Homework 2

Questions for Class Discussion for Case 10

1. After reading this scenario, what were your immediate thoughts?
2. What, if anything, should Janine have done differently? What would
you have done differently, were you the teacher?
3. Do you believe there is anything a teacher should or should not do
depending on whether the teacher hears the "n-word" used in each of
these instances: without malice in the classroom, with malice in the
classroom, in the hall, on the school campus?
4. What if anything, did you learn from this case that might be helpful to
you during your own teaching career?
Answer
1/After reading this scenario, I immediate thoughts that the N-word is
a racist and offensive slur that has been used throughout history to
demean, humiliate and degrade Black people. Learning about its
history, use and harm is critical especially in schools today. To many
teachers, especially white ones, that makes the N-word completely off-
limits in the classroom. To some, it makes the N-word fertile
pedagogical ground.
2/-Janine should provide an opportunity for students to understand the
history and usage of slurs in general and the N-word specifically,
reflect on their own thoughts, feelings and ideas about the N-word, and
explore and address the impact and harm caused by the N-word.
-If I were the teacher, I would correct the mistakes immediately by
told them about the impact of using N word toward each other
especially black student and ask them to stop using that word in the
classroom by setting new rule. Because I want students to understand
how horrific they are, the pain that they cause.
3.I believe there is something a teacher should do depending on the
teacher hears the "n-word" in the classroom which is teaching students
about the genius and joy of Black people starting from the stories and
voices so that the students will reflect on their experiences, thoughts,
feelings and ideas about the use of the N-word in current times. And, I
believe there is something a teacher should not do depending on the
teacher hears the "n-word" in the classroom which is not remains silent
or use bad words to students. Moreover, teachers should say the “N-
 Word” aloud in class, no matter who they are or who the students are
in the room in front of them. That is a taboo that needs to stand.
4.The thing that I learn from this case that might be helpful to me during
my own teaching career is about the way to be able to reshape education
around the N-word by using our own points of encounter to frame the
conversation, and facilitate productive discussion. So that I can prevent
students to use N word in the classroom.