Discrimination from various perspectives 1 -- the use of the n-word
The following are two opinions of the use of the n-word. We want to show examples of the two sides that support and are against this controversial topic. We wrote this based on a actual video that was recorded last month at Ben Franklin High School.
Reference: Ben Franklin students confront racial slur by teacher. (2017, May 4). Retrieved from http://www.nola.com/education/index.ssf/2017/05/franklin_racial_epithet.html
Also take a look at the video below:
Caucasian Teacher point of view:
I don't think that saying the n-word is a problem, even less it is racist. People say it's racist because everyone knows the context. Everyone knows the context from 150 years ago. Things have changed, slavery is over. The predominant use of the n-word is by black people who don't care at all anymore. They aren't saying "What up fellow slave?" they're saying "Hi person who is my race." It's a word that's been used so many times that it doesn't mean it's original meaning. The word has been commoditized so that anyone can use it, and it's not a negative connotation. Also, not being able to say the n-word if you aren't black is violating the first amendment, the one that supports free speech.
What I'm trying to say is that society is changing, and keeping the n-word hidden is making the situation worse by adding shock value and hurt whenever a white person says the word. We aren't responsible for the mistakes of our ancestors. We have to move on.
African American Student point of view:
In the past, the n-word was obviously used in a derogatory way towards African Americans. That word was used in a time where blacks were considered to be nothing more but property to slave owners. Also, it was used in a time where discrimination and other violent actions against African Americans were considered okay or normal by a good amount of people. The n-word is offensive even today because it's like a reminder of the history behind it and how it was used specifically towards blacks. Look, in every group, there are words that you use, there are inflections, there is knowledge about what a word means to you, or to me, or how I mean it when I say it that is not an insult. I think one of the things that offends white people about it is that they can't say it. You can't make jokes about a redneck unless you are one, can you?
When you call a gay person the f-word, when you call a woman the b-word, when you call a black person the n-word. Realize all the hurt and all the connotations a word has in it.
Reference: Ben Franklin students confront racial slur by teacher. (2017, May 4). Retrieved from http://www.nola.com/education/index.ssf/2017/05/franklin_racial_epithet.html
Also take a look at the video below:
I don't think that saying the n-word is a problem, even less it is racist. People say it's racist because everyone knows the context. Everyone knows the context from 150 years ago. Things have changed, slavery is over. The predominant use of the n-word is by black people who don't care at all anymore. They aren't saying "What up fellow slave?" they're saying "Hi person who is my race." It's a word that's been used so many times that it doesn't mean it's original meaning. The word has been commoditized so that anyone can use it, and it's not a negative connotation. Also, not being able to say the n-word if you aren't black is violating the first amendment, the one that supports free speech.
What I'm trying to say is that society is changing, and keeping the n-word hidden is making the situation worse by adding shock value and hurt whenever a white person says the word. We aren't responsible for the mistakes of our ancestors. We have to move on.
African American Student point of view:
In the past, the n-word was obviously used in a derogatory way towards African Americans. That word was used in a time where blacks were considered to be nothing more but property to slave owners. Also, it was used in a time where discrimination and other violent actions against African Americans were considered okay or normal by a good amount of people. The n-word is offensive even today because it's like a reminder of the history behind it and how it was used specifically towards blacks. Look, in every group, there are words that you use, there are inflections, there is knowledge about what a word means to you, or to me, or how I mean it when I say it that is not an insult. I think one of the things that offends white people about it is that they can't say it. You can't make jokes about a redneck unless you are one, can you?
When you call a gay person the f-word, when you call a woman the b-word, when you call a black person the n-word. Realize all the hurt and all the connotations a word has in it.
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