To think that if you don't want people to use the N word, don't put it in the lyrics of your songs

[PatriarchyPersonified]

Just that really. Kendrick Lamar invited a fan out of the audience at a recent gig to rap along to the lyrics of one of his songs.

The fan (a white lady) repeatedly used the N word, because it's in the lyrics. He stopped her and told her she couldn't say it. She was also booed and abused by the crowd.

🤔

If you don't want people to say a certain word, then don't put it in the lyrics of your songs.

It's either not acceptable, or it's ok. You can't have it both ways.

I personally don't think the N word is an acceptable word to be used full stop, and that doesn't change based on the race of the person using it.

www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-44209141

Saiya

I think you have the wrong end of the stick.

I completely reject the concept of the Patriarchy. My username is ironic.

I chose it because simply not agreeing that the 'Patriarchy' even exists apparently makes me the embodiment of it.

Reported terf is an offensive slur , nothing to do with this thread .

He's was a prick to do that to her.

YABKOU

I think a race is allowed to reclaim a word like a woman may chose to call herself a bitch to reclaim the word or an American may call themselves a Yank.

However in this scenario when it's a song lyric and she's been asked to sing it I can see why she would be annoyed. It sounds to me he did it as a test - why else bring it up?

I don't like the word either. It's not the word per se as obviously it's letters arranged a certain way but it's how people tend to use the word that is offensive. It's either used to racially abuse someone or it's used as a misplaced slang for a brother used by white people often gangs or teens.

It's all about the meaning for me. With the former I'll certainly correct the person if it's safe to do so but with the latter I'll just tend to think how ignorant they are.

I’ve also reported the use of the word Terf, it’s as offensive to me as I’m sure the N word is to many black people

Also like PPs have said he uses the word bitches. So he obviously doesn't have feminist views. This lady would be within her rights to ask him not to use words like bitch, ho etc.

Also I don't think racism is only when you have power. That suggests making a horrible comment is less severe if you are a member of majority.

Besides which the sex scandal in abirmingham was racist as well as other things because they often groomed white girls if we are going by that logic.

I once was told by a Muslim he hates white bitches they should all die. Reported it to College and was told it was nasty but that's it. That's not racism? Definitely prejudiced but it can be both.

I had been just as nasty apparently as I called him a nasty little prick.

I think personally use it amongst friends you know dont mind it and about yourself if you are black/mixed race.

If a song lyric is used with offensive lyrics it's at the persons discretion whether they sing it but obviously they should be mindful of the company they are in.

White people shouldn't use it as it's not necessary.

No. She should have chosen not to say the n word if she didn't want people to think she was racist.

No. It was in the lyrics. She was invited/asked to sing along to the lyrics. He set her up.

I always put a suitable word in to replace it personally.

Nobody is a popular one and Nintendo for laughs!

I ain't say she's a gold digger, but she ain't messing with no broke Nintendo

As a miced race person this whole 'reclaiming the word' is horseshit to me. I don't see other races and cultures calling themselves derogatory racist names. I don't understand why black people are fooled into doing so.
If you don't want people singing the word don't put it in your song. It really is as simple as that.

He asks her to join him in the song, can see she is white and then tells her she cannot join him with the words. He sounds a pillock and was setting her up to be booed and shouted at by the crowd... makes him look really pathetic

He was being a hypocritical jerk unreasonable to be upset with her for singing along with lyrics HE wrote. Reclaiming the word? Use whatever language you want, but imo you shouldn't use controversial words and then be upset if other people (regardless of skin color/racial background) follow your example and also use those words-- especially if they're only doing it because they're singing something the way you wrote it!

What a great way to treat your fans!

He knew there was a word in his song he didn't want her to say. Yet he got her up on the stage to sing a long which she did so and then he kicked off. It seems like he was ogling to feel offended to be honest.
Seems like he had huge chip on his shoulder.
I think this could actually put people off going to see him in concerts.

@Mookie81 I don't see other races and cultures calling themselves derogatory racist names

Then you are not paying attention. This doesnt mean you are wrong in your ultimate statement, just that you started out with a falsehood.

Oh dont get me wrong I'll call myself a fat cunt but i wouldnt let anyone else say it.
However I wouldnt make a rap with spider is a fat cunt in the lyrics invite someone to sing long with me then throw my rattle my pram when they did.

I don't care enough about the people who continuously use deroragatory language about me and 'my people'.

I care even less about the people (but especially women) who sing along for the ride. If you don't have the good sense to avoid that negativity and when you see nothing wrong with it, well (shrugs shoulders)

To those posters who think that it's ok to use a racial slur, as long as it's against your own race as a form of 'reclaiming'.

I'd appreciate your thoughts on the Kendrick Lamar song 'Feel' where he repeatedly uses the words 'honkies' and 'crackers'.

Is that ok as well because of his 'historic oppression'?

@PatriarchyPersonified @OP I'd say he's a hypocrite. I'd not say he is specifically against white people as many rappers use these terms including Eminem who is white himself. But it's proving the point that as a white woman im not offended by it in a song because it's normally exaggerated dross but if he was to shout after me that then yes, I'd think he was a racist.

Comment on race + malice = racism
Comment on colour - offends = ignorance
Comment in favour or disfavour of a group based on a stereotype = prejudiced

That's how I see it anyway. But what would I know - I'm registered blind

Swap colour for race in those sentences had a very talkative child around.

Also on the prejudice front swap colour/race for disability/nationality/socioeconomic status/occupation etc.

Honky and cracker are in no way comparable to the n-word (and either is terf, for that matter).

I suspect the woman invited on stage thought she was invited to sing all of the lyrics. Personally I wouldn't because I'm aware of the background; however, KL could have been supportive of the woman and asked her before the song what word she was going to substitute the N word for and maybe made it funny. Instead of being supportive and maybe educating people it appears he set her up and threw her to the wolves. He could have handled it differently, he didn't but he did get loads of publicity for it.

Yeah... It's possible that he thought any fan of his would know that he believes white people shouldn't utter that word, so he was shocked that she did. But I think it's sadly more likely that he reckoned she would use the word and therefore he could use her as a teaching moment rather than a person. Which I think is a bit off TBH.

Mind you, having only seen a short clip, there was mention of other fans being onstage as well - were they mainly white, mainly black, mainly male, mainly female? What did the rest of them do?

Faulty nothing to do with not paying attention, I personally have not seen, heard or read about it happening. I'm all ears for your experiences of it though.

@Mookie81 The reason why I say you were not paying attention is that on this thread alone people have said about other cultures and groups of people reclaiming the offensive words themselves. If you haven't read it on the thread that you have added to, then you probably won't notice it in real life. Which is done by the way. If it doesn't affect you why would you notice it?

I have. Asians that call themselves 'pk', or 'chky, women that call themselves btches (guilty). Haven't heard anyone call themselves 'ho' though.

Now I personally don't use racially offensive words (or at least try not to), neither to friends or anyone else. I don't listen to rap or hip hop or grime. I like lyrics I can understand and stories I can relate to. I don't even know who Kendrick Lamar is and I still don't.

I hope that helps in clearing it up for you. Speaking as a black woman (since we need this qualification for this thread).

"KL could have been supportive of the woman and asked her before the song what word she was going to substitute the N word for and maybe made it funny. Instead of being supportive and maybe educating people it appears he set her up and threw her to the wolves. He could have handled it differently, he didn't but he did get loads of publicity for it."

"But I think it's sadly more likely that he reckoned she would use the word and therefore he could use her as a teaching moment rather than a person. Which I think is a bit off TBH."

I think @PhoebefromFriends and @ReanimatedSGB are right. And it is very interesting that he chose a woman for his teaching moment/extra publicity - I bet he wouldn't have done it to a 6'4" burly rugby player type!

Rose so he brings her on stage to sing his song with his lyrics then tells her no... how would she have even realised she couldn't/shouldn't do this if her has basically invited her up to sing it!

How can he do what he wants and not her? What a load of bollocks!