New York City bans the "N" Word - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 03-01-2007, 05:35 PM

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City symbolically banned use of the word ****** on Wednesday, the latest step in a campaign that hopes to expunge the most vile of racial slurs from hip hop music and television.

The City Council unanimously declared a moratorium that carries no penalty but aims to stop youth from casually using the word, considered by most Americans to be the most offensive in the English language.

The New York City measure follows similar resolutions this month by the New York state assembly and state senate, and supporters of the ban are taking their campaign to The Recording Academy, asking it not to nominate musicians for Grammy awards if they use the word in their lyrics.

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.

Councilman Leroy Comrie, a sponsor of the moratorium, said the campaign against the word has gained strength since comedian Michael Richards spewed it in a racially charged tirade in Los Angeles.

The Laugh Factory club where Richards performed has since banned comedians from using the word there and the former "Seinfeld" television star has apologized.

"The Michael Richards incident really brought it to another level. It has forced people to express their outrage. Many people had been seething quietly," Comrie said.

Comrie also asked TV network Black Entertainment Television to stop using the word in its shows. Representatives of BET did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A Grammy spokesman said he doubted the academy's 11,000 voting members would support any measure that might censor artists.

"They are not going to be supportive of something that excludes someone simply because they are using a word that is offensive," said Ron Roecker, vice president of communication for the Recording Academy.

The city resolution calling for the moratorium traces the etymology of the word from the Latin "niger," meaning black, to its first documented written use in 1786 as a term slave masters used to label their African slaves.

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, ******!"'

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."

PZelda · 03-01-2007, 05:56 PM

Yeah, that's really gonna work.

I'm sure people can still get around it. Like writing the N word in their journals, on their blogs, and on homemade signs. Or fingerspelling.

Basically: THIS IS A STUPID BAN.

TJL · 03-01-2007, 05:58 PM

They banned the word "nice?"

That explains a lot.

GoldenGirlsFan92 · 03-01-2007, 06:41 PM

I can't believe they band this word. What, now they are going to band every other curse word!!??

Hollow · 03-01-2007, 07:45 PM

first amendment, anyone?

Corolla · 03-01-2007, 09:08 PM

No comment.

Ireneparalegal · 03-01-2007, 09:54 PM

I think there are bigger issues to deal with.

With there be special police to handle these "criminals"?

Courtnee · 03-01-2007, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by safety pin

first amendment, anyone?

exactly.

GoldenGirlsFan92 · 03-01-2007, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

I think there are bigger issues to deal with.

With there be special police to handle these "criminals"?

I agree, and the First Amendment.

Corolla · 03-02-2007, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

I think there are bigger issues to deal with.

With there be special police to handle these "criminals"?

The N police.

An 80s Guy · 04-01-2007, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Le GoogelGuRu

The N police.

LOL I cannot believe that they banned this.It's stupid.

Central Perk · 04-02-2007, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by safety pin

first amendment, anyone?

First Amendment does not protect obscenity, but then again it's hard to define what is obscenity. I doubt this ban will have much effect, but the word can be very offensive.

An 80s Guy · 04-02-2007, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Central Perk

First Amendment does not protect obscenity, but then again it's hard to define what is obscenity. I doubt this ban will have much effect, but the word can be very offensive.

It's not an okay word to say but it's still pointless to ban any word.

catlover79 · 04-02-2007, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

I think there are bigger issues to deal with.

With there be special police to handle these "criminals"?

The politically correct police?? Getting this to work in NYC?? They'd have better luck finding Jimmy Hoffa.

ABlairican Pie · 04-03-2007, 09:20 AM

Say goodbye to 'Tom Sawyer' and 'Huckleberry Finn'. And how about some Spike Lee "joints" which use the word?

I wonder what joints these PC Police have been smoking.

03-01-2007, 05:35 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	New York City bans the "N" Word NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City symbolically banned use of the word **** on Wednesday, the latest step in a campaign that hopes to expunge the most vile of racial slurs from hip hop music and television. The City Council unanimously declared a moratorium that carries no penalty but aims to stop youth from casually using the word, considered by most Americans to be the most offensive in the English language. The New York City measure follows similar resolutions this month by the New York state assembly and state senate, and supporters of the ban are taking their campaign to The Recording Academy, asking it not to nominate musicians for Grammy awards if they use the word in their lyrics. 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. Councilman Leroy Comrie, a sponsor of the moratorium, said the campaign against the word has gained strength since comedian Michael Richards spewed it in a racially charged tirade in Los Angeles. The Laugh Factory club where Richards performed has since banned comedians from using the word there and the former "Seinfeld" television star has apologized. "The Michael Richards incident really brought it to another level. It has forced people to express their outrage. Many people had been seething quietly," Comrie said. Comrie also asked TV network Black Entertainment Television to stop using the word in its shows. Representatives of BET did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A Grammy spokesman said he doubted the academy's 11,000 voting members would support any measure that might censor artists. "They are not going to be supportive of something that excludes someone simply because they are using a word that is offensive," said Ron Roecker, vice president of communication for the Recording Academy. The city resolution calling for the moratorium traces the etymology of the word from the Latin "niger," meaning black, to its first documented written use in 1786 as a term slave masters used to label their African slaves. 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, ****!"' 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."
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03-01-2007, 05:56 PM	#2
PZelda Two Valeries! <3 Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 15, 2002 Location: I'm STILL missing NYC. :( Posts: 78,223	Yeah, that's really gonna work. I'm sure people can still get around it. Like writing the N word in their journals, on their blogs, and on homemade signs. Or fingerspelling. Basically: THIS IS A STUPID BAN.
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03-01-2007, 05:58 PM	#3
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	They banned the word "nice?" That explains a lot.
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03-01-2007, 06:41 PM	#4
GoldenGirlsFan92 Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 21, 2005 Location: Louisana Posts: 2,243	I can't believe they band this word. What, now they are going to band every other curse word!!??
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03-01-2007, 09:54 PM	#7
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	I think there are bigger issues to deal with. With there be special police to handle these "criminals"?
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03-01-2007, 07:45 PM	#5
Hollow Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,406	first amendment, anyone?

03-01-2007, 09:08 PM	#6
Corolla Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 21, 2006 Location: Owen Sound, ON Posts: 2,376	No comment.

04-03-2007, 09:20 AM	#15
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,619	Say goodbye to 'Tom Sawyer' and 'Huckleberry Finn'. And how about some Spike Lee "joints" which use the word? I wonder what joints these PC Police have been smoking.
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