how might you respond?

[Oliver's Army]

So I take it JoJo doesn't like your moniker?

[traumaqueen]

So I take it JoJo doesn't like your moniker?

HA! awesome, ollie.

[WBOB]

So I take it JoJo doesn't like your moniker?

Heaven's no!

[cwallace]

How about:


"Dude, I once sprinted around a fountain beatween licks on a mountain bike while wearing a sombrero...I will call myself what I want."

and calmly walk away...

Chris

[sharkmansix]

So I sent this question to some unaffilated 3rd parties to get their input on such a letter. Here's the first reply reveived:

I believe the individual who wrote this spent a lot of time doing it. They didn't quote works of literature correctly; it's hard for me to tell when the quotes end and when his/her thoughts begin. They wrote it with true sincerity, and that inspires some admiration in me due to their sense of introspection and the way they decide to live their life and use their mind in a very spiritual way. It sounds borderline eastern philosophy.

But it's also very pretentious and written in a way that at the same time flaunts intelligence and knowledge but provides no credentials or context to back up how they know all of this or WHY they're taking issue with it...other than, of course, their loathing towards dead white people. It sounds like the rapper heard the word somewhere or had a vague idea of what it meant and like the sound of it. The author of the text expressed a bit of critizism for the use of an African word that they felt was inappropriately used. But that's just a matter of opinion, just as it's a matter of opinion in our culture that ancestors make fine study subjects, and we don't have to struggle to make up for their sins to cleanse the souls of the unborn because their sins have nothing to do with our souls.

I believe the author wanted to know if the rapper was of euro origin, if the rapper fathomed the meaning that the African culture assigned to the word, and if the rapper had ever contemplated the meaning of his life. The first point is moot for many modern people but not for the author (the author is very race-sensitive), the second point is probably moot too, because if the rapper is of european descent he probably didn't know the depth of the word, and the third point is noble, because everyone should contemplate the meaning of their lives now and again. I just think they could've done it in a little nicer and little more direct fashion. But I give the author some kudos for putting himself or herself out there...I think they invested some time and if they're sincere it shows a genuine interest to know a bit more about the rapper.

Hope this helps!

[Garr]

I thought that the initial letter had a VERY cut and paste feel to it. . .but that's just me.

[Burcee]

I'd respond: "It's a lot better than sh*thouse!"

[QWETTY]

is this guy calling you out because your rapping and using an "african" name and that your white. If so, that guy is a huge douchebag.

i didnt understand half the letter though.

[MrSpall]

Send him some of Garr's random words.

[Al Quandt]

And all this time I thought your name was derived from the sacred recipe off....

[jewlee138]

Get me his address & I'll send PremiseThunder his way... that'd take care of the situation.

[Al Quandt]

I think the whole thing is stupid and pointless. Yes know the meaning of the name, fine.

My question is that of the 12years of school (pre college) that I was taught African American culture for at least one month out of each of those years, why would I (meaning anyone) not be able to use a term that i learned?

That would be like me telling someone that wasn't white that they couldn't use a Euro term because it is mine and its my history.

i am just soo fet up with this stupid race sh*t. I share my culture with any one who is intersted. Do you want to know what its like to be German and Polish? I'll gladly tell you and I am not going to be mad if you are inspired by my heritage.

I won't send you an email explaining the meaning of your name and tell you that if you arent German you have no right using it.

just tired of it.

@Kofa,

You are a truely talanted man that has an interest in someone elses culture. Don't let this make you miss a single step. Just keep walking.

[bassjones]

Since I believe you are one of a handful of caucasians who actually does 'get it' and are quite familiar with the African heritage of the word, I believe you probably are far more equipped to respond (or not respond) to this than any of us would be. Go with your gut. You're far wiser than most of us on here, so I wouldn't ask for our help... but maybe that's just me.

[MynameisJenn]

I don't think stephen is asking for help but merely proposing a topic for discussion...how would I respond to that letter the guy/gal spent sooooo much time writing? The answer is this: "Thanks for the input, just to let you know I am sleeping with a black woman everynight and enjoy it immensely"- now I know that Stephen wouldn't say that but why not just piss the guy/gal off further? Maybe he/she could go back into the past(read as email) and see where he/she went wrong with the insecure and feeble attempt to urge the european descent rapper (read as Sankofa) to change his name and hate his ancestry and feel guilt for things that were not in this lifetime (read as the past) and things not executed by him...simply put f**k it and fuel his/her fire more...it won't make a difference either way he/she(author of e-mail) will have that opinion regardless of what is said otherwise

[Al Quandt]

love it