8 Opinions The N-Word 9 “I’ve done heard it so much it doesn’t bother me at all,” Sophomore Michael Lee. “There’s a difference; when it ends an ‘a’, you’re cool with them, but when it’s with an ‘er’ it’s disrespectful,” Fresh- man Bryan Grant. “If you use it jok- ingly, you’re not really offending any- body,” Sophomore Michael Hudson . “It’s not as bad as most people think it is, it just means ignorant.” Sophomore Jared Pike . “Nigger – a black man with a slavery chain around his neck; Nigga – a black man with a gold chain on his neck.” Tupac Shakur The “N” Word 10 The N-Word The N-Word 11 The “N” word: in our own words Two students discuss how they feel about the “N” word and why they feel that way Jeda Robinson, 12 I use the “N” word ignorance. It’s an insult to from the mouths of many because it’s a habit. It has what several people fought students, makes it well become synonymous with and died for. Civil rights known. I wouldn’t say the not only black culture, but activists like Martin Luther word to an adult because with what is considered King would be disgusted at I respect my peers. The “black”. It should NEVER what today’s black people word’s history goes back be a term of endearment to define as good. To other as far as black people go call each other ignorant. people the “N” word is just back in the United States. It’s also never okay for a a word no more, no less. Then somewhere down the white person to use the It has become skewed to line black people decided, “N” word because of the mean no more than “dude” “Yeah, I am a nigga. In negative history behind it. or “man”. It’s like one large fact I am a super nigga, and It’s extremely hurtful and is misinformed fraternity. don’t you wish you were really in bad taste. It’s not The word is important one too?” I don’t know okay for my friends to use around school because the why but the word changed. the word because it shows school has a large black Substitutes for this word a lack of appreciation for population, that combined could be “brotha” or “dude” Different your people and culture. with the fact that the or whatever -just something To me the “N” word means word is carelessly spewed less destructive. V iewpoints iewpoints Jake Barrickman, 10 I said it once, and I ended people, who say it to them, your administrator.” It’s up getting jumped for it. I were the ones screaming it always frowned upon. had no idea what was so while walking out of the The “N” word is different wrong with me saying it. It assembly. though, when it’s said that is a word with its own set of The word is like illegal same person who told you rules. One person can say drugs, even if it gets to go to your administrator it, and they have nothing to outlawed, it will still be used would pretend not to hear worry about, it’s ok. While without any fear. Here in it, and for those teachers if another person says it school, we use much worse who are brave enough to say there will be consequences. language, the “F” word for something will at the most At the Martin Luther instance; there is not a day only give you a warning. King assembly, Reverend when anyone doesn’t hear it I do not support the word, Eure emphasized the fact used. If a person says it in I do not think anything will that we need to wipe that the halls, a teacher might ever be done about it, but I word from our vocabulary. say “watch your language.” do my part and try not to I find it ironic that the If it is used in the classroom use it. ones who get so mad at “That’s a referral, go to Photos by Bri Holland Rules of a word Jeremy Bagby Staff Writer “Personally I find it offensive don’t think its offensive. Some of its users to diminish its use. with that,” said Szynskie. sounds much worse than calling Nigga is a word frequently and I believe that my feelings students have heard this word Ironically the people who started Unspoken rule No. 2 your homeboy “your nigga”. heard in school, music, and on on that comes from my age,” used throughout their lives and it can no longer use it while states no one can use the old “I would say nigger is more the streets. The word, which said Dean of Students Rich it has become a part of their the people who were endlessly pronunciation nigger in the place offensive than if you use an stems from “nigger,” has Hood. “When it was used regular vocabulary. victimized by it can freely use it of the word nigga. Apparently “a”,” said Erye. gained popularity in the black when I was young, it was used “I’ve been saying it all my to address each other. using nigger is offensive but if “Back then white folks used community, but it has also to be derogatory. It was used to life, I grew up hearing it,” senior “They shouldn’t be able to the “e” and the “r” are dropped, to say it to be mean and they developed an equal amount of put down somebody, so when I Jaron Jackson said. “White use it because that’s not what it is just fine. still say it now,” said Nunn. controversy. hear younger people use it, it’s people can’t use it, nobody they are, plus a lot of people “To me it doesn’t make any Currently, the school system is The word “Nigga” is a term offensive.” can say it but black people; it’s get offended when they use it,” difference, to me it’s like hearing at a loss. Banning the word from used to greet, compliment, Many teachers already believe disrespectful for them to say it junior Letisha Nunn said. the word ‘frickin’. It’s just like use will probably not prevent it or put down a person of the the word should not be used by to us,” said Jackson. Athletic director Francis using the ‘F’ word, you’re just from being used because of the African American ethnicity, anybody and treat it like any In Benson there are many Szynskie doesn’t agree with trying to dress up or camouflage wide range of users. but this word comes with rules. other curse word. students who use the word the balance of the rules for the word,” said Hood. New York City Councilman The first of the unspoken “My personal feeling is even if simply because they heard their the word nigga. He believes Ironically, changing the Leroy Comrie is heading a rules is no person of any other you’re black or white or Hispanic parents or grandparents using that if someone can call you a ending to an already offensive movement to try and get the race can use it and the word or Asian, we treat it the same it. name but you can’t call them word can make it less offensive, word nigga banned from use can only be used with an “a” way as any other profanity or “I use it rather often, it’s like that name back then the word almost friendly. The reason may all around the country. He has ending, not an “er” ending. vulgarity, ” said Hood. “It’s not I was known for sayin’ it, it shouldn’t be used. be that when students look already gotten it symbolically These rules, however, have allowed.” was used in my family,” said “If you’re calling me a name back in any history book or banned in NYC but students not taken away from this word’s Students still continue to freshman Lary Erye. but I can’t call you back that film about the days of racism, are already not following this history and weight; to many, it use the word because most of The word’s vast and disturbing name, no matter what race you “nigger” was always used, ban because they don’t find the is still offensive. them do not see the harm and history should cause the number are, there’s something wrong therefore that word probably word offensive. 10 The N-Word The N-Word 11 Student panel Q&A Ethnic studies teacher Curtis Weber allowed the Gazette to interview his first hour class to discuss what they thought about the “N” word SS: What comes to mind when you hear there’s two ways you could think of it, it’s not just one any more. if you said it or he said it or she said it that, now that’s offensive.” the “N” word, how does it make you feel? AT: For me, I don’t try to use it. But, if I see a person of AP: If someone’s offended by it, then they shouldn’t say it. JC: That word brings to mind anger and degradation. I be- SS: So you mentioned your ancestors and the legacy of the word. lieve if anyone’s using it that nobody should have to hear it. How do your parents and grandparents feel about that word? JJ: Ignorance, people just say it and they think it’s “It’s like the same AT: My grandma’s like, “Don’t say that word.” cool, but they don’t really know what it means.