In the first reading, How to Take a Wild Tongue by Gloria Anzaldúa, the author writes about her struggles in language speaking as a Hispanic woman speaking multiple dialects, some only accepted within a certain region or among a certain group of people. She grew up being told to speak the American language of English and was scolded for speaking Spanish. Then, as an adult teaching High School students, she was reprimanded for teaching students Chicano literature. She stated that her language is her identity, therefore, if her language is illegitimate, then she cannot accept the legitimacy of herself.
The second reading by Gloria Naylor titled The Meanings of a Word uses the word “nigger” as an example of how a word used in writing can have multiple meanings compared to when it is spoken based on the person speaking, the tone, and the context. While spoken by a non-black person, the word has a strong derogatory meaning signifying worthlessness. However, the black community has turned the meaning of the word around to symbolize the complexity of themselves as human beings. Varying based on who the word are spoken by, the word could mean strength in some cases and complimenting in other ways.
From The Meanings of a Word I now understand why people within a black community frequently use the word “nigger”, but when said by a non-black is extremely offensive. Thinking closesly, I now recall many instances in which words could have completely opposing meaning based upon context and the speaker.