Being the only black kid in my class, this is everyone's face when my teacher drops the "N-bomb" in my history class.

Mentalseppuku · 2012-09-12T13:14:39+00:00

I had a very, very knowledgeable old history prof for my 'History of American Religion' class. One day he was talking about self-identification. This professor walked with a limp and used a cane. He talked about how he used to belong to a kid's camp for cripples. Back then there were a lot of crippled kids (from polio) and that's exactly what they called them. Then the name kept changing, they were handicapped, then disabled, then who knows what now. Despite the fashionable term, he was always a cripple, that's what he grew up with.

He then related it to the black community and their changing self-identification. Negro, Colored, Black, African-American, there have been a lot of self-identified names for the community. He talked about Nigga and self-identifying as a Nigger. It was very interesting, both because of the topic, and because every time he said nigger or nigga all the white kids would get a little uncomfortable and look at the only black kid in the class, who was sitting front and center. I was in the back, and with the tiered seating I could see everything, it was pretty funny.

thugmonkey · 2012-09-12T12:00:52+00:00

Neutron bomb?

strong_mind · 1 day

Hopefully you took the higher road, and reacted appropriately. http://i43.tinypic.com/nfqzo1.gif

xHESKEYx · 2012-09-12T07:13:30-07:00

Everyone here commenting "Hur dur, it's harmless without context" is totally missing the point. I think it's pretty fucking obvious that us black people don't need to be told that the word's meaning comes with the context it's placed in (listen to any rap song to come out in the past 25 years. And I don't just mean "I-got-money-I-impregnated-your-girlfriend"rap). EVERY rapper not named Emenem (except for that one time)or Will Smith uses the word "nigger."

The real issue here is that whenever you're the only black person in a room, and a non-black person says the word "nigger" EVERYONE, without fail, turns to look at you, waiting to see if you're going to "go hood" and beat up the offending party. When used in this context, the rooms focus is immediately drawn away from whatever is being said, and is put upon one kid, who has temporarily become the spokesperson for all black people, and who now has to decide, in front of everyone, how he feels about the use of the word, and is immediatley judged by that decision.

For non-black people, their stance on the word "nigger" is almost always a private matter. They are never put in a room full of black people and asked "so hey, about the word 'nigger'..." (if they were, think about how many of the opinions posted in this thread would change). For black people however, particularly ones who have done well for themselves, their stance on the word is consistently judged by blacks and non-blacks alike, and often times the decision we make reflects upon the race as a whole. The situation OP so eloquently described with his reaction gif does nothing to remedy the situation.

edit: fixed some typos

Aaronmcom · 2012-09-12T12:31:38+00:00

True Story: had an old substitute teacher in highschool end up saying Martin Luther Coon. Didn't even realize he said it.

I live in Louisiana where blacks are the majority. There was quite a ruckus. He didn't understand what was going on, everyone all of a sudden everyone was in "wtf" mode. No one bothered to explain it to him. Just called him racist.

I believe he got fired over it.

WorkingActor · 2012-09-12T06:57:06-07:00

My(now ex)-Sensei called me a "frantic nigger" in class while I was performing a sword technique. He also made comments along the lines of "not being able to trust a black man" and other fun cracks. This wasn't somewhere in the south either. Thus was NYC 2 weeks ago. Call me sensitive, but I'm not gonna pay a guy to insult me racially, no matter what I can learn from him..

Godssheep · 2012-09-12T12:37:41+00:00

In history class? There is a thousand legit reasons to use that word in history classes...

thinks_its_4chan · 2012-09-12T06:11:36-07:00

It's ok as long as he says niggaaaaa instead of nigger.

Niggaaaaaaaaa

reddit_user13 · 2012-09-12T13:22:14+00:00

Dead Honkey

Zuran · 2012-09-12T06:26:48-07:00

"Naggers"?

cariboumustard · 2012-09-12T14:30:47+00:00

May I ask you a question? How did it make you feel?

The reason I ask is b/c I teach college entertainment law. My classes are always very diverse. Part of the free speech section includes discussing hate speech - speech that is racially, sexually, religiously intolerant. Hate speech is constitutionally protected as is very subjective, and to ban it would require banning all of it. The PRIME example of hate speech in America is the n-word. It's a historically hate-filled word that is highly offensive and a lot of my students' knee jerk instinct is that it should be banned .. but once I explain that if it were banned, it would be banned for everyone. Not just white people using it as an insult, but also black people who have "taken it back" including rappers, blah blah blah. It always gives rise to a great class conversation. In the nine semesters I've taught, never has it been a disrespectful or negative conversation. It always ends up being thought provoking for all.

Anyway, the thing is, I just cannot bring myself to say that word out loud (I'm a blonde, white girl.) I wonder if I'm doing them a disservice by not saying it; it's college after all and they're grown ups. You'd never see a Supreme Court Justice say "the n-word" in an opinion. OR would it be disrespectful to my black students for me to say it? I have no problem saying the other examples that I use - bitch, cunt, fag, etc. (followed by a stern talk about "just b/c you can doesn't mean you should.") But the n-word is the only one I just cannot bring myself to say.

So, again, how did you feel? Did it promote learning the way your teacher said it? Was it done in a respectful way? Or was it uncomfortable/offensive? Would have you preferred she (he) censor her(him)self?

the_shag · 2012-09-12T11:54:37+00:00

I had a girl in my history class who was mixed race, but you couldn't tell when looking at her. My teacher brings up how the struggle of the Blacks in 1860s USA was similar to the Peasants in Russia at the time. She than kicks off about how she finds it offensive and that he shouldn't be saying it. He apologises and carries on with the class. An hour later he says it again and she goes MENTAL shouting about how he's a racist, should get sacked and storms out the room. The kicker is that there was about 5 black guys and girls in the class who after she left said to the teacher that he wasn't being racist or anything and would back him up if it came to a tribunal or something. PEOPLE ARE INSANE when it comes to race/attention. also a there was a rumour that she was just faking being mixed raced for said attention

I_RARELY_RAPE_PEOPLE · 2012-09-12T02:50:44-07:00

http://i.imgur.com/arShp.gif

creepy_is_what_I_do · 2012-09-12T12:54:27+00:00

I feel the same way being the only sweaty, 38-year-old tubby balding guy subtly rubbing his crotch in the teen rape prevention class when they show a picture of just what type of pervert to watch out for.

commandx · 2012-09-12T06:36:26-07:00

Man that is the opposite of my school a few years ago. We were on a bus ride into DC to tour the capitol building and someone had brought the boondocks dvd for watching. The almost constant nigga this, nigga that, nobody bats an eye, but on the fifth fuck we had to find something else to watch...

Fucking words man, people get so fucking uptight.

scumbag_teachers · 2012-09-12T12:08:47+00:00

The word is nigger. A simple word won't hurt you, its all about context. I'll likely get downvoted because people love to censor words.

adamsworstnightmare · 2012-09-12T06:36:26-07:00

Is it awkward when something like that happens? Is it like an "aw shit now everyones gonna watch me to see how I react" Kinda thing?

mattroch · 2012-09-12T07:16:04-07:00

Why is your teacher tossing aroung racial slurs in the middle of class?

afakething · 2012-09-12T07:55:39-07:00

Holocaust.

Warm and wet.

Candy-apple red.

Socialist.

Words are words, but they aren't just words.

Behind the word 'nigger' are centuries of rape, murder, kidnapping, and torture. Discrimination. Hate. Injustice with no recourse and no explanation. It stands for 'you deserve it'. It stands for 'you're not worth anything'. It sits in between black people and anyone who chooses to assimilate deeply into the dominant culture of the US (regardless of their non-black race) like a threat. I'm sorry you don't like it. I know you didn't make it that way. But that's the way it is. And telling people that they should just feel a different way is a non-starter.

And when the word is used outside of that context, I think it's understandable and probably even appropriate for the listener to recoil for a minute while all those ideas rocket through their heads. Then, as is also appropriate, they should be able to recognize that the context is different and compose themselves to have a discussion. You are technically correct, which is the best kind of correct, but I respectfully add, come the fuck on.

Source: The existential dread I feel during a traffic stop.

edit: This is directed to my fellow redditors, not OP.

theycallmebrodie · 2012-09-12T16:00:02+00:00

We had one black girl in my AP English class in high school, and all us awkward white folk didn't know what to do when we had to read Adventures of Huckleberry Finn out loud, no matter how many times she explained to us that it was okay to say it, because we weren't being malicious.

America_Owns · 2012-09-12T17:00:12+00:00

No matter what the context is, this gif always makes me laugh.

llcbdavis · 2012-09-12T17:11:41+00:00

on behalf of white idiots everywhere please accept my apologies. your bird pic was so funny

ductaperecorder · 2012-09-12T09:40:21+00:00

I remember in my class junior or sophomore year there was only 3 black kids in my class and my teacher dropped the "N-Bomb". After class one of them gave me a hug and the other 2 high fives because I was literally the only person in the entire class who didn't look over as soon as he said it. Best class ever.

TracyMorganFreeman · 2012-09-12T06:10:44-07:00

Words are not offensive; ideas are.

HIFW_GIFs_React_ · 1 day

/r/reactiongifs

stringer_bell1 · 2012-09-12T12:55:15+00:00

Not sure if it is okay for rappers or comedians to say nigger but you can definitely blame them for the word entering the mainstream.

I know for a fact that after Dave Chappelle pretty much everyone at my college was saying "Fuck your couch NIGGA" like constantly. The whitest kids of earth would go around saying "Yo whats up niggggaaaa" and it was perfectly alright.

prodah_kiir · 2012-09-12T05:00:18-07:00

Cheers to you for finding it funny, I can only imagine how amazing witnessing the contorted discomforted reactions are.

strallweat · 2012-09-12T06:23:14-07:00

Through all my years of school, through every grade, and class, I have never heard a teacher use "the n-word."

stellarae · 2012-09-12T06:44:26-07:00

What reason did your teacher have to drop the N-bomb?

TailSpinBowler · 2012-09-12T06:45:15-07:00

huckleberry finn nigger ?

dma1965 · 2012-09-12T06:55:36-07:00

I will know we are finally past the pallor of racism once we no longer give that word any power. Someday.

umbralspace · 2012-09-12T06:55:44-07:00

I'm going to leave this right here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgjwjaBJ5Do

drmc_coy · 2012-09-12T06:56:16-07:00

Did he call you a Nazi?

intensenerd · 2012-09-12T06:57:26-07:00

So if you're not looking directly at the gif. . . it kinda looks like the bird is wearing a top hat. . .

edknator · 2012-09-12T07:03:27-07:00

German going to an American school here. History class was the same thing for me. Every time someone said nazi or hitler, the entire class would just stare at me. wtf. Then later some dickbags come up to me and are all like "Oh , you're German? You're grandfather must have been hitler, etc..." This shit has been going on pretty much the entire time I've been in highschool. It's beyond the point where I give a single fuck though, so meh. Some people are just immature. I feel ya man.

The_Dirty_Dutchman · 2012-09-12T07:06:10-07:00

This is usually my reaction… http://i.imgur.com/M1uCw.gif

akademiker · 2012-09-12T07:06:45-07:00

Naggers?

Fumobix · 2012-09-12T07:14:06-07:00

Dunno why but usa seems to be one of the country that most cares about racism and one of the most racists at same time

tehlaser · 2012-09-12T07:21:12-07:00

I had an English teacher in 8th grade who was so tangled up over the use of "nigger" in Huck Finn she spoonerized the title into "Fuck Hinn" talking about it. Oops.

lookattheduck · 2012-09-12T07:22:04-07:00

I remember a lot of lag when someone dropped an N-bomb in Perfect Dark, if that's kind of the same thing.

Kunkletown · 2012-09-12T07:24:50-07:00

New Deal? That's one word, right?

ParrotDrumStickBitch · 2012-09-12T07:26:17-07:00

Liam, is this you?

Randyh524 · 2012-09-12T07:28:55-07:00

Reminds me of that episode of boondocks where Riley's teacher drops the N-word and then explains the difference.

balsamicpork · 2012-09-12T07:45:59-07:00

He's got friends that are black, and they're cool with it.

just_lurking1 · 2012-09-12T07:53:15-07:00

HAWKward

InfernoOmni · 2012-09-12T08:02:57-07:00

"The word... is niggerfaggot. "

BobHope4477 · 2012-09-12T08:10:14-07:00

I love watching my professors avoid looking at the one black kid in class when discussing racial issues

Stormdancer · 2012-09-12T08:27:15-07:00

I'm guessing your teacher must be white, otherwise it'd be OK.

Ah-Schoo · 2012-09-12T08:29:56-07:00

Narwhal. There, I said it.

Renbail · 2012-09-12T15:31:10+00:00

Well obviously everyone will react if someone were to drop a napalm bomb; and in the classroom of all places.

quackersRIP · 2012-09-12T15:32:33+00:00

Don't you mean English class? I spent half a year reading Huck Finn and discussing why racism is wrong. It was so fucking annoying. Nigger. Sorry.

ImAWhaleBiologist · 2012-09-12T15:33:18+00:00

Nigger.

Well shit, the world didn't implode. I think we'll be alright.

CupICup · 2012-09-12T08:38:59-07:00

And they act like they don't say that shit all the time.

somebodyjones2 · 2012-09-12T08:40:41-07:00

when the fuck would a teacher find it appropriate to drop the N-bomb? wtf?

Firebyrd · 2012-09-12T15:49:52+00:00

I would probably also wonder why my history is dices sing n bombs instead of a bombs... But that's just me

fuckinsurance · 2012-09-12T15:49:58+00:00

My wife is Obama Black, Half white Half black. When we go out we like to fuck with people. I will lovingly call her my little mix breed in front of people. I'm white.

QuestionC · 2012-09-12T08:53:01-07:00

Dude don't leave us hanging, why'd he do it?

bitchpotatobunny · 2012-09-12T15:53:11+00:00

Umm, why is your teacher using the word "nigger' in class? As an out burst? Or explaining the derogatory meaning and the times in history where racism was more widely spread?

allmen · 2012-09-12T08:54:55-07:00

Negro?

KIDmimi · 2012-09-12T08:58:45-07:00

This was my English class year

ervine3 · 2012-09-12T08:59:46-07:00

Everytime I see one of these thread

TAC0001 · 2012-09-12T16:22:04+00:00

I was the only Indian in my world history class, and we watched Gandhi.

In the scene where the British troops are shooting all the Indians at a a non-violent protest, I kept catching other students and even the teacher giving me these "I'm so sorry for the actions of my people" looks.

ashums28 · 2012-09-12T09:23:55-07:00

everybody hates chris.

Toshiro_Mifune · 2012-09-12T09:27:10-07:00

We meet again black redditor.

squiresuzuki · 2012-09-12T09:28:12-07:00

RELATED LOUIS CK

nylolexchange · 2012-09-12T16:35:42+00:00

Why is you being black relevant to the story?

MFchimichanga · 2012-09-12T09:39:59-07:00

That happened once in my elementary school in Miami. I was the only colored kid in that class and we were going over some Martin Luther King stuff. Teacher said Nigger kid next to me drops his pencil and says"Chimichanga did you hear that?!"

Yes boi I heard it.

Karl_Marx_ · 2012-09-12T16:43:54+00:00

N-bomb was the most annoying weapon in Perfect Dark. If you had any bots with N-bombs, you would be permanently blurred/dazed. It was a joke.

Also, I had a friend that thought it was hilarious to spam these things. I would always get so pissed.

rastafaija · 2012-09-12T16:54:35+00:00

Just as the bird turned around in the gif http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdL-wNwXPCg started to play... I have probably never laughed that much

Minyar · 2012-09-12T10:51:07-07:00

HAPPENS TO ME EVERY TIME!!!

NOYOUWHY · 2012-09-12T10:54:37-07:00

LOLed so good

supercali45 · 2012-09-12T11:38:14-07:00

can you lend a nigga a pencil?

BenAdaephonDelat · 2012-09-12T11:43:01-07:00

The n-word appears in this page 42 times. (I didn't use it because it's much cooler being 42 than 43). That is all.

Domthecreator14 · 2012-09-12T12:06:43-07:00

It sounds weird like nigga with a hard R

skhell · 2012-09-12T12:11:42-07:00

I watched that like 20 times...

Mac_Anu · 2012-09-12T19:19:18+00:00

My mother insists the preferred term is African American.

And I'm like "No. Just say black. You are trying too hard. Are all black people African? Do we call anyone else x-american in normal conversation? No? Then it's black. There is nothing wrong with being descriptive."

And then she's like "Something something you've never had people get mad at you for that? Nobody has ever said 'I'm not black I'm brown'?"

"No! No, they have not, and if they did then shame on them for getting bitchy about trivialities. We aren't white either. We're kind of olivey brown. Do we expect people to say that? To refer to us as 'olivey brown people'?"

I got a nasty look and the silent treatment over that.

notjawn · 2012-09-12T20:42:08+00:00

ITT: White people saying the n-word because they think can get away with it. Guess what people its still pretty offensive.

TokenBlackKid · 2012-09-12T14:39:13-07:00

Story of my fucking life.

ChappieChicken · 2012-09-12T21:56:51+00:00

Over sensitive white people (-,-)

TaylorWK · 2012-09-12T16:41:42-07:00

I remember in middle school my social studies teacher asked all the black kids if it was okay to say the "N" word.

RadiantDark · 2012-09-13T01:10:25+00:00

The "nuclear" bomb?

SpringHeeledJack7 · 2012-09-13T01:52:37+00:00

White Guilt. Or the "Oh my I should be MORE offended that the person of color in this room, to prove I abhor racism!"

Something_clever_ · 2012-09-13T04:27:43+00:00

Nagasaki?

funny

MODERATORS

you'll need to login or register to do that

create a new account

login