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I said that you 2, growing up probably had the same experience with the frequent use of the word nigger as I did. The difference is I became desensitized to it, while you guys seemingly internalized it. Being old and set in my ways, the word is no big thing to me and I will continue to use it around Blacks - and around Whites as well, when I'm trying to make a point; I have no qualms about using the word "nigger" around Whites during a discussion about bigotry. I like how uncomfortable this makes them. On the occasion when some Whites have ventured to ask me why it is alright for Blacks, particularly rappers, to use nigger , but unacceptable for other ethnicities use it, I refuse to be put on the defensive. I simply say something in the vein of it being similar to how it's OK for one to criticize one's own family, but not OK for others to do so. Take it or leave it. We can, however, all agree on one thing: that this anecdotal bantering proves nothing because it really doesn't matter. Maybe one day you talented 2 will become multi-million dollar entrepreneurs, and the only thing you'll have to worry about in your aspirations to rival the success of white businesses will be that you won't duplicate the duplicities that made them rich.

This one though! As Count Dracula, I have had the opportunity to own many fine watches. I started wearing watches in the 1400's when they were not much more than portable, spring-driven clocks attached to the wrist by something that resembled a manacle. They were large and clumsy and would often get tangled up in my cape. As the decades and centuries passed, watchmaking technology improved dramatically. I have always liked to keep up on the latest in men's fashion, and I feel fortunate to be independently wealthy and so I have always been able to afford the best. I've sported Rolex and Cartier and Bvlgari and Piaget, but now "the best" has a new champion. I would remove this magnificent timepiece from my wrist only if it somehow stopped working, but since it is of the highest precision quality, I don't expect that day (or night) to come until around the year 2550. The snakes and lizards are awesome, but LOVE the skull! The only drawback is that it has a lot of crevices where graveyard soil can get stuck, but that's really my own fault for not placing a bread-bag over my arm when I retire to my coffin . FIVE STARS!!!!!

That's my point about the flag and the N word, they don't matter. In the bigger scheme the only thing that matters is financial empowerment. The discussion we are having is very topical and ends up being banter because it accomplishes nothing (sound and fury...). I used to make my basketball players do ten push ups for saying it. We lived in San Diego a 3% Black city and using the word was always around others, not just our own. The word eventually was taken on by Asians, Africans, Mexicans and every other race at the school - Unless I was around. All of these kids said it but if the word wetback, sand nigger, rice eater or FOB was used people lost their damn minds. I realized then that we are the only ones who openly accept a word that has such destructive tendencies. Cynique I remember older people using the word like water, but when they would not use it when we encountered Whites. I thought it was hypocritical as a child and possibly because I grew up when people were learning self love and using brothers and sisters it's why I have a different view. As for the Last Poets they didn't use it in the same way as it's used today. Die Nigga so black folks can take over or Niggas are untogether people are exactly the sentiments I associate with the words as they do. Do we all use it? I'm sure in some shape. It is what it is. I do think though as a small movement, not using could create a considerable amount of change, but that won't happen because as we all agree, it doesn't matter much.

It should be, but I just wrote on Facebook this statement: The biggest issue for those who have businesses where they are creating a product is building a network especially when that business is in an area where there are dominant players. The idea of business is that you create something that is both needed and fills a need. The reality is that there is always something out there already and that unless you capture the market with a great slogan and a passion, reaching the buyer/client/market is an extremely difficult thing to do. It's much easier to sell yourself because the investment is time and effort. When the investment involves purchasing and selling inventory that is not a known entity, the game changes considerably. I've gotten the typical "Amen" or "Preach" or "Absolutely", but that will be the end of it. Running a literary website should be a profitable afterthought, but the bottom line is we don't value the things that supplies the world with information and entertainment. Here is an article that is about music that addresses what we are discussing here perfectly. http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/permalink/2013/10/02/doesntcare