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Lex Fridman Podcast

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

May 24, 2023
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03:14:10
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Law professor Randall Kennedy discusses the history, power, and controversy surrounding the N-word. Topics include the evolution of the word, controversies and reflections on their book, power and responsibility of words, complexity of slurs, evaluating the use of the N-word, views on Harvard University and race, misconceptions surrounding critical race theory, racial profiling and its consequences, progress and divisions in American race relations, affirmative action, denialism and the attack on testing, lessons from the speaker's father, and reflections on Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech.
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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Understanding the history and evolution of the N-word illuminates its impact and significance in contemporary society.
  • The controversy surrounding Randall Kennedy's book on the N-word showcases the debates and consequences it has generated, particularly in educational settings.

Deep dives

The History of the N-Word

The conversation explores the history of the N-word, tracing its etymology and its transition from being a descriptive term to a derogatory slur.

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