#379 – Randall Kennedy: The N-Word – History of Race, Law, Politics, and Power

162 snips

May 24, 2023

Randall Kennedy, a Harvard Law professor and author, dives into the complex history of the N-word, tracing its evolution and the societal perceptions surrounding it. He discusses the power of language and its impact on culture, advocating for mindful communication. The conversation touches on freedom of speech and its implications in academia, especially at institutions like Harvard. Kennedy also engages with critical race theory, examining systemic racism in policing and the nuances of affirmative action, all while reflecting on the ongoing struggle for racial equality.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

Teachers Disciplined for Using Kennedy's Book

Randall Kennedy discusses instances where teachers using his book, "Nigger," face disciplinary action.
This happens when teaching works like "Huckleberry Finn," where the word appears frequently, prompting parent complaints.

INSIGHT

Importance of Understanding the N-word

The N-word is crucial for understanding American history, especially racial injustice.
Knowing its history allows for careful and contextualized usage.

ANECDOTE

N-word Usage in Music and Comedy

Young people encounter the N-word's varied usage in music and comedy.
This necessitates understanding its context, as seen with artists like Dick Gregory and Richard Pryor.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

The Law and Race

Alfalfa Bill Murray

Nigger

An Autobiography

Robert Lipsyte

Dick Gregory

Dick Gregory's autobiography, 'Nigger: An Autobiography', is a candid and impactful memoir that delves into his life from a hardscrabble childhood in St. Louis to his pioneering days as a comedian and civil rights activist. The book has become a classic in discussions about race relations and civil rights, offering a moving story of overcoming racism and poverty. It was originally published in 1964 and has sold over a million copies.

For Discrimination Race Affirmative Action And The Law

Randall Kennedy

In 'For Discrimination', Randall Kennedy provides a deeply personal and meticulously argued defense of affirmative action. He delves into the complexities of race relations in America, discussing both the benefits and drawbacks of affirmative action policies. The book offers a balanced perspective on the legal and social implications of affirmative action, making it a valuable resource for understanding this contentious issue.

Nigger - The Strange Career of a Troublesome Word

Randall Kennedy

In this book, Randall Kennedy delves into the complex history and sociology of the word 'nigger', tracing its origins and exploring its varied connotations across different contexts. He discusses how the word has been used both as a tool of oppression and as a term of empowerment within black communities. Kennedy's analysis extends from historical racial dynamics to contemporary cultural references, offering a nuanced perspective on the word's impact on American society.

From slavery to freedom

A History of African Americans

John Hope Franklin

This book charts the journey of African Americans from their origins in Africa, through slavery in the Western Hemisphere, struggles for freedom in the West Indies, Latin America, and the United States, various migrations, and the ongoing quest for racial equality. The ninth edition, rewritten by Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, includes new chapters and updated information based on current scholarship, covering topics such as ancestral Africa, African American women, differing expressions of protest, local community activism, black internationalism, civil rights, and black power, as well as the election of the first African American president in 2008.

The Tyranny of Merit

What's Become of the Common Good?

Michael Sandel

In 'The Tyranny of Merit', Michael J. Sandel argues that the current system of meritocracy has led to significant social and political issues. He contends that meritocracy stratifies society into winners and losers, based largely on economic status and educational credentials, resulting in hubris among the successful and resentment and humiliation among those who are not. Sandel suggests that this system ignores the role of luck and external factors in success and instead attributes success solely to individual talent and hard work. He advocates for a new way of thinking about success, one that is more attentive to the role of luck, more conducive to an ethic of humility and solidarity, and more affirming of the dignity of all work. The book also explores the impact of credentialism and the need to restore dignity to work that does not require a college degree, promoting a politics of the common good[1][3][5].

Huckleberry Finn

Joanne Suter

This adaptation of 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' by Joanne Suter retains the core elements of Mark Twain's original story while making it more approachable for students. The book follows Huck Finn and the runaway slave Jim as they embark on a journey down the Mississippi River, confronting various challenges and social issues of pre-Civil War America. The adaptation includes eight pages of end-of-book activities to enhance the reading experience and facilitate learning.

The war on cops

Heather Mac Donald

This book expands on Mac Donald’s groundbreaking and controversial reporting on the Ferguson effect and the criminal-justice system. It deconstructs the central narrative of the Black Lives Matter movement: that racist cops are the greatest threat to young black males. Instead, Mac Donald argues that it is criminals and gangbangers who are responsible for the high black homicide death rate. The book exposes the truth about officer use of force and challenges the concept of 'mass incarceration.' It shows that proactive policing in the 1990s, along with lengthened sentences for violent crime, saved thousands of minority lives. Mac Donald advocates for a more honest and informed debate about policing, crime, and race, warning that race-based attacks on the criminal-justice system are eroding the authority of law and putting lives at risk.