In the selection “Mommy, what does ‘Nigger’ mean?” Gloria Naylor seems to be saying about the skin color discrimination and the psychological impact towards dark skinned colored community. In the first part of the selection, the writer brings his own example by sharing his bitter experience while he was a kid. He notices that the discrimination to dark skinned people is everywhere and, he is not the only one who is facing the problem and having difficulty listening to that word. Next, as he grows up he notices several changes on him in accordance with the time. The writer seems to have adjusted about whatever he heard and getting used to it. Finally, the writer expresses his sadness and his concern towards the word that is often used by the civilized society. The point Gloria Naylor seems to be making is, due to the misconduct of some dark skinned people such as fighting in public. In addition, avoiding the parameters of decency are some of the reasons why dark skinned people are looked differently and everyone faces the difficulties aftermath of these acts. This point is best summed up when the writers explains about the difficulties the dark skinned color man could face such as unemployment, discrimination at the work area and frustration.
In other words, the writer is equally concerned about the word itself and the people who take it for granted. This point seems to be directed towards, the liberal people of the white society who respect the human values. This point seems to apply all around the world especially in those areas where there is an anti-black thought and people spit the words more frequently. It applies even when people think of these words and when they are said. I think every citizen; every home and every nation should take the initiative for eradicating not only the word “Nigger” but also discrimination towards these people.
– Bibek Karki
