Tom Hanks’ Son is Getting Hammered For Using the N-Word

06.02.2015 | News | Jerome Hudson |

Stupid is as stupid does.

That’s the first thing that popped into my head when I heard the news that Tom Hanks’ son, Chet Haze, was causing controversy on Instagram with his open use of the “N” word in several posts.

Chet Haze is apparently struggling to break into the rap scene. And while Chet is unapologetically taking the pleasure in immersing himself in a hip-hip culture that consists largely of black people, his open use of the word nigga is a step too far for a lot of folks.

Chet’s Instagram page quickly filled up with comments from people demanding that he stop using a word that’s still so offensive to so many people.

Some said Chet can’t say nigga because “he ain’t black.”

Others said Chet was blinded by his white privilege:

Stereo Williams, writing in the Daily Beast, put it this way:

White privilege creates a culture where white youth — particularly those with means — are raised to inherently believe that the world is open to their every ambition. Without the barrier of structural, institutional, and cultural racism, they can realize those ambitions.

Speech can’t be controlled, period.

What Chet says and when he says it is entirely up to him.

Some speech may offend a few people, while that same speech may make others smile, laugh, or dance.

Of course there’s an ugly and terrifying history associated with the word “nigger.” And that’s the point. Millennials–the age group of which Mr. Haze and so many other people who use the “N” word find themselves in–don’t say “Nigger,” they say “Hey, what’s up my nigga.” To them, the two words are completely different and have two totally separate histories and uses.

That’s the reasoning most people who use the word “Nigga” operate on.

The argument that people with means are too blinded by their privilege to see or understand the pain inherent in the word nigga, is intellectually lazy and just is not a sufficient and complete explanation.

Most black people who are against white people using the word nigga, want to have it both ways. It’s acceptable for some black people to say it in a positive and uplifting manner, but white folks can’t? Speech doesn’t work that way. The prohibition of the use of any word is nothing more than a pipe dream.

And those who say no one should use the word are also wasting their breath.

If you don’t like the word nigga, don’t say it. Don’t listen to wannabe rappers like Chet Haze who say it. Raise your kids not to say it. But also recognize that they too may one day use the word.

Chet Haze isn’t the first white person to use and defend his use of the word nigga. And he won’t be the last. A thousand white people said the word nigga while you were reading this article. We are only talking about Haze’s use of the word because his daddy is Forest Gump.

Chet’s just trying to be hip and cool. If there is a place where the selective outrage brigade should focus its attention, it’s at Chet Haze’s music.

That stuff is morally objectionable.

Jerome Hudson

Managing Editor

Jerome Hudson has written for numerous national outlets, including The Hill, National Review, and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and was recognized as one of Florida’s emerging stars, having been included in the list “25 Under 30: Florida’s Rising Young Political Class.” Hudson is a Savannah, Ga. native who currently resides in Florida.

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