ATG sizes it all up.
As a favor to the ATG editors, academic, forward-thinker and general culture watchdog, Bradford Howard, weighs in on John Mayer's recent off the cuff, asshole comments.
As a favor to the ATG editors, academic, forward-thinker and general culture watchdog, Bradford Howard, weighs in on John Mayer's recent off the cuff, asshole comments.
It's been nothing short of interesting to see the commentary about John Mayer's recent interview in Playboy magazine. The hot-button backlash is directed towards Mayer's specific comments on his sexual preference for Black women (or lack thereof) as well as his use of the "n-word." Reactions have ranged from nonchalant to "I knew he was a douche, but this is a new one" to "off with his head!" My own reaction, however, is a more critical one. Why did these comments hit so close to home with regards to Black America? And more importantly, is this really worth our Tweets?
At one point during this interview (which is two parts, by the way. It's well worth reading the entire interview, not just the parts where Mayer talks about "hood passes" and having a "white supremacist dick"; in fact, I think if you read the whole thing, it'll make a lot more sense why Mayer used the language that he did), Mayer says:
"Someone asked me the other day, 'What does it feel like now to have a hood pass?' And by the way, it's sort of a contradiction in terms, because if you really had a hood pass, you could call it a nigger pass. Why are you pulling a punch and calling it a hood pass if you really have a hood pass? But I said, 'I can't really have a hood pass. I've never walked into a restaurant, asked for a table and been told, 'We're full.' '"
Most reacted immediately to the fact that John Mayer used the dreaded n-bomb. But let's read this again. First, Mayer insists that he doesn't feel entitled to such a pass because he's never had the experiences Black people have had, e.g., being denied service at a restaurant. Secondly, and more importantly, Mayer says, "... why are you pulling a punch and calling it a hood pass if you really have a hood pass?" In my own personal experience, a "hood pass" is usually something Black folks give to a non-Black friend or associate, that serves as a justification for them to engage in certain activities and language (read: activities that extend to ignorant, "hoodrat shit with one's friends") that their other non-Black associates absolutely cannot. For example, many Black people take some offense to white males dating their Black female friends. However, amongst some groups, there is always that "cool white friend" who "gets a pass" whereby it's okay for him to be with a Black girl.
In the same sense, there is that "cool non-Black friend" who Black people will grant a pass (usually only the one time) to when they use the n-word. Think about how there was minimal outrage to Jennifer Lopez and Fat Joe and even Quentin Tarantino's usage in many of his films of the word "nigger/nigga." It's safe to say that in those instances, these people were granted "hood passes." In a sense, then, Mayer was merely saying call a "hood pass" what it really is: a (my other non-Black friends can't, but you can say) "Nigger pass." Let's be honest: how many of us in real life, have granted such passes to our non-Black friends (albeit often in forums that are not as public as an international skin magazine)?
Later on in the interview, John Mayer says:
"I don't think I open myself to [dating/sleeping with Black women]. My dick is sort of like a white supremacist. I've got a Benetton heart and a fuckin' David Duke cock. I'm going to start dating separately from my dick."
Black women would take serious offense to these words, and they would be well within reason to do so. But again, let's read Mayer's language for what it is. At its core, this is point blank period John Mayer indicating a sexual preference - he's saying he's not sexually attracted to Black women. Everybody has something they like and don't like in members of the opposite (or similar) sex, right? So what's the big deal? He referred to his manhood as "David Duke." It's a joke on Mayer's part... but one that gives new meaning to the term "epic failure."
Most of us are well acquainted with former Louisiana state representative David Duke, who has become nothing short of infamous for his ties to the Ku Klux Klan (he was once Grand Wizard of the organization) and his white supremacy-fueled rhetoric. Probably not the best comparison to make. But Mayer knew what he was doing. He knew that using David Duke's name to describe his manhood would elicit a far greater reaction than, say, comparing it to Michael Richards or Mel Gibson (in fact, in retrospect, maybe we and Mr. Mayer himself should be thankful he didn't call it J. Edgar Hoover). But because David Duke's name is associated with such hate and ignorance, and because John Mayer used that particular name to describe himself, we immediately equate John Mayer (or his member, anyway) as being hateful and ignorant towards especially Black women. However, to his credit, he does note that he should "start dating separately from [his] dick." So maybe this is something he's working on. But again, this is nothing more than an indication of lack of sexual attraction to Black women. Under the guise of an awful, embarrassing attempt at humor.
While I can understand the outrage on the part of Black women especially, I'm tempted to ask, "What's the big deal?" That he used the "n-word?" Well, it's not like he said, "I've never had the experiences Niggers do. Niggers go through struggle every day, though, and if that's what living like a Nigger is, then maybe I can relate to being a Nigger and a Nigger can relate to being me." He was using the "n-word" to describe something and not in a derogatory sense. Of course, any time ANYONE non-Black uses that word for whatever reason, we're up in arms for it. Perhaps this gives slight credence to the argument that "we (Black people) give the word [Nigger] its power." Are we mad that he says he isn't sexually attracted to Black women? Well maybe, as it was so eloquently stated in the film "Something New," John Mayer might be "prejudiced by his preference." But his preference is his own, and who are we to judge him for that? (Besides, this just leaves more Black women for those of us with Malcolm X and Huey Newton-minded manhood to choose from).
So was the language irresponsible? Sure. But maybe we're going too hard at John Mayer. If you're going to stop listening to his music or lose respect for him, do it because he's always been an asshole. Not because of one darkly humorous, borderline sarcastic interview in which Mayer didn't necessarily tiptoe around his language.
- Bradford Howard
At one point during this interview (which is two parts, by the way. It's well worth reading the entire interview, not just the parts where Mayer talks about "hood passes" and having a "white supremacist dick"; in fact, I think if you read the whole thing, it'll make a lot more sense why Mayer used the language that he did), Mayer says:
"Someone asked me the other day, 'What does it feel like now to have a hood pass?' And by the way, it's sort of a contradiction in terms, because if you really had a hood pass, you could call it a nigger pass. Why are you pulling a punch and calling it a hood pass if you really have a hood pass? But I said, 'I can't really have a hood pass. I've never walked into a restaurant, asked for a table and been told, 'We're full.' '"
Most reacted immediately to the fact that John Mayer used the dreaded n-bomb. But let's read this again. First, Mayer insists that he doesn't feel entitled to such a pass because he's never had the experiences Black people have had, e.g., being denied service at a restaurant. Secondly, and more importantly, Mayer says, "... why are you pulling a punch and calling it a hood pass if you really have a hood pass?" In my own personal experience, a "hood pass" is usually something Black folks give to a non-Black friend or associate, that serves as a justification for them to engage in certain activities and language (read: activities that extend to ignorant, "hoodrat shit with one's friends") that their other non-Black associates absolutely cannot. For example, many Black people take some offense to white males dating their Black female friends. However, amongst some groups, there is always that "cool white friend" who "gets a pass" whereby it's okay for him to be with a Black girl.
In the same sense, there is that "cool non-Black friend" who Black people will grant a pass (usually only the one time) to when they use the n-word. Think about how there was minimal outrage to Jennifer Lopez and Fat Joe and even Quentin Tarantino's usage in many of his films of the word "nigger/nigga." It's safe to say that in those instances, these people were granted "hood passes." In a sense, then, Mayer was merely saying call a "hood pass" what it really is: a (my other non-Black friends can't, but you can say) "Nigger pass." Let's be honest: how many of us in real life, have granted such passes to our non-Black friends (albeit often in forums that are not as public as an international skin magazine)?
Later on in the interview, John Mayer says:
"I don't think I open myself to [dating/sleeping with Black women]. My dick is sort of like a white supremacist. I've got a Benetton heart and a fuckin' David Duke cock. I'm going to start dating separately from my dick."
Black women would take serious offense to these words, and they would be well within reason to do so. But again, let's read Mayer's language for what it is. At its core, this is point blank period John Mayer indicating a sexual preference - he's saying he's not sexually attracted to Black women. Everybody has something they like and don't like in members of the opposite (or similar) sex, right? So what's the big deal? He referred to his manhood as "David Duke." It's a joke on Mayer's part... but one that gives new meaning to the term "epic failure."
Most of us are well acquainted with former Louisiana state representative David Duke, who has become nothing short of infamous for his ties to the Ku Klux Klan (he was once Grand Wizard of the organization) and his white supremacy-fueled rhetoric. Probably not the best comparison to make. But Mayer knew what he was doing. He knew that using David Duke's name to describe his manhood would elicit a far greater reaction than, say, comparing it to Michael Richards or Mel Gibson (in fact, in retrospect, maybe we and Mr. Mayer himself should be thankful he didn't call it J. Edgar Hoover). But because David Duke's name is associated with such hate and ignorance, and because John Mayer used that particular name to describe himself, we immediately equate John Mayer (or his member, anyway) as being hateful and ignorant towards especially Black women. However, to his credit, he does note that he should "start dating separately from [his] dick." So maybe this is something he's working on. But again, this is nothing more than an indication of lack of sexual attraction to Black women. Under the guise of an awful, embarrassing attempt at humor.
While I can understand the outrage on the part of Black women especially, I'm tempted to ask, "What's the big deal?" That he used the "n-word?" Well, it's not like he said, "I've never had the experiences Niggers do. Niggers go through struggle every day, though, and if that's what living like a Nigger is, then maybe I can relate to being a Nigger and a Nigger can relate to being me." He was using the "n-word" to describe something and not in a derogatory sense. Of course, any time ANYONE non-Black uses that word for whatever reason, we're up in arms for it. Perhaps this gives slight credence to the argument that "we (Black people) give the word [Nigger] its power." Are we mad that he says he isn't sexually attracted to Black women? Well maybe, as it was so eloquently stated in the film "Something New," John Mayer might be "prejudiced by his preference." But his preference is his own, and who are we to judge him for that? (Besides, this just leaves more Black women for those of us with Malcolm X and Huey Newton-minded manhood to choose from).
So was the language irresponsible? Sure. But maybe we're going too hard at John Mayer. If you're going to stop listening to his music or lose respect for him, do it because he's always been an asshole. Not because of one darkly humorous, borderline sarcastic interview in which Mayer didn't necessarily tiptoe around his language.
- Bradford Howard
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