TORONTO -- Online search giants Google and Microsoft have rejected an
advertisement campaign from web site RapSpace.tv, citing use of the
N-word as the lyrical theme in a contest being held at the popular hip
hop social network.
"After escalating this issue to a specialist, it has been determined
that the content of the (RapSpace) landing page is in violation of our
hate/anti policy," wrote Google Adwords rep Amy Q. "Although the
landing page is not against a specific group, users who may visit the
site may be offended by the derogatory language." Microsoft Adcenter
simply wrote: "this ad did not meet editorial guidelines. "
"Our CEO is an African-Canadian, I am of Indian heritage and another
partner is half-Jewish," wrote RapSpace.tv producer Sudha Krishna in
an unsuccessful appeal to both companies. "We firmly believe in
equality but we also believe in the using public discourse and
creative expression to achieve those goals of equality."
The contest, launched Feb 26th, awards a cash prize to the online rap
performance that best analyzes use of the N-bomb in hip hop culture.
The move by the online companies follow on the heels of the banning of
the N-word by the New York city council last month as part of a
nationwide movement triggered by civil rights activist Jesse Jackson
and Congresswoman Maxine Waters in response to the November 17th
racist meltdown by former Seinfeld star Michael Richards at LA's The
Laugh Factory. In addition to the N-word ban, Jackson has also
launched a boycott of the four-disc seventh season DVD of Seinfeld.
"It's absurdly ironic that we cannot even advertise a contest that
encourages the biggest users of the N-word rappers to have a
voice
in the debate over a word they've popularized in the first place.
This kind of runaway censorship just empowers the word. " explained
Krishna.
"Even Michael Richards admitted as much about the power of the N-word
if you watch the video carefully," added RapSpace creator MMG. "After
blowing away the hecklers and clearing the club by dropping those
N-Bombs, he ends the tirade by saying 'you see? There are still those
words.' As well-intended as Reverend Jackson and New York City Council
may be, their actions have made the word more powerful as our
situation shows."
Launched in November 2006, RapSpace.TV is a leading social media
website where rappers from around the world record and publish
performances for a thriving community of hip hop fans. Similar to a
blend between MySpace and YouTube, RapSpace offers the best in "web
2.0" technologies to allow rap fans to connect with each other and
discover the next Nas, Mos Def or Jay-Z.
advertisement campaign from web site RapSpace.tv, citing use of the
N-word as the lyrical theme in a contest being held at the popular hip
hop social network.
"After escalating this issue to a specialist, it has been determined
that the content of the (RapSpace) landing page is in violation of our
hate/anti policy," wrote Google Adwords rep Amy Q. "Although the
landing page is not against a specific group, users who may visit the
site may be offended by the derogatory language." Microsoft Adcenter
simply wrote: "this ad did not meet editorial guidelines. "
"Our CEO is an African-Canadian, I am of Indian heritage and another
partner is half-Jewish," wrote RapSpace.tv producer Sudha Krishna in
an unsuccessful appeal to both companies. "We firmly believe in
equality but we also believe in the using public discourse and
creative expression to achieve those goals of equality."
The contest, launched Feb 26th, awards a cash prize to the online rap
performance that best analyzes use of the N-bomb in hip hop culture.
The move by the online companies follow on the heels of the banning of
the N-word by the New York city council last month as part of a
nationwide movement triggered by civil rights activist Jesse Jackson
and Congresswoman Maxine Waters in response to the November 17th
racist meltdown by former Seinfeld star Michael Richards at LA's The
Laugh Factory. In addition to the N-word ban, Jackson has also
launched a boycott of the four-disc seventh season DVD of Seinfeld.
"It's absurdly ironic that we cannot even advertise a contest that
encourages the biggest users of the N-word rappers to have a
voice
in the debate over a word they've popularized in the first place.
This kind of runaway censorship just empowers the word. " explained
Krishna.
"Even Michael Richards admitted as much about the power of the N-word
if you watch the video carefully," added RapSpace creator MMG. "After
blowing away the hecklers and clearing the club by dropping those
N-Bombs, he ends the tirade by saying 'you see? There are still those
words.' As well-intended as Reverend Jackson and New York City Council
may be, their actions have made the word more powerful as our
situation shows."
Launched in November 2006, RapSpace.TV is a leading social media
website where rappers from around the world record and publish
performances for a thriving community of hip hop fans. Similar to a
blend between MySpace and YouTube, RapSpace offers the best in "web
2.0" technologies to allow rap fans to connect with each other and
discover the next Nas, Mos Def or Jay-Z.