Slurs are words meant to hurt someone, usually based on their race, religion, gender, or other parts of their identity. Most students have the common sense to avoid using these words because we know that they are weapons meant to emotionally harm others, make them feel inferior, and portray disgust for their identity. Still, whenever we encounter these words, it is our responsibility as students and staff to educate each other on their meanings and we should make sure that our fellow students know about the history and connotation of slurs.
Sometimes, these slurs can be found in the school curriculum. “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “Of Mice and Men,” “Lord of the Flies,” “The Invisible Man,” and many other English texts contain the use of racial slurs. When these words are read out loud by teachers or students, it can make some students uncomfortable or sad. This is why some teachers have decided to skip these words entirely when reading the text, but that is not enough. Teachers have a responsibility to teach their students about the histories of these slur and the context in which they were written; such education will also discourage students from using the word as well.
When we read a book, we must learn about its historical context, and not acknowledging what these words meant in the time period is a disservice to students. Teachers lose an opportunity to educate when they skip over these words and assume high schoolers are aware of their context, history, and implications. Even a small discussion or lesson can create a much better understanding of the history of systemic racism and discrimination.
Even if a person says slurs privately or as a joke, they are still morally wrong to say because when we hear a specific word repeatedly, it loses its meaning and impact. This is called semantic satiation, according to the American Psychological Association’s Dictionary of Psychology. If left unchecked, slurs can lose their derogative charge and seep into our everyday vocabulary. As a result, they lose their impact and we become desensitized to them. As hurtful words infiltrate our language, they become an ever increasing presence in our lives, creating an environment where subtle discrimination is seen as normal.
So what if a friend uses slurs? The first thing to do is call it out. It is important that we let our friends and family know that using these words is wrong, dangerous, and harmful. There is no reason for these words to be said, and we all have a moral responsibility to each other as classmates, friends, and colleagues to stop this kind of behavior.
It might be hard for many people to begin a serious argument with a loved one, especially about a sensitive topic. Make sure to have a calm and constructive conversation, and mention that the problem is not them, only some of the things they say. If people are talked to in a calm and passive way, they will not feel attacked and the conversation will be much easier.
It may sound obvious to say slurs are bad. But in a country where racism, sexism, misinformation, and religious intolerance are seemingly inescapable parts of our culture, it remains relevant that we educate against hate, beginning in the classroom.
