Denounce the "N" Word Initiative...and More.
Yes, it has been a long, at times treacherous, journey since returning to Flint, Michigan following my Fulbright 2006 teaching experience in South Africa. Many, many downs...and a few ups! No sense in getting into the unglamourous details here; suffice to say that our return was difficult and my family and I did not expect (and/or deserve), the "welcome" we received from many of our so-called "friends" upon return. Enough said...
My Sociology students and I have created a class project that has developed into a mission, a chance to change the mindset of people about the use of the "N" word. I'm capitalizing it because it takes on that dimension--any way one wants to look at it.
We took our project to a couple of Flint City Council members and they embraced the effort whole-heartedly. Our class culminated the association with Flint City Council by creating a City Resolution, denouncing the use of the "N" word in Flint. The kids learned about similar efforts in other American cities and it was decided Flint could match efforts of cities like San Antonio and Baltimore...and why not?
After making a presentation to the Flint City Council in February, which was punctuated in a positive way because of it being Black History Month, we were given a standing ovation by the council. The kids, rightfully so, were very proud of that salute from the council...it meant a lot to them. It was also a high-water mark for me and my "main man", as I refer to student, Maurice Hood. Since that time, Maurice and I have formed a bond that becomes more pronounced as we go out into the community speaking on behalf of our project. Indeed, it has become a labor of love for all of us.
Importantly, we've created a denounce the "N" word t-shirt, which is selling quite briskly locally. Sales have also included schools and individuals from around the state and nation. We've also sold some t-shirts to customers in South Africa and even in Iceland(!). Soon, we'll be finishing up on a website and will also take the project to customers via eBay.
Any profits earned will go toward helping my school in South Africa--they need to purchase new computers because of a large influx of learners entering Norkem Park H.S., Kempton Park, from a nearby township called Tembisa. Many of my students were from Tembisa--8th-graders who needed much help with their lessons. For most, English was their second language. Many of them spoke three languages.
Maurice and I, and perhaps a few others from my classes, will be traveling to Michigan State University on April 12 to make a presentation to students recruited by the Black Graduate Students' Association. We've been asked to speak on our project and try to inspire youth to work in their respective communities to improve their lives there. It will be a challenge that we will gladly accept...knowing that we can and will motivate kids to become youthful activists. Of course, we also want to get the word out on our main mission, that is to change their attitudes toward the use of the "N" word.
We want people to change the "N" word to what we refer to as the "M" word: Mukoma. Mukoma is a Zimbabwean Shona word that means, "Honest, respected brother." The Shona are the majority ethnic group in Zimbabwe and we believe the "M" word is a much kinder, gentler way to greet each other. We definitely want people to discard the use of the vile, historically hateful "N" word. And we do not accept people attempting to rationalize the use of the "N" word by placing an "a" at the end of the word. It is, and always will be, unacceptable to us in any form.
My students and I want civility to return to normal discourse. We believe that civility requires that we strive to eliminate from our vocabularies the nastiness and hatred of certain historically vile/viscious words--and certainly the "N" word is at the top of the list of words that qualify to be scrutized. As bestselling author Stephen L. Carter stated in his CIVILITY: MANNERS, MORALS, AND THE ETIQUETTE OF DEMOCRACY, "Civility requires that we express ourselves in ways that demonstrate our respect for others." There is no way that the "N" word conveys respect in any way, shape or form.
We will press ahead with our mission--you can count on it! M.K.Gandhi brought down the British Empire with his steadfast, life-long, non-violent struggle against English presence in India. He was known to say, "First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win." Well, we've been ignored and even ridiculed. People have laughed at us--Maurice has lost friends in the process of believing in this effort. No one has lined up to fight us yet, but we expect that dynamic to develop too. Make no mistake about it though: we expect to win. We expect this because we know in our heart of hearts our cause is right and just--and it is something we firmly believe in.
Please join us! Drop the use of the "N" word and adapt the use of the "M" word. You'll feel better about yourself and African American people in general. And it makes no difference what ethnic group you belong to or claim...the "N" word has to go. Please help us!
My Sociology students and I have created a class project that has developed into a mission, a chance to change the mindset of people about the use of the "N" word. I'm capitalizing it because it takes on that dimension--any way one wants to look at it.
We took our project to a couple of Flint City Council members and they embraced the effort whole-heartedly. Our class culminated the association with Flint City Council by creating a City Resolution, denouncing the use of the "N" word in Flint. The kids learned about similar efforts in other American cities and it was decided Flint could match efforts of cities like San Antonio and Baltimore...and why not?
After making a presentation to the Flint City Council in February, which was punctuated in a positive way because of it being Black History Month, we were given a standing ovation by the council. The kids, rightfully so, were very proud of that salute from the council...it meant a lot to them. It was also a high-water mark for me and my "main man", as I refer to student, Maurice Hood. Since that time, Maurice and I have formed a bond that becomes more pronounced as we go out into the community speaking on behalf of our project. Indeed, it has become a labor of love for all of us.
Importantly, we've created a denounce the "N" word t-shirt, which is selling quite briskly locally. Sales have also included schools and individuals from around the state and nation. We've also sold some t-shirts to customers in South Africa and even in Iceland(!). Soon, we'll be finishing up on a website and will also take the project to customers via eBay.
Any profits earned will go toward helping my school in South Africa--they need to purchase new computers because of a large influx of learners entering Norkem Park H.S., Kempton Park, from a nearby township called Tembisa. Many of my students were from Tembisa--8th-graders who needed much help with their lessons. For most, English was their second language. Many of them spoke three languages.
Maurice and I, and perhaps a few others from my classes, will be traveling to Michigan State University on April 12 to make a presentation to students recruited by the Black Graduate Students' Association. We've been asked to speak on our project and try to inspire youth to work in their respective communities to improve their lives there. It will be a challenge that we will gladly accept...knowing that we can and will motivate kids to become youthful activists. Of course, we also want to get the word out on our main mission, that is to change their attitudes toward the use of the "N" word.
We want people to change the "N" word to what we refer to as the "M" word: Mukoma. Mukoma is a Zimbabwean Shona word that means, "Honest, respected brother." The Shona are the majority ethnic group in Zimbabwe and we believe the "M" word is a much kinder, gentler way to greet each other. We definitely want people to discard the use of the vile, historically hateful "N" word. And we do not accept people attempting to rationalize the use of the "N" word by placing an "a" at the end of the word. It is, and always will be, unacceptable to us in any form.
My students and I want civility to return to normal discourse. We believe that civility requires that we strive to eliminate from our vocabularies the nastiness and hatred of certain historically vile/viscious words--and certainly the "N" word is at the top of the list of words that qualify to be scrutized. As bestselling author Stephen L. Carter stated in his CIVILITY: MANNERS, MORALS, AND THE ETIQUETTE OF DEMOCRACY, "Civility requires that we express ourselves in ways that demonstrate our respect for others." There is no way that the "N" word conveys respect in any way, shape or form.
We will press ahead with our mission--you can count on it! M.K.Gandhi brought down the British Empire with his steadfast, life-long, non-violent struggle against English presence in India. He was known to say, "First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win." Well, we've been ignored and even ridiculed. People have laughed at us--Maurice has lost friends in the process of believing in this effort. No one has lined up to fight us yet, but we expect that dynamic to develop too. Make no mistake about it though: we expect to win. We expect this because we know in our heart of hearts our cause is right and just--and it is something we firmly believe in.
Please join us! Drop the use of the "N" word and adapt the use of the "M" word. You'll feel better about yourself and African American people in general. And it makes no difference what ethnic group you belong to or claim...the "N" word has to go. Please help us!
posted by John Davidek, Fulbright South Africa-2006 @ 12:32 PM
2 Comments
2 Comments:
Cousin John, I did check out your website. It is interesting to learn about your trip in 2006 and what you are up to now. I actually work for a school district myself here in Pennsylvania. I'm currently employed as a public relations director. It allows me to work with elected officials and the media, but I still get to help kids. It is a great job. There are a few Fulbright scholars at my district, and they have provided wonderful insight. Hope all is well - Jason
Thanks for responding, Jason! It's good that a DAVIDEK is running for political office. I know cousin Joe was this-that-and-the-other in Tarentum, so it's great that you will carry the name on to the State of Pennsylvania level. Hey, who knows...perhaps you'll go for a House seat in Congress someday? Incidently, I just received a nice thank you note for my donation to your campaign. The only problem I foresee Jason (in the future), is the fact that you're a REPUBLICAN! Maybe someday I can talk some sense to you and you'll "see the light." We're gonna have a Democrat in the White House this time around...just wait and see.
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