New York City rejects the 'n-word'

NEW YORK, March 1 (UPI) -- The New York City Council has unanimously passed a symbolic resolution rejecting the use of the "n-word."

The full council passed the non-binding ban 49-0, Newsday reported Thursday.

Sponsoring Councilman Leroy Comrie said it's important to discuss the racial slur and "the real history, the problems, and the embarrassment or hurt and pain that people feel when they hear this word misused and abused," Newsday reported.

New York joined several other communities banishing the "n-word," including New York state's Westchester County, the village of Nyack and the New Jersey cities of Paterson and Irvington.

The council acted Wednesday as Black History Month drew to a close.

"I make an appeal to all people and particularly in the hip-hop culture, that they respect who we are and where we've been, and that they no longer use that n-word," Councilman Albert Vann said.