Parker: N-word ban at camp teaches youth about respect
Terrance Stokes delivered an interesting message after young footballers queued Saturday for an Education Outweighs Them All camp at Trenton Central High School.
“The most important thing you need to know is that we will not say the word “nigga” out here today. For the next three hours, take the word out of your vocabulary,” Stokes said.
Game on.
Finally, an African-American male man enough to demand better from young people, especially regarding the most despicable word in U.S. linguistics.
Troy Vincent, a Trenton native, former NFL star and now way up the professional football chain as the NFL’s vice president of football operations, seconded Stokes’ demand.
Stokes, a former Trenton High and University of Pennsylvania football standout, added that chastising other players would not be accepted, saying “we have to learn to support each other on and off the field” then he asked for comprehension.
“Got it? Do you understand what’s being required of you?”
Approximately 50 youth voiced affirmation and for the next 180 minutes, this Trenton High football field escaped the racial epithet that’s been accepted as normal by numerous blacks, as some users allege that the word’s negative power gets neutralized the more it’s spoken.
“We’re just too comfortable with the word, too comfortable using it without understanding the history of the word or the implications,” Stokes explained.
“We have to do a better job as adults in letting our kids know what’s acceptable behavior. We have an opportunity to groom young people and I think adults have to a better job. We have two young women in this group but for the most part it’s boys and young men. We must prepare our young men to be men.”
Vincent said some campers could be heard using the ethnic slur as they walked onto the field.
“We made an immediate decision to take on the topic and let the attendees know what we expected of them. I think most kids want direction and instruction about life. They want to know that we care about every aspect of their lives,” Vincent added.
“It all comes down to making choices. A parent made a choice to bring his child to this football camp. A kid made a choice to attend. Coaches, volunteers, all made a decision to try and help some young kids.”
Vincent recalled hanging out in numerous city neighborhoods before making decisions to step away from the those street scenes.
“I see myself in these young men that are here. And, I see myself in my own children and I’m willing to listen to their opinions. For me, it’s important to give back, come back and reach back. I’m from Tyler Ave., Donnelly Homes, and Chestnut. I’m from Walnut, Calhoun, West State St. and Stuyvesant.”
Vincent said those past haunts give him credibility with young people who can see him as one of their own and understand that they can climb out of those hardscrabble situations if they make the right choices.
Campers received valuable instructions about football, a free Tshirt and lunch, plus, life lessons from Stokes and Vincent.
The N-word ceased to exist for three hours and while campers obliged the restriction, ingrained behaviors can prove difficult to change.
However, if Stokes and Vincent convinced even just one camper to remove the N-word from his vocabulary or to support their brother, then that’s a victory.
More teachers, parents, coaches and a list of other community leaders should take a similar stand. If people desire real change then we should deliver an inspection of all behaviors that negatively impact our children and society.
Stokes said, “How we speak to one another, how we relate to one another is going to be a critical factor in how we treat one another.”