The N-word is more than just a word; It represents so much more.
Q. What made you do this piece, “The N-Word: It Represents Hatred”?
A. The word was used in another Rookies story, so there was a long lasting debate on whether that was right or not. Thinking about that, I started analyzing the times I’ve used the word myself. Then after reading and learning about the black experience during slavery and post slavery in school — I felt like the history of the word could not be forgotten.
Q. What was the African American course you were taking that influenced you to do this piece?
A. I took many African American courses at Hunter but I think taking African American Narratives really made me FEEL the pain of slavery and the freed slaves. Sure I also took classes that taught me the facts of the history, but reading Frederick Douglas’ ‘Up from Slavery’ and even neo-slave narratives like Octavia Butler’s ‘Kindred,’ I was able to put a face to the evils of that time.
Q. What equipment did you use?
A. For that story, Rookies were still using mini discs–we have since upgraded to flash recorders which make uploading tape as easy as removing a file from a USB drive. The digital program we use to work on the interviews and sound is called Pro Tools.
Q. Why did you go out to interview people on the streets of NY? Were you nervous?
A. I interviewed New Yorkers because NY is where I grew up and it’s were my socialization of the word [the N-word] happened. I interviewed so many people in different parts of the city because I wanted to get as many different perspectives as possible.
No I wasn’t nervous at all; I love talking to strangers and getting to ask them questions. I love that a microphone gives you the power to do that.
Q. Have your views changed about the use of the N-word? Do you still think it represents hatred and people shouldn’t use it?
A. Well history proves it represents hatred– that could never be changed.
I still think it shouldn’t be used absent mindedly and those that say they’re choosing to say the word should realize when they say it, which I still observe is not usually the case. I decided though that I can’t MAKE people not say it, can’t save the world, even though I’ve tried. Now I just work to inform my friends and the people I continually come in contact with. Unfortunately ignorance is bliss for many people.
Personally though, I still choose not to use the word. Even when I’m singing along to my new favorite artist, The Dream—who’s talent makes up for the disregard of the word [I’ve rationalized].
Q. What do you think about Jesse Jackson’s alleged use of the word recently?
A. Sad, sad, sad and very unfortunate. He made himself look very hypercritical and so irrelevant in my opinion. Yes I understand there is a generational difference between him and Obama, but I would think he’d be proud of what Obama’s been able to accomplish. Honestly I pray it truly was a publicity stunt, because he couldn’t be that thoughtless.
Q. Any advice for other reporters/producers?
A. I guess the biggest advice would be to always bring your own perspective. Whether it’s a news story or a personal documentary, the way each person is going to tell a story will be different; we are individuals. So being you and true to what you feel and believe is number one.
After spending the past few days at the UNITY Conference, which is a conference that brings together the four major journalist organizations of color [NABJ, NAHJ, AAJA, NAJA], I have to say networking is a big deal, so join some type of organization. Life is all about who you know, but you also have to know something when you get an opportunity, so interning and gaining experience is another piece of advice.
Q. Is there anything you think you would have added to this piece?
A. The N-Word conversation could go on forever, so eventually the story had to end. But some say it should have had more historical facts or more on the hip-hop music aspect. Personally I was just trying to tell my views and experience with the word.
One aspect that I got a lot of tape on, but was not able to include was the way the West-African teens from the camp used the word. For them, it was just about fitting in and being accepted; they were just using a word that everyone else used. But I think I was still able to bring out in the story, my belief that the N-word is more than just a word; It represents so much more.
