Lecture discusses the use of “the n-word”

Both black and white students recently participated in a discussion about the n-word, held in Arts & Sciences 2-72 on Sept. 19.
The event was organized by Alpha Phi Alpha member Ajayi Monell, who held the program because he wanted to inform and educate people about the word.
“I just felt it was an issue that needed to be addressed on campus,” Monell said. “I have been called that word numerous times by people of the same race and people of other races, and I felt that people didn’t know the history of the word, and they needed to know it.”
Monell said he believes that it is essential for people of all ethnicities to be educated about the word.
“I think it’s important for everybody to learn about the history of the word,” Monell said.  “People might say it is more important for black people, but clearly black people aren’t the only ones who say it.  I think it’s important we all learn about the word.”
The event kicked off with Paul Grigsby, a junior English creative writing major, reading a poem he wrote, “Why do we dispense N——s like handshakes?,” which addressed the issue of people using the word so frequently.
“I just recognize cycles with people,” Grigsby said.  “They do things over and over again, and they don’t know why they’re doing it.”
Pastor Robert Chapman from Union Baptist Church in Milledgeville discussed the history of the word and his experiences and feelings about it.  He said that the word was derogatory and should not be said by anyone, regardless of race.
“I encourage anyone to find another word (to use),” Chapman said.
Following Chapman’s oration, the floor was opened for discussion with the audience members.
GCSU alumnus and member of Alpha Phi Alpha Eddie Etom believes that the meaning of the n-word has changed.
“(The N-word) has evolved. A lot of times when we communicate, we use ‘a’ (at the end) instead of ‘er,’” Etom said.  “(People) need to have another alternative, but the word has changed now. The original word had a bad connotation. When you refer to an African American as a n——, you’re looking at him in a different perspective.”
Many other students gave their opinions on why they thought people use the word, and why they themselves use it.  Sophomore chemistry major Karla White gave her take on why black people use the word.
“I think we say it because it takes power away from the word. We try to take bad words and make it positive,” she said. 
Junior mass communication major Dorita Medard found the discussions to be educational.
“I thought it was very informative,” Medard said.  “I thought it helped to inform them (white people), it helped to give them more background on why they shouldn’t use (the word) and why, as African Americans, we can’t either.”
She said attending the program did make her more aware of the way she uses the word.
“It just basically helped me to be more self-conscious of the way I use it, when I use it and who I use it around,” Medard said.
Although Monell said he was initially a little worried about holding the discussion, he thought it was a success.
“I think it went really well,” Monell said.  “To be honest, I was really pleased with the turnout. A lot of people came; professors, faculty, and staff came out and supported the event.”
He was also pleased with the diversity of the audience present.
“I was really happy that it wasn’t just black people there,” Monell said.  “(I’m happy) that white people came out, too; they contributed to the discussion, they voiced their opinions, and as far as I know, they didn’t feel attacked, like we were attacking them. I was really, really pleased at how everything came out.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Sep 29 2006. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry