The secret anti-ganst rap movement Part 2 - 4.30.2007.4

Continued from Part 1 The secret anti-ganst rap movement - 4.30.2007.3 ...

The fact that many do try to use that argument, which fails, brings up the question why hasn’t anything ever been done if such language is so bad. The media has been a huge proponent of highlighting the apparent blasé attitude among Black Americans on the language and imagery used in rap hip hop. I have watched literally dozens of news programs where pundits and talking heads pose the question, “So why hasn’t anything ever been done?” I’ve seen multiple African American interviewees get this question presented to them almost everyday since the firing. I have to ask in response, “Why did it take so long for you to open your eyes?”

I ask that question to the news media. They act today as if there has never been a single person speaking out against the gansta rap genre. They present statements by Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson against modern rap as if they are making a sudden noise to grandstand and serve their own interests. The Media poses questions to entertainers and celebrities as if the fault for inaction laid upon them. That is a horrible lie, and a misrepresentation of enormous, perhaps epic, proportions.

Reverends Jackson and Sharpton may be placed in the public spotlight by the media on various issues, but only those the media wants to cover. There is no question on the fact that both have rallied against the language in rap music for quite some time now. And they were far from the first. The battle against gansta rap has been ongoing for over a decade now. There have been dozens, perhaps hundreds of articles that have been written, seminars and lectures made, and blog posts against gansta rap since 1992. I’ll say that timeframe again, 15 years. Yet the news media and various pundits seem to be shocked that there has been no action made. They should say there has been no action they chose to hear.

For whatever the reason the media has chosen to ignore the growing number of voices demanding change. The corporations have ignored the consumers asking for diversity in a music genre that started off with multiple sub-genres; each one basically killed off to make room for only one style. Let me make a couple of examples.

The national media focused on the Mr. Don Imus story on April 9th. On March 22nd Blackplanet.com had a poll I commented on, which dealt with negative stereotypes in the media.

“The Internet and Film both hit the bottom of the list at 3%, followed in order by Newspapers at 8%, Movies at 9%, TV 25% and the big leader is Music at 53%. I have no doubt that Music leads this group due to music videos, especially those of rappers that feature the ladies barely clothed and gyrating. Of course those with the ridiculous (my opinion) stuff on their teeth, or those incapable of speaking their native language are no less unattractive.”

On March 8th New York City banned the use of one word in particular. It was an empty act and I criticised it,

“Obviously the City Council of NYC agrees with the view held by me, as does Mr. Michael Richards [doesn’t that prove the point right there?]. Their ban on this word was passed, and you may wonder why less time was spent reporting this than Ms. Rosie O’Donnell’s depression. Because it was a bunch of hot air. The usefulness of the ban rates on par with releasing known illegal immigrant child molesters on bail and expecting them to show up to court (as happened in Vermont not long ago).”

Concluded in Part 3...

Another Blackplanet poll - 3.22.2007.1

I have seen a poll recently, found at Blackplanet.com, that is quite interesting. The question the poll asks is “What medium has the most negative images of Blacks?”

It’s a good question. The choices are the TV, Newspapers. Internet, Music, Movies and Film. This is an ongoing survey with only 4742 respondents at the moment (out of a potential of several million that are part of Blackplanet), but it is still quite interesting. Which of these would you pick as the single worst source of negative imagery? [I’m not sure what the difference is between Film and Movies as I see them as being the same thing, but excluding that issue the question stands.]

You might be surprised by the answer. Then again maybe not. The Internet and Film both hit the bottom of the list at 3%, followed in order by Newspapers at 8%, Movies at 9%, TV 25% and the big leader is Music at 53%. I have no doubt that Music leads this group due to music videos, especially those of rappers that feature the ladies barely clothed and gyrating. Of course those with the ridiculous (my opinion) stuff on their teeth, or those incapable of speaking their native language are no less unattractive.

Given the recent news of the decline of sales for rap music, the media assault that tried to link the abuse of children and the teens that provided drugs to them to rap, and the actions of various individuals (such as the cops making their own impromptu video) based on the commoditization of Black culture – beyond the various antics of numerous rappers themselves – this points to an interesting trend. As the version of rap that floods the airwaves and music videos becomes less appealing, and the focus of many African Americans turns away from the ‘ghettofabulous’, I wonder what will happen next. Where will the executives of the music industry turn next to inflate sales of this genre. Will they retreat from the former ‘gansta’ rap splinter and expand the genre to include more positive formats.

Ten years ago I doubt that these results would be so strongly against music. But as the teens and 20-somethings of the 1990’s mature it seems that they see less value and more of the downside of what was touted as merely an expression of what was the real life on the streets. Interestingly some of these supposed street prophets never grew up in the environment they espoused about (like Ice Cube and Dr Dre if my memory serves me, among others), and the number of one hit flash-in-the-pans grew massively. While the music industry was flooded with this one style (which smacks of censorship to me) and Black culture was commoditized, the second generation of rap aged and music videos innovated on misogyny and female gyration. I’m not surprised by the stagnation of the genre, I am by the fact that it is finally sinking in even as record companies seek new ways to market the same trash in new packages.

So if this poll gains a couple of million respondents will the results continue to maintain these values? Does this mean that we may again see more positive or political rap artists? Might the egos and actions of rap/hip-hop entertainers fall from the lofty delusional self-important heights they exist at now? Like “...Because Kayne West didn’t win best video he decided to jump onstage and berate the audience, some of which may be his fans, because he felt unappreciated. The fact he did win an award wasn’t good enough. With an ego seemingly that large one would have to wonder how it all fit on that stage.”

Perhaps I am too harsh, or expect too much. Perhaps I feel the need to critique these instant ultra-entertainers, like when I commented on Eminem “…Secondly, Eminem is hardly a gold standard to follow. Eminem failed 9th grade three times and dropped out of high school. He has made millions attacking his mother and then ex-wife on various recordings. He received 2 years probation on a concealed weapons charge [shall we say slap on the wrist], was sued for defamation, and is often noted for his apparent homophobia (performing on stage with a gay man is a marketing gimmick not a statement about personal thoughts) and misogyny as expressed by his music. The last 2 items, and possibly the legal charges, are of course positives when rappers are concerned. But to be considered a role model seems hardly credible…”

If I am too extreme in my thoughts, good. There needs to be a balance and difference in opinion. And it seems that my side of the equation is growing.

This is what I think, what do you think?