Mommy, What Does Nigger Mean Essay

name any African American can be called is the word ‘nigger’. Some people believe that it is okay in specific contexts, but it is not. If someone were to Google the word, the definition will be: “a contemptuous term for a black or dark-skinned person.” Contemptuous also means showing scornfulness. Gloria Naylor’s “Mommy What does ‘Nigger’ Mean,” examines the power of language with dialogue, personal experience, tone, and specifically the word ‘nigger’ that inflicts confusion and harm. In her essay, she

In “Mommy, What Does Nigger Mean?”, author Gloria Naylor explains throughout her piece that reality shapes language and language can shape reality. Naylor explains this, “chicken or the egg dispute” (Naylor 1) through her experiences with the word nigger. Gloria explains how she starts on one side of reality and shaping her language, then comes to another understanding from the boy in her third grade class. Language can be how words are used, what their meaning is and the purpose behind that selection

Names and Titles in Gloria Naylor's novel, Mommy, What Does Nigger Mean   "Words themselves are innocuous; it is the consensus that gives them true power." (Naylor 344) A name is a mark of classification, a basis for self identity. Able to elevate or annihilate a persons' perception of herself and the surrounding society, these designations can uplift, joke, chide, mock, insult, degrade. "Society" implies the people and the atmosphere encompassing an individual in her daily life

Loss of Innocence in Cullen's Incident and Naylor’s Mommy, What Does "Nigger" Mean?   Unfortunately, a question that many African Americans have to ask in childhood is "Mommy, what does nigger mean?," and the answer to this question depicts the racism that still thrives in America (345). Both Gloria Naylor’s "'Mommy, What Does "Nigger" Mean?'" and Countee Cullen's "Incident" demonstrate how a word like "nigger" destroys a child’s innocence and initiates the child into a world of racism.  Though

Staples, in “Black Men and Public Space,” details his experience being treated unfairly due to his racial status. Gloria Naylor’s “‘Mommy, what does ‘Nigger’ Mean?’” discusses the authors first time being called the N-word, how she felt, and how she asked her mom about what it meant. Brent Staples’ “Black Men and Public Space”, and Gloria Naylor’s “‘Mommy, what does ‘Nigger’ Mean?’” are similar through the authors’ accounts of being treated poorly because of their African descent along with ways to cope

Caucasians and the Word ‘Nigger’ We have all heard the phrase “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” However, depending on how words are used, and the opinions associated with them, they can indeed be very hurtful. Gloria Naylor writes about this in her article “Mommy, What Does ‘Nigger’ Mean?” She states “words themselves are innocuous; it is the consensus that gives them true power” (Naylor 481). She explains that African Americans’ use of nigger does not in anyway invite

While reading the story of “Black Men and Public Space” by Brent Staples and “Mommy, What Does ‘Nigger’ Mean?” by Gloria Naylor, it became clear that people of color suffer from this ignorant mindset of others. It got to a point in which people of color did not know how to react or even look, while walking down the street, such as Staples. Other commonalities perceive people of color had faced were attaching the word ‘Nigger’ to people of color, or mistaken a Black male as a criminal. All of these examples

her feel as though she is on top of the world. No matter what language is used for, it can make a huge impact, how language is used determines whether the impact is positive or negative. In her essay “The Meanings of a Word”, Gloria Naylor’s effective depiction of language is revealed through syntax, diction, and imagery. Naylor’s sentence structure plays a key role in the delivery of her

her life right now. Ruth is raising her children in a way of strict rules, but helps in the long run. “Look at her with those little niggers.” I remember when a white man shoved her angrily as she led a group of us on to an escalator, but Mommy simply ignored him. I remember two blacks women pointing at us, saying at Mommy somewhere in Manhattan, calling her a “nigger lover.” ( McBride 31). The mother, or even the family, but mostly the mother is hated by way of that she is raising children with different

Barber, Patrick 2 APEL III 14 November 2014 Mommy What Does Nigger Mean by Gloria Naylor Being a Chink by Christine Leong Questions on Meaning 1. Naylor believes that written language is inferior to spoken language because it cannot capture the essence of life. For example Naylor writes “I consider the written word inferior to the spoken, and much of the frustration experienced by novelists is the awareness that whatever we manage to capture even in the most transcendent passages