Summary

In Chapter Nine, Oluo tells the story of the first time she was called a "nigger" (134). She was eleven years old and her white friends laughed along and did not stand up for her. She writes about the power of words and the history of this specific racial slur, demonstrating how some words are more powerful than others because of their different histories. She explains that while some oppressive words have been "reclaimed" by the communities they were used to oppress, these words are still abusive when used by white people. She explains: "because they are still benefitting from how these words have been used while people of color still suffer" (140).

Chapter Ten begins in an airport, where Oluo is excited to see a restaurant called Africa Lounge and anticipates the delicious African food they will offer. However, she is...