The N-Word in the Classroom | Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor | TEDxEasthamptonWomen

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Published 2020-01-28

Centered around one of the most divisive words in the English language, this talk highlights the way in which the N-word presents itself, and is presented, in the classroom. With her personal experiences as a foundation, Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor discusses how we are able to reshape education around the N-word by using our own points of encounter to frame the conversation, and facilitate productive discussion. Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor, Ph.D., an associate professor of history at Smith College, presents The N-Word in the Classroom as a means of creating community, meaning, and understanding around one of the most divisive words in the English language. Liz is inspired by her children and husband, by dusty archives, by the work of other Black women historians, by open-hearted students and by beautiful TV shows and movies. Her newest project is an historical and pedagogical memoir about the n-word framed by her own experience as a biracial woman in the United States who is also the daughter of iconic comedian Richard Pryor. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

All Comments (21)

@itouchtheskyslowlifeitaly 3 years ago

Thank you so much for talking and sharing this argument. We love and need teacher like you. Lovely watching and listening to you here at the top of the mountain of Italy. Thanks to YouTube and Tedx.
@davyyang57 4 years ago

This is a beautiful speech. She's so smart so brave and so wise. I love her. I'm an Asian and now i understand more about this problem now, and I will not say this word no more.
@treewizdom6093 3 years ago

Thank you for you inspirational and educational talk! The etiology of words is a crucial study, especially words that are denigrating and divisive. Keep waking them up and standing for all students to understand that the negative and degrading words they use to describe someone by race or character may actually be describing themselves. Again, thank you and thank you TEDx Talks!
@lucieblindner2513 2 years ago

I sense her anxiety and nervousness, but she delivered her speech perfectly!
@cubefarmerhkc9105 3 years ago

Outstanding Ted talk. God bless you.
@ejec3134 1 year ago

Dr. Pryor, your talk is absolutely awesome! Thank you for sharing!
@Ahmed-jr1eh 2 years ago

Very powerful, well articulated and on point talk.
@kavitayadav8355 4 years ago

Awesome..
@TheQueenNtwk 2 years ago

EXCELLENT. Thank you
@iNawaf20100 4 years ago

This video deserves one million views.
@miliy1466 4 years ago

I love her speech! 😊
@fatherleung4067 3 years ago

WELL SAID... ALL PRAISE THE MOST HIGH!!!!!!!!!!!!
@aids4672 2 years ago

Blazzing saddles is a great film
@anticorncob6 2 years ago

The only thing that's inappropriate to say while quoting someone else or referring to someone else saying it is private information. Period.
@Darmix 3 years ago

bruh when is ted gonna talk
@nileshemming3462 2 years ago

Richard Pryor was a co writer of Blazing Saddles
@alec-881 3 years ago

the n-werd 😳
@marwamohammad1436 4 years ago

يوماً ما سأقف على هذه المنصة ❤️ One day I will stand on this platform....Inshallah ❤️
@No-One20 2 years ago

My teacher just kept reading it out in my class a few minutes ago, looking for a video I can send him because honestly. I didn't even make notes the rest of the lesson, I just said there and I can't say nothing.
@Tubbysneederful 1 year ago

Of course a video like this only has 47k views. Racism is so deeply engrained into American culture that it’s completely blended into anywhere where a line can be drawn. I like her point on racism in schools