Monday, February 11, 2008

Wearing the “N” Word

Michelle Malkin found an appropriate time to wear the “N” word on your shirt.

(6) Comments
Posted by Owen at 2053 hrs
Culture

  1. When it it okay to wear the B word?

    Posted by folkbum on February 11, 2008 at 2218 hrs


  2. I saw the picture wearing “N” t-shirt, I don’t mind the t-shirt but it’s those pants she is wearing. It looks like paint. Funny!

    Posted by Peyton on February 11, 2008 at 2253 hrs


  3. So did Malkin get an advanced copy of Nas’ album for that in depth review she gave it there?  It’s been kinda tough to get a hold of since it hasn’t been released and all with the four month controversy over the name and everything.

    Given Nas’ history as social commentator over his decade and a half music career, I’d give him the benefit of the doubt here, and hope he has something interesting to say before assuming his next album is “gawdaful” and that this is nothing more than a cheap publicity stunt.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 11, 2008 at 2316 hrs


  4. The resurrection of the forbidden “N” word. I don’t think it’s empowering. He just wants publicity. Maybe it’s working. His wife’s pants are disturbing, though.

    Posted by Humus on February 11, 2008 at 2317 hrs


  5. Humus

    Based on his comments in the interview, it didn’t sound like Nas was championing the empowering aspect of “reclaiming” the word.  More like parralleling what it historically meant in a negative sense in regards to race, with how it could be applied today in regards to haves and have nots.

    But as for the empowering debate, I don’t think it can be discounted.  Ever been the white guy in the room when a group of black guys are using the word?  Even in a jovial, friendly way?  I’m pretty comfortable in my skin, and have been desensitised to the word by over two decades of listening to rap and hip-hop, but there is an undeniable effect it has, even in the most amicable of circumstances.

    It may be false empowerment, in that it doesn’t result in any changes in the real world, and can even have the negative effect of confirming prejudices and stereotypes among those so inclined, but there is an unmistakable sense of empowerment in an emotional and imediate sense.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 11, 2008 at 2334 hrs


  6. Oh God, I hadn’t even considered this angle.  Please, culture warriors, stick to “politics” and let hip hop worry about rap music and Nas’s new album (which hasn’t leaked yet, so Malkin is lying when she describes it as awful). 

    We got this one.  You worry about who’s wearing flag pins on their lapels and all that.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 13, 2008 at 1214 hrs


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