N.W.A. weren't the first to try to turn racial slurs into a badge of honor - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

D-Dey · 12-21-2007, 12:22 PM

That landmark(if you can call it that) goes to Patti Smith:
http://wc05.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?...3:wzfqxq9dld6e

catlover79 · 12-21-2007, 01:12 PM

ABlairican Pie · 12-21-2007, 11:24 PM

Interestingly, as I was a Patti Smith fan almost thirty years ago and aware of what she was trying to say, she used the "n-word" in a song title as a way of identifying with marginalized people, as she was the first major punk poetess. It wasn't a slur (but probably woundn't fly in this day and age, especially since she is white), but if you read the lyrics, she repeats the lines, "outside of society".

Ireneparalegal · 12-21-2007, 11:41 PM

When she performed the song at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, I was shocked that Rev. Al Sharpton was in the audience, clapping and enjoying her performance!

What gives?

D-Dey · 12-21-2007, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABlairican Pie

Interestingly, as I was a Patti Smith fan almost thirty years ago and aware of what she was trying to say, she used the "n-word" in a song title as a way of identifying with marginalized people, as she was the first major punk poetess. It wasn't a slur (but probably woundn't fly in this day and age, especially since she is white), but if you read the lyrics, she repeats the lines, "outside of society".

Oh, I understand that perfectly. Still in both cases it was being used as a backlash against those who've marginalized them to begin with.

catlover79 · 12-22-2007, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

When she performed the song at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, I was shocked that Rev. Al Sharpton was in the audience, clapping and enjoying her performance!

What gives?

Part of Sharpton's "Do as I say, not as I do agenda."

I don't trust him as far as I can throw him.

Ireneparalegal · 12-22-2007, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Part of Sharpton's "Do as I say, not as I do agenda."

I don't trust him as far as I can throw him.

Ohhh is that what it was. Hmmmmm...hypocrite bastard.

I tell ya.

Nighthawk76 · 12-22-2007, 12:53 AM

In college I loved Patti Smith's Horses album. I played it ALL the time.

Austin Tripper · 01-01-2008, 07:33 PM

anyone remember Schooly D

AKA · 01-01-2008, 08:58 PM

There are a lot of white artists who have used the "N" word in their songs, notably John Lennon ("Woman Is The ****** Of The World"), Bob Dylan ("Hurricane") and John Mellencamp ("They're So Tough" and "Cuttin' Heads," although on the latter the word is sung by a black female vocalist).

D-Dey · 01-02-2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKA

There are a lot of white artists who have used the "N" word in their songs, notably John Lennon ("Woman Is The ****** Of The World"), Bob Dylan ("Hurricane") and John Mellencamp ("They're So Tough" and "Cuttin' Heads," although on the latter the word is sung by a black female vocalist).

Yeah, but those weren't really used in the same manner as Patti Smith... at least the John Lennon and Bob Dylan songs weren't. I've never heard the two John Mellencamp songs you're referring to.

AKA · 01-02-2008, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-Dey

Yeah, but those weren't really used in the same manner as Patti Smith... at least the John Lennon and Bob Dylan songs weren't. I've never heard the two John Mellencamp songs you're referring to.

I'll post both the entire verse from both songs:

"They're So Tough" (1991):

Quote:

They'd like to make me their ******
I say to hell with them
I'm not gettin' down on my knees
And beggin' please
Can you throw me a crumb now and then

"Cuttin' Heads" (2001):

Quote:

Don't call me ***** 'cause you know I don't like it like that
Don't call me ***** 'cause you know I don't like it like that
Don't call me ***** 'cause you know I don't like it like that
Don't call me ***** 'cause you know I don't like it like that

catlover79 · 01-02-2008, 11:50 PM

Didn't George Clinton do a song called "Don't Call Me N*****, Whitey"?? I think that was him.

D-Dey · 01-03-2008, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Didn't George Clinton do a song called "Don't Call Me N*****, Whitey"?? I think that was him.

I thought that was Sly and the Family Stone.

I want the rest of you to understand that this thread isn't supposed to be about the general use of the "N-Word" in music. If you wanted to do that, you may as well go way back to some pre-Ragtime crap where white people used it the way it was originally intended.

catlover79 · 01-03-2008, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-Dey

I thought that was Sly and the Family Stone.

I want the rest of you to understand that this thread isn't supposed to be about the general use of the "N-Word" in music. If you wanted to do that, you may as well go way back to some pre-Ragtime crap where white people used it the way it was originally intended.

You're right, it was Sly & the Family Stone. I just remembered that after I posted. Thanks for clearing it up!

12-21-2007, 12:22 PM	#1
D-Dey Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 11, 2000 Location: Long Island, New York, USA Posts: 5,531	N.W.A. weren't the first to try to turn racial slurs into a badge of honor That landmark(if you can call it that) goes to Patti Smith: http://wc05.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?...3:wzfqxq9dld6e
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12-21-2007, 01:12 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392
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12-21-2007, 11:24 PM	#3
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,619	Interestingly, as I was a Patti Smith fan almost thirty years ago and aware of what she was trying to say, she used the "n-word" in a song title as a way of identifying with marginalized people, as she was the first major punk poetess. It wasn't a slur (but probably woundn't fly in this day and age, especially since she is white), but if you read the lyrics, she repeats the lines, "outside of society".
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12-21-2007, 11:41 PM	#4
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	When she performed the song at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, I was shocked that Rev. Al Sharpton was in the audience, clapping and enjoying her performance! What gives?
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12-22-2007, 12:53 AM	#8
Nighthawk76 Rachel Berry Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 28, 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 23,254	In college I loved Patti Smith's Horses album. I played it ALL the time.

01-01-2008, 07:33 PM	#9
Austin Tripper Jack Tripper is GOD! Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 17, 2001 Location: United States Posts: 614	anyone remember Schooly D

01-01-2008, 08:58 PM	#10
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	There are a lot of white artists who have used the "N" word in their songs, notably John Lennon ("Woman Is The ****** Of The World"), Bob Dylan ("Hurricane") and John Mellencamp ("They're So Tough" and "Cuttin' Heads," although on the latter the word is sung by a black female vocalist).

01-02-2008, 11:50 PM	#13
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Didn't George Clinton do a song called "Don't Call Me N*****, Whitey"?? I think that was him.