Our
current
topic:		 David Howard, head of the Washington, D.C. Office of Public Advocate, recently resigned apparently due to pressure arising from his use of the word "niggardly" to 2 other public officials in a private conversation.
Howard is White, the 2 other officials were Black. The word "niggardly" means miserly and stingy -not anything with racial overtones. Was Howard wrong in his choice of words or does this incident highlight an embarrassing educational gap in the vocabulary of the Black officials .....and others?



Submit Date: 21 FEB 1999
Name: jack edwards
Email: "jedwards000@ameritech.net
Response: Both parties are at fault. Since David Howard knows the meaning of the word "niggardly" and since it comes so chose to a word that is so offensive to African-Americans (myself included), he should have used a different word. The brothers (and others) who took offense are victims of a poor education (whether it be the system or theirs) and are therefore at fault for their reaction. Jack


Submit Date: 20 FEB 1999
Name: Mrs. M
Email: "mcsdw4315@aol.com
Response: It is no laughing matter when a man loses his job. I feel bad for that. Especially because of the seemingly limitation, or in this case the "broadness" of ones vocabulary, etc. And who's questioning the "limitation" of the vocabulary of the Blacks who heard this dasterly word, "niggarly?" I can't remember myself hearing that word every used, and I doubt those two well educated brothers never used or heard it used before either, obviously. Listen, again herein lies one of the problems in America when it comes to communication between blacks and whites. We don't. We talk shop, we talk sports, we even sometimes share intimate or personal tid-bits with our "white friends." But, we never openly talk about what keeps us separate in a mature, and calm way. There are too many denials on one hand and too many hurts on the other. And as longs as there is no forgiveness or the asking of forgiveness universally, we will continue to have these sensitive moments that keeps us divided along the lines of communication. What seems "petty" in ones eyes is "not petty" in the others as long as this gap exists. Now, is that anyway to live?


Submit Date: 9 FEB 1999
Name: Talonia k
Email: "ketz@keynet.net
Response: I would have to say that it seems very suspect that he had to use the word "niggardly", and I question his motive as any Black person would no matter how highly educated they were. Mr. Howard's choice of wording and judgment were very very poor, and He should resign.


Submit Date: 9 FEB 1999
Name: TALONIA K
Email: "ketz@keynet.net
Response: Whether the word "niggardly" was used in proper form or not is really not the issue. This man's choice of wording and judgment was very poor indeed.


Submit Date: 9 FEB 1999
Name: Tonua Norice
Email: "tonua.m.norice@ac.com
Response: I think that as adults we are responsibile for our actions as well as what we say. I for one am continuously conscience of what I say and to whom I am saying it. The use of the word niggardly, although it's meaning holds no racial undertones, was inappropriate. Considering the negative history of the prefix "nigg" Howard could have chosen a different term that was just as prolific to get his point across.


Submit Date: 8 FEB 1999
Name: A'pril Cannon
Email: "sewwithp
Response: I feel as though that if they were having a private conversation there should have been no problem. People sometimes overlook a situation and David had a right to express himself in there so called "private conversation". To me it seems that he was trying to get a point across if they new the word was not pertaining to them why did they get offended.


Submit Date: 8 FEB 1999
Name: Kakela Gilbert
Email: "kng5581@garnet.acns.fsu.edu
Response: In my opinion,Howard was wrong for using the word "niggardly". This is because it does't matter what it means in the dictionay, it matters how it was used. It seems that he only used the word when he was speaking with Afro-Americans.


Submit Date: 8 FEB 1999
Name: Lorenzo Clemons
Email: "daddeeeee@netscape.net
Response: Mary Mitchell of the Sun Times had the best article about this subject. I have included a copy of what she wrote. It is worth reading. February 4, 1999 BY MARY A. MITCHELL SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST If you've been preoccupied with the Clinton trial, you might have missed the other story that exploded in Washington, D.C., and has led to a national uproar that is uproariously pathetic. A white member of D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams' executive staff resigned last week because his use of the word ``niggardly'' cranked up the rumor mill and put the mayor in an uncomfortable position. David Howard used the arcane term--which means ``miserly'' and has no racial connotation--during a meeting with Marshall Brown, a holdover from the Marion Barry days, and another white male staffer. In reviewing the budget for his office, Howard said: ``I'll have to be niggardly with this fund because it's not going to be a lot of money.'' Both men were reportedly stunned by Howard's choice of words, with Brown storming out of the office as Howard tried to explain. Within two days there were calls from the community accusing Howard of using the n-word. In the aftermath, Williams accepted Howard's resignation and the ``niggardly'' incident became a national brouhaha. After a week of turmoil, Williams admitted he ``acted too hastily'' in accepting his aide's resignation and asked him to return to work. On Wednesday, Howard agreed but said he wanted to return to a new post. I don't know what's worse: the resignation of Howard, the arrogance of Brown, the initial spinelessness of Williams or the glee with which scribes embraced a $5 word many black people find distasteful. From coast to coast, pundits, many of whom are black, protested the narrow-mindedness and ignorance of those who were offended by a word that has absolutely nothing to do with the hated n-word. Some columnists repeated the word like a mantra to make the point that it is stupidity at work here, not racism. Frankly, I haven't seen this much interest in black people and the English language since a school district in California defined Ebonics and sanctioned its use in the classroom. That this ridiculous episode occurred on the heels of an opinion piece, which posed the insulting question of whether the light-skinned, bow-tied Williams is ``black enough'' to be mayor of the primarily black district, made the incident all the more juicy. But while most writers were clucking over the hypersensitivity of misinformed black people, at least one writer put the incident in perspective. In a New York Times op-ed piece, Stephen Pinker, a cognitive scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, pointed out what should be obvious--it is likely that a black person hearing a white person say ``niggardly'' would naturally link it to the n-word. ``First, all the meanings of a word, including inappropriate ones, light up willy-nilly in the brain. ... Thus it is impossible for anyone to hear `niggardly' without thinking, if only for a moment, of the ethnic slur,'' Pinker wrote. He also said common sense should have taken over. Howard, who is openly gay, understands what Pinker is talking about. ``I sincerely apologize for offending anyone,'' Howard told the Associated Press on Wednesday after agreeing to return to work for the district. ``It was certainly not my intention. Clearly what matters is not my intention but the impact of the words on others.'' That Howard was resigned to the idea he could no longer be effective as a public advocate is unfortunate, but probably true. When people want to get worked up over perceived slights--and that seems to be the case here--there's little anyone can do to talk them out of it. By caving in under misguided pressure, Howard proved he was not the right man for a job fraught with racial pitfalls. Brown, the guy who started this mess, certainly ought to be on his way out the door. His arrogance in not apologizing for his role in the misunderstanding shows he has no business in public service. And Williams should ignore the race baiters. It wouldn't matter whether he gets a tan, listens to hip-hop artist Lauryn Hill, orders up a plate of collard greens and hamhocks, or calls a game of bid whist and a night out steppin' a good time--he never will be black enough in some quarters. As for my colleagues, we need to ask ourselves why we were so niggardly in our sensitivity that we gave this controversial word such wide wings. E-mail: marym@suntimes.com


Submit Date: 9 FEB 1999
Name: Bonnie Jackson
Email: "bonjac@aol.com
Response: First of all I begin by apologizing to those of you who came to this forum to discuss and read responses to the current topic. I am not here for that reason. I am here to discourage the rude behavior of the individual who hides behind the name "The Intern”. What a rich name to apply to someone of such obvious poor substance. I implied or defined you as deceitful. Let me add to that that you are also lacking in knowledge. Like the public officials in Washington, DC you are having trouble with the use of a word. In your case, the word is “directly”. In Funk and Wagnall New International Dictionary, direct/directly is defined as, “having or being the straightest course; straight, shortest, nearest. Free from intervening agencies or conditions.” Had you understood the meaning you would have given at least your email address. That would have allowed me to respond directly to you. Farther, you totally disregard and fail to respect the request of the Webmaster, “Please Note: Due to a series of nasty flames we have received in these discussions, we will no longer be posting completely anonymous messages. You must at least leave a name or email address to which others can respond. An email address is preferred -- after all, if you're on the Web, you more than likely have one. Use it.” And, in case you didn’t know, that is called a rule. We were all taught as children to obey rules. Weren’t You? I suspect you will attempt to respond to me once again using this forum but I won’t discuss this subject with you again – not here in this forum. Your alternative: an email address. I tried to reach you. I have tried reasoning with you, but I won’t continue to ‘cast pearls to swine’. “Hit and Run Drivers cause problems and leave the scene of the crime without leaving a name. Are you also of that genre?


Submit Date: 8 FEB 1999
Name: TheIntern
Email: "
Response: To Anonymous Person/Bonnie: What in the world are you talking about? To whom are you even talking? NO one is hiding behind a cloak of shame. The website is only requesting that we give a means of identifying ourselves, that's all. Nobody said we had to actually use the names our mamas put on our birth certificates, and I don't even think that is relevant, as long as we have a way to address each other when responding directly TO one another. I think that you have lost sight of the discussion at hand here, as well as the reason why it should even BE discussed.


Submit Date: 7 FEB 1999
Name:
Email: "Urban-Guerrilla@webtv.net
Response: One need not qualify as a rocket scientist to ascertain the juvenile attempt at a poorly, but cleverly, disguised verbal abuse in the form of a subliminal sneak attack on African-American consciousness! It takes but one of the five senses to 'see' the similarity between the words Nigga-rdly, and Nigger! That same sense of sight, can see that (in the dictionary) the word 'Nigger' is neatly tucked between the words 'Niggard and Niggardly' on the upper-side, and 'Niggle and Niggling' on the lower-side!! Definition of the word 'Niggardly' is irrelevant in this instance!! Connotation sets the precedence here! Nimble minds are forever active in the undermining of African-American existence!! The sad reality here is, we have been set up since the "Big Capture," and very few realizes. Never underestimate the enemy...


Submit Date: 7 FEB 1999
Name: KCopeland
Email: "kyc_56@hotmail.com
Response: Although, there is a difference in words and meaning, it was close enough to warrant a reaction from many people. I find it hard to believe that Mr. Howard (educated as such), could not have chosen another word. Maybe he chose this word to get the reaction that he did, so he could resign. The word "niggardly" is an old word and seldom used anymore. In this day and age of politically correct words and phrases, it is possible he knew exactly what he was doing. To coin a phrase from the character Steve Urkel "Did I do that?"


Submit Date: 6 FEB 1999
Name: Yocook
Email: "memom@gdsys.net
Response: Using the"N" word should be stricken from American Language. I know, and you know that it's not about to happen. We do not live in a perfect world. As long as we and others use this word so will they. RESPECT is always missing.


Submit Date: 6 FEB 1999
Name: Darwin Eugene Johnson
Email: "DEugenius@aol.com
Response: As an educated and thoroughly well read African American man, I am both familiar with this word and its appropriate usage. It is obvious that Mr. Howard is obviously also an educated and well read man, given his post, and as such should have at his disposal a plethora of synonyms (eg. parsimonious, ungenerous and grudging, if one wants to be pedantic, cheap, stingy or miserly if one merely wants to make a point). One could only guess at his motives for the use of this specfic term, I think the bigger question is his apparent inability to anticipate the level of discomfort the use of this word would have given the particularly sensitive nature, and volitility, of African Americans on anything that even hints at racism. After all discretion is the better part of valor. That said, I think that it is time that our people stop wasting precious time and energy on such petty indescretions and galvanize ourselves around the real problems DESTROYING our communities. I submit that black on black crime, drug usage, teen pregnancy and lack of community support for African American economic endevors are the REAL impediments to the Actualization of a Black Nation.


Submit Date: 5 FEB 1999
Name: Byron Conrad
Email: "bkconrad@usinternet.com
Response: In my opinion, Mr. Howard was wrong for using that particular word. Evidently he's an educated man. He should have realized that with race relations the way they are today, there were other words he could have used. I think he should resign for the use of the word because it shows that he's really not concerned with what he says. Come on, think about it. Thesauruses can be purchased anywhere. Why not use misery or stingy. I think if he uses that word, then the other can't be to far behind. Heads of corporations have been dismissed for racial remarks. Not saying that his was, but if you're in a position where your vocabulary is listened to with scrutiny, you should have more sense than to use that particular word.


Submit Date: 5 FEB 1999
Name: Judge Dixon
Email: "judgejr@ibm.net
Response: I was in a Business meeting where a Euro-American used the same word in a dramatic fashion. In my opinion she was soliciting a response. Since I was familiar with the word, I did not respond, nor did I indicate that I knew what the word meant. I believe that I have nothing to prove in that kind of group. I made sure that I particpated in a positive fashion. One other Black in the group later told me he was not familiar with the word, but restrained his reaction because of mind. -Much ado about Nothing -


Submit Date: 5 FEB 1999
Name: Darnel Charles Tanksley
Email: "DarTanksley@aol.com
Response: Party's over. our Mr. Howard got his job back as Niggardly has been declared to be an acceptable word that us Negroes were just to stupid to understand. The question now is will this "smart" word begin to be used in day to day conversation. Only time will tell (That's what they said in 1964,1865 and 1776).


Submit Date: 4 FEB 1999
Name: Jeffrey
Email: "jazmanj@hotmail.com
Response: Let's take this to the next level... When are we going to cease letting white people have the power to anger us so? Is is possible that whites know what to do to get us to lose our jobs, respond violently? Because in this system, we are always expected to "act a fool" and be expelled. (Mr Howard already has a better job- I'm sure) Maybe Mr. Howard was thinking"Does this word still get to them- these 'educated ones'; or have these Negroes arrived to a point where such a word does not affect them?" We must take the "sting" out of the word, and make it "our" word! We must cease giving whites the power over our minds. I AM YOUR "N I G G A"- Never Ignorant Gonna Get {things} Accomplished!


Submit Date: 4 FEB 1999
Name:
Email: "lcwebb2@bellsouth.net
Response: Certainly it was a poor choice of words. Perhaps he meant no harm, but more than likely he was testing the waters. Who will argue that the root word ISN'T offensive when used by whites. It seems that Mr. Howard was, at best, insensitive. Education is more than knowing what a word means; but if and when it is appropriate to use.


Submit Date: 4 FEB 1999
Name: Monica G. Wood
Email: "
Response: I believe both are to blame. Howard's vocabulary is obviously broad enough for him to have found an alternative word instead of using a word that can easily be mistaken for a racial term. And, it also shows the limited vocabulary, that so many African Americans possess. They should have been able to discriminate between the correct word/definition/usage and the similiar sounding negative, racial term they mistook it for.


Submit Date: 4 FEB 1999
Name: Malcolm
Email: "Malclm7@aol.com
Response: The issue in my opinion is, the fact that it is being pointed out that one person is white and the other two people are black. Anytime color is being thrown around like that tells me that some body somewhere still wants us to view each different than just simple human beings. That word (niggardly) along with the other N word would have no affect without pointing out the color of those men... no matter how those words have been used in the past. The issue is color remember the civil war wasn't fought over the N word.


Submit Date: 3 FEB 1999
Name: dwalker
Email: "dwalker@alexia.lis.uiuc.edu
Response: I would have to know the person and in what context the word was used. You never know a person's true motive. I question his judgement to used the word. However, I have a problem with how punitive our society has become. One mistake, if you can call it that, and you are history. This man could have honestly felt the word was not offensive. And according to the definition of the word, it is not! Our punitive nature is going to get the best of us. It kinda reminds me of the lady who tried and committ suicide with her young child by jumping off a bridge with the child in her arms. Well, they both lived. However, all the DA could say was that they were looking into charging the women with attempted murder. My first reaction to that was "I think she has bigger problems that worrying about being chare with attempted murder". The woman has a REAL PROBLEM!! But all he could think of was punishing her. Where is our rational minds??


Submit Date: 3 FEB 1999
Name: TheIntern
Email: "
Response: To Darnel: The term "nigger" is not OUR word, it's theirs, and they can keep it!!!


Submit Date: 3 FEB 1999
Name: Lori
Email: "Violet0371@aol.com
Response: I do not think Mr. Howard should have resigned over this issue and I think the pressure created was unwaranted if he commonly uses words which are uncommon to the average person's vocabulary. However, if he was ostentatiously showing off his knowledge of words or purposely throwing such a word at his associates to strike up their ire then his behavior should be considered inappropriate for his post. I myself had to pull out my Webster's upon reading the newsbite posted on the previous page and find niggardly which turns out to be standard english, whereas the other "N-word" is slang and does not appear. Additionaly, I think of myself as a moderate to liberal minded individual and would be uncomfortable using a word such as niggardly even knowing it is standard english but would not want to restrict it's use because I find that just as offensive as censorship and book burning.


Submit Date: 3 FEB 1999
Name: Anonymous Person
Email: ""****"
Response: The above name and email is not who I am. I simply used the fake name and email address to show how easy people can hide behind their words. It is a shame that we can feel strong enough to voice our opinion about a topic; yet, we are too cowardly to identify who that strong opinion comes from. By the way, I am Bonnie Jackson, email: bonjac@aol.com. If I say something, I mean it; and, if I fear reprisal or a response either unsolicited or too bold to handle, then I simply keep my opinion to myself or among the people that I choose to interact with. Otherwise, you are no better than the KKK, a thief, a masked murderer, a coward. Or, you are simply ashamed of yourself and it is then fitting that you should disguise yourself in a "cloak of shame". This is a good forum for expressing yourself, I hope the bad and the ugly and deceitful will not help to destroy that right by not acting accordingly to the rules displayed by the webmaster of this site.


Submit Date: 3 FEB 1999
Name: Gerald Palmer
Email: "g122372@hotmail.com
Response: It's okay for black people to call other black people niggas but when it's used by those not of color in any way it's not acceptable. If you want to take offense to it do it no matter who says it. If you believe that it's just a word that doesn't describe who you are or what you stand for then don't aknowledge it.


Submit Date: 3 FEB 1999
Name: yemi
Email: "jfcovi@hotmail.com
Response: The fact that Mr Howard has resigned shows that what he said had a racial meaning. If he had nothing to reproach to himself why would he resign ? If he really used the word niggardly without a racial meaning , such a shame he resigned


Submit Date: 2 FEB 1999
Name: gar young
Email: "gy13@webtv.net
Response: I think this situation shows that an infrequent word was used and it sounds so similar to ni--er that the officials were alarmed that the word was used at all. Knowing many white people, he may have done it intentionally to call us n's in his SLY deceitful way.


Submit Date: 1 FEB 1999
Name: Chuck
Email: "adamsgroup@hotmail.com
Response: Mr. Howard is responsible and accountable for what is say. He is not responsible or accountable for what people THINK he said.


Submit Date: 1 FEB 1999
Name: James H. Lingard
Email: "james.lingard@robins.af.mil
Response: First of all let me say that I to; until recently was ignorant of the word "niggardly". However, I've recently ascribed to the philosophy that words only have the power in our lives that we allow them to have. But even in the midst of this philosophy I know that words used to ignite/inflame an emotional response can cause one to become angered. You can find these elements at work even in the confines of a marriage, or other close associations; so I can understand the initial outrage. But at some point cooler heads would have to prevail. My question to Mr Howard would be to gain insight into his choice of words (his reasoning) when describing the actions of persons from the African American community. Is this a term he commonly uses when referring to the actions of someone from the white community? Let us first consider the inherent good of all people, and continue to advance our cause as a people inspite of the negative factors. We must stay focused to attain anything worthy in this life!


Submit Date: 1 FEB 1999
Name: Darnel Tanksley
Email: "DarTanksle@aol.com
Response: First of all I don't trust the fact that niggardly, as it is used in America, has non-racial roots regardless of it's Norwiegen history. Second, we all know that bitch and faggot have non-expletive definitions (female dog and a pile of sticks) but no one would use these words at a gathering of women or in San Francisco. Finally when a white person says nigger (not niggarly) in a best case scenario, they come off as talking about a sub-human species. When a Negro says nigger in a worst case scenario they come off as speaking of the grit and grime of day to day life. Whites, who have never acknowledged en-masse that they are racist (as they slowly claim that Negroes are racist), must realize that until Negroes are 13% of the "Powers That Be", 13% of the Kennedys who go to Harvard, 13% of the Monica Lewinskys floating from good job to good job, 13% of the Bob Livingstons who can throw stones from their glass house, 13% of the internet billions and until Negroes are only 13% of the prisons in a world where Al Capone is a heroic myth, then whites can't use 13% of "our" word Nigger. (Can I get a Nigger Please?)


Submit Date: 1 FEB 1999
Name: Bonnie Jackson
Email: "bonjac@aol.com
Response: I know so little of the background of either Mr. Howard or the two officials involved in this incident; which, leaves me little room to gather the true reason for the use of "niggardly" or the reaction to it. I wonder did any children go hungry in Washington, DC while they were resolving this matter? Anyway, I will use my knowledge of the term "niggardly" and knowledge of 'who I am' to say how I would have reacted if the word was used in my presence. I am in agreement with your definition. And, based upon that definition, I cannot understand the reaction to the use of the word. However, if sensitivity to the word was based upon the word being of the 'nigger' genre, I understand even less the reaction to the use of the word. The reality of who I am won't let me be offended. You see, I am not a nigger!!! The term niggard has never described me. I refuse to let what knowledge deprived people believe, become my reality. If I acted like a niggard, felt like a niggard, and believed I was a niggard, maybe I would be offended. Furthermore, when I define nigger it isn't the way Mr. Webster defines it. You see, I don't care how Mr. Webster defines nigger/niggard. Mr. Webster is white. There is no law that says when you are White that you are always right. People, let us get beyond this. The days of letting the word 'nigger' offend, need to be over. It is just a barrier!!! (Jump over it). IT IS JUST ANOTHER BARRIER to keep us from coming together to define and resolve the real problem in our village. And, if you can't jump over it push it aside so that we can have diaglogue about issues that really matter.


Submit Date: 1 FEB 1999
Name: maia malaika
Email: "gsi01001@gsaix2.cc.gaosu.edu
Response: I do believe that Howard picked the wrong words to to use. The education gap has grown but words like that as well as others are still used frequenly today. Even though the definition of the word has nothing to do with any type of racial issues, there are still better words to use to describe stingy and miserly. Another word should have been used especially in the prescence of BLACKS. It's about time, well, its been time to start a national movement. If the tables were turned the BLACKS would have been punished for their choice of words, probably severly punished.


Submit Date: 1 FEB 1999
Name: lartey
Email: "
Response: Those two black officials should be the ones to resign - after all, they have shown their lack of intelligence. They have managed to exemplify much of what is wrong with our society: straining at a gnat, while swallowing a camel. We Blacks "accept" it when black youths kill each other, but get all bent out of shape when a White calls us by a not-so-nice word. Actually, those black officials should resign for showing their gross ignorance.


Submit Date: 1 FEB 1999
Name: TheIntern
Email: "
Response: ToSteve: ARe we supposed to be THANKFUL just because we are overrepresented in the acting field? How ignorant can you GET? Obviously, you must not be Black, or else you would realize what little sense you made in your statement about Black men comprising 17-19% of actors. When we as men AND women comprise at LEAST 13% of: physicians, scientists, CEOs of fortune 500 companies, medical student classes, law school classes, PhD programs at majority institutions, sports agents, sports team managers AND owners, television executives, U.S. Senators and Representatives AND U.S. presidents, THEN we will have cause to truly celebrate a triumph.


Submit Date: 31 JAN 1999
Name: cort5
Email: "
Response: David Howard was not born yesterday, he tested the waters, and now he may drown.


Submit Date: 31 JAN 1999
Name: jan
Email: "pure_love25@hotmail.com
Response: I honestly feel that Mr. Howard may have been a bit too comfortable with these two young men and felt that he could say whatever he feels like saying. He obviously over looked the respect factor that is supposed to exist in a work, or any environment. Mr. Howard's decision to resign supports the notion that you are not allowed to bring forth ignorance amongst or against any individual no matter where you may be or who you may be.


Submit Date: 30 JAN 1999
Name: walter howard
Email: "whoward2@bellsouth.net
Response: Mr. Howard should not have resigned over the use of the word "niggardly." His use of this word in the presence of two Africans was bad judgement on his part. As many of us do,he only said what he was thinking. If he is to be labeled a racict because of the use of that word,then we all had better take a look at ourselves,because I am sure that we all have said someting that is perceived as being offensive toward another person's race. Take for example the "N" word,it is commonly used among blacks(not excluding myself),and it's accepted. On the other hand,if a white person uses this term,it' not ok. Therefore,we must clean up our own vocabulary house before we make demands of this sort from the white man,besides,he only said what he was thinking,as so many of us are guilty of at one time or another.


Submit Date: 30 JAN 1999
Name: Donald
Email: "dtaylo@bellsouth.net
Response: Mr. White should have know the sensitivity of anything remotely to the "N" word and it was poor choice of a word on his part. We have got to stop being so apoligetic on these issue and take a stand when the occasion arises


Submit Date: 30 JAN 1999
Name: Janice Johnson
Email: "ecinaj@worldnet.att.net
Response: It was indeed an over reaction. Even though the word sounds like a racial slur, that is if you don't know the true meaning of the word. It was a complete misunderstanding of the word. If that had've been me, I wouldn't have resigned whether I was black or white.


Submit Date: 30 JAN 1999
Name: Jas
Email: "*
Response: Could we simply consider that David Howard was so comfort in the presence of these two gentlemen, that he felt he had no reason to sensor his conversation. Just maybe the color of their skin was not the first thing on his mind.


Submit Date: 29 JAN 1999
Name: Steve
Email: "StevenWRod@aol.com
Response: Until we stop defining ourselves by our race, we will continue to founder. There should never have been places to denote racial classifications in the first place. What good has it ever served anyone?


Submit Date: 29 JAN 1999
Name: Rhoma Battle
Email: "holsall@erols.com
Response: I think it was appropriate for David Howard to (at the very least) offer his resignation. But I think as well, that Mayor Williams was to quick to accept it. The Mayor now says that he is investigating the matter, and if he finds that Howard was not motivated by racial bigotry, he would hire Howard again---elswhere in the government. To me, this whole matter points to the fact that there are people in the District government who haven't had to PERFORM in their jobs for years, and that Williams, Howard and other new talent being enlisted, are starting to feel the mistrust and animosity of long time beaurocrats in the District government who are insecure about their "good gov'ment jobs.


Submit Date: 29 JAN 1999
Name: Glen Cosgrave
Email: "BGROVEG@juno.com
Response: I could'nt really tell what he was thinking when he said the word Niggardly. I've never even heard of the word until a couple of days ago. Nigger is a damaging word with the Black community and regardless of what he really meant, he should have taken into consideration that at least some black people would take offense. He should have used a better choice of words. Also it's kind of interesting that you can lose your job, be kicked out of school, or possibly even lose your life over a word that black people call themselves and each other all the time.


Submit Date: 29 JAN 1999
Name: Steve
Email: "StevenWRod@aol.com
Response: This is another of those knee-jerk reactionary topics. Because blacks constitute only 13% of the population, it is easy to make the mistake of thinking that blacks are underrepresented. Actually, statistically speaking, blacks account for a higher percentage of movie and TV actors than whites. Approximately 17-19% of male actors, for example, are black--a much higher rate than in the population as a whole.


Submit Date: 29 JAN 1999
Name: Steve
Email: "StevenWRod@aol.com
Response: His is a voice of reason that is sadly too often missing today. How can anyone rightly be against what he is trying to do?-namely, to ensure that only one's talent and skill and effort are considered for admission to universities, and not the color of someone's skin, which is the very embodiment of racism. Isn't that what we all should be fighting for?


Submit Date: 29 JAN 1999
Name:
Email: "StevenWRod@aol.com
Response: It's a sad day when someone uses a perfectly appropriate word and then feels necessary to resign because of other's ignorance. The offended parties owe him an apology, not the other way around. What have we come to when people can be forced out of a job because someone mistakenly believes there was a racial slur. God Help us all!


Submit Date: 29 JAN 1999
Name: JOE
Email: "joebart@novagate.com
Response: I think Mr. Howard regardless to his intent or his interpation of the word "NIGGARDLY" should have known better. To engauge in a conversation without the sense of responsiblity as a public servant, you playing with fire! Responsibility, Accountability, and Professionalism are essential parts of being a PUBLIC SERVANT!!


Submit Date: 29 JAN 1999
Name: Randall
Email: "B1MORE1@AOL.com
Response: It "sounds" like a set-up. One White person two Black people and a homonym for the N-word. What we have hear is a case of covert racism or a case of gross insensitivity. What will be interesting to watch is the media scrambling to unearth the background, childhood pranks, college mishaps and any other skeletons that David might have in his closet. If this story just goes away Mark Furman has reappeared.


Submit Date: 29 JAN 1999
Name: PKing
Email: "
Response: I think there is a vocabulary/education gap here.


Submit Date: 29 JAN 1999
Name: The Intern
Email: "
Response: Although "niggardly" means stingy and miserly, why would he just HAPPEN to use a word that has the sound "nigger" in it? Why couldn't he just say stingy and miserly? I think that he should have resigned, and I hope that he is replaced with a Black person, to boot.


Past discussion topics