The ?N? Word hurts. Or does it? Behold, The New

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The ?N? Word hurts. Or does it? Behold, The New 'F' word! The ?N? Word hurts. Or does it? Behold, The New 'F' word! by Hattie Mae Pembrook

CNN?s Paula Zahn did a special report which aired Monday January 29, 2007. Her topic was ?Words that Wound.? One of her guest was attorney Lauren Lake. Attorney Lake is extremely articulate, informed and outraged by the continued racism she sites in the events shrouding the world in which we live.

Many people continue to feel berated, humiliated and offended by those who would attack and project hatred and bigotry onto them.

I can personally remember feeling awful at being called the b-word, n-word and names that played into fueling my sense of inferiority as a Black and as a woman.

?Sticks and stones can hurt my bones but words can?t hurt me,? is a phrase that we?ve discovered as an untruth. People, adults and children are often hurt by unkind words intended to cause harm, degradation and blame. These words do sting and cause its intended targets to feel victimized.

There was a town hall meeting in Dallas recently proposing to fine anyone five hundred dollars if they were caught using the n-word. People were outraged and the proposal was not passed. The African American folk were the first to say that they would probably be the first ones to break the law. Some claim that the word can be used in a derogatory way or that it can be used in an endearing way.

Institutional Racism is indeed alive and well was accurately pointed out by Lauren Lake the African American attorney. She was extremely articulate on the ramifications of racism and its debilitating effects on black people in these United States.

To be in the world but not of the world is to take a different stance. When we are identified in the world as the current society labels individuals and groups of individuals based on ethnicity, gender, sexual identity, economic class and nationality we are at effect. We are at the effect of taking on the mindset of the intended abuse and misinformation. By misinformation I am referring to the negative insults targeted at certain groups of human beings.

Now, this ?is? the way of the world. It?s not fair out there. It is biased, prejudiced, unlawful, dishonest, bigoted, and undeserved.

In a society where religious values are purportedly prevalent, we need to stand on principles that enable us to be immune to these types of negative outcries and falsities.

How do we do that? How do we stand unafraid, unmoved and unashamed in the face of name calling intended to harm, harass and humiliate?

First, we must remember to be not of the world. Yes, we are in it. But let us know who we really are in the face of challenges, problems, and seeming injustices.

Know that as ?A Course in Miracles? tells us that it is only your attack thoughts that can wound you. ?Nothing real can be threatened.? What is ?real? is that you are Spirit. You are eternal and permanent. You are invulnerable! Attack thoughts attack your invulnerability. It is in your own ?thinking? and beliefs that makes you feel vulnerable to words, threats or attack thoughts.

No matter how much you believe in your temporality, vulnerability, and weaknesses, the truth is still the truth. No matter how much we are misinformed. And we are misinformed. Anytime we think we are less than a perfect child of God we are off base. Anytime we think anyone else is less than a perfect child of God we are wrong.

We live inside a split mind. One is the human, frail and seemingly sinful nature. This is the part that buys into living in the world as if it is the truth of us and others. This is the false reality that bears false witness to the truth of God?s kingdom.

God?s Kingdom lives in the part of our minds that knows only perfection, love, kindness and truth. It finds no fault, no sin or attack. It is truly benign, joyful and at peace. We can access that part of our minds where the most High dwells.

But in order to do that we must give up offending and taking offense. Both are of the same thread, woven from the same cloth. When offense is given our position is to take on the ?new f word.? The new ?f? word is ?forgiveness.? We must learn to forgive. Not from a place of superiority but from a place of knowing that you are made in the image and likeness of God. And as such you are invulnerable. Whenever we take offense we attest to the opposite. We say that we are merely human, vulnerable, weak and at the effect of things and people where we have no power.

All power and strength is given to him who know from whence his power comes. My strength cometh from the Lord, My God.

I ask you, ?Was Nelson Mandella disempowered by the name calling, bigotry, injustice and imprisonment of twenty seven years?? Did he not know from whence his power come? Did he not become an incredible example of God?s awesome strength and power?

Even though Ann Frank is dead she continues to inspire masses to live and to love beyond what seems possible.

There are myriad examples of people who have risen above the world, and the awful circumstances they encountered and overcame.

It takes practice and commitment to stop giving allegiance to the demeaning ways of the world and the individualized separate self and instead use every opportunity to love, be kind, include, forgive and bless those that attempt to hurt you.
So in the end embrace the new ?f? word like it?s a pot of gold. Drink from this well of forgiveness for here is where you will find the refuge, strength and stamina to rise above the world, to be in the world but not of the world.

Eventually, you will reap the glorious benefits of living in a state of joy, peace and incredible love.

No matter what you think or how you feel, the truth is always true.

Know who you are and never again be offended by a word. Nor be offended by the false opinions hurled in your direction. Be not offended by an untruth. Forgive them, for they know not what they do. ?Know ye not that ye are gods?? Psalms 82:6

'I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.' (John 16:33)

Hattie Mae Pembrook is the author of Messages to Awaken yourSelf; filled with messages to uplift, inspire and help awaken you to your true identity. Feeling the Presence of God as yourSelf and remembering your Divine nature. Hattie Mae and DeeJazzz (An Amazing Composer and Songstress) are available for WakeShops and Presentations. Get Ready for a Double Dose of Inspiration and Motivation! http://www.hattiemae.com hmbrook@comcast.net

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