits in the aka box, then i'll show you a party with out a frat. now before you all talk about me. think about what frat mean, not to you, but the general public. now picture him saying dont use the n-word and degrading women, now picture an 17 year old at clark-atlanta from Bankhead at a frat party. If you are realist then you know that aint going to happen. your action have to line up with you words. "

" I am a white member of Alpha Phi Alpha and have been for 5 years. My home chapter is very sincere in its efforts to not use the N word amoungst ourselves or in public. Alpha Phi Alpha is a great organization that promotes humanitarian actions. I am very proud of this gesture by my General President and I would hope that folks reading this would be motivated to make a change. On a side note, Alpha Phi Alpha is not an exclusively black fraternity. It has been interacial for over 50 years. Please research your comments before making such a generic statement. "

" Delta Girl(oo-oop) is right, there are white people in all the nine fraternities and sororities founded by black sudents. We do not discriminate against any race. As for what the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, I think they should be commended for what the are doing in their organization. "

" There are white members of Alpha Phi Alpha. No race is excluded from joining the fraternity. "

" When are white people going to stop being called "crackers" or "honkeys"? "

" What would happen if a group of white kids tried starting a fraternity that excluded blacks? "

" See I think it's folks like you that turn into hysterical thinking about the word and give it even more power. Relax, take a valium and everything will be ok. Deep breaths, deep breaths. "

" Progress has to start somewhere. I applaud the efforts of this group to help the black community begin to speak, and think, about themselves with more respect. However, starting it with college-aged students is probably not early enough, since it is probably a already a habit by then. Encouraging the music and movie people to leave that word out would help. "

" Saying N***** and the "N" word. How idiotic that we can't say the first word but we can say the second word! They mean the same thing people! A hurtful word is only hurtful when the intended recipient accepts it as such. Instead of catering to the hurt feelings of the recipient, we should ostracize the offender and leave it at that. What a ridiculous argument! "

" You're nowhere near correct in the origin of the word. It's best to keep your mouth shut and thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt. "

" The N word is highly offensive and no one can say otherwise. The N word was born with slavery and jim crow and it existence has continue on from one not knowing their rich history. "

" Amazing the number of people who are ignorant of the historical meaning, intent and purpose of the n-word which has now been downgraded to be nothing more than a racial slur. It's not so much about what that word symbolizes today, as it is all about how it led to the dehumanization of the ascendants of African Americans. For African Americans to take and embrace that same word endearingly and affectionately is ludicrous and moronic. Ignorance is further displayed of its historical intent by assuming that it is just another word, there is no other word in the English language that comes close to possessing the evil, immoral and diabolical meaning encompassing this word. Kudos to this fraternity for having the sense of mind to recognize the fact that the present road the African American community is traveling on with the use of this word needs to be reversed. "

" So now they're dictating vocabulary? What a joke! "

" Kudos. It's a start. I am white and the only time I ever hear the word is when a black uses it.......I'm serious. After you get that word buried, could you please, please dig a hole for the MF-word? "

" What are they going to call each other then,Honky?I always here them using the N word.It's in the music and the culture.It would be like taking the word white out "

" Ya right "

" "My thoughts":I kinda' agree with you. Years ago, Lenny Bruce had a hilarious monologue which illustrated much the same thing. As for the 'n' word, he had President Lyndon Johnson saying " And now I'd like to introduce the 'N's' in my cabinet." Poor Lenny: destined to fall off a toilet seat with a dirty needle in his arm. On the bright side, maybe Lenny ultimately set a good example for the mopes who do extremely well selling their noise to other mopes. And to others who really outta' know better. "

" That's a nice thought, though there are many words I can replace the N word with that mean the same thing. or worse. I don't, because as the article says, I have common sense and an idea of what moral living is. But until people stop buying the gangster rappers crap, it aint gonna change, green is the main color. "

" I just think that this "word" has been given way to much attention. It's just a word. That's it. No more, no less. It only has power b/c people give it power and the more you talk about it, ban it, complain about it, debat it, etc....the more power you are giving it. "