I was Called The "N" Word Today

By Elizabeth Jackson

I hope this book helps individuals communicate better, especially those who disagree on what racism is and also those who misunderstand how bulling can and does affects someone life. This book is planned to help you see the different sides of a conversation as well as, helping to open new conversation on the topic. I don't want to analyze or judge anyone. I want readers to challenge themselves by asking hard questions'

No one defines racism, they respond to it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Oct 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9798350922851

Book preview

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No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn hate, they can be taught love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.

—Nelson Mandela (1918–2013)

Love Comes Naturally

Hate Is Taught

I Was Called

the N Word

Today

Elizabeth Jackson

I Was Called the N Word Today

Copyright © 2023 Elizabeth Jackson

All rights reserved. This publication or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording) without the express written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations.

This book was published and printed by Bookbaby, Inc., 7905 N. Crescent Bld, Pennsauken Township, NJ 08110 or contact: [e-mail];

Rights and Permission Contact: Elizabeth Jackson, P O Box 5472, Alpharetta, Ga 30023; or email: [e-mail]

Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. The stories written by Ms. Jackson, names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, event, or locales is entirely coincidental. Leaders’ and Participants’ Guides will be available. For more information, please contact Ms. Jackson.

Book Cover Design: Robb Williams

ISBN 979-83-5092-284-4

ISBN eBook 979-8-35092-285-1

Dedication

This book is dedicated to every person who has faced the challenges of racism and discrimination in their lives, to the teens and young adults who feel pushed against a wall when bullied or called insulting names, and to the adults who feel worthless when racism meets them face-to-face, and they must take a knock down to stand tall.

I would also like to dedicate this book to my life partner for forty-six years, Earl Gardner Jr. Earl passed away in March 2017. He had supported me when I first mentioned the idea of this book and all the dreams I had throughout our entire relationship.

Furthermore, I would like to dedicate this book to Fran Baltzer, a friend for over twenty years and my personal photographer. Fran has told me for years that I should find a platform to give my message of strength, determination, and love. When I told Fran I was writing this book, she would come to my home so she and I could have those serious discussions on racism. Thank you, friend. Some of these discussions were difficult at times, but we did it.

The dedication also goes to Lauressa Bradshaw, a dear friend for nearly twenty years. During my first phone call when asking for assistance in helping me manage this project, she never hesitated to say yes.

To my lifelong friend, Shelia Blye. From a very early age, we have been together, me bossing her around while she supported me through the many dark days of my incredibly low self-esteem. Thank you for never giving up on me.

To my close friends. Many of you have helped me come out of my personal shell. Friendship prevailed, and here we are today.

To my children, thank you for making me a proud mother. I pass this torch to you, my grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Epigraph

The Power of Dialogue

Which means if you called me that, (the N word) you understand my importance as a person and the STRENGTH that I COMMAND.

"If life gives you choices, why choose the negative ones,

when positive things can take you so much further."

"One way to get through conflict is to listen to the other person’s side."

Quotes by Elizabeth Jackson

Table of Contents

Foreword

Acknowledgment

One Time to Really Listen

Two When someone calls you out by your name

Three This Is Not Who I Am

Four Civil Rights Movement

Five Reality of Today’s Racism

Six Voting

Seven Racial Topics: Not an Easy Conversation

Eight Where Are We Now? Positive Things Are Happening

Nine Why Do Racists Tan?

Ten The Future of Racism is Up to Us

Foreword

Elizabeth Jackson has always had her finger on the pulse of realities. She has truly immersed herself into being a leader of and a guide on how to listen and understand others’ concerns or points of views. By dedicating her life to helping others, she has truly mastered the often-unattainable gift of empathic listening. She has an almost spiritual way of focusing on synthesizing and integrating others’ thoughts into meaningful discussions and powerful dialogue.

This book speaks on issues that Elizabeth has effectively been communicating nonstop most of her adult life. The topics of racism, bigotry, prejudice, bullying, and discrimination may not be new to many, but the way Elizabeth has chronicled the references, stories, and personal experiences makes this book a great reference tool as well as an excellent read. Her experiences and impacting memories are as shocking as seeing the sign, for colored only, on a water fountain. Much later in life, she was called the N word in northern New Jersey (2001), not the south. She has lived and understood the meaning of abandonment and poverty issues in the community. She has acknowledged the need to rise and make one’s life rich and worthwhile in character, moral values, and good deeds. All this while, Elizabeth has physically shown us how to do that. Her positive actions and tireless follow-through are, today, still referenced in Essex County, New Jersey. Elizabeth Walks the Talk. She is true to her convictions, and she is the type of leader who makes change happen. Her seminars and workshops are dynamite and can be life changing.

I met Elizabeth Jackson during the 1990s in the quaint town of Orange, New Jersey, twenty minutes from Newark, New Jersey, where over 90 percent of the residents are people of diversity and color. By then, she had long been one of our main community leaders—our Go To, our Fighter for Justice. When our paths crossed, Elizabeth was the community policing specialist in Orange and one of the creators and the executive director of the First in Orange Teen, an after-school program for teens at risk. Her fight to right wrongs and give back to the community has been honorably awarded with plaques, testimonies, and accolades. Her now-grown, mentored teens salute and love her.

I recommend that this book be read several times; it is such a great, quick reference too, all neatly packaged and organized. With permission, the material in the book can be used in workshops, seminars, and family and group discussions. Elizabeth wants you to read, learn, research, share, and adapt—adapt to a richer, fuller, always growing, and giving life.

Quoting the great late Congressman John Lewis, who devoted his life to racial justice and equality, Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and to get in good trouble, necessary trouble.

—Lauressa Bradshaw

President, Lambra, prior board president of

the First in Orange Teen program, and a dear friend.

Acknowledgment

From the Author:

As a foster child, one of the first lessons I learned was how lonely I could get if I did not feel loved and needed. Living in the same foster home, from the age of four until I got married in my early twenties,