Image by Oxalis37 via Flickr
Last week my blog post called on Jay-Z and Kanye West to curb their use of the N-Word in their rap songs. As you can imagine, I was conflicted today watching the news. Tyra Batts, an African-American sophomore basketball player from Kenmore East High School in Buffalo, New York, said that she had heard racial slurs throughout the season, including a pregame cheer of “one, two, three, n—”. She told the Buffalo News, “I would argue about it … and they would tell me they’re not racist, it’s just a word, it’s not a label,” She eventually snapped and threw one of her teammates into a locker and punched her. Albeit, I do not condone her behavior, but the constant chanting of the N-Word, such as what’s heard in lots of rap songs and comedic skits, are the culprits in this unfortunate incident. The questions for all artists who use the N-Word in their art are 1) how can African-Americans stop other cultures from using the N-Word while promoting its use in their own art? 2) when did the N-Word transformed from being a vulgar word which debased African Americans’ forefathers and mothers to become a word that’s accepted in some of the culture’s most famous artists’ art? And 3) When does this madness ends?
Jay-Z and Kanye West recorded a song on their new CD called “Ni**as In Paris.” It is no wonder African-Americans are stereotyped by other cultures and the media. Here are two young men who are highly successful artists yet instead of taking their lyrics to higher heights, they chose to be vulgar. One of Batts’ teammates, Amber Schurter, told WKBW-TV that the cheer wasn’t meant to be racist at all. Herein lies the confusion that’s not explained by the N-Word provocateurs. Who will explain to the members of the Buffalo girls’ basketball team that a cheer ending with a racial slur was “not” just a joke? Jay-Z or Kanye would you be so honored to explain your art to these young women after all some of them are watching your throne.
It’s simple, Ron. If we, African Americans, don’t have respect for ourselves, how can we conceivably expect to get it from others aside from our own? The more we engage in the usage of the “n” word, especially in public, we only condone what we should be ashamed of.
Chris:
Amen. You are correct again.
Ron
Ron, the task of getting black entertainers to cease using the N’ word is liking trying to get millionaires understand that they should pay more in taxes in support of the american economy! Black entertainers feel entitled to use the word and actually demand an exclusive use of the term just because they themselves are black. To continue to refer to every black in america as an African-American and expect them to understand and respect the efforts of those African-Americans of our social past who gave their very lives to combat the use of the N’ word as a derogatory and destructive term, is no longer appropriate! If Kanye and Jay-Z want to refer to themselves as Niggs, them I say let them, but don’t expect me to use the word or to answer to the negative term!
Carlos:
You are correct. Though we must take these artists to rask for spreading vulgarity to the children. We must be on their case for denigrating our culture for financial gains. This is the only way to right a wrong.
Blessings,
Ron