The Year’s Most Offensively Titled CD
Rappers have never been accused of being politically correct, but Nas has somehow managed to cross a line. You might call the album he's releasing next month "The N Word," except that he's insisted on spelling out the slur, hardcore. NEWSWEEK's Allison Samuels asked him: why?
1. Some people think you're just pulling a PR stunt. Are you?
Hell, yeah. I want to shock people into buying the album, and listening to it. I was shocked that people reacted that way considering all the things that have happened this year. I'm not waiting for a noose on my door or in my front yard to say something about it. Some rappers want to pass out turkeys on Thanksgiving. Some brothers want to speak the truth.
2. But African-American leaders weren't very happy about the title, either.
I understand how they feel about the word—I get that. But I resent the implication that I don't have something interesting or thoughtful to say about this matter. Al and Jesse know I supported their move to bury the N word. It's a great suggestion. Is it a realistic one? Not in my opinion.
3. Are you saying that Sharpton and Jackson are out of touch?
Nah, but I do think they faced a different type of racism than young people feel today. A 60-year-old black man isn't getting racially profiled and pulled over just for being black. You got to live through that to know what that makes you feel like saying and doing as a young black person in America. No disrespect to the elders, but they should respect us and hear us out before attacking.
4. Don't you think that giving your album that title gives other races more reason to use the word?
No. A white person should never use that word. It's insane to think that's OK, no matter how many times I say it or another black says it.
5. You mentioned the nooses and Jena. Why do you think 2007 was such a bad year for race relations?
Obama has something to do with it—or should I say the fear of Obama has brought up a lot of negative feelings that people have towards people they don't understand or know anything about. It's easier to hate than to understand.
© 2008
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Member Comments
Posted By: mleddell @ 05/04/2008 5:56:26 AM
Comment: It's part of our culture- whether we like it or not. I don???t think it should be used, especially by the adolescence. Since way back when Caucasians tried devising methods or means to degrade us. Countless methods were implemented in attempts to make and keep the African-American submissive; even though we???re among the majority in this land, if not the world. Parts of animals, namely the swine, were given to our ancestors as useless scraps because they weren???t deemed worthy enough to even eat the same food, let alone from the same table.
Posted By: mleddell @ 05/04/2008 5:54:29 AM
Comment: 1) I'm a bit puzzled at the wanting to ban the "N"-word. Don't get me wrong, I understand the why. I mean, I have a 5yr. old daughter and never use such degrading language around or even near her in any sort...and of any type. I don't use any language of the sort myself. But that???s by choice. I don't because I've decided years ago to live a "saved" life. That being said, I don't think the "N"-word should be quote, unquote, banded.way back when Caucasians tried devising methods or means to degrade us. Countless methods were implemented in attempts to make and keep the African-American submissive; even though we???re among the majority in this land, if not the world. Parts of animals, namely the swine, were given to our ancestors as useless scraps because they weren???t deemed worthy enough to even eat the same food, let alone from the same table. But now, chitterlings are a delicacy. The feet, ears, and snout are proudly and shamelessly eaten by us southerners, to say the least. (A hog???s intestines???through which fecal matter is disposed.) I say all that to say this, the ???N???-word has been transformed, just as any other terminology as with slang or Ebonics. Just like I wouldn???t recommend eating just anyone???s chitterlings, there???s certain ways and by whom usages of the ???N???-word would have negative or positive connotations. Just like if someone you may or may not know calls you that, it could be offensive or a term of comradery. Exs: ???That _igga???s crazy!?????????That???s a crazy _ss _igga!?????????This my _igga right here!?????????You my _igga fuh??? life??????and so on and so on. (And it???s totally off limits to Caucasians. Especially in the presence and directed towards African-Americans.) The term ???redneck??? can be offensive depending on its usage. (Though I???ve never her it to be.) But, the ???N???-word, with the ???-er??? on the end isn???t expectable, regardless who uses it; but it does have more of a negative impact if used by Caucasians, though. There???re words, slang, Ebonics, or in Webster???s, that can have negative connotations depending on its usage. We???ve taken a word meant to belittle us, and, over time, we???ve made it ours??????Ebonacized???! It???s proof that WE aren???t submissive, in that since. Something meant to be a degrading, belittling title we made it our own. Like chitterlings???
Posted By: mleddell @ 05/04/2008 4:36:37 AM
Comment: I'm a bit puzzled at in saying the "N"-word should be banned. Don't get me wrong, I understand the why. I mean, I have a 5yr. old daughter and never use such degrading language around her in any sort...and of any type. I don't use any language of the sort myself. I don't because I've decided years ago to live the "saved" life. That being said, I don't think the "N"-word should be quote, unquote, banded. It's apart of our... sfvfadfasfsfagvvcuculture.cuiksdkNow l