Sit down with an open mind, and be prepared to step into a world that is extraordinarily intimate to black people in America. The film is a hardcore, in your face discussion of a word, the n-word, which is guaranteed to evoke emotion when said. This piece opens with the commentary of some of Hollywood's more tenured and respected black stars. Stars like Nia Long, Samuel L. Jackson, LeVar Burton and Quincy Jones acknowledge the role the n-word has played in their lives. (You'll appreciate their willingness to care less about their glamorous and clean-cut images, (I'm sure they paid a publicist thousands for). You must applaud their candidness, because in my research I found that many were approach for commentary, but refused to participate. Congratulate Bryant Gumbel when you realize Al Roker refused the interview
and so on.) From celebrities to hip-hop heads, scholars to linguists, social experts to average people on the street, Todd Williams (screenwriter, director) and Helena Echegoyen (producer) polled Americans in a frank discussion of a word that is clearly powerful enough to hold the same weight of controversy for hundreds of years.
By no means does this documentary attempt to give answers of what to do with the n-word, or whether its common use today is right or wrong. But, it is a thorough exploration of the past, present and future of it. In the film, Ice Cube acknowledges the n-word once symbolized disgrace, but has now been embraced by street culture as an expression of love. "Black people have done this with a lot of things," he insists. "We take this word that has been a burden to us, digest it, and spit it back out as a badge of honor." In contrast, another hip-hop star, Chuck D, found that point of view ridiculous " that's like someone throwing garbage at you and you saying I'm going love and embrace this garbage." Even legendary producer Quincy Jones doesn't quite know what to do with the word, but adds, "A lot of people have tried to flatten it . . . so it wouldn't be that (hurtful). But it is designed to be derogatory. . . It's an expression of hate. It has the ability inside the family to be either the most affectionate, or the most hurtful (word)." There is even a 20-30 minute dedication to Richard Pryor's journey of the word. Pryor became a star from his unprecedented public embrace of the n-word, and then later came full circle by declaring that he would never use it again.
The n-word carries its weight in controversy. Chris Rock explains in comedic form his view of why it's so controversial: "This word it's like the only thing white people can't do. That's the only reason anybody writes about it. It's like white people can't believe there's a thing that exists they can't do." (Funny.)
So you'll laugh, think, get angry and even sad. The piece is put together with a nice flow. There are noteworthy transitions to break up the monotony of talking heads, such as inserts of poetry from the past and present-- from the likes of Langston Hughes to Saul Williams, and monologues from Cree Summer and Jasmine Guy. I must also tell you about the sepia-toned pictures which add to the detail of the piece.
The "N-Word" originally screened in 2004, the DVD is set to release in early 2006. A timely release after the heated race debates triggered by Hurricane Katrina.
By no means does this documentary attempt to give answers of what to do with the n-word, or whether its common use today is right or wrong. But, it is a thorough exploration of the past, present and future of it. In the film, Ice Cube acknowledges the n-word once symbolized disgrace, but has now been embraced by street culture as an expression of love. "Black people have done this with a lot of things," he insists. "We take this word that has been a burden to us, digest it, and spit it back out as a badge of honor." In contrast, another hip-hop star, Chuck D, found that point of view ridiculous " that's like someone throwing garbage at you and you saying I'm going love and embrace this garbage." Even legendary producer Quincy Jones doesn't quite know what to do with the word, but adds, "A lot of people have tried to flatten it . . . so it wouldn't be that (hurtful). But it is designed to be derogatory. . . It's an expression of hate. It has the ability inside the family to be either the most affectionate, or the most hurtful (word)." There is even a 20-30 minute dedication to Richard Pryor's journey of the word. Pryor became a star from his unprecedented public embrace of the n-word, and then later came full circle by declaring that he would never use it again.
The n-word carries its weight in controversy. Chris Rock explains in comedic form his view of why it's so controversial: "This word it's like the only thing white people can't do. That's the only reason anybody writes about it. It's like white people can't believe there's a thing that exists they can't do." (Funny.)
So you'll laugh, think, get angry and even sad. The piece is put together with a nice flow. There are noteworthy transitions to break up the monotony of talking heads, such as inserts of poetry from the past and present-- from the likes of Langston Hughes to Saul Williams, and monologues from Cree Summer and Jasmine Guy. I must also tell you about the sepia-toned pictures which add to the detail of the piece.
The "N-Word" originally screened in 2004, the DVD is set to release in early 2006. A timely release after the heated race debates triggered by Hurricane Katrina.