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The "N-Word"

5/31/2013

5 Comments

 
racism lesson Grade 3
Yes, it really does say "Nigger" for homework!

I inadvertently picked the hottest day of the year to read Mr. Lincoln's Way to the students and have them talk and write about some of the themes.  But we managed...


The Lessons

After yesterday's introduction to some key vocabulary, and a pre-reading connection to other books we've read this year that include themes of stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination, we did a "picture walk" of Mr. Lincoln's Way so that students could make some predictions about what this book might be about.

Today, I read it to them, pausing to think aloud and also to clarify any confusing vocabulary ("atrium", "bolted" and a few other 'tricky-for-ELLs' words).  Then, I sent them off to have grand conversations in their groups.

Later in the day, we debriefed as a class, and students wrote about both the book and their group conversations, as well as their resultant reflections, in their learning journals. 

Defining the N-Word

One topic that arose was the use of the word "Nigger".  (One of the characters in the book nearly uses this word to describe his school principal.)  Interestingly, some students had never heard this word before!  Those who had heard it knew that it was a "bad word".  One mixed-race student in my class noted that she was neither allowed to say nor write this word.

Can a "Bad Word" be Reclaimed?

I told them about a movement within the black community to "reclaim" the N-word.  Students were intrigued.  I asked them if they thought that using this derogatory word often, in a NON-derogatory context, within the black community, decreased its negative power.  They had varying ideas about this. 

Below are some students' voices, as well as the "Sly and the Family Stone" anti-racism anthem they made me play for them at the end of the day, after I told them about the title! :-)
I have experienced racism.  In grade 1, somebody called me "nigger".  I didn't know what that word meant until today.  Now I know to tell someone, because it is a strong word!

When I was a little kid playing on the playground, somebody said 'you are black', so I told him 'who cares?'  So then, the next day, his friends bullied me.
Once, when I saw someone being biased, I tried to help the person being discriminated against.  But the biased person told me it was none of my business!
A "Swear Word" for Homework?!

For homework, I simply wrote the word "Nigger" 10-15 mins  on the board.   Most of the students were able to infer that that meant they should chat with someone at home about the book we read and wrote about today in class, and their feelings about some of the themes and comments that arose. 

As a precaution for the less astute children and their poor parents, I also added some of the key vocabulary we had learned ("racism", "bias", "prejudice", etc.), lest they misunderstand my noble intent!
5 Comments
Jodi
5/31/2013 01:37:32 pm

powerful.... I don;t think t has experienced racism yet (thank god) but I know it is a real possibility.... intrigued.

Reply
janet link
6/1/2013 01:17:50 am

hmmm...i hope that you will blog about the follow up to the homework assigned. parent phone calls? conversations? notes in the agenda? lesson plans based on homework?

Reply
vera
6/2/2013 03:03:28 pm

yes, definitely follow up blog planned -- no calls yet, but then... it's sunday! ;-P I've been thinking about this all weekend... sometimes rethinking whether it was appropriate to use that word at all, at other times affirming in myself that it was absolutely an important lesson! More coming soon...

Reply
Naushaad
6/1/2013 03:59:46 am

Have you read any post colonial writers like Edward Said, J.P Sartre, or Franz Fannon? They along with Gayatri Spivak, Pierre bourdieu, and bell hooks will provide insights that may assist, if you choose to do such a lesson again.

Reply
vera
6/2/2013 03:06:30 pm

Sartre yes, but too long ago. Said and Fannon, no. Any specific articles or chapters? Can you send me a link? I've been thinking about this all weekend... teachable moments are important, great things. Did I let this one get away from me?

I'm about to call a trusted mentor of mine, also a person of colour. I want to hear what she has to say on this matter. (Not that she speaks for all "black" people... but she is very attuned to matters of cultural proficiency and anti-racism education, and I respect her opinion.)

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    About Vera...

    Vera & her Sons, April 2021
    After writing for several teacher and multiple birth publications, including ETFO's Voice Magazine, Multiple Moments, and the Bulletwin, Vera turned her written attention to prolific blogging for some years, including BiB,  "Learn to Fly with Vera!"  and SMARTbansho .  Homeschooling 4 was her travel blog in Argentina.  She now spends more time on her Instagram (@schalgzeug_usw)  than her blog (pictures are worth a thousand words?!) 
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    The views expressed on this blog are the views of the author, and do not necessarily represent the perspectives of her family members or the position of her employer on the the issues she blogs about.  These posts are intended to share resources, document family life, and encourage critical thought on a variety of subjects.  They are not intended to cause harm to any individual or member of any group. By reading this blog and viewing this site, you agree to not hold Vera liable for any harm done by views expressed in this blog.
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Vera C. Teschow, OCT, M.Ed., MOT
Toronto, ON & St Peter's Harbour, PE
www.verateschow.ca 2021
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