Reasoning+for+Lesson+2-+The+N+Word

=__Using the "N" Word in My Classroom__=

Although the word "nigger" does not come up as often in //Uncle Tom's Cabin// as //The Adventures of Huck Finn//, I think it is still of extreme importance to discuss this word before beginning the novel, especially at a high school level. In society today, the words "nigger" or "nigga" or even "niggaz" have come to take on many different meanings, depending on the context. Between fellow black people, the word is almost always acceptable. From a white person, not so much. That is, unless, that white person happens to be a part of hip hop culture and has many black friends. The word can be an endearing term, or one used to associate a common bond, "what's up my nigga?!" between two black men for example. The word can also be derogatory, hurtful, and hateful. I think it is important to discuss these differences and the meaning of the word "nigger" throughout history with my class. They must understand the meaning of the word in the context of //Uncle Tom's Cabin// in order to understand the history, culture, and language of the time period we will be studying. The lesson plan for this day relies mainly on discussion and discovering new meanings and understandings of the word. At the close of the lesson, the class and I will make a contract, whether we think the word should be read aloud in class while reading //Uncle Tom's Cabin// or not, and whether or not it will be okay to repeat the word in class strictly in the context of our studies of the novel and the time period. Each class studying this book will create their own class contract about the "N" word and it will be clearly posted and strictly enforced. I will make it clear that this contract applies only to the classroom, and if we do decide that the word can be spoken in our class, it is not to be used outside of class, especially in an ignorant and hurtful way. I will also show this slam poetry video to the class after the Do Now activity in order to further discuss the word.

media type="youtube" key="wD-UpHlB9no?fs=1" height="461" width="576" align="center"