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Culture

NYC bans the “N” word

By: Santosh :+: Under: Culture, Entertainment, Politics
On: ⋅ March 1, 2007 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment
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After their war on trans fats, NYC has now turned its sights on the use of the “N” word in rap lyrics.

New York City symbolically banned use of the “n-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.

This ban seems to be part of the fallout of the Michael Richards incident.

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.

While I completely agree with the ban, the problem with this symbolic action is that there is no recourse of the law to those in violation. Then there is the question of the slippery slope. What will they ban next? The use of the “M” word by desi bloggers?

“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, n*****!”‘

In other offbeat news, New York State has introduced a bill in Senate to debate banning “spinners”.

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