Nigger is a derogatory word that has been used since about the 1800's in reference to Negroes, or African-Americans. It is a slur and a very hurtful word...I know, because I've been called it on more than one occasion.
Recently, in teaching a group of after-school children (grades 1-6), in a predominantly white area, about bullying and the use of words that hurt others, I used the
"N-word"...I suggested that our after school staff do a talk with the children on bullying that day, because we were already having issues. So spontaneously I did a skit and it went something like this:
After having one of my colleagues sit in a chair on stage, I proceeded to walk around him and berate him, hurling words at him, "you're stupid, you're fat, you're a 'nigger', you're a chink-eye, you are skinny, I hate you, you're dumb, I'm going to beat you up, I'm going to kill you", and some other things. Afterward we had a rap session with the kids and talked about words that hurt and bullying; and what to do in case they were bullied or saw instances of bullying. The whole thing lasted about 10-15 minutes and the children went back to play and we went back to our work.
Well, now there is a firestorm around the presentation because the word- 'nigger' was used. Really!!! Some of the children told their parents about the presentation, but for some reason the only word out of about fifteen or so that they heard was- 'nigger'. I could understand parents being upset if I was using it to denigrate one of my colleagues or one of the children. Some parents are upset because I used the word during the presentation. Personally, I hate the word and do not use it, not even in casual conversations. I used the
"N-word" along with other mean words to make a point. It wasn't my intent to open up Pandora's Box or to cause an issue for the owner of the program or myself. Nor was it my intention to offend anyone by using the
"N-word". My apologies to those who are offended. Like I said in my opening, I too am offended by the word having had it hurled at me before. It stings!
See I want to be a teacher, and I am in school to do so. But, this situation is really making me think. No, I'm not rethinking my decision on teaching, because teaching is my call and my passion. I look forward to shaping young minds and imparting knowledge to the young ones who will be in my charge. The situation at hand really has me thinking about how can I teach the children and have honest open dialogue about the
"N-word" or any other number of offensive words without people being offended or overly sensitive. I want to teach children to be tolerant of others, and have open discussions about real life issues; and not feel that I have to walk on egg shells or to be censored. I was told it is not okay to use the word 'nigger' when teaching white kids about tolerance, but if the kids had been black kids in the inner city it would be okay. Well, to me that's not okay, because that is a double standard. Some of these kids black and white hear the
"N-word" and worst in the music they listen to, the T.V. programs they watch, and from their parents. Not only that, but we have had to deal with this very issue before in the program with a kid using the
"N-word" to another one.
So here is my last thought concerning the fire-storm at hand...perhaps some of the white parents are in an uproar because they now have to have an open conversation about what the
"N-word" means, and they may not know how to explain it. Perhaps they have avoided talking about it or never thought it would come up in conversation with their kids. It's kind of like having to have the conversation about sex with your kid and you try to skate around it. Maybe its time to sit down and have that talk about the word 'nigger'...oh but then that would mean having to acknowledge that one may know very little about slavery and the Civil Rights Movement, and the continued denigration of African-Americans. I for one have learned my lesson, and going forward, given the climate of sensitivity in our nation, I will use
"N-word" when speaking about situations of intolerance. But, I can't help wondering how we can teach children about tolerance on any level if the mention of one word will send some people into a tail-spin...from my vantage point, what I see is the louder the noise is, means the less one has to talk about it or deal with the real issues of intolerance and bullying. The focus on the
"N-word" just makes it easier to escape real dialogue about what really matters. Hmm-mm...just thinking.
John 8:7- He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone...
SELAH!
Pastor T.
Selah means to pause, think about it and give God praise.
