While speaking with Vlad TV, Ja Rule offered his thoughts on white people using the n-word in the video above (WARNING: Strong language presence).
New York rapper Ja Rule is a relatively well-known name in the rap industry. In the interview with Vlad TV, Ja Rule says, “there’s no way around” keeping white people, the youth in particular, from using the n-word. This demographic specifically may not fully understand the origin of the word at play here. While speaking on the matter, Ja recalled a concert he attended where the n-word was faded out in a song, but the concert attendees, who he says were mostly white, still sang along during that particular part of the song. Despite the presumed outrage, the rapper remains understandable.
“It’s Hip-Hop, man,” Ja Rule said. “The kids listen to Hip-Hop. They use the n-word. Point blank, period. There’s no way around it. You know what I mean?” There really is no way around this other than educating the younger minds on the issue relating the origin of the word to its current use.
Given his belief that the word “has a different meaning now,” Ja Rule explained that he’s still unsure of who should and shouldn’t use the n-word. He also used Justin Bieber as an example of a white artist who likely received a pass when he did use the word, because of his age and perceived lack of understanding. Although, many would say this is no excuse for the word usage.
“Let’s bring Justin Bieber into this for a great example,” he said. “He has the video that came out a few years ago. He’s singing ‘one lonely n-’ or whatever. He got a pass. He got a pass because we all looked at it like ‘He’s a kid. He doesn’t know any better. He probably doesn’t even know the history of the word.’ But he got a pass. I don’t know why he got a pass, but he got an (expletive) pass. It’s hard to determine who can say the word, who cannot say the word…The word has a different meaning now. It’s not the same.”
Many Americans of color use the word when referring to friends, certain relatives, etc. This may lead to the misunderstanding of the word among today’s youth. Increasing racial sensitivity may lay cause for a change and perhaps everyone can benefit from education.
