End Of The 'N'-Word In Entertainment?

(CBS/AP)  Black leaders on Monday challenged the entertainment industry, including rap artists, actors and major studios, to stop use of the racial slur that triggered the Michael Richards scandal.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson and others said they will meet with TV networks, film companies and musicians to discuss the "N"-word.

"We want to give our ancestors a present," Jackson said at a news conference. "Dignity over degradation."

Jackson says the Richards episode shows the word still has the power to hurt and belittle, even though it has been co-opted into much of the African-American vernacular.

"We must not profit off degradation and self-hate to a music beat," he said. "We deserve a higher sense of dignity and respect."

Jackson also asked the public to not buy a DVD box set of the seventh season of the TV show "Seinfeld" that was released last week.

Richards, who played the wacky neighbor, Kramer, on "Seinfeld," triggered outrage with a Nov. 17 racial tirade against two black men when he was heckled during a stand-up comedy routine at the Laugh Factory nightclub in West Hollywood. A patron recorded the outburst with a video camera phone.

Richards has made several apologies, including one Sunday on Jackson's syndicated radio program, in which he has said he is not a racist and was motivated by anger.

At the news conference, comedian Paul Mooney said he has used the "N"-word numerous times during stand-up performances but will no longer do so after watching Richards' rant.

"He's my Dr. Phil," the black comedian said. "He's cured me."

Mooney is just one of many entertainers who use the word. In a standup routine, comedian Chris Rock declared that there are "black people and there's niggers. The niggers have got to go."

Asked about free-speech issues, Jackson said the word is "unprotected."

But not every black person feels that the word should be banned. University of Southern California professor of cinematic arts Todd Boyd says today's black artists have embraced the word and use it almost as a term of endearment.

"If you listen to the way Michael Richards used the word nigger and then listen to the way nigga is used in hip hop, it's clearly two different words and it means two different things," he told CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker.

U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., charged that only situations such as the Richards incident turn mainstream media attention to issues involving the black community.

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Photos: Michael Richards

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"This is not simply about whether or not the black community forgives or forgets. This is about understanding that this is pervasive, that this happens in all of our institutions, one way or the other," Waters said.

[katcrazy]

I feel that the Blacks that are offened by other Blacks using the N word are those who are still affected by "The Willie Lynch Syndrome"

So sophisticated and pose---yet filled with a sense of degradation by the White man and old Willie. All races should be able to speak their own language and meanings within their own race without feeling that they have to apologize to any one.

[katcrazy]

The use of the N word to lots of Blacks is our scrar tissue of the abuse of being called this for years and are continued to be called this by Whites and other races.

Hey!! We couldn't stop anyone from calling us that---so this is how we decided to deal with it.

White folks badger us about every thing--Leave Black Folks Alone. Why do they care what we call ourselves? Hypocrites----Hypocrisy. Why is it so important for Whites to get rid of the so-called doulbe-standard of not being able to call Blacks the N word. White man, you have stolen everything that you possibly can from Blacks, now you want to peel away our scar tissue---because that word reminds you of your past evil ways.

To hell with you White hypocrites, pirates, and vikings. White man face it and accept it. This is only one of the results of your years of abuse.

[agnim]

"Yeah, but blacks are telling blacks they're offended by it, so there goes your theory about what's acceptable within the club."

Blacks may 'tell' Blacks whatever they like, no big deal.

What should be more noticeable is that Blacks don't make and WILL NEVER make the kind of stink with each other over the word nig.ga that they are making with the rabid racist, richards!

Borat, a Jew, make statements, which coming from non-Jews would be considered anti-Semitic.

Yet Jews ARE NOT up in arms over Borat's comments about Jews.


People are at liberty to call themselves whatever they like! Outsiders/enemies ARE NOT!

The wise people get this simple fact of life, about addressing oneself. The fools may never will in this lifetime.

[ronniehm]

Yeah, but blacks are telling blacks they're offended by it, so there goes your theory about what's acceptable within the club. Maybe it's because the millions of people who watch movies and listen to music aren't among the "near and dear" who are willing to grant the privilege of using slurs.

[agnim]

mav80404 at 10:07 PM : Nov 28, 2006

Obviously, from your imagination you are manufacturing your rules of so-called ethics and morality. And that is why they have no relevance to reality.

The reality is this:

One may call oneself whatever one wishes.
And those who are near and dear may also have privileges to call one a thing or two.

However, an ENEMY/OUTSIDER HAS NO SUCH LIBERTIES!

Whites call each other rednecks with a wink and a nod all the time. It's their right to call each other whatever the hell they want.

Alert Blacks know that they DON'T HAVE the same red neck privileges.

Similarly, Blacks may call each other nig.gaz or whatever they bloody well wish any time with a wink and a nod.
Alert whites know that they ARE NOT allowed such nig.ga privileges.

That fool, richards, (an OUTSIDER/ENEMY) violated a fundamental Law of Human Interactions, hence the uproar EVERY TIME!



This present problem is less about the word nig.ger. It's more about who is using it, to whom, and for what effect.
I can't make it any simpler.

People should be free and ARE FREE to call themselves whatever they wish.

Others don't have the same privileges to you as you have to yourself. Get it?

[hermit22]

"Thou shalt NOT take the name of the LORD thy GOD in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain."

The above would be a good commandment to plaster up on the walls of the new HAYES office and every t.v. studio! Give every actor and huge bar of soap and tell him that it is aiming for his MOUTH! if need be.

[hermit22]

Who was that old doctor who diagnosed: "Constipation of thought, and diareaha of the mouth."?

Hollyweird needs the HAYES office back.
Jack Valenti did a grave disservice to the public with being such a wuz in 1995 with regard to decency....FCC needs to get a backbone again.

Scienfield is a vulgar foulmouth program too, but if Michael Richards got Black leaders to finally DO something about rap and movie vulgarity good for him! Don't forget those repulsive "crotch grabbers" when you are cleaning house!

[akarsno]

What i meant was take this word with careful thoughts and gentleness and not be rude with it.

[akarsno]

I think this word use is only for those who understand it from the person whom they are comfortable with as friends or whom ever but not as a joke or racism to hurt or to be laugh at.
Words are use only be use in a proper manner, so take this word lightly but with careful thoughts when you use it and use it with gentleness and not of mocking or of hatred. Too many people is has many meanings in many diffrent ways. be considerate to each other feelings.
Please!

[mav80404]

And as far as history. It's better left in the past. If people want a change, they have to put the past behind them and look to the future. It is tragic what people went through some 200 years ago. But you know what? NOBODY living today was here 200 years ago. We have to move on from that, and live life for tomorrow. Is that tomorrow going to involve the "n" word? Well, that's not only up to anyone here. But I can sure hope not, and I will continue to do my part to negate it from society - regardless of the mouth from which it leaves!