As a Clarkstown Town Board member pushes for a ban on the "n" word, a local hip-hop artist is coming to the defense of those who use the term.

Artist John Miranda, who wrote a song about the word, says he uses it to greet friends and doesn't find it offensive. However, a Rockland Community College official says many people of past generations find the term derogatory.

Ralph Mandia, of the Clarkstown Town Board, is trying to pass a resolution stating the "n" word won't be tolerated. It's similar to a measure that recently passed in Nyack. A public meeting on the issue will be held Tuesday, March 6 at 11 a.m. at the college.