What Najya has said about Racial inequality in education

2 quotes · 1 episode · Sep 26, 2026

Najya, Nikole Hannah-Jones's 16-year-old daughter, a high school sophomore, has been quoted on Racial inequality in education 2 times in 1 episode of This American Life, most recently on September 26, 2026. Each quote below is verbatim and links to the moment it was said.

In their words

  • Najya described encountering white classmates using the N-word at her selective high school.

    “I noticed that there were kids that were comfortable saying the N-word. I also experienced that. There were white kids that were saying the N-word”

    This American Life: 898: An Argument (Sep 26, 2026) · Listen from 39:52

  • Najya said being academically behind in ninth grade made her feel like a 'dumb black girl in a white school.'

    “It was like, oh my gosh, you're a dumb black girl in a white school. That's what it made me feel. Why should I have to suffer with that?”

    This American Life: 898: An Argument (Sep 26, 2026) · Listen from 49:31

Episodes

  • 898: An Argument

    This American Life · Sep 26, 2026 · 1 h 3 min

    Nikole Hannah-Jones revisits her famous essay on choosing a segregated public school for her daughter Najya, who argues with her about that choice a decade later.

Others on Racial inequality in education

Najya on other topics