To think the head teacher should never have said the N word

[LittleMissMe99]

For context the head teacher of my children's secondary school decided to address racism by saying the N word. She actually said that she had asked permission from the other teachers to say the word....they're all white.

I'm literally gobsmacked. So AIBU to think she shouldn't have said it even if it was "teaching" kids not to say it?

This. It’s bloody madness to have this word that is still massively used in popular music and on movies and so on, yet while people can’t say it. Like, even to teach white children not to say it. If the word is so offensive then nobody should use it. The UK is so full of hatred and tension, why make specific rules for what people are allowed to do and say based on their skin colour? Surely this will only lead to further race issues and discrimination?

The use of that word isnt automatically offensive.

I did write a longer post but mumsnet like to censor

Tell me you’re white without saying your white.

Let me spell this out… that’s not
your call to make

Your opinion is just noise shouting down the opinions of those who matter

If you won’t listen to the black people telling you it is a problem… YOU are the problem.

What about the black people who agree with me.
Are disregarded because they hold differant views?

This.

This is one of the things was put in my post

White rapper called ill bill has a song called white n*** (I'll censor it myself this time)

Thetes absolutely not offence in the way it's used

Agree asking somebody black in to talk to the school would be better.

The problem is that saying “the N word” is a surefire way to guarantee that every child would be leaving the assembly asking each other what the N word is, and could remain the topic of playground conversation for days. The whole point of the assembly, by the sounds of it, was to stop it being said.

No but why is it ok to only say it if you are black and offensive if white? Its either offensive regardless of colour, or its not. Thats what im saying!!!

On the other hand you'll have the sly kids saying "what's the N word Miss? Is it <any other word beginning with N>?"

Some kids will try and bait the teacher to say something they really don't want to. My guess is that the head was trying to get a hold of the situation. I'm not sure what the best course of action would have been here.

Every poster who has said they are black has said it is not acceptable.

Just because you can theorise that you might find one person who would disagree with the majority doesn’t make you right

You’re more interested in shutting down the black people who are trying to tell you what they think than taking on board anything

You are the problem

Black people are not a monolith with one opinion and many don’t like other black people using it either… but they know it’s not their right to police how other black people use a word that has been used against them

Why is it up to you to determine what is an acceptable response from a black person to the racism they experience?

Who said anything about racism???
Saying that word doesnt automatically mean its racist.

I've also never it was up to me.

I'm not talk about calling someone that word.
I dont think anyone should another person that word

Also I see your avoiding listening to the song I posted or atleast avoiding giving you opinions on it. Maybe because you agree and dont want to admit it

Is it offensive?
Is it racist?

Because it’s not up to a majority group how a minority group engages with words that have been used to oppress them.

It can’t be news to you that marginalised groups often reclaim slurs used against them. I’m gay and have no problem when one of my gay friends calls me a dyke. But a straight person sure as hell can’t get away with that.

I’m also raising a mixed race child and if a white headteacher ever used that term in front of him I would absolutely be complaining.

It is because the N word was used by white people to oppress Black people. It is a deeply offensive term (and I do not use the word "offensive" often)

Given the word's meaning and problematic history, it really is not up to a white person to use it or to decide when it is or isn't appropriate to say it.

I am sure that someone will be able to explain it more eloquently than me, though.

you cant talk about the N word, if the children dont know what it is!

This

Wow, I’m shocked at the ignorance on this thread. It’s never OK for a white person to say that word, ever.

Telling people they cant do something because of the colour of there skin never ends well

Context and intent seem to everything ,with the exception of this word

How often did your teachers say the word cunt before you realised it was a misogynistic slur?

I think the most shocking thing about the OPs post is that apparently all the teachers in the school are white. As the saying goes, “ if you don’t see it you can’t be it.”

"It's okay for black rappers to use it... because they're black.
Absolutely, there is "one rule for them and another for everyone else based on the colour of the person using it" assuming the person using it is black themselves. There's a huge difference between a black person using the n word and a white person using it."

And this is exactly the problem in a nutshell, if a word is acceptable for one group of people but not another then it has to be taught to those that don't know. There will always be some in the group being taught who won't know what you are talking about unless you tell them exactly.

It would be far easier if the word was just 'banned' for everyone.

It would be far easier if the word was just 'banned' for everyone.

Yes. And hopefully the will die out.

The word needs to be uncool again and top glorifying its use

*Stop not top

To me saying the word or not saying the word is missing the issue here, the issue is that there is a problem with racism at this school and with all the best will in the world the white head teacher is probably not the best person to try and tackle this. The white head teacher saying any words, let alone that one, just isn't going to be the answer to the situation.

I don't know what the scale of the issue is at the school, but there must be black led groups or individuals that could come in and work with the students to teach about racism, whose job it is to really engage the kids, get them thinking about their behaviour, talk about the impact of it etc. It needs time though, and resources and probably money (unless there are charities that do this sort of work). But surely that must be available to schools in some form?

It's about teaching understanding and empathy though IMO not telling them all off with a few shock tactics thrown in and off you all go.