A Final Word on The Potent Power of the “N” Word
As you know, Gwyneth Paltrow has been catching a lot of heat for tweeting ‘Ni**as in Paris for real’ during Jay Z and Kanye’s Watch The Throne concert in Paris. I’m here to jump up and down on my soapbox and throw the last bit of gasoline on that raging fire. I’m also going to light up a few of her co-signers in the process.
Russell Simmons recently wrote a blog about how we shouldn’t take offense to Gwennie using the “N” word because it’s a badge of honor. He wrote,
“And in the case of “N*ggas in Paris,” it is clear that these two poets are celebrating the fact that they now travel the world and are literally ballin’ in Paris … it started as a badge of honor, something to be proud of, something to poke their chests out at. Because for them, when they were kids, Paris was a million miles away and now it’s a private jet ride. The idea of being in Paris with a movie star, whether she’s black or white, is incredible!
At the risk of sounding uppity, the life story of Josephine Baker never made Paris seem that far away to me. It seemed within my reach because of her. She was a woman of color living in Paris and broke down many a barrier during her lifetime. So as a little girl, the validation of an actress referring to me as a “n*gga for real” didn’t cross my mind. But Russell isn’t the only one who has given Gwen cover for her a** to fall on. Gayle King stated on the CBS Early Morning Show that the song “N****s In Paris” is the reason why she goes to Paris. Oprah’s BFF obviously caught amnesia and forgot about the time she and Lady O weren’t allowed in the store Hermes for literally being n****s in Paris. The-Dream, who was at the concert, even took responsibility for the offensive tweet and then promptly told Twitter to pretty much get over it because it was all about context. If it’s all about the way you say it, where did the “for real” part come from? That’s not in the song’s title.
The biggest offenders in this rush to defend Gwen for getting just a little bit too comfortable are her besties: Jay-Z and Beyoncé. Their silence is just as incendiary as the “N” word. It even speaks louder. They don’t have to denounce her, but friends check each other.
The Bible speaks on the power of the tongue. It holds life and death. Our history has left too many of us dead just because of the color of our skin. From the slave ships of yesteryear to the Trayvon Martin’s of today, we are being killed because our lives are being seen as having less value and that perception is built around the reality that we are just seen as “n****s” to many. Too many. A single word has damned the black community, but yet a lot of us want to change the meaning behind it. I suppose, but I don’t see Hispanics in a rush to reclaim any of the slur people use against them. GLAAD will fly down like a pack of locusts against those who throw around offensive language to gays and no exceptions or context is accepted. There are repercussions for others when insults of this manner happen in their community, but there’s always one of us leading the charge to absolve those that offend. What’s that about?
The default rationale is that we use the “N” word and so it’s permissible for universal use. In this instance, it’s the name of the song and therefore it’s okay. The word is littered in so many rap songs that you’ve come to expect it after the first beat drops. The use of the “N” word has become so commonplace that people just shrug when they hear it and that’s a Joe Clark Code 10 situation! It’s time to get out of the house and burn it to the damn ground.
Blacks who are in a position of power have got to use their influence. Their platforms shouldn’t be used to make a mockery as to why there is outrage over the flippant use of the “N” word. Their silence and apathy in lieu of some emotion shouldn’t be either. A lot of these celebrities shouldn’t act too surprised when they hear crickets at the cash register. If anyone can be that removed from how potent the “N” word still is and always will be, I can keep my hard earned dollars to myself. And that’s for real.
Kelly Rowland On The Set Of ‘Summer Dreaming’ (Video)
Kelly’s gearing up to give us another video after she steamed it up on camera with Lance Gross in ‘Keep It Between Us’ early this year. She recently filmed her new ‘Summer Dreaming’ video in Barcelona while wearing a hot colorful dress from Maria Grachvogel 2005 Classic Couture collection. It’s the second piece Kelly has worn from the designer, after she stunned in a black and white print gown at this year’s Glamour Awards.
Girl Injured In Drake/Chris Brown Bottle Fight Speaks Out [Plus Video Footage Emerges]
While Chris Brown and Drake’s crew were apparently throwing bows and tossing bottles at W.I.P. nightclub in NYC last night, there was an innocent bystander who just happened to get her head split open during the scuffle. A 24-year-old Australian tourist decided to head up over to the club with friends but shortly after she was inside, the bottle fight erupted and she was struck in the dome. She tells TMZ,
“Within a few moments of noticing glass being thrown around, I saw a glass bottle headed towards me; consequently hitting me in the head. I immediately started to bleed and proceeded to fall in and out of consciousness. [After she left the hospital] I had to take the subway home with no money or jacket. Nobody would even sit beside me. My friends were so scared because they did not know where I was.”
The tourist, by the name of Hollie, filed a police report and it won’t be that surprising if she files a lawsuit.
Meanwhile, here’s some updates:
Drake’s rep is doing major damage control right now. Although Drake’s name has been thrown around as the person who started the fight, his reps are saying that he didn’t do anything wrong:
Drake did not participate in any wrongdoing of any kind last night at W.I.P He was on his way out of the club when the altercation began.”
[Drake] did not engage in any activity which resulted in injury to person or damage to property.
Drake has a pretty clean image right now, not to mention a new movie, Ice Age 4, he can’t afford this type of publicity.
Chris’s bodyguard Pat, who caught a mean one to the head, was spotted leaving the hospital today all stitched up and ready to get back on duty.
Although Meek Mill was at the club, he has made it clear that he wants everyone to stop putting his name in the middle of all of this. He tweeted:
@Roscoedash you gotta chill b4 you b tweeting my name in some sh– i wasn’t even really in! Stay in ya lane!
Naw we just getting money! RT @chrisbrown: Me and @MeekMill ain’t on that bullsh–. Real respect Real….
Stop tryna blame da bullsh-t on me…I was just there like everybody else
The tweet between he and Chris pretty much proves that they were able to talk their differences out after the fight.
‘Moesha’ Star Yvette Wilson Loses Her Fight With Cervical Cancer
The Twittersphere is mourning the death of former ‘Moesha’ star Yvette Wilson, who played Andell Wilkerson. She was 48 years old.
As previously reported by NewsOne.com, Wilson was suffering with Stage 4 cervical cancer and was in dire need of funds in order to pay her mounting medical bills.
Shar Jackson has been sending out tweets asking for prayers for her friend and co-star for the last few days:
Wilson, who also co-starred on ‘The Parkers’ with comedienne Monique’ and such memorable films such as “House Party 2,” “House Party 3,” and ”Friday,” was not only battling cancer but has also been plagued with kidney problems and needed kidney transplant as well.
Friend Jeffrey Pittle, a stage 4 cancer survivor himself, created a website for Wilson, so that people could donate money for not only her medical needs but also help with any transportation costs that are associated with her getting to various medical facilities. To date, the site had raised $13,599 of the $25,000 they were seeking — or 54 percent. The fundraiser ended June 9, 2012.
As previously reported by NewsOne.com, Wilson is the fifth tragedy that has occurred from the “Moesha” show. Star Brandy Norwood struck and killed a woman with her vehicle. Merlin Santana, who played Moesha’s first boyfriend, “Ohaji,” was only 26 years young when he was shot dead in California as he sat in the passenger seat of a car. Mac, who had the recurring role of “Uncle Mitchell” and was Andell’s boyfriend, died in 2008 from complications of pneumonia. The ever-popular “Hakeem,” Moesha’s sidekick who was played by Lamont Bentley, was killed in a car crash more than 6 years ago.
Other colleagues and stars have begun sharing their condolences via Twitter:
Tony Rock @TONYROCK : Yvette Wilson was super cool everytime we ran into each other. Rest peacefully.
Malinda Williams: Wow!! May God rest her soul. “@otengkk: @MalinsWorld just read Yvette Wilson has passed away RIP”
@NiecyNash: Rip Yvette Wilson…thank u for many years of laughs from Moesha & The Parker’s. http://po.st/aI4AIM
Gabrielle Union @itsgabrielleu : #RIPYVETTEWILSON Great actress from “Moesha” & “The Parkers” She was truly beautiful inside & out. You will be missed. Love & Light
Questo of The Roots @questlove : one love to Yvette Wilson. you’re on a higher plane now. sad that you will now really never ever ever ever eva–come around here no mo. #RIP
There has been no official statement released, but check back with NewsOne for updates.
Rest in love and laughter, Ms. Wilson.
