First and final words on Kanye and his haters
This article came through my email in the wee hours of the morning central European time. I, of course, forwarded it to see what some comrades thought and the following conversation ensued between me and a friend. Read the article, see below, think and please comment. Cheerio!
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Friend:
It is a fantastic article. Not to defend any of those who would use a word like N—-r so lightly, but do you think that the conotation and perhaps in fact the definition of the word has changed over the years? Especially with the ease it is thrown around in the very world they are criticizing – the music industry? With the possible exception of the movies I can think of no other media which condones the use of such words. Artists such as Kanye West do so claiming that it is their right, their freedom of speech. As I said above, I am not defending those that would sink so low, so quickly, but I can’t help but think that it is under the supposed anonymity of digital/electronic correspondence that people feel the ability to truly express their feelings – in essence they reveal their true colors. It’s frightening.
Thanks for the send.
Hope you have a great day
Me:
Spot on Dr. ______ (prepping you for your impending doctor-dom ).
Unfortunately black hip hop artists are responsible for the now widespread and gratuitous use of the word and its so-called transformation of the word from its pejorative meaning to a term of endearment. I see what they mean and can accept the transformative process (to an extent) but its extremely problematic for me personally.
I grew up hearing it used by blacks and whites as an insult and as far as I am concerned it is and always will be no matter who says it. Due to America’s ugly experience (past and present) with race I can’t see it being anything else. The bottom line is that when a white person says it, it will always be that much heavier and charged with emotion.
I SO agree with your assessment of the alleged anonymity that the Internet, particularly social networking has engendered. As much as I adore the utility of the Internet this is the one aspect that I detest especially as it relates to Facebook (another story altogether). As long as people are behind a screen they think they are safe and impugn. This article, thankfully proves otherwise. For everyone that uses the Internet to hide, there is a thorough sleuth, like the author of this article, that will bring them and their biases into the light.
Have a great day as well. I think this would make a great blog entry, let me know if its OK to post.
