English 11AP

THE “N WORD” IN ARTISTIC

CONTEXTS

Nigger (also spelled niggar): a word that is an alteration

of the earlier neger, nigger derives from the French

negre, from the Spanish and Portuguese negro, from the

Latin niger (black). First recorded in 1587 (as negar), the

word probably originated with the dialectal

pronunciation of negro in northern England and

Ireland. --Anti-Bias Study Guide, 1998

INTRODUCTION

In the United States, "nigger" was first regarded as pejorative (an abusive, disparaging word) in the early nineteenth century. In the era of enslavement, the words "nigger"

or "black" were inserted in front of a common American first name (e.g., John), given to a slave to

distinguish the slave from any local white person with the same name. While usage of the word in African-American culture is complex in that it can be used

affectionately, politically, or pejoratively, the epithet is considered an abusive slur when used by white people.

INTRODUCTION - 2

Langston Hughes in The Big Sea (New York: Thunder's Mouth Press,

1940) offered an eloquent commentary:

Used rightly or wrongly, ironically or seriously, of necessity for the sake of realism, or impishly for the sake of comedy, it doesn't matter. Negroes do not like it in any book or play whatsoever, be the book or play ever so sympathetic in its treatment of the basic problems of the race. Even though the book or play is written by a Negro, they still do not like it. The word nigger, you see, sums

up for us who are colored all the bitter years of insult and struggle in America.

INTRODUCTION - 3

The word gained more acceptance in the latter part of

the twentieth century through song lyrics and stand-up

comedy, particularly among younger people.

Some claim that the word can be defused through

reclaiming it. However, most adults continue to view the

word as offensive and harmful.

INTRODUCTION - 4

In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the “n-word” is used 219

times. While this novel is the most famous example in classic

literature, the word is present in many other works, and therefore

inevitably arises in academic discussions.

The purpose of this exercise is to answer the following question:

Under what circumstances, if any, is it acceptable to use the “n

word” in an artistic context?

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

In order to answer this question, you will be asked to respond in writing to a series of prompts, some written, and others requiring you to first read a passage, view a

video, or listen to an audio clip.

With each response written as a paragraph, your finished product will be an essay answering the essential question from the previous page.

The “n word” makes most people uncomfortable and upset, as it should. If you would rather avoid entering this path of inquiry, please contact me so that I can

assign you an alternate task.

Keep in mind, also, the fact that there is no “correct” answer to any of these questions. If there were easy answers to this issue, we would not still be

discussing them nearly 130 years after Huck Finn’s publication.

YOUR TASK

Please note that, in addition to the “n word,” some of these audio/ video clips

use other offensive words (both expletives and pejoratives).

The purpose of their inclusion here is to encourage academic inquiry rather

than to amuse or to entertain (which may run counter to the intentions of the

authors). As your teacher, I am not condoning what is said, nor the way in

which it is expressed.

You may find the material offensive or admirable. In any case, it is my hope

that writing about your response will crystalize your thinking on this issue so

as to facilitate discussion of Huck Finn, and your understanding of rhetoric.

WARNING

How do you feel about the use of the “n word”? In general, who

can and can’t say the word? When, if ever can it be said? Is the

use of the word in an academic context different than its use in

the outside world? Is its use in a text (or any work of art) created

by an African-American different than its use in a text (or any

work of art) created by a non-African-American? Is its use in a

“classic” (or other example of “high art”) different than its use in

popular culture? Does spelling or pronunciation matter? Do

artistic or academic instances of the word encourage or legitimize

its use in common speech?

PARAGRAPH - 1

In what contexts have you encountered the word before? Do you

feel any of these contexts are “appropriate” uses of the word?

Explain the significance of the rhetorical triangle (speaker,

audience, and subject), as well as context and purpose in these

uses. Are particular speakers, audiences, and subjects more or

less appropriate than others?

PARAGRAPH - 2

Choose three of the examples from the following pages.

For each, you will answer the following question in a paragraph:

To what extent do you feel this use of the n-word is appropriate

or inappropriate in this context? Consider the rhetorical triangle

and context/purpose in your response.

PARAGRAPHS 3-5

This is a clip of contemporary comedian Chris Rock performing his stand-up.

To what extent do you feel this use of the n-word is appropriate or inappropriate in this context? Consider the rhetorical triangle and

context/purpose in your response.

http://youtu.be/DQcjwWBeGuA

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQcjwWBeGuA

NOTE: If you have technical issues viewing any of the included clips, please skip them and write about those you can view, or substitute examples of your own.

CHRIS ROCK

This is a clip from the 1974 satirical film Blazing Saddles. The screenplay was written by Andrew Bergman, Mel Brooks, Richard Pryor, Norman Steinberg, and

Al Uger.

To what extent do you feel this use of the n-word is appropriate or inappropriate in this context? Consider the rhetorical triangle and context/purpose in your

response.

http://youtu.be/L7QF32mxftE

www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7QF32mxftE

NOTE: If you have technical issues viewing any of the included clips, please skip them and write about those you can

view, or substitute examples of your own.

BLAZING SADDLES

This is the audio of Jay-Z and Kanye West’s 2011 Grammy-winning song “N----s in Paris.”

To what extent do you feel this use of the n-word is appropriate or inappropriate in this context? Consider the rhetorical triangle and

context/purpose in your response.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXMJ-V6MCzw&list=PL1CDDA42373E46941

lyrics

NOTE: If you have technical issues viewing any of the included clips, please skip them and write

about those you can view, or substitute examples of your own.

JAY-Z AND KANYE WEST

This is the audio, with lyrics, of Cee Lo Green’s 2010 Grammy-nominated song “F--- You.” The song was written by Christopher "Brody" Brown, Bruno Mars, Cee Lo

Green, Philip Lawrence, and Ari Levine.

To what extent do you feel this use of the n-word is appropriate or inappropriate in this context? Consider the rhetorical triangle and context/purpose in your response.

http://youtu.be/5Vb0Gy3u558

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Vb0Gy3u558

NOTE: If you have technical issues viewing any of the included clips, please skip them and write about those you can view, or substitute examples of your own.

CEE LO GREEN

This is a clip from the 1994 film Pulp Fiction. The screenplay was written by Quentin Tarantino.

To what extent do you feel this use of the n-word is appropriate or inappropriate in this context? Consider the rhetorical triangle and

context/purpose in your response.

http://youtu.be/I-7f7vVCqvI

www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-7f7vVCqvI

NOTE: If you have technical issues viewing any of the included clips, please skip them and write about those you can view, or substitute examples of your own.

PULP FICTION

This is a clip of Sly and the Family Stone’s 1969 song “Don’t Call Me N----r, Whitey”

To what extent do you feel this use of the n-word is appropriate or inappropriate in this context? Consider the rhetorical triangle and

context/purpose in your response.

http://youtu.be/0_VfGVKzcfs

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_VfGVKzcfs

NOTE: If you have technical issues viewing any of the included clips, please skip them and write about those you can view, or substitute examples of your own.

SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE

This is a clip from the 1974 television comedy All in the Family, produced by Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin.

To what extent do you feel this use of the n-word is appropriate or inappropriate in this context? Consider the rhetorical triangle and context/purpose in your response.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzsCob3JUsg

NOTE: If you have technical issues viewing any of the included clips, please skip

them and write about those you can view, or substitute examples of your own.

ALL IN THE FAMILY

This is a series of clips relating to John Lennon’s 1972 song “Woman is the N----r of the World.” You need not view all of then, but you may find them informative.

To what extent do you feel this use of the n-word is appropriate or inappropriate in this context? Consider the rhetorical triangle and context/purpose in your response.

Live at Madison Square Garden - 1972 Dick Cavett Show - 1972

San Francisco Hotel Room – 1972

Ben Lee cover version

NOTE: If you have technical issues viewing any of the included clips, please skip them and write about those you can view, or substitute examples of your own.

JOHN LENNON

This is a clip of hip-hop artist Kanye West performing his song “Clique.” The song was written by Kanye West, Chauncey Hollis, Sean Anderson, Shawn Carter, and James

Fauntleroy

To what extent do you feel this use of the n-word is appropriate or inappropriate in this context? Consider the rhetorical triangle and context/purpose in your response.

http://youtu.be/FOrLNHbEzMg

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOrLNHbEzMg

Lyrics

NOTE: If you have technical issues viewing any of the included clips, please skip them and write about those you can view, or substitute examples of your own.

KANYE WEST

This is a clip of comedian Richard Pryor performing stand-up in 1982.

To what extent do you feel this use of the n-word is appropriate or inappropriate in this context? Consider the rhetorical triangle

and context/purpose in your response.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hULhZqhw9yU

NOTE: If you have technical issues viewing any of the included clips, please skip them and write about those you can view, or substitute examples of your own.

RICHARD PRYOR

This is a clip of contemporary comedian Louis C.K. performing stand-up.

To what extent do you feel this use of the n-word is appropriate or inappropriate in this context? Consider the rhetorical triangle and

context/purpose in your response.

http://youtu.be/waehONGY-yI

www.youtube.com/watch?v=waehONGY-yI

NOTE: If you have technical issues viewing any of the included clips, please skip them and write about those you can view, or substitute examples of your own.

LOUIS C.K.

This is a 1925 poem by poet Countee Cullen. To what extent do you feel this use of the n-word is appropriate or inappropriate in this context? Consider the rhetorical triangle and

context/purpose in your response.

Incident

Once riding in old Baltimore, Heart-filled, head-filled with glee,

I saw a Baltimorean Keep looking straight at me.

Now I was eight and very small, And he was no whit bigger,

And so I smiled, but he poked out His tongue, and called me, "Nigger."

I saw the whole of Baltimore From May until December;

Of all the things that happened there That's all that I remember.

COUNTEE CULLEN

Based upon what you have seen and read, how should

students and teachers proceed when dealing with a

novel, like Huck Finn, that uses the n-word?

How does this relate to the larger issue of racism and

public discourse in our society?

PARAGRAPH 6

Here are some additional links, if you are interested:

Teaching Tolerance: Straight Talk about the N-Word

The American Scholar: Teaching the N-Word

Who Can Say “N----r” and Other Considerations

Minnesota Public Radio: The “N-Word”

FOR FURTHER STUDY