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In her essay “The Meanings of a Word,” Gloria Naylor explores the connection between language and culture through the lens of the word “nigger.”. She argues that the word has been used to oppress and dehumanize Black people, and that its continued use perpetuates a culture of racism and inequality.
A woman could never be a “nigger” in the singular, with its connotations of confirming worth. The noun girl was its closest equivalent in that sense, but only when used in direct address and regardless of the gender doing the addressing. Girl was a token of respect for a woman. The one-syllable word was drawn out to sound like three in ...
In what ways does Naylor’s 1986 essay help situate the use of naming? How should we approach this in our course? Share some ground rules for the use of the n-word.
In this essay, Gloria Naylor explores the different meanings of a word that can be used as a powerful weapon or a term of affection, depending on the context and the speaker. She shares her personal experiences of hearing and using the word nigger, and how it shaped her identity and perspective.
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1. the state of having a normal healthy mind. 2. the state of being sensible and reasonable. transcendent. 1. A movement that sought to explore the relationship between humans and nature through emotions rather than through reason. 2. be or go beyond the range or limits of (a field of activity or conceptual sphere). dynamics.
The Meanings of a Word by Gloria Naylor.pdf — PDF document, 542 KB (555422 bytes)
