Rappers Meet and Discuss the N Word Options

[fameONE]

A group of activists gathered in Los Angeles on Monday (Nov. 27) and called for a boycott of the "n-word" and voiced support for an upcoming NAACP campaign to "just say 'no' to the n-word."The Reverend Jesse Jackson, Rep. Maxine Waters, comedian Paul Mooney and other African-American leaders held a press conference to encourage people of all ethnicity's to avoid using the word.

The press conference and call to refrain from using the word comes on the heels of racist statements by white comedian and Seinfeld costar Michael "Kramer" Richards, during a standup routine at the comedy club The Laugh Factory.

Hecklers berated Richards' routine, which led to Richards using the word n****r repeatedly, during a explicative filled racial tired on the stage, which also made references to lynching black people.

Various rappers from different ethnic backgrounds reacted to the call to boycott the word.
Popular white rapper Paul Wall banished the word from his vocabulary years ago and is supporting the NAACP's call to ban the word from use in the media and entertainment industries.

"I support the NAACP in their cause," Paul Wall told AllHipHop.com. "I think the word is offensive for anybody to use. It's a disgraceful, offensive word that was used to belittle people because of the color of their skin. Its become such a general term, that everyday good people now use the 'n-word' in general conversation. Its meaning and definition have evolved, but its roots are still negative."

Legendary African-American comedian Paul Mooney, who has written controversial material for comedians like Richard Pryor and Dave Chappelle, is well known for his using the word in his own comedy routines.

Like Paul Wall and the late Richard Pryor, Mooney has vowed to never use the word again during his routine. "I've used it and abused it, and I never thought I'd say this," Mooney said. "Richards is my Dr. Phil — he's cured me."

The activists are hoping rappers will follow Paul Wall and Mooney's lead, but may be met with resistance. Queens-bred bilingual rapper Noreaga, who is black and Puerto Rican, had a different opinion.

"Man, Seinfeld was my show and Kramer, he was my favorite character," Noreaga lamented. "But f**k him. Why run to his aid? There are neighborhoods in the U.S. and in Puerto Rico that look like Third World countries. I definitely don't plan to change my vocabulary or speech pattern because of this incident. You never hear from these leaders until something controversial happens."

African-American rapper Chamillionaire is known for his curse word-free, street oriented rhymes.

The Houston, Texas rapper noted the history of the word and explained the word has become a part of general culture.

"Its not just rappers its as African-Americans in general, we do a lot of things that are opposite of past history," Chamillionaire said. "We wear flashy jewelry and brag like its a trophy, when people in the present and past history would get killed for the diamonds. We promote violence and drugs but complain about violence and drugs. We don't vote but complain about who is in office. We throw the 'n-word' around like its a good thing, when in the past it was one of the most dreadful words. All this stuff has grown to become a part of the culture."

Paul Wall agreed and while he doesn't use the word, he is frequently referred to as a n***a by friends and fans.

"I don't use it because my mother raised me to believe that it is an offensive word regardless of who says it," Paul Wall explained. "But being that the word is so common, I am referred to by the 'n-word' everyday. 'Paul Wall, n***a you my favorite rapper.' 'That n***a Paul Wall got a clean grill.' Last year in Ozone Magazine, I won the "Realest N***a Award. It obviously was a joke though."

Political activist, radio host and Hip-Hop historian Davey D. acknowledge Paul Wall's plight in escaping the word's popularity and its growing use among various races.

"One thing to keep in mind about the popularity of the 'n-word' is that corporate owned media outlets and record labels gave platforms for folks to use that word at will," Davey D. told AllHipHop.com. "The end result has been everybody feeling they can use it, without the general connotation and association being changed. Sadly, those same outlets are quick to shut down access when these same black folks who like to use the 'n-word' come to the table to speak about politics or against Bush, white oppression, Katrina or the War in Iraq, suddenly we get shut down. Suddenly they don't have platforms or time to hear us speak. When a person or institution makes you believe that you are somehow being empowered while they are simultaneously oppressing you, its called pimping."

Reverend Jesse Jackson and other activists are planning a series of meetings with TV networks, film companies and musicians to discuss banning the 'n-word.'

Jackson also called for a boycott of Seinfeld: Season 7, which was recently released on DVD.

"Racism is alive in America and I been all over the world," Noreaga told AllHipHop.com. "What hurts me the most, is when you have an actor of such stature and he says your a n****r, and I think that's how he really feels. What also makes me mad is when you got Jesse [Jackson] running to his aid, as if he didn't mean to say it. Man f**k that motherf***er."

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Good Job, Paul Mooney for righting your wrongs after years of coonish comedy and satire of your own race.

Thumbs up, Paul Wall, but you're white and Puerto Rican... ah, whatever, you'll get a pass. Wait, that's just like calling him a nigga, isn't it? Hm.

Chamillionaire, you're a hypocrite. Curse-free rhymes. Ok, so Mixtape Messiah didn't have a single curse word in it? You didn't spend 200 grand on a gril and brag about it? You don't rock a 30" platinum chain? Get the f**k outta here.

My thoughts on Al Sharpton; f**k him.

I agree 110% with Victor Santiago (NORE) on this one.

[hi-C]

I'm with you 100% on your critique of the people quoted for that article.

All in all, it shouldn't've taken people "this long" to recognize that the "n-word" is bad. And all this hubbub about it is like giving that ignorant f**k Michael Richards free publicity.

[demolished]

what about chink .......

[Simba]

what about chink .......

What about any derogatory racial word, for that matter.

I would think the similar point could be made, though the 'N' word is a particularly specific one with an important history behind.

[fameONE]

Nigger, chink, wop, ginny, spic, mick, etc, etc, etc

They're all derogatory. That's a given. The controversy hasn't been raised over those words because people haven't flipped them around and made them terms of endearment via major broadcasting. Not to take anything from any other race, but if someone called an Italian guy a ginny out of anger and hate, then called someone a nigger, what would probably be consider more serious? At this point, its hard to even argue the "n" word.

*sigh

[hi-C]

You left out "kike."

[*Duchess of Dork*]

A group of activists gathered in Los Angeles on Monday (Nov. 27) and called for a boycott of the "n-word" and voiced support for an upcoming NAACP campaign to "just say 'no' to the n-word."The Reverend Jesse Jackson, Rep. Maxine Waters, comedian Paul Mooney and other African-American leaders held a press conference to encourage people of all ethnicity's to avoid using the word.

I think that it is fantastic that the NAACP is advocating this movement. I always cringe whenver I hear the "n" word. I can't even type it.

It would be utopian in scope, but I think it would great if all the racial slurs would disappear from the face of the universe. Naive, I know. But when I google "racial slurs" and I see this site, it just bums me out that people would take the time to make these things up.

I know I'm white and that some may feel that I have no right in saying anything about this, or being disgruntled about this but regardless of my race, I still feel empathy towards all walks of humanity. No one should be referred to with any type of racial slur.

[demolished]

Yes. I agree. this would elimate the influences of racial bad words.

[*a painefull euphoria*]

Chamillionaire???
i always hear curse words in his stuff wtf

anyway this is good that there finaly doing something about the n-word
however i kinda think that they should have talked about this even before that richards incident

[hi-C]

On a random but related tangent, have y'all heard about niggaspace.com?

[Simba]

^ I heard of it shortly after learning about blackplanet.com.

I was like, is this for real?

[hi-C]

^ Unfortunately, yes.

[fameONE]

I was on BlackPlanet back in the day. That was the jumpoff!!

But this niggaspace shit is ridiculous. I might as well get some shoe polish and paint my f**kin' face.

[hi-C]

^ I never got into BlackPlanet. I had one, but I never used it much. But speaking of BlackPlanet, niggaspace has a very similar design scheme to the old BP. Interesting, ain't it?

[*a painefull euphoria*]

I was on BlackPlanet back in the day. That was the jumpoff!!

But this niggaspace shit is ridiculous. I might as well get some shoe polish and paint my f**kin' face.

and why the hell would you do something like that?
they got soemthing like that called spicspace.com and its like every bad stereotype of a dumbass spic alowed to use the computer.

"Hi im sExxii mAmii"
"UN Puta gasolINA"

f**k you putas