Explorations on Incident

On reference to the poem Incident by Countee Cullen. 

1) What is the nature of the interaction between the two boys? 

 --> From the text, we can feel that there were positive vibes between the two boys.

       Evidence : "Heart-filled, head filled with glee"

       The Baltimorean, as the writer described the other boy left us with no clue as in

       whether the Baltimorean is a local white boy or of other races. Nevertheless, we 

       are sure that he (the boy) is of the race that differs from the "Nigger" boy. 

       Everything, the whole incident was a pleasant occasion where there were just this

       two boys seeing each other without addressing one another. Not until, the Baltimorean

       poked out his tongue and snarled to the other boy and called him "Nigger".

2) Why does the speaker remember nothing more than the incident, even though he stayed 

     in Baltimore from "May until December"?

--> In my opinion, the speaker does not and could not remember anything during the 8 months

      period is because the word chose and used by the Baltimorean has inflicted severe pain on 

      the speaker. It was so painful that it overshadowed his life for 8 months, leaving him feeling

      hollow and nothing. It was a brutal reprimand from the Baltimorean, who maybe does not

      aware of the pain and indignity the "Nigger" has to endure. 

3) What is the power of language? 

--> Personally, I think the power of language is how a certain words can shake things up, 

      especially words that exist to degrade, and to imply racism. Words like slut, whore, 

      nigger and negro can cause chaos and it certainly can cause mother disasters, literally. 

4) What are the effects of the use of the term nigger? 

--> First and far most of all, we need to acknowledge that slavery and racism are still rampant

      in America. The issue might have been suppressed, tolerated, and controlled well in certain state 

      in America. However, we need to know that this issue is pretty much still alive. So, when 

      someone out there who's brave enough to slurred the word nigger, he or she would have 

      been beaten up or killed, in which the rarity is close to infinity. Why, you may ask. Why?

      The reason would probably because the Blacks are still afraid of the "superior Whites",

      and they are trying to be as oblivious as possible in order to maintain peaceful and any headline

      in the newspaper front page. The term nigger can definitely cause uneasiness,and dissatisfaction.

      Furthermore, it would feel as if someone has stabbed a pointy dagger in your chest, and you in 

      return find it hard to catch a breath. The use of nigger will definitely inflict excruciating pain to the

      those who has been labelled, nonchalantly. 

*Answers given by the Blogger are of her own opinions, solely*