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_The_Lone_Codeman_
Friday, March 02, 2007
 
Freedom of speech...no more

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech,
or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble,
and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."


So, now there is a law in New York saying not to use the word "Nigger". The idea, I guess, is good but in practice this is just outrageous. It is more on a symbolical level (eventhough there will be actions against lyrics containing "nigger"), but just the idea. Where is it going to end? I don't like the word "greed"...

I understand there are a lot of historical issues tied to the N-word, but common. Is it just to prove a point or do Leroy really think this will help stopping the issue (is it an issue?). No, it is going more into an issue of Ethics. If we would ban the word "lie" do you think we will stop people from lying?

The key is to spread information and teaching people what "nigger" REALLY means. Maybe then, and only then, we'd truly know the meaning of it.

Another thought; I bet the first person getting in trouble for breaking this law will be an afro-American (not breaking any laws here) person – just check the lyrics in rap songs (no, I am not discriminating causations, but rap is just not the same when we try) or just listen to Chris Rock or ...

Taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigger:
"In nineteenth-century literature, there are many uses of the word nigger with no intended negative connotation. Charles Dickens, and Joseph Conrad (who published The Nigger of the 'Narcissus' in 1897) used the word without racist intent. Mark Twain often put the word into the mouths of his Southern characters..."





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Comments:
It's such an old vanity that outlawing language changes minds.
 
That's weird man; I just did a piece on laws in NY as well. What a coincidence :)
 
I don't know the background of this law...but I'd be willing to guess that the person or persons behind it are caucasian.

Now does this mean that Jay-Z (proud son of NYC), won't be able to perform/rehearse/record in New York?

I'm sure that by banning a word, that racism will end entirely. RIDICULOUS.
 
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