PRE#&DENT PLEASE! A New Linguistic Phenomenon

Recently NY1 went up to Harlem to expose a new vernacular trend which replaces the word ni*#ga with president. Yes, it seems that, at least according to this reporter and a few convinced citizens of Uptown, the N-word is fading, and fast. I can't even...just watch the clip. Some of my thoughts and questions below.

- I can't decide if this trend is good or bad or stupid.
- I can't decide if it is culturally appropriate for me to decide that.
- This isn't a parody, is it? It is clearly NY1, correct?
- "It's a struggle out here man. Nothing rhymes with president. You know what I mean? It's multi-syllabic." Might be the best quote ever.
- Is that girl in seventh grade? Really? Not bad.
- Jamal called his enemy/friend (in the fight) a "bitch-ass president". Can the word be used in a negative way, or does it always have a positive undertone? Also, do you think that those kids staged their fight for the cameras? If so, well done gents.
- That professor teaches at my school.
- What the fuck is that Menace II Society: Re Release nonsense? That's a joke, right?
- That guy with the Sam Cassell dome really gets heated. In response to his conviction, I would present a situation in which one might meet or refer to a head of state. What then?
- I am not sure how I feel about this whole thing. I guess it is good that the n-word is being replaced (who am I to judge), but I cant help but feel a bit uneasy. Is there something racist about this clip? But what? Is it due to the quality of reporting? Or is it because I find this funny and it's not supposed to be and its about black people, which might make me racist? Or am I racist because I felt uneasy about laughing at it, as opposed to letting loose sans guilt when watching similar videos about white people? I don't think that is it.
I am uneasy because confusion makes me uneasy. I am confused because this is an incredibly weighted clip.
- Indeed, these are very strange times to be alive.

thanks to Liz for putting me on!