more on the n-word (WARNING: random, stream of consciousness stuff)

[Traumachik]

Okay, with all of this debate as to "RnR Nigger" - how has Patti's song
benefitted society? How has it opened debate in popular music or affected
society as a whole? Has it pushed back or pulled forward race relations, and
does it paint a more flattering portrait than the gangsta rap that polluted
the airwaves a few years ago? (It would be nice to think, even though Patti
is a "fringe artist".) Remember, people, we *are* talking about Patti Smith
here, not tupac Shakur or some evil gangsta rapper. I think the song was
meant to stir up debate, not to incite more racism in punk rock. Yes, it was
presumputous to think a little honky from the burbs could single-handedly
reclaim one of the uglilest words in the vocabulary, and dammit it needs to
be done, but WHO else is going to do it?

People, if you want to be angry at someone, for Godsake, rail against the
media for turning a domestic violence case (the OJ trial) into the biggest
racist fiasco of the century! 

I wish some rap artist would make an effort to help create postive dialouge
in the community in which Patti could also be involved. What would Laurynn
fron the Fugees or someone from A Tribe Called Quest think of this song?

Am I making any sense here? Hopefully this wasn't too incoherent. 

I think also some people have to realise that Patti is HUMAN, not some
heavenly body. She's going to make mistakes, and has in the past. Allow her
that.

--a thoroughly exhausted Chelsea, who hopes she's making some sense