- Noelle Lorraine Williams| VISIONARY  | A Project of REBORN

This interview was conducted by e-mail September 2008.

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THE GOOD WORD | Michael Paul Britto
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| Michael Paul Britto plays out the N-Word

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"My sense of urgency came from all the latest incidents in the media regarding the so called "Misuse" of the word by several high profile people in the media, and the public reaction to it. I wanted to point out how common the use of the word is in mainstream media ( Music, Movies, etc.), and get people to think about what they see and hear everyday." - Michael Paul Britto
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Noelle Lorraine Williams |The word nigger is a fantastical – mainly because unlike many other words it has various coexisting story keepers, existing in multiple temporal states. These various emotional memories imagine our deepest human emotions and needs: an expression of kinship and abject isolation and dehumanization.

These socio- cultural emotions are what comprise our stories, realities. I attended a workshop called the "Writer's Responsibility" in Newark, NJ Dr. Akil Khalfani quoted Morrison in stating that a cultural belief or myth is not one unless "hordes of anonymous people believe in that myth."

Your piece straddles these anonymous hordes of people into one mix. What did you feel was at risk if you did not do the project? What was your sense of urgency in creating the piece?

Michael Paul Britto |The only risk I felt was for my life, because I was going to be using the "N" word so many times in one place! No, but seriously, I felt that something like "This Little Word Of Mine" had to be done. The issue of this word is everywhere, everyday and I believe we (BlackFolk) are responsible for its overuse. My sense of urgency came from all the latest incidents in the media regarding the so called "Misuse" of the word by several high profile people in the media, and the public reaction to it. I wanted to point out how common the use of the word is in mainstream media ( Music, Movies, etc.), and get people to think about what they see and hear everyday.

Noelle Lorraine Williams |Your praxis/technique works draw heavily upon remixing Black pop culture, history, myths and cultural forms. In what ways, if any, do you see this strategy as being effective in your cultural production  in this moment?

Michael Paul Britto |I like the idea of mixing new ideas with the familiar (traditions,music, styles, etc.) I feel it helps people digest and connect with my messages. Many of us party to music that uses the "N" word, but during that moment the rhythm and/or beat is more important than the lyrics. Same thing with movies, we let a lot of things slip by us, but when several different "N" word moments from films are put together you become more aware of the social impact this may have on our society. When you juxtapose clips of an African American and a White person saying the "N" word from movies, I feel it poses several questions of who's right, who's wrong, and who's at fault.
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"I feel that all these forms are similar, and that is why I chose to but them all together in this piece. I feel that they all inform each other, and help enhance my message. The ironic thing about this is we hear the call (in Music, Movies and Media), but we very rarely respond." - Michael Paul Britto
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Noelle Lorraine Williams | The church revival, classic hip-hop and the word nigger rely on a heavy rhetorical stance to be successful. In your piece you utilize  popular hip-hop songs, stylized sermon delivery and African American signifiers along with some of the most popular media pieces on African American culture. In what ways do these "call and response forms" inform your understanding of culture?

Michael Paul Britto | I feel that all these forms are similar, and that is why I chose to
but them all together in this piece. I feel that they all inform each other, and help enhance my message. The ironic thing about this is we hear the call (in Music, Movies and Media), but we very rarely respond.

Noelle Lorraine Williams | What ways are you making connections between the proselytizing of the church and the music?

Michael Paul Britto | I use the idea of church because I feel many of the Hip-Hop songs
I hear, and use are like sermons. I also like the idea of preaching with out really
preaching. Visually I'm a preacher, but the preaching is masked by the absurdity of the performance. The piece also touches on the hypocrisy that takes place in the church as well and in the music. Many people get religious when they feel it matters, or when they have a need. I feel people do the same thing when it comes to the "N" word. Through my sermons I'm calling people out, and I'm using some popular songs to do so. I feel that many folk that are into Hip-Hop act just like church goers when they hear their favorite Hip Hop "saviors" or songs. There is a weird connection there for me.

Noelle Lorraine Williams | How was it participating in the IN PROGRESS solo exhibition series
at Rush Arts Gallery?

Michael Paul Britto | I'm really enjoying my involvement with RUSH, they are very supportive and nurturing. I was encouraged to do whatever I wanted with their full support.

Noelle Lorraine Williams | In what ways was your process transformed by  moving from the private to the public sphere in creating your art production?

Michael Paul Britto | This piece was the first time I've ever tried performance, I actually wanted to make this into a video piece, but decided against it and opted to do it live. Doing this particular piece has opened me up to many other possibilities and projects, I've learned a lot about myself by stepping out of my comfort zone and challenging myself to try something different, mess around with other forms of expression.