Monday, December 19, 2011

Maya Angelou Criticizes Common

Acclaimed poet Maya Angelou has voiced her displeasure with rapper Common and his use of the N-word. Angelou appears on "The Dreamer," a track from the rapper's album The Dreamer, The Believer, which drops this week; and she says that she was disappointed that the inflammatory word was used several times by Common on the song.
“I had no idea that Common was using the piece we had done together on [a track] in which he also used the ‘N’ word numerous times,” she said, according to the New York Post. “I’m surprised and disappointed. I don’t know why he chose to do that. I had never heard him use that [word] before. I admired him so because he wasn’t singing the line of least resistance.”
Common says that Angelou knows of his use of the word, however.
“She knows I do use the word,” he explained. “She knows that’s part of me.”
“I told her what ‘The Dreamer’ was about and what I wanted to get across to people,” he added. “I wanted young people to hear this and feel like they could really accomplish their dreams.”

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

No disrespect to Ms.Angelou,but she knew,how else would they make the track? She just want to maintain her image as being a good afro-american,and I understand that,but if the word is not being used in a negative way...let it go!!...It's Common who has to realize what struggles our ancestors went thru by being called that word,as long as you(Ms.Angelou) know that's all that matters,you've done your part. Our people think it's cute to use the word,but as soon as another race use it,we are ready to fight!..Well stop using it!!! If you keep using it,the other races will too,you get what give!!!.....;)

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