“peek into the world of what it means to be black.” To me this reasoning seems immature. This outlook reminds me of child play, saying, “See, now you know how it feels.”
I don't agree. I feel as if white should understand the trials that minorities go through on a day to day basis and this is only a little piece not even fully giving them the experience. It isn't immature.
“N-----” is, undoubtedly, offensive. The word is a racist slur.
Exactly, yet the group wanted to take back the word, if the word hadn't been taken back it would be simple a derogatory word.
“If the word is so offensive to the black community, then why does the black community still use it?”
This word was taken by black people from the oppressors and used in an ironic way
With this reasoning comes the concept that some white people feel they are entitled to use the N-word even though it is inappropriate.
I feel like they lack respect when it comes to black people and this word that we have taken back
why white people shouldn’t say the N-word even if it is singing along with a rap song. He argues that white people can’t seem to accept this because of white privilege.
Because white people have been told that everything belongs to them and they have the right to everything they feel its unfair to have this one word kept from them
The normalization of the word in pop culture has led to some white people also saying the word, which has resulted in backlash from the African-American community with the view that white people should not say the word.
I agree with the backlash and i feel it is necessary, especially if it was used by the same people of the same race that oppressed African Americans.
The term is used in today’s slang, predominantly, by the black community and African-American rappers. Initially, this was in an attempt to desensitize the derogatory interpretation behind the word
This term was taken back by the same community it was used against.
While I agree that the word can be offensive and inappropriate to use, I find it important to consider the context in which the word is used.
I don't feel as if there should be any need for someone outside of the community to use the word at all. I think we should prevent any conflict and just not use the word.
That double standard is an unfortunate example of hypocrisy in society. If a white person uses the N-word, they are immediately scorned for their behavior, it is deemed inappropriate and they are quickly labeled as a racist.
If a white person uses the N-word.. the same word that was created and used mainly by white people to demean black people then yes, it would be easily considered racist.
Depending on context, the N-word can be interpreted as either friendly or derogatory — friendly when used by the black community and derogatory when used by non-black people.
If used by someone outside of the community the use of the word is seen as derogatory
the word has re-emerged and is used with a different meaning by the descendants of the very people who had to endure the cruel term decades before.
This word has been taken back and used ironically
The word represents generations of maltreatment of and disrespect toward African-Americans.
This word was used as a reminder of the years and generations of mistreatment among Black people
white people branded Africans with the term and used it to abuse and belittle them for decades.
This word was used in an offensive way to offend and belittle Africans
Derived from the pre-Jim Crow period,
This word was created to create division and oppression
“N-----” is a divisive word in society.
This word was and is a word of division
The moral of the story is: if you’re white, just don’t use the N-word, period.
After given several reasons and examples and explanations, simply don't use that derogatory word.
Black people cannot drive without fear of being pulled over or even killed by police; black children cannot act out in school without fear of being overly disciplined or even criminalized; black people cannot apply for a job without fear of being rejected because employers discriminate against people of color ― just to name a few.
Given examples of things that black people cannot normally do that are seemingly normal. These actions are normal for white people to do however minorities sit in a system of fear
“This will give you just a little peek into the world of what it means to be black. Because to be black is to walk through the world and watch people doing things that you cannot do.”
Again stating how if minorities were to try and do some of things that white people did there would be repercussions.
“For white people, I think the experience of being a hip-hop fan and not being able to use the word ‘nigga’ will be very insightful,”
Its just a taste of how life is for minorities and the restrictions on what they can and cannot do
white people being raised in a society whose laws and culture communicate to them that “everything belongs to you,” as Coates put it ― makes some white people feel as though they have a right to do anything,
White people have been taught that everything belongs to them even down to this land and so to have this one word that they can't use they feel as if its unfair
why so many white people have difficulty extending things that are basic laws of how human beings interact to black people,”
Why is it that when it comes to this one word we as black people can't get any respect
Coates noted that LGBTQ activist Dan Savage was considering calling his show “Hey Faggot.” Coates pointed out that, as a straight man, he would never use that word.
Another example of how a person of that community uses a derogatory word in an ironic way and for a straight man to use it, it would no longer be ironic.
The author explained that just because certain communities may choose to use a derogatory word ironically among themselves, that doesn’t give other people outside that community license to do so.
This shows how a certain word is taken back and used in that community it isn't necessarily for people outside of that group to use because it wouldn't have that ironic part to it
“My wife with her girlfriends will use the word ‘bitch,’” Coates continued. “I do not join in. I don’t do that ― and perhaps more importantly, I don’t have a desire to do it.”
If he used that word to his wife or her friend he knows it would disrespectful and he doesn't have a desire to join in
For instance, while it is OK for his wife to refer to him as “honey,” he noted, it is probably not cool for a strange woman walking down the street to do so.
The context behind that word and the meaning behind that word wouldn't be acceptable because of the relationship between each other
“Words don’t have a meaning without context.”
I absolutely agree, you use different words to address different people because of the relationship you have with one another and the context behind that word
at dusk.
The sunrise could be another image of fire, the sky is dark and the sun begins to light the sky
dances around her
The flames move in such a way it looks as if shes being praised
A skirt of flames
A circle of fire surrounding her
in a thigh-shaped valley.
The valleys surrounding her and her being the center of it all
She burns like foxfire
A foxfire tree has a bluish green glow, does choosing this specific tree represent how special the girl was?
she burns like a piece of paper.
Reference to how paper when burned turns into ash and is forgotten
inside my head. At daybreak
He thinks about this girl everyday day in and day out
belongs to a girl still burning
He's reliving this girls story saying how she is still burning
The cry I bring down from the hills
Is he referring to a sad story as a cry? Maybe a tragedy
"You and I Are Disappearing"
Is this a reference to aging? What is he referring to?
Or does it explode?
Do you finally just give up and completely destroy this dream? Destroy any hope or belief that this dream could be
like a heavy load.
This dream is weighing you down, maybe the pressure of this dream is too much
Maybe it just sags
Maybe the weight of this dream is overbearing?
like a syrupy sweet?
its a sweet dream however its no longer living vibrantly within, its a sweet still dream
Or crust and sugar over—
Does this dream become still? Like the possibility of living that dream feels impossible yet you still like the idea of it
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Does it leave a bad lingering thought? Maybe the thought of you failing?
And then run?
You put off this painful, sore dream of yours
Or fester like a sore—
does the dream become rotten? you hate the thought of it or the thought of this dream is painful ?
like a raisin in the sun?
A visual representation of what he sees as a deferred dream, think about the process of turning a grape into a raisin
Does it dry up
A living dream to me lives vibrant in my head so if its deferred does it becomes dull and small?
What happens to a dream deferred?
A dream that you no longer believe in
Harlem
Direct message to the people of Harlem or a message about Harlem
Finally pulled it back and saw 3 bullets caught up in the chamber
He's starting to panic
Try to cock it, it wouldn't shoot, now I'm in danger
He realizes that he no longer has this weapon to defended himself so what is he going to do?
Gave another squeeze, heard it click, "yo, my stuff is stuck"
His gun got jammed
Heard a few chicks scream, my arm shook, couldn't look
He couldn't look when he was shooting showing that that wasn't who he really was
Lead was hitting negroes, one ran, I made him backflip
He hit his opponents and made sure to get them all
Pick the Mac up, told brothers, "Back up, " the Mac spit
He's attempting to get back at his opponent.
I ran like a cheetah with thoughts of an assassin
He was thinking about how he was going to get back at these people
Once they caught us off-guard, the Mac-10 was in the grass and
He wasn't prepared to defend himself
Time to start the revolution, catch a body, head for Houston
Could be referring to gang activity and he started a war before running off
Negroes be running through the block shootin'
Showing how gun violence is a common thing its something you see everyday
Reminiscing about the last time the Task Force flipped
Thinking back to when the issues weren't this bad
G-packs get off quick, forever negroes talk stuff
Drugs sell fast in this community, something common
Laughing at baseheads trying to sell some broken amps
Basehead is a term used for addicts
I keep some E&J, sitting bent up in the stairway
He keeps a drink on him, probably to help cope with his situation
Y'all know my steelo with or without the airplay
We know about him regardless, hes made an impact
Hand me a nine and I'll defeat foes
displays how he had become apart of that violent community
Bullet holes left in my peepholes, I'm suited up in street clothes
Many references to him being the inside look to this community, gun violence
Holding an M-16, see with the pen I'm extreme, now
Saying how he's the best, he's a poet in this industry
Of pain, I'm like Scarface smelling amphetamines
Reference to the movie Scarface
NY State of Mind
The state of mind of Nasir along with the people who grew up in New York
I be kicking, musician, inflictin' composition
He's chilling and he's a musician that's pretty much tearing up the whole industry
Rappers, I monkey flip 'em with the funky rhythm
Rappers - this is what he does with them, he's saying he can out do them on this "funky rhythm"
Where fake negroes don't make it back
Where the fake rappers wouldn't come back this dungeon plucked out the best and real
I don't know how to start this stuff, yo
Side Note - he just didn't know how to start this story off properly
Straight out the friggin dungeons of rap
Straight out the dungeons of rap - so I'm interpreting back when kids would sit outside with there friends and have rap battles
Yeah, it's time man (aight negro, begin)
yeah its time so what are you waiting for?
(Word, it's time negro?)
Double checking getting reassurance
Yeah yeah, aiyyo black it's time (word?)
Beginning of the poem letting them know that its time its about to start pretty much get ready
in the chalk and choke.
in the outlines of this sorrow or the outlines of this situation
in the many many mornings-after;
in the morning after they got better? in the morning after she calls for them to heal
in the non-cheering dark,
in a place that doesn't want for them the best, they are cheering for them to get better
cultivation of strength to heal and enhance
Brooks is calling for the prisoners to heal whats been damaged and get better
you. I call for you
a calling of something for those- the prisoners
what wants to crumble you down, to sicken
something that wants to break your spirit or your hope
Over
why isolate this word? a continuation of this call
long blows that you want to give and blows you are going to get.
blows referring to hits?
cultivation of victory Over
A call for victory a hope that this will be all over that she/ they will overcome this
I call for you
A calling out to who? is this a call for help? is she calling for that dry place? Is this something she is longing for?
Where it is dry.
Maybe this her protection from the dark where it is cold or too hot, maybe under these "wolves and coyotes" she feels safe
Where it is dry.
Is her this protection?
Under the wolves and coyotes of particular silences.
A particular silence of these wolves and coyotes, these animals commonly seen as predators? Who is she referring to as these predators
in the hot paralysis.
In the hot paralysis? is it so hot that she is paralyzed?
in the vertigo cold.
in the vertigo cold, vertigo is when you have a whirling sensation so is the cold surrounding her?
Dark gardening
darkness and gardening? When you think of gardening you don't necessarily associate it with dark. Dark gardening something is growing in the dark
I call for you cultivation of strength in the dark.
Brooks is wanting us to acquire strength "in the dark" maybe referring to when times get rough
Itʹs full as Opera
What is she referencing here?
Nor any Placard boast me ‑
She isn't plastered on any posters bragging about her
Nor any know I know the ArtI mention ‑ easy ‑ Here ‑
Nobody knows that she dances, this is a secret of hers
Till I was out of sight, in sound,The House encore me so ‑
She was satisfied to dance in her own house, the audience was her house and they loved her dancing - "encore me so"
Nor tossed my shape in Eider Balls,Nor rolled on wheels of snow
Eider Balls are the gowns ballet dancers wear
Nor hopped for Audiences ‑ like Birds ‑One Claw opon the air ‑
She didn't dance for audiences, the audience wasn't something she seemed to crave
And though I had no Gown of Gauze ‑No Ringlet, to my Hair,
Although she didn't have the attire of a ballet dancer
Or lay a Prima, mad,
This could also be something that she's longed for, the opportunity to do ballet
Would put itself abroadIn Pirouette to blanch a Troupe ‑
Maybe she was a ballet dancer before she was "controlled" or told not to dance, and ever so often she would dance
That had I Ballet Knowledge ‑
She'll dance ballet? When I think of ballet I think of a passionate dance; graceful
A Glee possesseth me,
She gets sudden urges to dance? she breaks free
But oftentimes, among my mind,
her thoughts are her only escape, in her mind is where she is free
No Man instructed me ‑
No Man has instructed her - she hasn't been told to dance so she isn't allowed She's being controlled in this environment
I cannot dance opon my Toes ‑
She's unable to dance why? has she been controlled or is she unable because she doesn't know?
What awful brain compels His awful hand.
Is this the question of why has God created him in such a way?
Yet do I marvel at this curious thing:
yet he ponders this one thing, even though he can't seem to quite understand he still wonders
With petty cares to slightly understand
the mind is filled with meaningless cares so much so that he couldn't understand
catechism
instructions of christians
Inscrutable His ways
impossible to understand or interpret Gods reasoning
If merely brute caprice dooms Sisyphus
This greek mythology reference compares to Cullens as he is continuously running into the worries of not being accepted and working endlessly to no acheivement
Make plain the reason tortured Tantalus
Cullen asks the question of why? Why has he made him this way? (referring to his sexuality) reference to greek mythology, also running into denial as a black poet
Is baited by the fickle fruit,
Reference to Adam and Eve? The apple emulating the sin of his sexuality. His desires are so close in reach yet he is denied them.
To make a poet black, and bid him sing!
He's saying "not only am I a black poet... but now I am sent to "perform" these talents
To struggle up a never-ending stair.
His struggle within the religion while feeling lost within his own secret sin
Why flesh that mirrors Him must some day die
He knows that the person he is, is not truly who he wants to be and must come to an end (these are just my interpretations)
The little buried mole continues blind,
Is the mole referencing him in his religion?
And did He stoop to quibble could tell why
If his God was to be less than, he would be able to explain?
I doubt not God is good,
He knows that the God he looks to is good.
but its object is for the vision of seers.
the vision of seers? are these considered the ones who believe in change
they may guide the Mass away from the contamination and death of the Worst,
connecting back to propaganda v. artist.
The Negro race, like all races, is going to be saved by its exceptional men.
are the exceptional men the ones who've been successful? the exceptional ones that have taken lead?
developing the Best
Developing the "exceptional men" of these races
Beauty, however, is its best priest and psalms will be more effective than sermons.
What is he trying to state? That Beauty is what draws attention, is beauty what helps us get our way?
too many are pot-plants seeking a forced growth
the young writers who do write on these topics aren't able to relate, seeming forced
Not all of our younger writers are deep enough in the sub-soil of their native materials
Saying that the young writers don't necessarily have much experience or can relate to the problem at hand?
in a word must choose art and put aside propaganda.
to sum up what he said
⎯
to better state what he said before
There is more strength in a confident camp than in a threatened enemy.
Is this stated towards the inferior group depending on the superior?
it should confront the Phillistines with its five smooth pebbles fearlessly.1
referring to the opposing views as the Phillistines, and Us as David
is that it perpetuates the position of group inferiority even in crying out against it.
As we're crying out for equality we're still looking up to the dominant group (that we've made dominant) and keeping us inferior
For it leaves and speaks under the shadow of a dominant majority
relying on artists to speak out for us puts them in a dominant position and us inferior
monotony and disproportion,
a repetition of the same things, lack of variety and the odd proportion between artists and prophet?
prophet becomes the poet and when prophecy becomes the expressive song,
Those who feel that they have a message to be heard become the artist and exert their emotions into their art.
preach and exhort or sing?
should artists be the voice over all or should they simply be an artists?
he prophet or that of the poet;
The prophet being the artists having to spread a message for all black people