Yesterday New York’s City Council unanimously declared a moratorium on the "n-word,"
hoping to discourage casual use of the word among youth.

While the moratorium carries no penalty, the move is the latest in several
campaigns to remove the n-word from common vocabulary. According to Reuters
reports, similar resolutions were passed this month by the New York state assembly
and state senate. Additionally, supporters of the ban have expressed plans to
ask the RecordingAcademy not to nominate musicians who use the n-word in their
lyrics for Grammy awards. "This could be the beginning of a movement,"
Councilman Albert Vann told Reuters reporters.

However, a spokesperson for the Grammy’s doubts the academy’s 11,000 voting
members will be keen on putting limits on free speech. "They are not going
to be supportive of something that excludes someone simply because they are
using a word that is offensive," Ron Roecker, Vice President of communication
for the Recording Academy told Reuters.

While one sponsor of the moratorium, Councilman Leroy Comrie says the move
to ban the word has gained support after Michael Richards slur-laden tirade
at Los Angeles comedy club, The Laugh Factory. "The Michael Richards incident
really brought it to another level. It has forced people to express their outrage.
Many people had been seething quietly," Comrie said. Richards apologized
for the incident, and the Laugh Factory has since banned comedians from using
the word in their acts.

However, many clubs continue to allow comedians the freedom to use the word.
As recently as last week, while performing at Caroline’s comedy club in New
York City, popular comedian Donnell Rawlings, (who is frequently
called Ashy Larry after one of his characters) made references to the Richards
incident and used the n-word freely during his act. "I think it’s extreme,"
Rawlings saidof the NYC council moratorium. "The question is, who are you
going to get to be the nigger word, police?"

When asked about the ban, comedian Chris Rock expressed similar
views to Reuters reporters. "What, is there a fine? Am I going to get a
ticket?" Rock mocked in a Reuters interview when asked about the City Council
move. "Do judges say, ’10 years, nigger!’"