"The history of the American Negro is the history of this strife, -- this longing to attain self-conscious manhood, to merge his double self into a better and truer self. In this merging he wishes neither of the older selves to be lost... He simply wishes to make it possible for a man to be both a Negro and an American..."
-W. E. B. DuBois,
How do the words above resonate with you?
Pause here for a moment and free yourself from distractions:
...Take a deep breath in... exhale slowly... deep breath in... exhale slowly... deep breath in... exhale slowly... calm your mind and be present...
The quote above was taken from W. E. B. DuBois’ Souls of Black Folk, first published in 1903. This landmark book is a founding work in the literature of black protest. W. E. B. Du Bois played a key role in developing the strategy and program that dominated early 20th-century black protest in America.
Think about that... It is 2020, 117 years later and this same struggle continues...
How relevant to you, is the above quote?
...why....
How does this historical reference impact your view of current protest efforts?
Think about that for a moment...
How does your personal experience or privilege influence those feelings?
...I encourage you to spend some time with this question...
Shortly after graduating from Syracuse University with a degree in Economics, I was fortunate to land a job at one of the top investment companies in the country. I went to lunch with a co-worker, another recent hire, who was quite friendly, and we enjoyed a salad together, good conversation, and many laughs about New Jersey traffic and our escapades tackling 287 during rush hour. On the way back to the office, the conversation continued with my co-worker explaining that her car was in the shop and how much it was going to cost to fix. She decided it was time to get a new car and said to me, "So I told them to just 'Nigger-rig' it!"
How do you think the rest of that car ride went?
True story... I would love to hear your thoughts...
Words have power. It will never be okay with me to use the "N" word. White people, I want to be clear, there is no situation, outside of a vocabulary lesson, that would make using the "N" word acceptable.
If for any reason this confuses you, Ijeoma Oluo, in the book So You Want To Talk About Race, devotes a chapter to help clear that up, (Chapter 9 Why can't I Say the N word?). Here are some highlights and key points to consider:
The history of words matter as long as the effects of that history are still felt. "Nigger" is a powerful word with a painful history.
Language has been one of the first tools deployed to oppress others. All oppression in race, class, gender, ability, religion, began with words. This is how black people, human beings become niggers.
Words have been used to separate and dehumanize black people. People of color have inherited the pain of these words and are still suffering from ghettoization, poverty, police brutality, and everyday discrimination that these words help build.
Words only lose their power when the impact of those words are no longer felt
Recall a time you were present when the N word was used... what was the situation and your response? How did your feel... did you speak up...why or why not...
If the same situation happened today, what would you do differently?
...be honest with yourself...
I'm hoping this clears up some of the confusion. Conversations about race are never easy. We must get comfortable with being uncomfortable if there is any hope of finally putting an end to the systemic history of injustice and racial oppression this country was built on. Don't lose hope.
*Oluo poses the following questions to ask yourself when thinking about how you use words:
1. Why would a well-meaning white person want to say these words in the first place?
2. Why would you want to invoke that pain on people of color?
3. Why would you want to rub in the fact that you are privileged enough to not be negatively impacted by the legacy of racial oppression that these words help create?
Think about those questions...
What are you willing to do?
Don't miss your opportunity. Be intentional encourage others to do the same and watch what happens.
You got this!
Coach Tavia
#ittakescourage, #educateyourself, #doyourhomework, #leadbyexample, #honoryourself, #responsibility, #levelup, #ifnotyouwho, #ifnotnowwhen, #intention, #focus, #justdoit, #blacklivesmatter, #saytheirnames, #leadershipdevelopment, #eachoneteachone, #leverageyourprivilege, #bethechangeyouwanttoseeinothers
*Referenced information is from: So You Want to Talk About Race, by New York Times bestselling author Ijeoma Oluo
I would love to share when we can talk. It brings back a flood of emotions even today...
I do not use the N word. It also pains me when we as Blacks use the word. I do speak up when I hear those much younger use it. I can't imagine how that conversation went.