Post by goddessoflight on Oct 1, 2007 16:47:52 GMT -5
The N-Word:Open Letter Re:MyEarnestDiscourse w/Russell Simmons (From MySpace.com)
Mr. Simmons,
As I reflect on our exchange at the Congressional Black Caucus "Young, Gifted and Black" panel (9/28/07), I want to first apologize for an aspect of what transpired. The tone of my remarks was an expression of my passion for the subject and were in no way intended as a disrespect for you or your accomplishments. All I wanted to communicate is that words have power, in and of themselves, and the N-word is a particularly dangerous word that subconsciously (and often directly) demeans and demoralizes its target. I often watch Bill Maher's show, so I caught the episode when you casually used the N-word in your conversation with him. Obviously, many people respect and look up to you, so the fact that you use that word so liberally, actually helps to popularize it. Acknowledge the immeasurable difference in permeation between the use of the N-word by a thousand rappers who will garner marginal influence for 2 or 3 years, as opposed to its use by you, who will wax iconic forever. Thus, the fervor of my words was in proportion to the degree to which causing you to rethink the impact of your using that word is important. It should not be used publicly, even as a term of endearment, by anyone. As our esteemed Congresswoman Waters pointed out, I used the word profusely in "Market 4 Ni$$as" but I assure you, I absolutely did not contextualize it as an ideal.
Calling someone the N-word is an excuse for not calling them a man. Dr. John Henrik Clarke said, "the first person who ever sneezed is still influencing the atmosphere." Likewise, EVERY way the N-word was EVER used is still invoked WHENEVER we speak it. They told me years ago that we were calling ourselves the N-word to make it less painful, and I bought it. Decades after we "claimed" it as our own, it still upsets us when people from other races call us that; so we know by now that "claiming" it did not work. I am not attempting to speak to you from any moral high horse. I came up using that word like everyone else, but for years now, I've made a conscious effort to be extremely deliberate in how I use it. The extent to which we need to empower young black men and women by communicating their immeasurable potential, makes the refusal to further popularize the N-word of supreme importance. You made your fortune off of words, so you are fully aware that words hold power. This is beyond the respect I hold for you. As I mentioned at the panel discussion, I've known of you longer than most people. How many can say they purchased your record "Cold Rock Stuff" when it was released? (How many even know that you ever had a record?) I still remember the first time I heard Eric B and Rakim's "Paid in Full," with the shout-out, "We're rolling with Rush...Rushtown Management." Many thousands of people like me, who came up how and when I did, look up to you. In fact, your new initiative to support African families who, through your efforts, will stand to benefit from the exploitation of non-conflict diamonds, has made you somewhat of a hero in my eyes. I even devoured your memoir and the memoirs of people who were close to you (Cool J, Chuck D, etc.). Ironically, it was advice you gave in "Life and Def" regarding envisioning who you are and living your life on those terms, that discouraged me from participating in Def Poetry. I could never envision myself as just one of two hundred or so Spoken Word artists; I see myself as one of one. Your office might have thought I was being arrogant, but honestly, I was reinforcing a powerful lesson your book gave me. I'm following your plan, sir. It's working. Now, I'm hoping that someone far more successful than I, is not above accepting what little enlightenment I have to offer. Quite often, the people aren't ready to let things go. In the early 20th century, we thought of ourselves as "Negroes." Noble Drew Ali persuaded us to call ourselves "Moors." At that time, he could not have popularized the term "Africans;" especially not while movies like The Romance of Tarzan (1918) were being mass marketed. Likewise, when Tupac broke down the N-Word as "Never Ignorant Getting Goals Accomplished," I was grateful. He was aware of the N-word's power and did something to counteract it. He had to do this at a time when we were far from ready to let the word go. Back then, if he'd came out against the N-word, even I would have thought he was out-of-touch. But that was 1993. It's been fifteen years and we are ready to move on to the next stage of letting it go. You're right, it's never going to disappear, but that's not an argument for continuing to propagate it. Followers certainly use that reasoning, sir, but not leaders.
Respectfully,
Taalam Acey
Mr. Simmons,
As I reflect on our exchange at the Congressional Black Caucus "Young, Gifted and Black" panel (9/28/07), I want to first apologize for an aspect of what transpired. The tone of my remarks was an expression of my passion for the subject and were in no way intended as a disrespect for you or your accomplishments. All I wanted to communicate is that words have power, in and of themselves, and the N-word is a particularly dangerous word that subconsciously (and often directly) demeans and demoralizes its target. I often watch Bill Maher's show, so I caught the episode when you casually used the N-word in your conversation with him. Obviously, many people respect and look up to you, so the fact that you use that word so liberally, actually helps to popularize it. Acknowledge the immeasurable difference in permeation between the use of the N-word by a thousand rappers who will garner marginal influence for 2 or 3 years, as opposed to its use by you, who will wax iconic forever. Thus, the fervor of my words was in proportion to the degree to which causing you to rethink the impact of your using that word is important. It should not be used publicly, even as a term of endearment, by anyone. As our esteemed Congresswoman Waters pointed out, I used the word profusely in "Market 4 Ni$$as" but I assure you, I absolutely did not contextualize it as an ideal.
Calling someone the N-word is an excuse for not calling them a man. Dr. John Henrik Clarke said, "the first person who ever sneezed is still influencing the atmosphere." Likewise, EVERY way the N-word was EVER used is still invoked WHENEVER we speak it. They told me years ago that we were calling ourselves the N-word to make it less painful, and I bought it. Decades after we "claimed" it as our own, it still upsets us when people from other races call us that; so we know by now that "claiming" it did not work. I am not attempting to speak to you from any moral high horse. I came up using that word like everyone else, but for years now, I've made a conscious effort to be extremely deliberate in how I use it. The extent to which we need to empower young black men and women by communicating their immeasurable potential, makes the refusal to further popularize the N-word of supreme importance. You made your fortune off of words, so you are fully aware that words hold power. This is beyond the respect I hold for you. As I mentioned at the panel discussion, I've known of you longer than most people. How many can say they purchased your record "Cold Rock Stuff" when it was released? (How many even know that you ever had a record?) I still remember the first time I heard Eric B and Rakim's "Paid in Full," with the shout-out, "We're rolling with Rush...Rushtown Management." Many thousands of people like me, who came up how and when I did, look up to you. In fact, your new initiative to support African families who, through your efforts, will stand to benefit from the exploitation of non-conflict diamonds, has made you somewhat of a hero in my eyes. I even devoured your memoir and the memoirs of people who were close to you (Cool J, Chuck D, etc.). Ironically, it was advice you gave in "Life and Def" regarding envisioning who you are and living your life on those terms, that discouraged me from participating in Def Poetry. I could never envision myself as just one of two hundred or so Spoken Word artists; I see myself as one of one. Your office might have thought I was being arrogant, but honestly, I was reinforcing a powerful lesson your book gave me. I'm following your plan, sir. It's working. Now, I'm hoping that someone far more successful than I, is not above accepting what little enlightenment I have to offer. Quite often, the people aren't ready to let things go. In the early 20th century, we thought of ourselves as "Negroes." Noble Drew Ali persuaded us to call ourselves "Moors." At that time, he could not have popularized the term "Africans;" especially not while movies like The Romance of Tarzan (1918) were being mass marketed. Likewise, when Tupac broke down the N-Word as "Never Ignorant Getting Goals Accomplished," I was grateful. He was aware of the N-word's power and did something to counteract it. He had to do this at a time when we were far from ready to let the word go. Back then, if he'd came out against the N-word, even I would have thought he was out-of-touch. But that was 1993. It's been fifteen years and we are ready to move on to the next stage of letting it go. You're right, it's never going to disappear, but that's not an argument for continuing to propagate it. Followers certainly use that reasoning, sir, but not leaders.
Respectfully,
Taalam Acey