Dear Mr. Carter (or may I call you Jay-Z, since you don't seem to put much stock in formality?)
You have apparently told the Daily News that you have not stopped using the word "bitch" after all. For two days you refused to comment on reports that a poem renouncing that word was written by you. But today you are quoted as saying "That poem and story are fake."
I hope you understand that while the words attributed to you may have been fake, the response of countless fans to what they thought was your announcement was very very real. When millions of people believed you had realized that the misogyny in rap lyrics was offensive (a realization they believed you'd reached now that you have a daughter) they all said "it's about time."
I know you are busy tonight with the re-opening of your club 40/40, but maybe you could find a little time to read some of the thoughts in the 500-plus comments here on The Huffington Post.
Read about how other parents of other daughters find the word "bitch" (among more words you are so fond of) insulting. Listen to them question how your wife, who is a champion of strong girls, feels about it. Look for one single comment here that says "dang it Jay-Z, I refuse to buy your records if you don't call women nasty names." You won't find one. Instead you will find a lot of people who know that words have power, and who also know that you are a maestro with words, and who figure you can probably come up with some better ones than the lazy, vulgar shortcuts you've gotten into the habit of using.
Jay-Z, I am apologizing here to my readers. I assumed that you had written the poem in question, because it had been "vetted" by several sites with far more expertise in the music industry than I have. That was my mistake, and I don't like to make mistakes.
But I am not the only one who should be issuing an apology. I'm thinking you also owe one, to your public -- not for the words that aren't actually yours, but for the ones that still are.
Sincerely,
Lisa Belkin
Anna Hart: Lipgoss: Jay-Z Totally Sheepish About Sexist Lyrics
Megan Smolenyak: A Peek into Blue Ivy Carter's Past
Although that might be true for the folks commenting, unfortunately the truth is it might hurt sales. Additionally, I highly doubt Ms. Belkin or any of the commenters would buy a Jay-Z album even if he didn't use the b word. I've read the comments and most of them just hate rap. So financially speaking, he's got a lot to lose and little to gain.
it makes me laugh every time I see it
GO, MISTER Z!
Women need to stop this victim game. If we want respect we should focus on mutual respect instead of just trying to make women feel good.
Third the idea that most people stop cursing when they have kids is absurd. I guess the people posting are the few who never use the b word.
Using the term "bitch" (other than its biological meaning) is demeaning to women in general. Is this the example you want to set for the young men who will some day associate with your daughter socially? Or men who may encounter your wife on the street?
"Bitch" should be reserved for the biological meaning or as an insult for an individual woman. Using it as a collective noun is easy, but not creative. I suggest you buy a thesaurus and spice up your usage.
What "privilege" are women demanding other than to be treated with the respect they due because they are human beings first and women second?
In case you haven't heard of the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
Jay-Z raps to make money. His success has given him a platform from which he COULD choose to bring about change. I would love to see him stop labeling women and black people with the words he and his counterparts have been using. Perhaps his change in stance on those issues could make a difference in the way young people who listen to his music feel about the world. It's his decision though, not ours. He fights other fights, he inspires in other ways.
And now that that's that Lets talk about the future
We have just seen the dream as predicted by Martin Luther
Now you could choose ta Sit in front of your computa
Posin' with guns Shootin YouTube up
Or you could come with me to the White House get your suit up
You stuck on being hardcore I chuck the duece up
Do I find the use of the "b" word offensive? No, because the word is only powerful when I give it power. Is it a word I choose to use? No. Do I fault Jay-Z for using it? No. While I may not respect his choice, it's his right to say whatever he wants and he has no obligation to me or anyone else to start a movement against that word. Besides, speaking with my pocketbook will be far more powerful than trying to argue his change in vocabulary.
Regarding, "the word is only powerful when I give it power." Do our daughters come to us prepared to have that tested, as they are exposed to this term and worse being thrown at them? I am silly enough to hope that my little girl does not have to defend her self image against the music floating towards her ears at any given moment. (And as an aside, my wallet does little good by not buying a gun, as I am not the audience for the gun makers. The purse has power when those who weild it decide to stop in protest. Those who don't have it out already in the arena hold little say, I believe.)
now onto the rest of the comment...