Lucy Worsley and the N word

[BlackKite]

Lucy Worsley is getting a kicking on Twitter. She was doing a TV show about the American Civil War and quoted someone opposed to the emancipation of slaves, using the N word.

t.co/g76XVwQTjk?amp=1

On the show, it’s clear that it’s a quote and she briefly warns the viewer before uttering the word.

AIBU to think that in the context, historians should be able to use kind of language without giving offense?

Bible in general is bit...
Needs updating

Well, its a product of its time isn't it? Same as the Qu'ran on this issue.

My take on it is to think about the intent. In quoting the word directly, was she trying to present the racist views of the past or to spread racist views herself. Surely it is the former.

We are rightly now discussing the horrors of slavery and racism. I can’t see how we can do that honestly if it is offensive to realistically present the past.

@helloareyouthere

*Bible in general is bit... Needs updating*

Well, its a product of its time isn't it? Same as the Qu'ran on this issue.

Imagine opening your bible and seeing a message:

"Your Bible is out of date. Press to receive the latest version"

DGRossetti, yes, that rings a bell.

I’m watching the TV series The Wire at the moment and the N word is liberally sprinkled throughout, but obviously in the context of it being used by black people talking to each other. I still wince every time and then I think, well it’s not up to me to be wincing about it really but I still do iyswim.

If she wouldn't have said "they ran away calling him a fucking wanker" on air then she shouldn't have said the n word. It's unnecessary, "using racial slurs" would have worked. Add disgusting as a descriptor if you must, but to say the actual word is bit of a misjudgement.

It’s not up to white people to conclude it's inoffensive and ok when "said in context".

But who is up to? Should everything be decided by whoever finds something offensive? Should Mary Whitehouse have controlled TV schedules in the 70s?

Nobody said it was inoffensive, did they? It's supposed to be offensive. Using it highlights his things have changed.

To those who think she shouldn't have said it do you also feel we shouldn't teach books like 'of mice and men' or 'to kill a mockingbird' as they both use the N word liberally throughout and the print additions do not sensor it out. It is there in print for pupils to read. My school teaches both these books at year 9.

Well, as it happens, you absolutely can find censored copies of both of those books.

Personally I think it's high time to revamp the GCSE syllabus, for reasons including but not limited to the fact that it's a bit of an embarrassment, in this day and age, to be teaching so much by white authors (and esp white authors writing black people). I'm not sure it's all that big and clever to use the word in full, but I frequently come across people who think so, based on 'ha ha, but it's in books innit' kind of arguments.

The GCSE syllabus doesn't include these anymore hence the teaching at year 9. Though I do agree it needs a revamp from the old dead white guys that the GCsE syllabus does have. (Not that Harper Lee was a guy)

With the context and history elements that are taught along side these books do you feel they have no value in education? Would you complain to the school if your child was being taught it? i think, like with LW, if the context is there then it can be appropriate have value as it has the shock factor which makes people think.

I'm studying a history degree curently. We have been asked to use 'n***' in place of the word when quoting in writing, spoken was just a pause where the word would be.

One of my lecturers had an article rejected for using 'slaves' rathet than 'enslaved person/s', and had to resub with an additional explanation for his usage of the word. There seems a strong push in History at the moment to ensure no offense is caused, or could potentially be caused, through outdated language.

We know history was racist. We don't need white people saying the n word to get that across.

We know history was racist. We don't need white people saying the n word to get that across.

So no need to study history anymore?

@totalpeas22

Most people are not concerned with racism and slavery, people obsessing about the past need to get a life. Marching and pulling down statues won’t make any difference to anything

Most black people are concerned about the racist present and understand it through the history of slavery. Everyone else should educate themselves about it too. Marching and pulling down statues is a great way to get everyone thinking about how our racist history informs our racist present.

@BlackKite yes, study history. But you don't need to say the n word aloud to study history. What's hard to understand about that?

But you don't need to say the n word aloud to study history. What's hard to understand about that?

It's not hard to understand but I think it's flawed. Take another example, is it wrong, in the context of a history class, to see anti-semitic cartoons published in the Nazi era in Der Stürmer? The teacher could just say that the Nazis were racist without seeing the cartoons themselves. Is not something lost from the study of history, if parts of history are censored or softened?

It's not wrong to show an anti semitic cartoon as part of a history lesson, and it's not wrong to read a book with the n word in as part of a history lesson. Just don't say the word aloud if you're white. Simple.

Just don't say the word aloud if you're white. Simple.

But a TV show is a visual and oral medium. Are you saying the word should have been flashed up for people to read?

Or she could have just not read that passage aloud on TV? She could have just said it uses racist language. I'm sure everyone would know what she meant by that, it's not necessary for her to actually say it.

She could have just said it uses racist language. I'm sure everyone would know what she meant by that, it's not necessary for her to actually say it.

Yes, she could have just said that supporters of slavery were racist (well, of course) and a program about Nazis could say they were anti-Semitic, but I believe it is richer and more mature to confront the racist language and imagery.

I think if the warning is given and it’s made clear why they word is used it should be ok

But at the same time it’s jot up to be to tell a black person they shouldn’t be offended when you could use the term the N word

I think at this point of time it might be the right thing to do

@DGRossetti

The dressing up as a plantation mistress: I have only a dim recollection of the detail, but from what I recall of the programme generally, she put all that in its context too (I think she discusses Gone With the Wind and makes clear how it's problematic?).

From a vague memory wasn't she discussion the fact that there are GWTW themed weddings you can have to play dress up in order to (literally) whitewash the past ?

That's another "Gone With the Wind" is. Whitewashing of the antebellum period with the racist and infuriating myth of the benevolent master