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Commentary: The True Meaning Of The N-Word From 'Roots'
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Has a television show ever had a profound impact on you? Well, one young man in Georgia had a transformative experience at a recent screening of the History Channel miniseries "Roots." Jason Crichton, 15, of Atlanta attends Therrell High School. In a commentary originally written for Vox Teen Communications, Crichton says the show has encouraged him to take a stand against the casual use of a word that has the potential to offend.
A thought ran through my mind as I watched a screening of the miniseries "Roots" recently: "This is the best damn movie I’ve ever seen!"
As a black teen growing up in East Point, I am ashamed of how my peers disrespect our culture by not taking advantage of the opportunities that were paid for by the blood, murder and rape of our ancestors. And -- like most of my peers and friends -- I accepted when others drop the N-word.
I never gave it much thought until I saw those white slave traders show up on screen spewing the word "nigger" all over the place. It was a reminder of how much hate the word originally carried. I feel bad that my friends today use it in a flattering way, as if it was created to empower black people and express pride.
“Roots” enhanced my understanding the way vibrato on a violin enhances a song. You feel Kunta Kinte's anger during his fight scenes. His eyes flash bloodshot and his dark brown skin turns dull like burnished mahogany. My struggles are different -- lightened by the load he and countless slaves carried before my birth -- but I still feel his anger.
Before watching this "Roots" remake, I didn’t value the history of African-Americans the way I do now. Roots did more for me than any school lecture or textbook ever will. I feel educated and inspired to do something.
But one thing I won't do is accept the use of the "N-word." From now on when others say it, I'll remind them of the true meaning of nigger.
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