The History of the N Word

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The History of the N Word
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Sticks and Stones

• Before we discuss the N word we must establish
  some norms, or guidelines, for discussion.

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N Word Norms

• The word Nigger may only be used in reference
  to a text or a discussion concerning a text. You
  may not use the word, under any circumstance, in
  any other contexts in the classroom.
• The word will be read during our reading of The
  Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to accurately
  depict the characters use of dialect. When you
  read the book in class, you may replace the word
  with Negro, Black, African American, The N
  Word, or skip the word altogether.
• We are having a discussion about the word to
  inform, not to offend anybody.
• If one person is offended, that is one person too
  many! Please be mindful of other peoples
  perspectives during class discussions.

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Etymology, or origin of the word

• Comes from the Latin word Niger which means
  black.
• In French the word evolved from Niger, Negre, and
  Neger.
• It is believed that Nigger originated from a
  Southern dialect mispronunciation of Negro which
  means black person.

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Ethnophaulisms

• Social Scientists call words that are used for
  prejudice against a certain group Ethnophaulisms.
• Ethnophaulisms fall into three categories

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1. Disparaging Nicknames

• Derogatory Names such as Nigger, Wop, Gook, Spic,
  etc.
• Stereotypical labels of a group can fall into the
  same category All Hispanics are illegal
  immigrants living off welfare, all Native
  Americans are alcoholics, etc.

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2. Explicit Group Devaluation

• Terms using an ethnophaulism for group
  devaluation
• Jew him down.
• I have been gypped.
• Niggering the land.
• Driving while Asian
• Bean eater

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3. Irrelevant Ethnic Names

• Mild terms that carry the weight of prejudice
• Irish confetti
• Dutch treat
• Jewbird
• Arab Trader

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The Stereotype of the N Word

• The word Nigger, whether used as a noun or a
  verb, reinforces the stereotype of the lazy,
  stupid, worthless, clown.
• The classic example is the character of Buckwheat
  in the show Our Gang.
• Watch this video as Eddie Murphy impersonates
  Buckwheat spoofing this stereotype
• http//www.truveo.com/Buckwheat-sings-a-song/id/33
  71342300

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Some examples of the N word as ethnophaulism

• Nigger Heaven (noun) A balcony where blacks have
  to sit in a theater.
• Nigger Stick (noun) a baton used by the police
  for beating.
• Nigger Steak (noun) a cheap piece of meat.
• Nigger Luck (noun) someone with underserved good
  luck.
• Niggerlover (noun) a term used for a white
  person who lacks the intelligence to hate blacks.

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Turning the N Word Upside Down

• In the 1960s African Americans such as stand-up
  comic Richard Pryor began using the N word as a
  tool of an empowerment. By using the word as a
  black man, it took on new meaning.
• Hip Hop has transferred the word from Nigger, to
  Nigga, or, Niggaz transforming the pronunciation
  in order to disown its evil past.

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The N Word in Huck Finn

• The debate stemming around Huck Finn concerns the
  character of Jim, the runway slave who joins Huck
  on his journey down the Mississippi River.

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Critics

• Critics argue that Twain uses the N word over
  200 times as sign of prejudice
• the N word carries with it the blood of our
  ancestors. They were called this word while they
  were lynched they were called this word while
  they were hung from the big magnolia tree..
• Beatrice Clark, parent of student in the
  Renton School District

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Supporters

• Supporters suggest that Twains use of the
  dialect of the time is authentic in the novel.
• Furthermore, the core of the novel is how Huck
  learns how to see Jim as a human being and fight
  racism.
• English Teacher Hilari Anderson, who now teaches
  at KR, said during a controversy over the novel
  in the Renton School District
• "We could ignore the book, but then we're
  ignoring history. We're ignoring that that
  language exists. I don't think, in the long run,
  that's helpful to our kids."

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Please Stand for Think on Your Feet