Mommy What Does Nigger Mean Analysis

Prompt: Should students at CHS be banned from using the n-word with one another in any context?

One word; one single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing, used with others to express countless feelings of emotions. Words are the chemical makeup of human intelligence and yet many of those words have become so powerful that they minimize any feeling of being human at all. One word specifically exemplifies the essence of derogatory language in the United States. A word deriving from the Latin term for black, the word “niger” has made an era of segregation, discrimination and dehumanization of African-Americans who have fallen under white supremacy. The use of the N-word should be banned from schools because the root connotation

The original interpretation of the word, dating back numerous decades, was a way to belittle and remove the self-worth of black Americans who were supposedly “free”. In an article titled “Mommy, What Does ‘Nigger’ Mean?” By Gloria Naylor, she recalls a time in her childhood when the use of the N-word was switched continuously from a positive to a negative, and back again. She says that “the word nigger was used in my presence, but it was set within contexts and inflections that caused it to register my mind as something else.” The N-word is currently being used in two or more different ways, one of which being the “standard” negative undertone, and the other being a way to acknowledge a close friend. Naylor explains in the text that her household had many different meanings to the word and she, as a young child, was extremely familiar with the word, but wasn’t quite able to differentiate between the good or bad. One of the examples she uses is the N-word in the singular. If used in this manner it describes a man who has distinguished himself in a way that brought approval and strength to his reputation. For instance, Naylor said, “I’m telling you, that nigger pulled in $6,000 of overtime last year.” This statement implies that this particular man is working hard and bringing strength and

Depending on the school's ethnic composition, the word is usually used most by the race with the largest percentage. Some schools, like Grant High School, that word is most often used by white students, mainly due to the increasing number of white people in that area. Other schools like Jefferson High School, which consists of primarily black students, the word would be used more by students of color. An interview was conducted at Grant High School asking teachers and students about the the N-word and if and who should be using it. One [African-American] girl said that she grew up knowing both meanings of the word, being that her father was involved in gangs, hearing him constantly call friends the N-word. Even though she had this upbringing she is against the N-word in school. She even said that she personally finds the word very offensive coming from anybody who says it. The Vice Principal at Grant, who was also black, discussed the history of the N-word though his eyes. He stated that, “black people were sold, beaten, abused, and murdered and that specific word was used to describe them.” Many kids, typically students that aren’t of African-American descent, don’t know the entire truth and meaning behind the N-word. Black people suffered for years, fighting for freedom and acceptance, and for me, I feel as if we are taking steps in the wrong direction by students using the