Richards was on CNN this weekend, following his appearance on Rev. Jesse Jackson's radio program.

It was interesting how he said that African Americans, well at least through their "leadership", were opening up the healing. (My cynical side wonders if Jackson or his church accepted any sort of financial contribution from Mr. Richards?)

On the same segment, in an onvious direct reference to hip-hop culture and black youth, there were a couple of older African American gentlemen talking about how the use of the "N" word should be forever banned from American society.

I find it interesting that the use of the "N" word by black entertainers, youth, and hip hop artists would somehow be tied in with Kramer's apology.

Also, do people accept the idea that Jesse Jackson and certain select others are the "leadership" for the African American community? I bet there are many blacks who take exception to that idea.

I wrote a column about the death of black "leadership" in the mold of the Civil Rights era. In my opinion, the gulf is growing wider and wider between African-American "have" and "have-nots", which in many ways is at the center of the entire debate.
Basically, the whole "bling" phenomenon has commercialized the ghetto and turned it into a commodity for white suburban America (and to a lesser extent, black suburban America) to be bought just like toothpaste or Abercrombie and Fitch. Unfortunately, all the negative behavior associated with that image is being internalized by many black youth. Its really sad to see. Packaging and selling that "ghetto" image is seen as a way to make it big in the record industry, and indeed, it is.

Keith Richards = Stones, X-pensive Winos
Renee Richards = tennis
Dick Richards = astronaut, St. Louisan
Ann Richards = Texas Governor
Michael Richards = Seinfeld TV show

I wish everyone was so entertaining pointing out mistakes. Thanks Howard. You can also email me if you like.

Lucas

I should have emailed but it is not very often that one gets to mention all those Richards in the same entry.

Lucas your comment above is spot on, the almost glorification of the ghetto. I believe this is decades and generations in the making --- a result of many previous bad urban policies.

The N-word is certainly used quite often. In Kayne West's "Gold Digger" song (which I really like) the n-word is used six times, "she ain't messing with no broke n..." And the f-word is thrown in twice for good measure. The video version is cleaned up for mass distribution. And Kayne West seems pretty tame compared to some of the more hardcore folks.

But banning a word from society will only serve to elevate its power. I don't want to be called a faggot but I find myself using words like fag and queer, although not in normal settings or in song lyrics.

It might actually be healthy for society (black & white) to get it all out there. By being so PC people have been afraid to say what they are thinking --- yet they continue thinking what they do. That doens't really get us anywhere except more distant.

A festivus for the rest of us!

I know of no black person under the age of 40 who believes that any real black leader has emerged (Barack, perhaps?) who represents any majority of black consciousness. I honestly would love some clarification as to who supports the Rev. Jesse Jackson, and all of the older black established organizations (NAACP, Urban League). In Northern VA, where I currently reside, they receive very little support or attention. When I last lived in St. Louis (1990's), their influence was quickly waning.

I'm busy laughing to myself at Urban Review's comment lamenting that we're all so 'pc'. This from a man whose primary currency is ridicule! Urban Review's personal attacks on politicians and ordinary citizens are ANYTHING but politically correct. They often don't reach the threshold of civil discourse.

Literally millions of black African Sudanese are being raped, murdered, burned alive simply because they are black by the Arab militia. So, we get all bent out of shape by a stupid and demeaning word while we ignore the heighth of racism against black people? What's wrong with us?

Interestingly, comedian Paul Mooney was on MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann Monday night commenting on the Richards meltdown. He said he is striking the "n" word from his vocabulary, as well as the "b" word. With his involvement, the Laugh Factory, the site of Richard's outburst, is banning the use of the "n" word. Anyone using it would be fined by the club.

Mooney wrote for Richard Pryor who was famous for his use of language. In those days, Mooney said, they were trying to destroy the word's power. Today, however, Mooney said the word has been turned back against the community, but this time through its use by the community. It now encapsulates a lot of the negativity Mooney, Prior and Dave Chappelle (another comedian Mooney has written for)have been trying to fight.

It was an interesting commentary from someone who has emersed himself in the meanings of language for decades.