Modified On March 2, 2007
According to a Reuters report, the New York City council has “symbolically” banned the use of the word nigger. Meaning, of course, that they haven’t banned use of the word at all, they just wanted to appear to be doing something that is unconstitutional, jaw-droppingly dumb and potentially dangerous while really only being jaw-droppingly dumb.
Use of the word by blacks exploded with the rise of rap music in recent years, and some black comedians like Chris Rock continue to use it in their routines.
“What, is there a fine? Am I going to get a ticket?” Rock mocked in a Reuters interview when asked about the City Council move. “Do judges say, ’10 years, nigger!”‘
Rock said politicians were trying to divert attention from real problems: “Enough real bad things happen in this city to worry about how I am going to use the word.”
To answer Rock’s question, no, there will not be a fine or a ticket, just a lot of bluster and drivel from politicians and “black leaders.”
Many rap artists and young New Yorkers toss the word around as a term of endearment or as a substitute for black, angering some black leaders who consider those who use it as ignorant of the word’s hate-filled history in slavery and segregation.
“This could be the beginning of a movement,” councilman Albert Vann said.
Certainly! Can book burnings be far behind?