Southwestern Academy Students Take a Stand February 26, 2008
Posted by Jack Kay in : Uncategorized , trackback
26 February 2008, Flint, Michigan
The denounce the “N-word” initiative is alive and well at Flint Southwestern Academy. John Davidek’s Sociology students are selling t-shirts that call for the word’s ban. They have been busy with sales, scheduling speaking engagements, and media interviews. Profits will go toward helping Davidek’s school in South Africa, where he was a U.S. State Dept. Fulbright teacher on an exchange program. Two-thirds of proceeds earned will benefit Norkem Park High School, Kempton Park, while the other one-third will be utilized toward an educational purpose at Flint Southwestern Academy. The students have involved Flint City Council, which recently adopted a resolution denouncing the use of the “N” word. One can readily hear the Zimbabwean Shona word “Mukoma” (respected brother), being used in hallways and classrooms at Flint Southwestern Academy, so the enthusiastic campaign is alive and well at the school. Sales have gone to states as far away as California and Florida. Some of the t-shirts have been sent to South Africa, Zimbabwe, and even Iceland!
Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large are $13. XX-Large go for $14; XXXLarge are $15. XXXXL and XXXXXL are $18. Arrangements can be made for pickup at FSA, or they can be shipped for $3 a shirt (overseas shipment costs vary). For more information call the school: 810-760-1400. Mr. Davidek can be reached at: 810-471-8592. You can also FAX the school at: 810-760-7772, attention J.Davidek.
Comments»
May I be so bold and presumptious as to be the first person to comment on Southwestern Academy’s initiative? I am John Davidek, the Sociology teacher who had/has the good fortune to work with some very dedicated students who have taken this effort and given it a “life of its own.” Indeed, we are so very pleased with the results of our hard work and dedication. It goes without saying that one Maurice Hood, senior at FSA, has been the driving force behind what we are trying to accomplish. Yes, we want to sell t-shirts and use that to “spread the word”–and by doing so, we want very much to raise monies for Norkem Park High School in Kempton Park, South Africa. They are desperately in need of 30 new computers because of a large influx of learners from Tembisa Township (nearby). The t-shirts are selling well, but we figure there will probably have to be a huge spike in overall sales to reach our goal ($21,000 will purchase the needed computers). Also, we want to improve our own school in some way. Most importantly, our goal is to rid the American/English language of the vile, despised “N” word. Our suggested alternative word, “mukoma”, has such beauty and eloquence–meaning “respected brother.” Its counterpart is “vakoma”, which means “respected sister.” Dr. Kay, of all people, knows how difficult it is to change language–but that is exactly what we are determined to do! The “N” word has been burned, buried, etc. Civil discourse is what we would like to see happen…and what better way to change history than to offer up a new word that is gentle and kind? Impossible? We are enjoying the challenge!
My names is Tony Barnes and I am a senior at FSWA. After reading the article i strongly agree about the changing the N word to Mukoma or Vakoma.Society today use the N word to mush for their own good. if we make a change it would be for the better for all of us.
My name is Jamilla Pegues. I am a senior at SWA and I belive that it was a good idea to denounce the N word. To me, people use the N word carelessly not thinking about how degrading it is. I think this change will help the world and impower people to think before speaking.
My name is Suleng Patrick. I am a junior at FSWA. I joined on the band wagon for the N-word project in November 2007. Even though I used to use the word frequently, I stopped when I joined this project and when I realized how ignorant it was to be using it. Our ancestors and civil rights leaders did not die and fight for us to be degrading each other. There are other alternatives to use in replace of that word. What we are trying to suggest is “Mukoma” or “Vakoma”. People using the N-word excessively should take this into consideration: CHANGING THE “ER” TO “A” DOESN’T CHANGE WHAT IT MEANS OR IT’S ORIGIN. For example, changing the word breathe and breath…both words mean “intake of air”. I hope anyone reading this takes our suggestions into consideration.
Have a nice day
*~susu~*
My name is Troy Amerson. I am a junior at SWA. I just recently joined the N-word project as it was recently beginning. I no to long ago stopped using the N-word to be different and to support the project.
Also, to try to pursuade others to be different and to stop using the word. I try to talk to them and tell them how we are degrading ourselves by using that word. I also tell them we should use other words such as “bro”, “t-dow”, “mukoma”, or “vakoma”. Also I feel that other words should be banned along with the N_word, but I guess thats another project for another day.
Hello, my name is maurice hood and i have been known as the “founder” of the “denounce the n-word” project. I can honestly say that this is a huge chapter of my life and i feel as though this is the perfect time to stop the usage of a word as degrading as the n-word. I am all for freedom of speech, however i dont think it should be used in comradery or in a heated argument. It should only be used for educational purposes. The N-word has so much power, that it shouldnt be used by anyone of ANY race. Thank you for reading.
Here’s my personal number if you would like to contact me…also i have a great interest in this university
(810)610-1279
My name is Chelsea, I never liked when people used the n-word because to me it was like when someone uses foul language. I don’t think Mukoma or Vakoma will go far but it just gets the point out that it is a very degrading word that shouldn’t be said. Thanks for your time.
It is fantastic to read about a project like this in Flint and to see the enthusiasm of the students involved. Everyone should be proud of themselves for puting forth the effort to try to change things instead of just “going with the flow.”
Whether or not this initiative succeeds, these students are gaining a valuable lesson in being the spark of change.
Bravo!
Hi my name is Larounse Robinson a 17 year old junior attending southwestern Academy. I just recently joined the project for the N word and I am proud I made the choice to do so. Coming from an avid user of the N word I know first hand it’s hard to change my way of speaking to make sure I don’t say the N word. But at the same time I know it can be done so I just encourage people to at least try it and just see how much better it sound to not say the N word and use the M word makoma “which mean Respected Brother” in place of the word. So I’m very proud of my fellow class mates and my self for just putting in the effort to try and change something in this world that really matters.
Mr. Davidek has been talking about the ‘N-word’ project for a couple of months now. At first I was a little skepticle as to if this project would work. However, this project has worked wonders at my school alone. I barely hear the N-word anymore and I feel that the day is a little more bearable because of that.
Ever since Mr. Davidek first came to us with this project, I was eager to become apart of it. I feel that the word should not be used at all, and for African Americans to consider it as a word to use for comadry it should be considered an outrage!!! From the Civil Rights Movement until now we have not changed that much. We are still keeping ourselves in the back of the bus!!! How are we as a generation going to prosper and grow if we continue to degrade ourselves this way? I am so glad that someone decided to do something about this.
My name is Katie Lee. I think that the “N” word project is a great idea. I am a white female but I hear the “N” word all the time and even though it is not toward me, I still think it should be denounced and/or banned.
My name is Troy Moore, a student of John Davidek. I have been criticizing him about this denounce The “N” word project. But now I have come to realize that this project could be a big contribution to the community. John’s efforts to denounce the “N” word has been paying off a lot. I thank him for the project for it has helped better the youth in our community. Also it has expanded their vocabulary of inderogatory words.
I am Zack Roe a student of John Davidek, I have heard about this project all year and he has finally been able to get it off the ground. It is a great idea and help’s contribute to the comunity greatly. I believe the 2 new word’s we are replacing the “N” word with are two great words that have a more significant meaning. This project has been a great influenece on our community and I think it will continue to be a great impact on anyone who recongnizes it.
Hello, my name is Alissa Cox. I would like to say denoucing the “N” word was an great idea. People used that word and dont know the pain behind it. Its degrading and not a nice word to say. Mr. Davidek has opened up alot of eyes and minds about the “N” word. So thank you Mr.Davidek for giving us new vocauary to use and to help us respect one another.
would like to say denoucing the “N” word was an great idea. People use this word everyday but do not know what people went through to us not to be called this. The “N” word has had a terrible effect on our world and our community and now someone is going to make a wonferful change.
I think the “N” word campaign is a great idea. I have alreay purchased a shirt in support of the program and would greatly like to see it succeed. This program is beneficial both to our community and to the school we are helping in Africa.
I think to stop sying the N word will be hard work but it is something that needs to happen because the N word was 1st used in a way to hurt and speek down on blacks so this is a good idea
I think denouncing the “N” word is a great idea, yet it will take alot of hard work and time. If we as students stop the “N” word than in the future it would be less said by our children. This project is outstanding to see that people actually are coming together and truely backing up the idea of denouncing the “N” word. Changing it to Mukoma meaning respected brother is a great idea. I truely will be supporting this problem throught the school year.
Pure ignorance is what allows the “N-Word” to be used so bluntly without much thought. The people that use the word fail to realize the depths of the meaning behind it. Those who tend to use it the most are rappers, comedians, and the young people that idolize these entertainers. From what I’ve observed so far, I don’t think that any of the latter have took out half of the time that it takes for them to say it to think about what they are doing. If they did, they would notice that not only are they displaying just how much they are uneducated, but they are also showing just how ignorant they are of our past. For those who don’t know: The “N-Word” was used to kill the spirits and the souls of the slaves and people that fought for what we have now, freedom. Using the word to greet and verbally attack someone is disrespecting our ancestors and everything they stood for.
Think about it.
Also, keep in mind that we are not trying to DESTROY the word that you all adore. We are just EDUCATING you about the fact that there is an alternative. A more intelligent and respectful alternative.
Peace and Love.
I feel that denouncing the “N” word is a great iniative that Mr. Davidek has decided to do. It has changed and continues to change the way youth in our community think. I hope that this campaign propers, not only in our community, but around the nation.
I am extremely proud to participate and be a contributing factor to the “N to M” denounces the N-word project. I personally do not, and have not found any useful means for this word and feel ashamed at its use, and level of camaraderie. Through this project, we have reached a portion of people that often remains unchanged, morals. We often over look the sales count of a shirt to notice the deep value of the shirts message. This word was derived from hate and used to hurt people and now it’s a term of friendship!?! IMPOSSIBLE! You can’t overlook our countries past and that’s the problem with our youth today. We take our rights for granted and tarnish our society with vulgar and inappropriate language. I take pride in our efforts to change this situation, and better the area where I will one day raise my kids. I certainly wouldn’t want this to continue to that time frame so I feel it is our responsibility to act now. This is why I am so headstrong about this project and I take great pride in this campaign as a whole. DENOUNCE THE N-WORD REPLACE THE N-WORD WITH “MUKOMA” A respected brother by definition and a true word of friendship, worthy of being used in camaraderie
The Denounce the “N-word” project is something that needed to be done many years ago and I am happy that it is finally happening. I have noticed a lot of hypocrisy in our world today. A lot of African Americans feel that it is okay to use the word as Black people but that it is not alright for others to say it. So what they are saying is that if a Caucasian person were to say it then it is negative or degrading, verses the Black counterpart to which it would be a show of love. It is also commonly stated that they way the word is used determines the sincerity of it. These ideas of the word are a show of true ignorance amongst our generation today. No matter who uses the word or in what way it is used it was then and still is used as a negative word often used in verbal abused to degrade people of color either way you look at it. The goal of this project is not to destroy the word, which would be nice, but to make you aware of its true meaning and purpose as well as give you an alternate, “the M- word,” Mukoma. This word is a true way to show friendship and love.
The N-word is a word that has raped our race of its dignity. At one point in time we were against even here some one mention the
N-word in there house. Today it used as a formal greeting among black people, to either say hi or how are you doing. This word must done away with, it is ashame when little kids at the of three and four learn these words before their names. It has gone calling some one ignorent, to a pure show of ignorance by the one’s who use it. In order for African Americans to exel and be treated equally among society they must finaly respect themselves.
The N-Word is a word that was use to name the African American which desended from Africa . Africa was the native land frome which we first came from . Over time a word with the “K”word which evovled into the “N” word whic is common today.
I am glad FSWA Sociology class took up this initiative. As stakeholders of our communities, it is important for our young leaders to engage theirselves in community issues that affect our everyday lives. It is crucial that we all take a vested interest in our communities, engage ourselves in topics that will allow us to make Flint and other communities better places to live. Hopefully, this will encourage others to take interest in affecting change, a change that will alter behaviors for the betterment of all people. Additionally, the project is outstanding because is shows how the work of a group of high school students in Flint, MI can impact others across the world. Norkem Park High School will realize benefits because of your hard work. By raising money selling t-shirts, the purchase of new computers will become reality for Norkem Park High School . Keep up the great work, stay motivated, stay dedicated and continue working to make this world a better place.
I beleive the students in John Davidex’s Sociology classes are providing a great service to our society and, in the process, learning a lot of “what matters”. I have followed David Davidek’s career ever since he was a student in my graduate classes. He has been a very productive teacher providing ways for students to learn by doing in the real world. I appreciate the impact that this particular set of students will be making on US society. Keep up the good work!
I am pleased to see so many great posts on this subject. Those of you at Southwestern who have been posting here show great understanding, insight, and intelligence. Keep up the great work.
If any of you have a chance please look for the book by Haig Bosmajian titled The Lanquage of Oppression. Bosmajian tells us that words are indeed powerful–that they can wound, hurt, oppress, as well as liberate. Our job is to use language to liberate, to uplift, and to promote inclusion.
Thanks to all the posters for making this the most comment-filled entry in my blog.
Hello My name Erica Ogburn, and I am a student at Flint Southwesten Academy. I believe that denouncing the “N” word was a wondwerful thing. I love that Mr.Davidek has found away to open our eyes to see we dont need to call eachother the N-word, and that we need to use “Mukoma” (respected brother). I believe that we will soon change the world and open there eye too.
Hello my name Sharetha Smith, A current senior that will be graduating from flint southwestern Academy. I feel that Mr.davidek has helped us to see that you not have to use the N-word. I see that Mr. Davidek has worked so hard everyday to put forth to the young people that we can replace the N-word with mukoma and vakoma. I know that this will change people outlook in a good way. I see that this well change the whole world and soon every will believe in Mr. Davidek the same as I do.
Greetings my name is Henry Snowden and I attend Flint Southwestern Academy and im just writing to make my point, which is the “N” word should be abloshed and terminated. Why? because its a very harsh and extremely descriminative word to refer to a human being. Pople who use this term of speaking is a very ignorant and non intelectual person. We should use the word Mukoma instead, which means my brother.
I am director of the Beecher Scholarship Incentive Program (BSIP) at Beecher High School. Kudos to the SWA students! The BSIP Student Council recently decided to do fundraising for an African school in Ghana that I and Beecher students visited in November of 2006. I am married to an African-American woman. We raised a blended family that included an African-American son, a European-American son, and an Afro-Honduran daughter. The N-word was not permitted in my home. Keep up the good work at SWA.
Hello my name is Veronica Jones, and I am a senior at Flint Southwestern Academy. I feel that Mr.Davidek is doing a great job with the ‘N’ word project. This word is a very harsh and degrading word that should not be said amongst people of our stature. We are so much more than just ignorant being, and in using this word we are limiting our selfs to the opportunites that lie ahead. The words that is being used in place of the “N” word are- Mukoma( respected brother) and Vakoma(respecte sister). These word are symbols of love and respect so please dont disrespect anfd degrade yourselfs by using the “N” word.
Hello, my name is F. Dominique Pouncil and I am a senior at Southwestern Academy and apart of Mr. Davidek’s Sociology class. The project to stop the use of the ‘N’-word has had an affect on the whole school that you can visably see. Friends of mine have even admitted to cutting down or completely disowning the word from their vocabulary. Its been great to watch the progress that the movement has made and I am hoping it will go even further and bring awareness across the nation that the use of the ‘N’-word frivilously is an insult to what our mothers and fathers, and their mothers and fathers, and so on have gone through to get us to the point we are now.
Hi, my name is Octavia Williams. I think that the “N” word project is a good way to help the younger generations realize that by using this language they are degrading themselves. Many generations before us worked too hard for self respect and I think it is a disgrace that we want to disrespect our selves. I am proud to be able to be a part of history in the making. I believe that eventually this idea will catch on and young African American people will take pride in what they are.
I am Ashot Kocharyan, teacher of history from Armenia, who visited SWA in 2005 within the framework of Project Harmony teachers exchange program. I’m exited with what you try to do - to change the attitude of people to one another, to introduce more respect and tolerance towards each other. I also like the way you chose to do it - T-shirts. I think it is a double effective poster - it both constantly reminds the person who wears it of the idea and disciplines him/her to follow it at the same time this person becomes a walking example for others to follow. What I admire most is that the initiators and participants of this project are not indifferent to a problem when they see it , they try to change something in a peaceful and civilized way. Though I’m far away and this problem is not actual in our society, I support your endeavor.
As a former student and friend of John Davidek, it is wonderful to see him and his students taking on a project that has a definite, positive impact on the way we all think about this and any other racial epithet. He knows how small ripples turn into large waves; we must join him and his students in their efforts to trouble these waters. Thank you for continuing, in your own very special way, to IMPROVE FLINT.
My name is Steve Buffone, I’m a lawyer who works in New York City and lives in Connecticut and I’m the proud nephew of John Davidek. I’ve spoken with John personally about this initiative and expressed my strong support and enthusiasm for the project, which I think it an incredibly important one. I would love to see it spread beyond Flint to a national scale and will do what I can to help do so. Meantime, best wishes to John and all the students at SWA who are behind this wonderful project!