Children's Book Tackles the N-Word

Nov. 15, 2006 — -- The African-American experience in the United States has been one filled with both triumph and grief, and essentially a uniqueness unlike any other in the recent history of the world.

African-Americans have made exorbitant contributions in both the history of the United States and its present. In spite of numerous obstacles to dissuade or discourage our attempts at equality and attaining our human rights, we have still managed to maintain our driving ambitions toward our greatness.

In the face of all of this, many complexities continue to rear the ugliness of our past and contemporary struggles.

One of these is the use of the term "nigga" -- a derivative of the word "nigger." This word was one created out of hatred and disrespect.

We all know the etymology of the word "nigger."

We also know that those who try to justify the use of the word are not using it in the same context as its origins. That is to say, that those who use it are not doing so because they simply mean to refer to a person as black. How do we know this?

The word was used as a derogatory way to impose inferiority upon a race of people. Its use transformed them from black-skinned people to a people described as "a negro." in vulgar derision or depreciation (Webster Edition 1913). Now that dictionary describes the word as just "an offensive term used toward black people."

Who I am and what I am, or what I call myself, is a direct reflection of the environment in which I was born, and this very same principle applies to our children even more so than it does to adults.

It is a reflection of my life as a child, a young adult, as a person, as a mother, or as a father. It all shaped my existence and the role that I am to fulfill while on this Earth. Who am I? In my ghetto, am I just some nigga?

In my school, am I merely just another nigga showing up to fill seats rather than showing up to learn? Was I just another nigga, as many people had called me and themselves? I spent many years trying to figure out whether I was such a thing.