Randall Kennedy

Yeah.

Critics.

Let's start with the critics.

Um,

One, again, going back to when the book was first published, I remember going to the first bookstore I went to.

And I talked about the book, had a very, you know, talked, asked questions.

And the last comment wasn't a question, but the last comment was made by a

an elderly black man.

I called on him and he said, I've listened to what you've had to say and I appreciate what you've had to say.

But he said, but I remain unconvinced.

And I remain unconvinced because when I was coming up

this word was used to put me in the back of the bus.

And this word was used to prevent me from voting.

And this was the word that was used to justify me never being called as a juror.

So to me, this word has only one meaning.

It's a terrible meaning.

I'm never going to use the word.

It hurts me when I hear people use the word, especially those who don't know anything really about the history of it.

And he went on to say, I think that your book, though well-intended, is probably going to be seen by some people as giving them permission to use the word.

And then he stopped.