Student Reacts to Racial Slurs at Northgate

It’s my job to find the words needed to express important events, whether those words cause hurt and anger or any other emotion. Over the years I have found that providing the public with a new point of view is incredibly satisfying. But in recent events at Northgate, I have felt unable to find the words to express myself when confronted by racism in my own school. 

But it’s my job to have something to say, and so say something I will.

397 years. African Americans have suffered for nearly 400 years. These slaves worked in the oppressive heat of the United States. They were beaten. They were raped. They were bought and sold as property. They were not human beings. They were lynched. They were niggers.

This horrendous word comes up in music and everyday life way too often. At Northgate specifically, this word has evolved recently into a topic of controversy.

And I can’t help but wonder why, why do you use a word you don’t understand? Do you think that calling me a “nigga” instead of a nigger makes a difference? Do you think that this word means that we’re friends? Do you think that it suddenly makes the years of institutionalized racism and oppression suddenly disappear?

 No, it doesn’t. You don’t feel the pain in your chest every time the word aimed at you. You haven’t experienced the discomfort that follows the sound of the word and the hushed laughter that follows.

We don’t appreciate the use of this word. Calling me this does not mean I am your friend or that you are mine. The answer is simple and obvious, you should not be using this word.

To the sophomore boy that sits less than 5 feet away from me at lunch and decides to say, “nigger, nigger, nigger,” did that make you feel good? Did it make you feel important and cool, like a man even?

No, it makes you despicable; it makes you just as much of a monster as those who were slave owners years ago.

To the girl who decided it was cool to call her friends “nigga”, even when she was told she shouldn’t. What did you accomplish?

For those who think your use of this derogatory word is okay: did you expect me to respect you for the cause you think you have? I think nothing of your cause and even less of you. Did you expect me to be torn apart by what you say? I’m not, because I am strong, because African Americans are strong.

What was it you hoped to achieve?

All you did was bring us together, a group of people who believe that enough is enough. We have suffered too much and waited too long for the sliver of equality we have gained.

But I will give you the benefit of the doubt. You are young; you are naive; you have much to learn. So while I don’t go around calling you a wigger or a cracker, please refrain from calling me a “nigga.”

And to those who have stood up against the racist epidemic that plagues Northgate, thank you. If you want to wear signs depicting how you feel, do it. If you want to tell someone not to call you something you don’t like, do it. No one should ever feel like they can call you such a demeaning word.

We are not niggers. We are people, and even after facing so many years of oppression,you can’t bring us down.