Derogatory terms and racial slurs are often used in daily conversation and in pop culture without knowing the real definitions or understanding the consequences. The question is often raised; who has the right to say these words, if anyone?

On Feb. 24, Teja Arboleda spoke to students on the topic of freedom of speech in his presentation called Crossing the Line. Arboleda’s spin on the issue was not what can or cannot be said under the First Amendment of the Constitution, but rather, the responsibility we have for what we say.

Photograph by Anthony Bauer
Teja Arboleda spoke to audience members about slang terms, their meanings and how they effect freedom of speech.

Arboleda is of African American, Native American, Filipino-Chinese and German- Danish decent. He lived in Germany and Japan as a child and came to America when he was 19 years old. He believes the first step in being accountable for your actions is to know your own heritage and be proud of who you are. On forms and applications we are narrowed to white, black, Hispanic and etc.

The census bureau keeps changing the language for minorities, especially African Americans. It has ranged from Negro to Afro-American to Black. Arboleda campaigned across the United States and in front of Congress to add a multi-racial category, but the cause was defeated.

“As Americans, we are taught to think shallow,” Arboleda said. “We are taught that we are just one thing.”

Arboleda spoke of the president and how he is multi-racial. He commented on the press focusing on what his black experiences were. He finds it interesting that no one asks about Obama’s “white experiences.”

Throughout his speech, Arboleda’s stance was not to limit freedom of speech, but rather to be respectful and to be responsible enough to use language that would not offend or insult any culture, nationality or gender.

“The first amendment allows us to say anything about anyone we want and it is okay…or is it? This is where responsibility comes in,” Arboleda said.

One issue he addresses is the use of the words “nigger” and “ho” by rappers and comedians such as Chris Rock, Snoop Dog and Richard Pryor.

Tamaeka Bryant, criminal justice major, said no one, including rappers and comedians, should use the N-word in any context.

“Ho is not derogatory toward a people so it is okay, but the N-word is derogatory towards blacks. Blacks are enslaved by the N-word,” Bryant said.

Some other female members of the audience argued that “ho” was derogatory towards women as a person and that, yes, they did feel enslaved by that term.
This lecture asked where the line is, but more importantly, who is allowed to cross it?

Arboleda said by saying, “no one should cross it, but especially those in the public eye should know it is their responsibility to facilitate proper language.”

Quincy Bufkin, general engineer and theater major, said it was a great program and the lecture really made him question the term freedom of speech and, ethically, the words that should not be used towards certain groups.

Arboleda is an author, a professor at the New England Institute of Art, an Emmy-award winner and performance-lecturer. He has a masters degree in education and has produced films such as In the Shadow of Race and Crossing the Line.
The lecture at UW-P was based on Arboleda’s film, Crossing the Line, which is a documentary airing on PBS.