Answer this Call: Rap Artist Jay-Z is Challenged to a Public Debate

    BEVERLY HILLS, CA, September 16, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Friday, September 11, 2009, rapper Sean Carter's, better known as Jay-Z, Answer the Call: 9/11 Benefit Concert was aired on FUSE, a music video-oriented television channel owned by Cablevision through its subsidiary Madison Square Garden, L.P. Jay-Z liberally used the n-word and other profane words, which were all bleeped out, except for the n-word (i.e., n**ger, n**ga). Media giants are simply out to make a buck and will air whatever sells. By only censoring "real" cuss words, they accept the fact that if African Americans are going to continue to refer to themselves as such a word, then they are going to continue to make millions of dollars from our group's own self-destructive behavior. Media giants will agree with African Americans that the n-word is just a word, but of course, they don't care about the effects of the term because it is not their people suffering from its continued use.

In the October 2009 issue of Oprah Magazine, Jay-Z expresses his views on his use of the n-word and the reasons behind his being a proponent of the n-word. Jay-Z, Russell Simmons, BET Network and many others have made mega millions from their liberal use of the n-word and other self-destructive rhetoric--such as misogyny, drugs, violence and "thuggery"--all at the expense of the Black community.

Although one does not discount Jay-Z's efforts and more than good intentions of paying tribute to those who lost their lives during that horrific day eight years ago, the issue lies in Mr. Carter's inability to see that because he's such a highly-influential and respected African-American character, that his words carry great weight. And as such, his words can and do influence people's perspectives and mentalities. It's also quite perplexing, and troubling, that because of his stature, sophisticated "swagger" (the way he carries himself), business sense and seeming grounded self-awareness and understanding of the world, that he, for himself, does not see the issue in the continued use or promotion of such a degrading term and destructive lifestyles.

One may argue that it's only entertainment and an entertainer only gives the people what they want; but if you are "Jay-Z", your personal brand is huge and you should be able to tell the people what they want...sell them something different, something they didn't even know they wanted or needed; and because you, the one and only Jay-Z, are selling it, they will "buy" into the change: eliminating the n-word, its use, and associated mentalities. Sketch a new era of entertainment--of enlightenment, metaphorically-wrapped in lyrical genius, and laid out in a blueprint and visionary craftsmanship that refuses to degrade the black community for a dollar--or even a few million dollars--and popularity.

Mr. H. Lewis Smith believes that the general public is exposed to a misconception that the views of hip-hop artists reflect the views of the Black community in general. This is a very dangerous assumption insofar as non-blacks are concerned.

Considering the afore-mentioned concerns, H. Lewis Smith, author of Bury that Sucka, A Scandalous Love Affair With the N-word and Founder/CEO of the United Voices for a Common Cause, Inc., challenges Jay-Z to a public debate--a two-sided discussion between two solid African-American men and businessmen--anywhere, anytime, affording Mr. Carter the opportunity to justify his support and promotion of the n-word and other self-effacing rhetoric, and also allowing him to hear and consider non-n-word users' arguments. If Jay-Z is truly the person he conveys to the public, he will understand the seriousness of this concern, this challenge, and will answer this call.

Additional information on H. Lewis Smith can be obtained from his websites, http://www.hlewissmith.com and http://www.theunitedvoices.com.

The United Voices for a Common Cause, Inc., (UVCC) was founded in April of 2006 by Mr. H. Lewis Smith. UVCC, a tax-exempt, 501(c)3 non-profit organization, was formed for the express purpose of connecting socially-conscious community members with a mutual interest to fight for a common, progressive cause.

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