What I've noticed is an increase in the use of the slur "coon" to attack black people who hold a certain type of view on particular political and social issues.
So, I see "coon" used in a couple of different ways. But, before we get to that, let me start with the word's definition. It's a derogatory term (obviously) used to attack black people who are perceived to be against the interests of the majority of black people. It is sometimes, for example, used to attack black conservatives. More recently, it has been used to attack black people who do not do everything humanly possibly to serve the interests of black people as perceived by the "conscious" and "scholarly" black community leaders.
"Coon" is a dangerous and ugly term. What I find particularly ironic is that most of the people who use it are the same ones who call for black unity. Is this to say that we can only be united if we agree on 100 percent of the issues? If so, this seems like a nonstarter to true collaboration.
People have to be able to come together to solve issues. However, it seems counter intuitive to the true spirit of collaboration when some are deemed "coons" basically because they do not agree on every single issue.
Next time you see someone call another person a "coon" you should ask a few questions:
- What do they really mean?
- Is the slur based on a true large body of evidence, one incident, a few incidents?
- Is it used to create dialogue, to call attention to something significant, or is it a petty and one-dimensional ad hominem attack designed to hurt?
- Does the person attacked have a reasonable position?
- Is it done because the person using the slur lacks the ability to articulate a coherent and reasonable counterpoint?
I believe "coon" is an ugly slur that needs to largely be put to bed.
Think before you slur.
