Tom Hanks’ son defends using the N-word

chethaze
@CHETHAZE via Twitter

Chester Hanks, the son of Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks and actress Rita Wilson, proudly defends his use of the N-word. A rapper who goes by the stage name Chet Haze, lashed out at critics following backlash after he posted several images via social media featuring the racial slur.


Hanks shared his position in a series of video clips:


“If I say the (N-word) I say it among people I love and who love me. If I say ‘(expletive) yall hatin a– (N-words)’ it’s because that’s really how I felt at the time. And I don’t accept society getting to decide what ANYBODY can or can’t say. That’s something we call FREE SPEECH. Now I understand the older generation who grew up in the Jim Crowe era might have strong feelings against this. And that’s understandable… But what I’m saying is this is 2015… And even tho we are still far from where we need to be and black people are still being literally KILLED by a RACIST and (expletive) up system… We have also reached a point where the word can no longer have a negative connotation if we so choose. And who is to say only Black people can use it? The way I see it, it’s a word that unifies the culture of HIP-HOP across ALL RACES, which is actually kind of a beautiful thing. It’s a word that can be used out of camaraderie and love, not just exclusively for black people. What’s the point in putting all these built up ‘rules’ about it. It’s time to let go. You can hate me or love me for it, but can’t nobody tell me what I can or can’t say. It’s got nothing to do with trying to be a thug. It’s about the culture of the music. And that’s all I have to say about that (no pun intended) lol. It’s all love. Some people will get it, some people won’t. Either way, Ima keep living my life however the (expletive) I want. ALL LOVE.”

While it’s clear Hanks knows he is white, he fails to discuss white privilege and wealth and how that impacts his life and desire to even use the term. He also seems to know very little about the true history behind hip hop.


But, listen, we get it… Saying something so ignorant will create a buzz — a tactic many artists with a mediocre following have attempted in the past. So please, Chet, have a seat…

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