LOS ANGELES, CA (AP) -- Black Leaders challenge the entertainment industry, including rappers, to stop the use of the racial slurs that Michael Richards used in his tirade.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson and others said they will meet with TV networks, film companies and musicians to discuss the ''n-word.''
Jackson stated, ''We want to give our ancestors a present, dignity over degradation.''
He also asked people not to purchase the seventh season DVD box set of the TV show, ''Seinfeld'' that was released last week.
On November 12, Richards, who played the wacky neighbor Kramer on ''Seinfield,'' triggered outrage with a racial rant against two black men when he was heckled during a stand-up comedy routine at the Laugh Factory Night Club. The incident was recorded by a patron with a video camera phone.
Richards has made several apologies, including one Sunday on Jackson's syndicated radio program, in which he has said he is not a racist and was motivated by anger.
At a press conference, comedian Paul Mooney said he has used the ''n-word'' numerous times during stand-up performances but will no longer do so after watching Richards' rant.
''He's my Dr. Phil, he's cured me,'' said Mooney.
When Jackson was asked about free-speech issues, he said the word is ''unprotected.''
U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., charged that only situations such as the Richards incident turn mainstream media attention to issues involving the black community.
''This is not simply about whether or not the black community forgives or forgets, this is about understanding that this is pervasive, that this happens in all of our institutions, one way or the other,'' Waters said.
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