The N-Word in the Classroom | Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor | TEDxEasthamptonWomen

Summary

The speaker, a black woman teaching about race and slavery, recounts the moment a student used the n-word in class, sparking a deep reflection on the word's impact. She discusses her decision to never say the word in her lectures, opting instead for a euphemism, and the challenges this presents. The narrative explores the complexities of the word's history, its use in academic settings, and the emotional responses it elicits. The speaker advocates for open dialogue about the n-word, emphasizing the importance of understanding its historical roots and the need for careful, contextualized teaching to prevent further harm.

Takeaways

• 👩‍🏫 The speaker, a black woman teaching histories of race and slavery, experiences a classroom incident where the n-word is used, highlighting the challenges of discussing racial slurs in an academic setting.
• 🎬 The n-word is mentioned in a 1970s movie comedy during a class discussion, illustrating how media can introduce such slurs into educational conversations.
• 🚫 The speaker chooses to never say the n-word, even when quoting, to avoid perpetuating its harmful impact, reflecting a personal and professional stance on language use in teaching.
• 🤔 The incident prompts a deep reflection on the word's history, its violence, and the emotional responses it elicits, showing the complexity of dealing with racial slurs.
• 🗣️ The concept of 'points of encounter' is introduced to describe moments of直面 racial slurs, emphasizing the varied and personal nature of these experiences.
• 🤝 The speaker's approach to handling the n-word in class evolves, moving from avoidance to open discussion, indicating a shift towards addressing the issue head-on.
• 📚 The n-word's presence in literature and history is acknowledged, with the speaker noting its frequent appearance in assigned readings like 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'.
• 😣 Students express discomfort and trauma when the n-word is used in class without proper context or discussion, underscoring the need for sensitive teaching practices.
• 🔊 The speaker advocates for a classroom policy where the n-word is visible in materials but not spoken aloud, aiming to foster a safer and more thoughtful educational environment.
• 📈 The script discusses the historical and cultural significance of the n-word, tracing its roots back to the 1770s and highlighting its use as a tool against black freedom and aspiration.
• 🌟 The speaker calls for open and honest conversations about the n-word in educational settings, emphasizing the importance of historical context and student well-being.

Q & A

What was the unexpected event that occurred in the classroom when discussing race and slavery?

A student, while quoting a line from a 1970s movie comedy, used the n-word, which was not anticipated by the teacher and led to a significant moment of discomfort in the classroom.

How did the teacher initially react when the n-word was used in her classroom?

The teacher was unprepared for the situation and felt haunted by how she handled it for a long time, as none of her years of graduate school had prepared her for such an incident.

What decision did the teacher make regarding the use of the n-word in her teaching?

The teacher decided to never say the n-word, not even to quote it, and instead use the euphemistic phrase 'the n-word' in her lectures.

What is a 'point of encounter' as described by the teacher?

A 'point of encounter' is the moment when someone comes face-to-face with the n-word, leading to a range of responses that can vary from discomfort to pain and humiliation.

Why does the teacher believe the n-word is difficult to discuss?

The teacher believes the n-word is difficult to discuss because it is not just a word but an idea disguised as a word that perpetuates the notion of black inferiority.

What policy did the teacher implement regarding the n-word in her class after the incident?

The teacher implemented a policy where the n-word would be seen in class materials but would never be spoken aloud, aiming to create a space for discussion without the word's harmful impact.

How did the teacher's approach to discussing the n-word change after hearing her students' personal stories?

After hearing her students' personal stories, the teacher realized the importance of open and honest conversations about the n-word and began to create conditions in her classroom to facilitate such discussions.

What is the significance of the n-word in the context of African American literature and history?

The n-word is significant in African American literature and history as it encapsulates the accumulated hurt and the assault on black freedom, mobility, and aspiration, and is deeply intertwined with the history of racism and inequality in the United States.

Why do some students switch majors or drop classes due to the teaching of the n-word?

Some students switch majors or drop classes due to the lack of proper context and discussion when the n-word is used in class, which can poison the classroom environment and break the trust between students and teachers.

What is the teacher's stance on the responsibility of teaching about the n-word in the classroom?

The teacher believes it is her responsibility, not her black students', to teach about the n-word, and she comes prepared with historical knowledge to facilitate informed discussions.

How does the teacher address the difficulty of talking about the n-word with her students?

The teacher addresses the difficulty by asking her students why talking about the n-word is hard and engaging them in thoughtful discussions, while also ensuring that the word itself is not used in the classroom.