Assignment 14: The N Word
Choose Language
It is one of the most powerful words in the English language. The N Word ranges from being playful slang amongst friends to a word of pure hatred. In this school, the N Word gets thrown around casually, like it’s no big deal. As if the word means “friend”, “kid”, “dude”, “boy/girl” or “sister/brother”. The problem is this: the N Word means much more than that. It has a dirty, horrible history that can’t be washed away no matter how many times it is used. Some argue that black people have taken the N Word and made it their own– thus taking its power away from the people who use it in a racist way. What do you think? Watch this video and answer the questions below.
N Word Part 1
N Word Part 2
1. Where does the N-Word Come from? Why does it offend some people so much?
2. Should non-black people be able to use the N-Word?
3. Should musicians stop using the N-Word?
4. Do other ethnic groups (for example, Chinese, Jews, and Dominicans) use ethnic slurs like the N-Word to describe themselves? If not, Why?
5. What would happen if black people (and everyone else) started using “king” or “queen” instead of the N Word?
Extra Credit: Write a poem or song against the use of the N-Word.
