African-American Literature Class Finds Way to End Offensive Language

Each year there seems to be a new slang word for teens to use every day. Some of the slang words are repeated throughout history, but their meanings seem to change over time. Wendy Surinsky’s African-American Literature class decided to put together a project video that ask multiple students and staff members about the use of the words “ghetto”, “ignorant”, and the N- word ending with “er” and “a”.

“The students came up with the project. We were creating class norms while we were doing free writing and then the students shared with the class what was written down on their paper. In one of the free writes that was shared, a student responded to it and used the word “ghetto”. That sparked a class discussion and we even read an article about the meaning of the word. The students were very passionate while discussing the article and wanted to interview people about the N-word and other words that identify people of certain race and ethnicity in our society and community. That’s how the project came about,” said Surinsky.

The words “ghetto”, “ignorant”, and the N-Word ending with “er” or “a” can be very offensive to people. However, some people in the younger generation use these terms jokingly or as terms of endearment. Many of these words have history behind them.

“I don’t like how the meaning of words change over time because it devalues what the word really means. The N- word was used to degrade the African American race, and I don’t understand how anyone can call someone that or even allow someone to call them that. I talked to many people from the older generation and they completely dislike the way it’s used because they were the ones that went through that time period when they were being called the N-word,” said junior Josh Rucker.

Although trying to stop everyone from using the words is a difficult task, the students of African-American Literature class plan on completing this action one step at a time.

“Hopefully, I can post the video my group and I created on YouTube and have tons of views and have people share the video on Facebook, YouTube, etc., “ said senior David Kirkman.

The African-American Literature class has put time and effort into putting together the movie and hopes that in the near future they will be able to show their video to the whole school in order to educate them and make people understand how offensive these words can be.

Written by Jamie Powell — Community Editor