By Jennifer Hearn
The Scene staff
The “N-word” wasn’t always used in a negative way.
That’s according to Allen Jones and John Johnson, who gave a presentation called “Origin of the Word Nigger – Its Sacred Meaning” at Forest Park as part of Black History Month.
“I’ve always believed we can’t thoroughly understand the origin of a concept (without perspective),” said Johnson, a retired federal employee and author of six books related to black history and religion. “We must first go back and research its earliest historical usage.”
Johnson referred to Acts 13:1 in the Bible, which identifies prophets and teachers, including Simeon, who also was known as Niger. He also explained that the letters “NGR” referred to gods and kings in ancient Africa.
“(The presentation) was mind blowing and empowering,” said nursing major Trina Haynes.
Jones is an adjunct faculty member in the Forest Park counseling department. He said it’s important for people to understand that only in the past few centuries has meaning of the word nigger been manipulated to demean blacks.
“A presentation of this work is recovery of self-identity rather than an imposed identity,” he said.
Today, Jones is in favor of using the word nigger correctly instead of discontinuing its use.
“Just as we correct children to speak language using correct words, so should it be with this word,” he said. “I don’t think black people in America and around the world can do what needs to be done until we correct that.”
About 50 students, faculty, staff and community members attended the presentation, which was held Feb. 11 in the Highlander Lounge.
Early education major Bianca Singleton called it “excellent.”
“It’s good to have a starting point,” she said.
General transfer student LaKisha Reddit came to the presentation with some knowledge of the origin of the word nigger, so she wasn’t surprised by what she heard.
“The things I’ve learned on my journey through consciousness, (Johnson) pretty much confirmed,” she said. “And for that I was really appreciative.”