REBOOT: Teaching the N-word

Hello {{ first name | friends}},

I’m on the road for much of this month, so you’re getting a bonus reboot article.

I was sitting in a beach bar the other day, when all of a sudden some rap music blared over the sound system. Though the person playing the music had attempted to use the non-explicit version, that wasn’t the version I heard. It was pretty uncomfortable hearing the N-word multiple times in succession while surrounded by a crowd largely racialised as white before the song ended and there was blessed silence again.

In that moment I knew that my feelings about the use of the word hadn’t changed, so I thought I’d share this piece again.

I’m going to be upfront and say that if it were up to me, the n-word would be expunged from every dictionary in every language. I am not interested in using or reclaiming something that was created to demean and oppress my ancestors and is still being used that way. However, I’m not the boss of every person racialised* as Black, and some people feel differently. I have to accept that, however reluctantly.

This came to mind because of an issue that’s surfaced a few times, where teachers are teaching books by Black authors that use the word. In many cases, the teachers read it out and have their students do the same. Often, many of these teachers are racialised as white, with some Black students in the room.

My take: this is NEVER acceptable. That word is inflammatory and hurtful and should never be read out in a classroom. It makes the space inherently unsafe both for Black kids and white kids. If you don’t believe me, try putting yourself in the shoes of kids in the playground when a white kid repeats the word that the teacher has given legitimacy by having it read out - it will NOT go well. Or try being one of the few Black kids in the room getting unwelcome attention as white folks read the word out loud, seemingly with relish. Ugh! [2025 update: I know people who have experienced this, and they confirm that it feels horrible and pointed, so please don’t do it, or let it pass unremarked when others do.]

So does that mean we should ban all books that contain the word?

Not at all. Black authors will use terms that reflect what’s used by or against them - nothing wrong with that. White authors who should probably know better may also use the word - eye roll. And there are some “classics” that are littered with it. By all means teach the books, but you have to do it mindfully, and you don’t need to read the n-word out loud.

Here’s a better approach:

In other words, put it into context, situate it in history and share how it’s being used now. Talk about language and harm, and think about other questionable harmful words. Help your students find alternatives that are less harmful or, even better, not harmful at all. Raise the awareness of your kids - and your own awareness as a teacher.

I get it - some teachers haven’t figured out how to navigate these waters. It’s probably not totally their fault if they’ve come up in an education system where systemic racism and the history of the oppression of Black people have never been fully addressed. However, it is the 21st century, information is at everyone’s fingertips, and there’s no longer an excuse for not knowing. Ignorance is a choice.

Parents, you also have the same choice. Don’t hide books that highlight the experience of Black people from your kids. By doing that you may contribute to a narrative that there’s something shameful about the Black experience. Instead, welcome the additional insight, and put it into the proper context.

I know that not all Black people will agree with me. That’s ok, because we are not a monolith. This is my perspective - thanks for reading it.

[2025 update: This post was about teaching, but let’s talk about singing the word in songs where it appears. My question for those who feel it’s their right to do so is: why is it so important to you to sing a word that you know causes harm to some people racialised as Black?]

Sharon

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I am an anti-racism educator and activist, the author of “I’m Tired of Racism”, and co-host of The Introvert Sisters podcast.

© Sharon Hurley Hall, 2022, 2025. All Rights Reserved. This newsletter is published on beehiiv (affiliate link).