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  Case: The N-Word
My name is Kristin. I have taught high school English for nine years in a rural school. Recently, my husband and I had to move to a much larger city because of a promotion my husband received. I found a job as an English teacher at a high school that serves mostly African American and Hispanic students. My new students are nice and respectful. However, there is one issue that has been bothering me. I have been seeing my students talking to each other using the "n word." They are not bothered by this, but even in class discussions, if they are responding to one another, sometimes they use the "n word." In my previous school, we were very strict about these types of slurs. I am at loss now. Is this part of the school culture? Should I explain to my students why they should not use that word? Should I make a rule about it? I do not know how to deal with this.
Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!)
As a teacher, I think that it is your role to make sure that students are educated about things both inside the classroom and out. I think a great way to make students think about the language that they use and explain to them why you are making a rule against the N word would be to teach a lesson on it. Show the origins of the word and teach the students what the word actually means. Then, tell the students that because of the terrible history behind it, that word will not be used in your classroom-slang or not.
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments:
Rated On: February 18, 2013 12:55 pm
Rated By: Katy Willoughby
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I thought teaching the origins of the n word is an original solution. Instead of giving the students another rule to follow without an explanation, teach them a lesson. I'm sure they will connect with the history books better than adults giving them regulations.
Rated On: October 15, 2014 12:13 am
Rated By: ySaryN
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I think this solution is helpful, let them know that many slang terms other than this word are simply not classroom appropriate.
Rated On: October 19, 2014 6:51 pm
Rated By: adenar
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I think adding history to the slang word is a great idea.
Rated On: February 20, 2015 5:13 am
Rated By: ehaZeb
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I found this to be very enlightening. This solution teaches the students background information they may have not known previously so they have an understanding of why you are making a rule against the word and I would do that in this situation.
Rated On: February 25, 2015 4:43 am
Rated By: uVataS
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Great idea!
Rated On: February 25, 2015 3:42 pm
Rated By: Sydbug
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Teaching history is a great teachable moment.
Rated On: February 25, 2015 7:49 pm
Rated By: Jen
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Teach your students that the N word can be offensive!
Rated On: February 25, 2015 8:02 pm
Rated By: Autumn Carroll
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Great solution. Definitely establish a no tolerance rule for this word.
Rated On: March 1, 2015 6:06 am
Rated By: apazeR
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Absolutely agreed, many times students are just ignorant of the past of some words and should be educated.
Rated On: March 2, 2015 1:31 am
Rated By: Qebysu
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I would do the seam thing
Rated On: October 16, 2015 4:23 pm
Rated By: buHeNy
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: This is a great solution.
Rated On: October 16, 2015 4:42 pm
Rated By: uqeMeg
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I would do exactly this.
Rated On: October 27, 2015 2:31 am
Rated By: yheGaQ
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: explaining it is not tolerated is important. Thank you that's a great idea.
Rated On: March 6, 2016 5:54 pm
Rated By: yNesuL
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: This is a great solution to this case and is very useful.
Rated On: October 16, 2016 8:46 pm
Rated By: zevuBa
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree the best solution is to just enforce your rules, and not allow the word in your classroom.
Rated On: October 17, 2016 2:00 am
Rated By: Raven B
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree, this is a great solution!
Rated On: October 19, 2016 1:45 am
Rated By: Elisa Perez
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: By allowing ignorance, you are promoting it. A history lesson might help to bring understanding.
Rated On: February 26, 2017 4:30 am
Rated By: etyWys
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I completely agree, educating them about the word and it's use might stop the students from saying it casually.
Rated On: March 5, 2017 8:39 pm
Rated By: avenyB
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree that the kids should be taught about the origin of the word.
Rated On: March 6, 2017 2:58 am
Rated By: Hasena Kurtić
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: good solution.
Rated On: July 19, 2017 6:38 pm
Rated By: Savannah Lynn
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) No
The suggested solution is relevant to the case No
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement No
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue No
The suggested solution is original No
Comments: I can understand where you would want to suggest to them that they shouldn't use the "N word", but it seems as if it's part of their regional culture. I think it's more of their way of saying friend, brotha... obviously they are not offended by the word, so to them they are not using it in a derogatory manner whether you like the word or not. I think you would continue to spin your wheels with trying to change it.
Rated On: October 16, 2017 2:25 am
Rated By: TyNeby
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree!
Rated On: February 21, 2018 6:24 pm
Rated By: uJyGep
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: If I were in this situation, I would exactly do this
Rated On: February 26, 2018 12:30 am
Rated By: DuTepy
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments:
Rated On: October 9, 2018 1:10 am
Rated By: pagyDa
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: This is a good solution, as students most likely to not understand the history and implications of such language, and a quick lesson may show them why it is not okay to use, even in a joking manner.
Rated On: October 13, 2018 6:54 pm
Rated By: aGuraz
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: i agree
Rated On: October 27, 2018 2:51 pm
Rated By: Carla Crumb
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Giving the history of why it is offensive is a great idea
Rated On: February 25, 2019 2:33 am
Rated By: eNesuS
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: This is a good way to go about it. It is a slur, after all, and we should not be using slurs in a professional setting, nevermind a classroom.
Rated On: July 7, 2019 11:00 pm
Rated By: sygaru
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree with this solution
Rated On: October 21, 2019 2:55 am
Rated By: ZySaje
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments:
Rated On: February 24, 2020 3:42 am
Rated By: amajuj
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Educating them on the history would be very helpful.
Rated On: October 19, 2020 3:04 am
Rated By: peXehu
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I think this is good because you dont know if it offends someone, even if they dont say anything or used in a different setting.
Rated On: November 1, 2021 12:55 am
Rated By: yhedyZ
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: This is a helpful solution I will use in my future.
Rated On: November 25, 2022 2:06 pm
Rated By: segeRa
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I would personally do this in my classroom. Teach the origin of the word, why we don't want to use it, and then make it a rule. This will at least reduce the times they use the word.
Rated On: March 30, 2023 1:37 am
Rated By: XereRa