By Zetha A. Nobles,

The presence and rampant use of the N-word in educational settings poses significant challenges to the social-emotional learning (SEL) and psychological well-being of students and teachers.

The historical and contemporary usage of the N-word carries deep-seated racial connotations and trauma, making it imperative to address its impact in the school environment.

Here’s why the N-word should be eradicated from schools and its detrimental effects on SEL and psychological health.

Historical Context and Significance

The use of the N-word is considered a severe violation of dignity due to its deeply hurtful and dehumanizing nature. The N-word is historically rooted in a long and sordid history of racism, oppression and dehumanization.

It was and is used to dehumanize, degrade, demean and denigrate African American people. Its historical presence is marked by extreme violence and pernicious systemic oppression.

Despite the evolving societal appropriation and the exploitation of the word in hip hop music and other media forms, its controversial use has morphed or mutated into a word now used to signify friendship or endearment.

In schools its use is complex, representing camaraderie, being cool and defiant while consciously and unconsciously dehumanizing African American students and staff.

The N-word has a long history of being used as a tool of oppression and degradation against Black people. It was employed during periods of slavery, segregation, and ongoing racial discrimination to strip individuals of their humanity and reinforce systemic racism.

Trending

OP-ED: Bidenomics Builds on Efforts to Invest in Struggling Communities

Its use is a painful reminder of this history and the ongoing struggle against racism. Its impact:

• Dehumanization: When the N-word is used, it reduces Black individuals to a derogatory stereotype, stripping away their identity and worth as human beings. It perpetuates the idea that certain groups are inferior and unworthy of respect and dignity.
• Impact on Self-Worth: Hearing or being called the N-word can have profound psychological and emotional impacts, leading to feelings of shame, anger, and diminished self-worth. It communicates to individuals that they are lesser or undeserving solely because of their race.
• Interpersonal Harm: The use of the N-word in interpersonal interactions conveys disrespect, hostility, and a lack of regard for the feelings and dignity of others. It undermines efforts to build inclusive and respectful relationships.
• Symbol of Structural Injustice: The N-word symbolizes larger societal injustices and inequalities. Its continued use reflects ongoing racial prejudice and discrimination, perpetuating harmful attitudes and behaviors.

Given these reasons, using the N-word is not just a matter of inappropriate language; it represents a significant violation of human dignity and reinforces harmful racial stereotypes and hierarchies. It is crucial to reject and actively challenge the use of this word to promote equality, respect, and dignity for all individuals.

In schools, the word retains its harmful and damaging impact and remains a powerful symbol of racial animosity. The N-word’s use in schools, intentionally or otherwise, preserves a cycle of racial abuse, degradation, and discrimination which are violations to the dignity of African American students.  Its usage perpetuates a legacy of hate and is a dignity violation that makes it a pressing issue for educators to address. Not addressing use of the N word in school contradicts the principles of equity and inclusion that educational institutions strive to uphold.

Impact on Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

Social-emotional learning is crucial for students’ development as it encompasses the skills needed to manage emotions, establish positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. The use of the N-word in schools disrupts this process in several key and critical ways:

•  Emotional Trauma: The N-word is a trigger for emotional pain, particularly for African American students and teachers.  It can evoke feelings of anger, sadness, shame and humiliation, which hinder the ability to engage fully in the learning process.
• Hostile Learning Environment: A safe and supportive learning environment is essential for effective SEL. The use of the N-word creates a hostile and unsafe atmosphere, leading to increased anxiety, disrespect, and stress among students and teachers.
• Relationship Building: One of the goals of SEL is to foster positive relationships. The use of derogatory language such as the N-word fosters division and mistrust among students and staff.

Psychological Impact on Students and Teachers

The psychological effects of the N-word on students and teachers are profound and far-reaching. For students, especially those of African American descent, the word can lead to feelings of inferiority and exclusion. This not only affects their academic performance but also their self-esteem and mental health. Studies have shown that exposure to racial slurs can increase levels of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

For teachers, addressing the use of the N-word in the classroom is a significant challenge. It places an emotional burden on them, particularly for teachers of color who may feel personally targeted. The stress of managing such situations can lead to burnout and affect their ability to provide a supportive learning environment.

Strategies for Eliminating the N-Word from Schools

To effectively eliminate the N-word from schools, a comprehensive approach is necessary. Here are some strategies:

•  Clear Policies and Consequences: Schools must implement and enforce policies that explicitly prohibit the use of the N-word and other derogatory language. Clear consequences for violations should be established and communicated to all members of the school community.
• Cultural Competency Training: Providing cultural competency and anti-racism training for teachers, staff, and students can foster a more inclusive and respectful environment. This training should include the historical context of the N-word and its impact on individuals and communities as well as alternative language.
•  Support Systems: Schools should offer culturally congruent support systems, such as counseling and peer support groups, for students and teachers affected by the use of the N-word. These resources can help individuals process their experiences, mitigate psychological harm and co-create a culture of dignity.
• Community Engagement: Engaging the broader school community, including parents and local organizations, in dialogue about the impact of the N-word can reinforce the school’s commitment to creating a respectful and inclusive environment.

In addition to the moral and ethical arguments against the use of the N-word, there are also legal and policy considerations that support its prohibition in schools. Many school districts have anti-bullying and anti-discrimination policies that explicitly prohibit the use of derogatory language, including racial slurs. The use of the N-word in schools can lead to disciplinary actions and legal consequences for both students and staff who violate these policies.

Furthermore, federal laws such as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. Schools that fail to address the use of the N-word and other forms of racial harassment may be in violation of these laws, potentially resulting in investigations and penalties from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.

Addressing the N-word in educational settings is not just about prohibiting a word; it is about dismantling a symbol of hate and fostering an environment where all students and teachers can thrive.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

By Daisha Williams

Oakland-based artist Reshawn Goods, also known as Bushmama, will host a hands-on workshop that connects present-day blue jeans to the skills of enslaved Africans at the 9th Annual Black-Eyed Pea Festival on Sept. 14 at Marston Campbell Park at 17th and West streets.

Indigo is a plant that is cultivated in a number of places around the world, including India and Africa.

Indigo dyes were introduced in America as a result of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. Many of the enslaved African people knew how to propagate indigo to create dye from the plant. Indigo was used to dye clothes throughout all of West Africa, often referred to as blue gold. Wearing these clothes was a symbol of wealth. The Yoruba of Benin, the Manding of Mali, and the Hausa of Kano were renowned for indigo processing and dyeing.

According to Goods, the Europeans liked the colors that this dye produced and made slaves continuously produce it. Another crop that they cultivated was cotton, still something used for much of our clothing today.

When talking about the historical significance of indigo for Black Americans Goods said, “Slaves at that time were given a ration of clothes once a year… this cloth was very coarse and harsh to the skin. So, one slave decided to dip their clothes in the indigo vat and this was the early beginnings of what denim became to be. People will say that Levi Strauss created jeans, but we created jeans.”

Trending

A’s dominate the Yankees in Game 1 of the series

At Goods’ workshop, attendees will be able to use cotton, indigo, and denim to create patches that resonate with them that will be used to form a family quilt. This fun and free craft has a lot of historical significance.

“When you go to school you learn about slaves, but you don’t learn about where they came from or what they brought with them,” said Bushmama. “That’s not part of the narrative… we brought so much with us, and that part is not shared. I feel that if we knew how powerful we were it would help us to elevate. That would help to dismantle white supremacy.”

Bush has been creating ever since she was young. Her first exhibition was in 1994 and was also where she sold her first piece. Since then, she has continued using art to create awareness within the Black community.

Before the counterculture of the 1960s, dungarees weren’t even sold in department stores but rather Army-Navy and hardware stores. They were really cheap but sturdy and only made in men’s sizes. Eventually, blue jeans began to be used by designers and became fashion statements that can cost hundreds of dollars.

Many Black Americans are unfamiliar with this history, and with conservative pushback against things like Critical Race Theory, many pieces of history like this are left untold.

That’s why having workshops like these is so important, it shines a light on the parts of history that have been hidden in the shadows while empowering the Black community by connecting them to their roots.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

By Daisha Williams

Black August is a month that celebrates everything that Oakland stands for including block parties, movie nights, and other community events.

Building Opportunities for Self Sufficiency’s (BOSS) annual Black August Block Party took place on Aug. 31 at Oakland City Hall. Eastside Arts Alliance hosted a movie night with the Oakland chapter of the Malcom X Grassroots Movement on Aug. 30 at their cultural center at 2277 International Blvd.

Black August celebrates Black independence and liberation. The month gained its title because San Quentin prisoner George Jackson and Jonathan P. Jackson were killed in August of 1971 and 1970 respectively. Jonathan Jackson was killed in an attempt to kidnap a judge in Marin County and George Jackson was targeted in a prison uprising   These brothers were instrumental figures in the Revolutionary Prison Movement and fought for freedom, costing them their lives.

The ways that people celebrate Black August differ, and even here in the Bay there are many different ways people honor of Black August.

BOSS is a local organization dedicated to helping disadvantaged people achieve health and self-sufficiency since 1971. The main way they do this is by trying to help the unhoused population in the Bay Area, fighting mass incarceration. They also have a trauma recovery center in East Oakland, focusing on healing some of the traumas that are part of the Black community.

This is the fourth year of BOSS’s annual block party. The event has been growing each year with fewer than 100 people present the first year and around 400 in 2023. This year they expected 400-500 people to attend.

In the second year, BOSS augmented the celebration with a “Black Market.” This is a market exclusively for Black vendors, at no cost to them, to boost economic empowerment in the Black community, one of the fundamental ideals of Black August, according to Satia Frazier-North the organizer of the BOSS Block Party.

“The foundation for Black August is art, culture, political education, and economic empowerment. We think that all of those pieces are important to the healing of the community that we serve,” Satia Frazier-North.

This year, the block party included an artists’ zone, a wellness zone which had free blood pressure screenings, performances by many Oakland musicians, poets, and rappers, as well as a food truck. The first 250 people got free food.

The Oakland branch of the Malcom X Grassroots Movement and Eastside Arts Alliance hosted a screening of the 1980 movie “Attica.” This film tells the story of one of the largest prison riots this country has ever seen which began on Sept. 9, 1971. This movie about resistance was followed by a community discussion.

The Malcom X Grassroots Movement (MXGM) is an organization dedicated to protecting the rights of Afrikan people through empowerment and education. Some of their principles include a demand for reparations, opposition to genocide anywhere in the world, and an end to gender and sexual oppression.

More than movie nights and block parties, Black August acknowledges the power that descendents of the African diaspora have shown in the face of oppression.

One notable historical event that occurred during August was the start of the Haitian Revolution on Aug. 14, 1791, brought on by the largest and most successful slave revolt in history. Haiti then became the first country to be governed by previously enslaved peoples.

The Nat Turner Rebellion took place in Virginia on Aug. 21, 1831. After receiving a sign from God, Turner killed his slave master and the slave master’s family. Then he led a group of other enslaved people to kill their oppressors. These acts of violence made it clear to white people that Black people were not timid or docile, that there will be consequences for the ways that they were treated.

Black August observations are not all deadly serious or in the distant past. Most recently the Montgomery Riverfront Brawl in Alabama took place on Aug. 5, 2023. It will likely not be the last of Black August’s notable dates because as long as people are silenced, they will rise up.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post