The Waiting Room

If there is one word in the English language that just offends me to the core of my being, it's the "N" word. It's not just the historical connotation that comes with the word, but the flagrant use of it as either a term of endearment or as a way of people describing their own race.

I don't use it. And I don't like when people around me use it.

Today, in a discussion about rape, one of my students use the word to describe men at a night club. She said that there are those "N's" that are just interested in one thing.

Yes, she used the word.

I was absolutely floored. You see, the way that she said it was so nonchalant, like it was everyday conversation. Like it was nothing.

I told her that she was not to use that word in my presence of in my class...ever. That word, either in the slang or pejorative sense, is offensive and unacceptable.

The student seemed taken aback, she looked at me as if to say "But, I thought you would understand."

I heard that one before. I had a student a few years ago who did the same thing, only she actually said "I thought you would understand."

No, what I understand is there is no way you can spin that word to make it anything other than what it is.

Offensive.