Congress discusses gangsta rap music - 9.26.2007.3

So what else have you not heard about? What might the major news media, particularly the cable news networks, have considered less than newsworthy? We know that the news about Ms. Megan Williams of West Virginia barely deserved 3 minutes, that OJ Simpson demanded 4 days of virtual non-stop coverage, and the 13 year old in Virginia has garnered 2 days of college so far. But what is too mundane to be covered?

How about the Congressional hearings on the language and images used in gangsta rap music. Did you know that on the 25th the House was holding hearings? I bet most didn’t.

The discussion included present and former rappers, music industry executives, and of course our friend Philippe Dauman of Viacom (which owns MTV, VH1, and Black Entertainment Television). The various personalities discussed their views and in some cases justification for gangsta rap.

Rapper Levell Crump, known as David Banner – who ever that is, defended his use of foul language

“I'm like Stephen King: horror music is what I do…Change the situation in my neighborhood and maybe I'll get better.”

Well isn’t that special. Gansta rap is horror music. I couldn’t agree more. But at least there are choices and varying degrees of horror in movies and books. More importantly rap music should not be defined in such a narrow and limited manner.

Rap started as an expression of fun and having a party. It evolved to include personal views on life, and political statements. It wasn’t until 1992 that music companies started to promote, virtually exclusively, the current concept of what rap is. It just happens to also be the most profitable form of rap music for corporations, luckily for the single-mindedness of their choice for promotion.

And then there is the desire for someone, other than Crump, to fix his neighborhood. What a cop out. If he wants a better neighborhood, he can stand up and fix it. Asking someone else to change the situation is no different than asking the government (whom I presume he was inferring) to provide individuals with welfare so they can languish both socially and economically, I feel. It’s a poor justification for taking advantage of other African Americans. I find it no different than the excuse that someone will sell drugs because if they don’t someone else will.

On the other end was rapper Master P, Percy Miller. He provided an apology to women for his songs and lyrics. He noted that he wouldn’t let his own kids listen to the work he had done previously. I’m not surprised. I’ve heard that many rappers and executives in the music industry would never allow the use of words and references they use in their songs to be used or applied in their homes or to their families. Kind of like the old saying among drug dealers, ‘Don’t get high on your own supply.’

Continued in Part 2...

Democrat and Chronicle editorial response Part 2 - 9.24.2007.4

Continued from Democrat and Chronicle editorial response Part 1...

Another part of the dropout rate could be seen in the inability of many rappers to speak English, some making up words and virtually a whole language rather than learning how to use their native language. The lack of educated gangsta rappers (who are seen as role models by some) also adds to the motivation of dropping out. Add to that the implication of violent crimes being more ‘manly’, lucrative, and preferable to honest work and you have another factor.

I would note that the prison population has increased, and the proportion of younger African Americans in jails, since 1992. Equally of note is the number of drug related crimes that they are in jail for.

In America, famous individuals are role models for those that wish to follow someone. Regardless of the denial by celebrities and entertainers, they are role models. Given that, we have seen a move from figures like Michael Jordan to 50 cent since 1992. Where Mr. Jordan represents a successful businessman, with a college degree, no criminal record, and worldwide fame, we see 50 cent as a convicted drug dealer that used violence as part of his daily actions, and was a victim of that same violence. 50 cent has made use of his violent past to glorify and promote his lifestyle. Which is a better image?

Language is the verbalization of thought. The ability to communicate those internal thoughts is reflected by that verbalization. As abovementioned gangsta rap ignores actual language on a regular basis, and uses the most simplistic grammatical format even when inappropriate. This is a limitation of communication, which affects verbalization and thus the mind.

The acceptance of gangsta rap, since 1992, and its strong connection to illegal drug use implies a public acceptance of drugs. Much as the use of alcohol and cigarettes was found to be a massive influence on the public, and thus not allowed on television or in magazines for decades, the same correlation can be found in gangsta rap music.

Because of the language used in rap music, people internationally are lead to the belief that such terminology applied to African Americans is common and acceptable, as they have no context or comparative information to counter that belief. As I have often heard, ‘Why is that a bad word? They say it in the videos all the time. Isn’t it right?’

Perhaps these reasons and others are too subjective for JWilliams and others. Perhaps there is no smoking gun, and they cannot connect the actions in one place and the results in the other. But I believe there are. More importantly I believe that even if there is a potential for these items to be related, it has too much of a potential harm.

Much as there has not been definitive connections of lung cancer to smoking (there is not) or heart attacks to fast food, a reasonable person can fill in the gap. To think this is merely a politically correct issue is to accept that children taking drugs, having multiple children to multiple fathers out of wedlock, violence in various forms, and lack of education as rhetorical issues. I for one cannot.

Some might say the acceptance of rap is no different than the acceptance of smoking, or calling African Americans the N-word, or lynching for looking at the wrong person. Each was considered acceptable at one point in this nation’s history. Thankfully they are not today, though I do not agree with such an extreme view of gangsta rap. To minimize the importance and impact of this genre of music is to ignore the impact it has.

I submit this as the last piece of proof. If gansta rap was of little importance, with no impact on America or the Black community, why do so many companies spend millions to promote it and reap billions from it? That’s not politically correct, that’s economics. And if economics prove anything, it’s that someone is paying a lot of attention.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Democrat and Chronicle editorial response - 9.24.2007.3

Wow. I’ve heard various reasons why some defend gansta rap, but never one quite like this.

At issue is the editorial by Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. In this they comment on the public pressure that has been placed on this genre of rap music, and commercial organizations (such as Black Entertainment Television) that profit off the promotion of this genre.

“While speaking with one's wallet is a powerful tool, it doesn't mean society should abdicate its responsibility to hold rappers and music executives responsible for much of the junk that passes for hip-hop music these days.

The fact that Black Entertainment Television, one of the major enablers of violent and misogynistic music, has decided to put together a three-part series, Hip-Hop vs. America, is another telling sign of what public pressure can do.”

The response by JWilliams at 5:04am is what struck me. Somehow JWilliams felt that this is a non-issue. Specifically

“…what consequences there are of gangster rap's prevalence, you certainly cannot quantify them; you in essence have no idea about how bad or good gangster rap is, only your pre-conceived dubious notions…”

I wish to provide some of those quantified consequences. Some of my reasons are based in the facts that have been widely reported, others just my personal observations. I’m sure most will be qualified as ‘dubious notions’.

The emergence of gangsta rap began in 1992 with N.W.A. This form of rap promoted the use of drugs and the violence found in that lifestyle. That is not to say that police violence and injustice in the legal system was not also addressed, but the preference was to these issues.

It can be noted that the growth of gangs, such as the Bloods and Crips went lock and step with the growth of this music format. It is accepted that the primary income from these gangs is drugs and violent crimes.

It has been stated for over a decade that gangsta rap denigrates women. It promotes the image that women are a commodity, without souls or a purpose greater than the sexual gratification of a man. View any current rap video and you can see that. This constant barrage of worthlessness creates an environment where women can have a lowered sense of self-esteem. That can result in a multitude of issues, from eating disorders, to lack of education and beyond.

One aspect of the lowered self-esteem is the perception that education is not a positive in a woman. This goes hand in hand with the thoughts that a man is above a woman, and that a woman should not be more educated than a man. That is one factor in the current 50% or greater dropout rate today, I believe.

Continued in Part 2...

What a nightclub can tell you Part 2 - 8.20.2007.2

Continued from What a nightclub can tell you Part 1...

That‘s not to say that just because someone looks like a convict, excuse me a thug, that they are one. It just happens that most of the guys I spoke with, that had the more expensive items and buying $130 dollar bottles of liquor they drank without glasses, had all been convicted of offenses with drugs and/or assault. What can I say, if it looks like, sounds like, and acts like a duck then it’s a duck.

As for the other guys, I just wonder. If they make the average salary in America for Blacks then $2000 for clothes and at least another $2000 for rims are worth about 20% of their annual salary. That’s before taxes. Does that sound like a particularly good way to spend money?

So I just wonder, is it really worth looking like a thug? Is spending $130 on a $40 dollar bottle of liquor smart? Is a guy sexier to a woman if he lives in the projects, owns nothing but a bunch of clothes and spends a large portion of his weekly check on a bottle or 2? Is there some loss of blackness when you don’t go to jail at some point in your life?

I can’t help but laugh. Much like those that snickered at me for wearing a suit. Or those that had to say loud enough for me to hear, “who does he think he is? I bet he doesn’t have any money?” Or the best yet, “You’re not Black. Look at how you dress and speak. You think you are White.”

Yet for all the odd looks, laughs and snickers, I know nearly every owner of the restaurants, bars, and nightclubs I go to in several states. I’m a respected business owner. And I have enough money for my needs and more. I’m not sitting on Snoop Dogg’s money, and it doesn’t upset me that I don’t.

Perhaps the biggest questions are the worth of the cost of chasing the Jones’ and living up to the image of what is Black that corporations have decided. Maybe if I just wanted to be a drone, wasting my money and my life, I’d chase this same image and buy the same goods. But as a man with a mind and will of my own I have chosen a separate path.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Curtis James Jackson has a problem - 7.23.2007.2

Snoop Dogg (Calvin Broadus Jr.) – accused of rape and murder (not convicted), self-acknowledged gang member and pimp. Ja Rule (Jeff Atkins) – arrested for speeding and gun possession. Lil Wayne (Dwayne Carter) – arrested for drug possession and gun possession. 50 Cent [an insanely stupid name in an industry of dumb names] (Curtis James Jackson) – self-acknowledged crack dealer, convicted felon, survivor of a murder attempt and star of the video game bulletproof.

What might all these ‘upstanding’ African American entertainers have in common? Hip hop/gangsta rap, guns, and violence. Each of them thrives and derives their livelihoods from promoting those 3 items to varying degrees, and violence has followed each. Not that violence, drugs, and other base negative elements of life are an unusual event for the hip-hop rap community.

But of these individuals only one is apparently thin skinned. Funny enough it’s the one that survived being shot multiple times. You see, 50 cent is suing a company that he claims is using his image in another video game. Of course the purpose of the game is to shoot his image. I can’t see him being upset about that part. As a drug-dealing criminal I have no doubt he’s been shot at more than the one time he actually got hit. Yet Curtis Jackson is asking for $1 million in compensation and the end of this game. I would bet that it’s because his character is being shot, and not shooting. Basically they hurt his feelings. Boo Hoo.

I obviously have no pity. I hope he loses the case and the game takes off. Symbolically it sounds like (I have not seen or played the game) getting rid of gangsta rap. I’m sure that is not the intent, which is troubling in it’s own right, but that’s the image I want to have right now.


Something else I want to mention. I feel the name 50 cent is ignorant. I don’t like it. I realize that the gangsta rap sub-genre is filled with ill-spelled, self-aggrandizing, near English terms. The kind of names you might expect a 4 year old to write (which may be the inspiration of some of these names, who knows). That’s given, but this one just grates my nerves.

Why? It’s the meaning of the name. While I understand Curtis Jackson took the name from a robber from Brooklyn because

“I'm the same kind of person 50 Cent was. I provide for myself by any means.”

If by same the meaning is criminal, I can agree.

But what it means is something more. It is obvious that it instantly states that there is a lack of knowledge of the English language, since the s is missing. It infers a value (since it references money) of less than a whole. It signifies incompleteness. Half a dollar is not worth a whole dollar. A half dollar buy nothing thses days and is virtually worthless.

It could ber further understood to imply being half as worthy of manhood, or being half a man. If you take cent and substitute sense (similar in sound and depending on the vocalization, accent, and intelligence of the speaker similar in pronounciation) if can be infered to mean half a mind, or half intelligent.

I have no doubt that Curtis Jackson has no idea that any of this can be concluded from his stage name. I’m sure his thought began and ended with the fact he was copying the name of a tough criminal he was aware of. Perhaps most fans don’t realize this either. But words have meanings, and we learn and retain the meanings for life. So even on a subliminal level we all know that all the above is there in that name.

I have no love of gansta rap nor it’s performers. The lyrics are base, it’s music videos crass, and it’s dependance on drugs and violence sickening. Even so, I cannot stand by and fail to mention that of the ill-formed names available, there must be something better for Curtis Jackson to call himself. Traveling the world, more importantly his image and music do so, thus promoting an image of Black men as so ignorant as to not be able to speak their own native tounge better than the ability of a 4 yr old upsets me.

But those are my thoughts, what are yours?

Reply to comment about D L Hughley Part 3 - 6.21.2007.1

This is in response to a comment made by Eddie G. Griffin who commented on my post Why protest D L Hughley Part 3 - 6.19.2007.3.

I’m glad to see you share the passion that your associate g-e-m has. It’s commendable. But I must mention that I feel neither of you have read through the various posts found on this blog, and my other (www.mvass.com).

I say this because your first statement fails to recognize what I said previously, my post was about free speech. I was not commenting on the quality or morality of what Mr. Hughley stated. My clarification on that point can be seen in my comment and the post itself, I don’t believe I need to clarify that point further.

I am glad that you felt compelled to protest Mr. Hughley. You stood for your convictions and that is something most do not do. I will not take away from that.

As for what people in California, New York, Chicago or any other portion of America and the world think or do I cannot comment. I only speak for myself. It is my understanding that the norms of behavior and speech do not change in different areas of the nation to any great degree. I say that as I have lived in several states across the nation and visited perhaps a dozen more. This is my opinion; you may have had other experiences.

Given that, I point you to a couple of things I have said that it seems you have failed to read about. The secret anti-ganst rap movement - 4.30.2007.3, Another Blackplanet poll - 3.22.2007.1, Nick Cannon's Boost Mobile ads, NBA code, Harper Hill - success vs. dmx - airport arrest, Sean Bell - 11.29.2006.1, Mrs. Elizabeth Vargas, formerly of World News Tonight, Chuck Creekmur and Rap on Fox News - 3.7.2007.2. I think you get the point.

I provided these links because this may help you understand what you seemingly have not read. My views are all available for anyone to read. I have a couple hundred posts that speak clearly to my views on women, rap music, the current state of Black culture, education, justice, drugs, media, health, and dozens of other subjects. I would suggest you read some of them, you may find that my opinions are not based on who I am speaking about but what I want to speak about.

I don’t need to say I stand up for women, African Americans, Hispanics, politicians, this nation, children, education, health, or anything else. My posts do that for me. My backbone has been visible to the entire internet since 2005, and easily found in searches on most any search engine. Put Black Entertainment into a search engine and I’m confident you’ll find me on the first page out of millions of results.

Because of my convictions I try not to make personal attacks, implied or otherwise, against anyone. That doesn’t always happen, I’m human. But when I attack gansta rap I do, when I confront an individual rapper I do that. If I speak about free speech I mean that. And I provide information, when possible and I feel needed, to back up what I say. I don’t make it personal (beyond the fact that it is my opinion) as it weakens the argument I am making.

As for the community, I’m glad you are doing things you believe will help. I do as well, this being one of those items. If you disagree, fine. If you think I am incorrect, then provide me an example of what I said and correct me with proof that ANYONE can link to. I try to do my homework, if you want to say I’m wrong in front of the internet, I expect the same as a courtesy. I’m not above saying I’m wrong, but not just because someone says so.

I will say (since you mentioned it) that if you think that Mr. Hughley, a D-list entertainer as you called him on your blog, has enough influence on your kids to cause them to idolize and emulate him then either he is more successful than you think or you don’t understand the influences on your kids in my opinion. I will further state that if you think the influence of Mr. Hughley supersedes that of rappers such as Snoop Dogg and 50 cent, or the peers of your children then I again state you may be missing something.

Lastly, you made a personal attack on me. In defense of that I will respond, and only once. You don’t know me, or my character. You haven’t bothered to read what I have written. You seem incapable of understanding what you have read. I have come to understand from your writing that you are blinded by your passion and cannot see another view. Without the ability to see other views, or to learn from what is being said to you, you become stupid.

Let me define that, ignorance is the lack of knowledge on a thing – such as your comment on my character, but stupidity is the ability to learn a thing and the failure to do so – which would be reading my blog and understanding what I write about and why which it appears abundantly obvious you have not.

I do not care where in the world you live or are from. Your views are your own, I respect that. I respect honest, courteous disagreement. These things, among others, make me the man I am.

But based on your comments, your disregard for my initial reply, and your personal attack – that was unwarranted and small-minded in my opinion, I would surmise that the children you mention disrespecting their elders (male and female alike I imagine) are not emulating Mr. Hughley but perhaps yourself. I don’t believe that has anything to do with Texas, or being Black, or the sex you were born with. I think that applies just to you.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Akon shows his fan appreciation - 6.4.2007.2

Now how can I not comment on the recent actions by hip hop artist Akon? There are numerous incidents of the violence that many rappers and other artists propagate seemingly daily. Most of these incidents occur at night, in a club or strip club, but it’s not uncommon to hear about transgressions in airports or on city streets. This though is a new low, and some media seem more than happy to cover it up.


Some may be aware, in a recent performance, that Akon assaulted a fan during the concert. It seems that both on purpose or by accident a fan threw an object at the stage and hit the entertainer. Akon stopped performing in the middle of a song and had the kid brought to the stage. The kid was then lifted onto the stage, picked up by the artist, and forcibly thrown off the stage. The kid had no clue any of this was going to happen, and was quite startled while it was happening. Akon then tells the crowd how lonely he feels (as best as I can tell) and begins to continue performing, having stated “he’s alright.”

I wasn’t there, so I’m guessing at the exact words. According to the Poughkeepsie Journal this entire event was simply an enthusiastic entertainer helping fan ‘crowd surf.’ Isn’t that nice. Reading their published article one would think it was quite harmless. Even the general manager, Mr. Jason Finkelburg, and Fishkill Police Chief, Don Williams, seem to feel it was unimportant. To their benefit, neither was at the event.

I would guess that the reporter wasn’t there either, or missed the event. I say this because it’s all hogwash. At best it’s poor reporting, at worst it’s a media cover-up, protecting entertainers that behave maliciously because they bring money in. How could I possibly say this? What gives me any more right than what was reported and said since I wasn’t there [and I couldn’t get paid enough to be there]? Because there is a video of the event.

It’s just that simple. And the video can be seen on the Poughkeepsie Journal’s site. Obviously, in my opinion, the reporter failed to view it. If they had then I would imagine they would see it quite differently. It seems obvious that Akon isolates grabs and throws this fan with intent to harm him. There is no music during the whole incident, no explanation. The kid looks bewildered. The police officers shown in the video seem as startled as everyone else. The throw was hardly anything friendly or helpful. I’ve seem more kindness in a mosh pit.

The fans cheered this whole event. They thought it was great, seeing this entertainer enact violence on someone that could have just as easily been them. Imagine if it was your kid. Imagine if the kid was hurt.

Think about the fact that often hip hop artists and rappers go out and try to outdo each other in acts of violence and rudeness, in an effort to maintain their ‘street cred’. Absolute idiocy. But it happens all the time. So what do all the other tough, bad-ass, malefactors and nay-do-well’s do? What is the next step in this genre? Entertainers in gansta rap have already molested unwary women from the audience on stage, now this ups the ante. Perhaps an actual beatdown on stage. Or a gang rape. If neither of the other acts already done on stage caused a consequence, why should these.

I don’t know. I don’t pay to see an entertainer who pisses in my cornflakes, or those of a friend. I don’t want to see a wrestling match at a music show. Especially when it’s the equivalent of a sucka-punch, and the performer is surrounded by police officers and bodyguards. Yeah, Akon looked real impressive and manly. [That’s sarcasm for those that don’t get it]

I won’t say all rappers or hiphop artists act like this, but more than enough do. New rappers and many other entertainers try harder than the few that last a while. Too many take pride in being a bullet magnet, a dealer of death (drug dealer), and having a trail of women used for their bodies and children without fathers. The trend isn’t getting better, and newspapers misreporting these acts do harm to the general public.

This is what I think, what do you think?

**audio for this post can be found at http://www.blackentertainmentblog.com/audio-post/audio.html

What an 11 year old told me - 5.31.2007.1

So I was having a conversation with the young son of a friend yesterday. We were speaking about Mind of Mencia which was on at the time. Mr. Carlos Mencia was having another good show, cracking up everyone in the room and then he mentioned that there are no love songs in rap, “except if you count ‘smack my ho’.” Truer words are rarely said.

But the part that caught my interest was what my friends’ son said. “Yeah, that why they created R&B.” Now that got the attention of both his mom and myself. We corrected him that R&B existed long before rap was even a concept in parties in the Bronx. [For those that have no idea, rap was created at house parties in the Bronx back around the late 70’s – early 80’s. In addition, rap was upbeat and about having fun not the current curse-laden repetitive trash.] But it had me wondering. Do kids today really think that R&B is a new form of music. That it’s an offshoot of rap meant to emphasize love songs and the like?

Could it be that the youth now have been so inundated with gansta rap that they have no appreciation or understanding of other forms of music? If that is true, then it’s a severely sad situation. The lack of school music programs seems to have helped limit the exposure kids get today, which equates to limiting the imagination and growth of the next couple of generations of kids. That is never a good thing for any nation.

Or am I just old now? I never equated 39 with ancient, as least not since I was 20. Perhaps this is a normal view and I just don’t get it anymore. I’m sure there are parents about my age out there, with kids around the early teens. What do your kids say?

This is what I think, what do you think?

The secret anti-gansta rap movement Part 3 - 4.30.2007.5

Continued from The secret anti-gansta rap movement Part 2 - 4.30.2007.4 Part 2...

On March 7th Mr. John Gibson of Fox News discussed the issue of rap and it’s images and words with Mr. Chuck Creekmur. I point out Fox News directly as I watch this cable news network often and they have had multiple members of the staff do pieces on the lack of attention on the words and images used in rap since Mr. Imus was fired. “Entertainers are responsible for their actions, both on stage and in the world. They are made to be role models, and how they present themselves is their own fault. But to blame the thoughtless actions of random people to these entertainers, on the sole basis that they are African American and there are drugs involved in this situation is wrong and insulting – to me. As Mr. Creekmur mentioned, where is the outcry about the virtual elimination of any form of rap or hip-hop that conveys a positive message? Where are the investigations why record studio executives consistently stereotype the Black community, or why there is active censorship of the formats availablke to the public?”

These are just a few recent items on the point. There has long been controversy and discussion of gansta rap. The commentary started long before this one-time sub-genre became the prevelant form in the industry. Many entertainers, celebrities, educators and commentators have spoken about this for years. The news media just turned a blind eye to it. Obviously their lack of attention led to the lack of knowledge among many Americans. Even the voice of Mr. Bill Cosby had no affect on news organizations in drawing attention to this subject.

“Recently Mr. Cosby has gone to Los Angeles and took to task the educators and parents of young African American students. As well he should, because it is the responsibility of both these groups to do more than just provide the minimum to children. It is not enough to expect rote memorization to provide the knowledge needed to do well in life. It is not enough to promote a dream of athletic prowess, without any thought of a back-up plan. It is far too little to believe that stardom in a mostly talentless industry will be the cure to all ills. Worse yet, acceptance of underperforming and allowance of a lifestyle that involves drug-use and misogyny and lack of self-responsibility are a plague in my view.”

So when the news media ask why nothing has been done I have to ask, “why didn’t you open your eyes?”

This is what I think, what do you think?

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...

Dark Brown means ... - 4.19.2007.2

Some people have wondered why I have such a crusade against the N-word. I’ve been asked why it’s a big deal, I’ve been told that the meaning has changed. Some claim the word is now empowering, when used by African Americans and those in the hip-hop/rap community. Yet, I feel that there has been no difference in the word in my lifetime, and never will be. Any other thought or excuse is just ignorance of the facts.

Since the events involving Mr. Don Imus and the Rutgers women’s basketball team renewed attention has been placed on the disparaging terms used in this nation casually. But I feel most people have no concept of what these disrespectful terms mean to, or how they affect, the rest of the world. As Americans we have a very isolated view of the rest of the world, but our actions have great impact. Having lived overseas for a time, I have gotten an understanding of this that exceeds that of the norm.

A case in point is the description found on a couch in Canada. There may not be a lot of news on this but it seems that a mother purchased a new couch whose description referred to its color as “N-word brown.” As the furniture store that sold the couch, the supplier, and a software company that designed the tag all point a finger of blame at anyone but themselves the damage is done. The international insult has been made and no one would have notice if not for a child asking her mother what the N-word meant.

Why was the color of the couch described in such a manner? Because a 10 year old translation dictionary equated the words dark brown with the N-word in Chinese. Not 100 or 50 years old, just 10. The definition was so accepted that when the dictionary was updated, no change was made to the software. But why should it?

Across the world music videos and songs proliferate the use of the N-word, and other inflammatory comments, to describe and talk among African Americans. Non-native English speakers seek out tools to define this word, and many have a description that is without any context of the harm of the word. Of course the context is then supplied by the media that the word came from.

You might say so what. Think about it. The N-word does not convey a meaning of just color, but a negative context as well. In the eyes of the world it means criminal, drug dealer/addict, prostitute, and violent savage animal as presented by gansta rap and hi-hop. Almost 15 years ago when I was in Moscow you cannot imagine the surprise when Russians learned I was an American. In their eyes it could not be possible. Black Americans were not smart enough to learn their own language let alone another, we could not understand business or hold jobs, where we went random violence follows as does rampant drug use. In essence we were the N-word. Since I could not fit any part of that description I had to be from Cuba, or Africa, or South America. I was even asked if I was originally from any other country and then became a U.S. citizen. Resolving the image they had in their head of the word and image in the media, and me in person was too extreme to be the same thing. Simply put, since I was not the N-word I could not be African American.

Continued in Part 2

Say What????? - 4.17.2207.1

By guest author Audrey B.

The recent statement and subsequent firing of Imus brings to light a major issue. Are women, particularly black women, getting the respect they deserve? The young ladies at Rutgers certainly did not deserve the derogatory statement from Imus. What he said was not only insulting to African American women but to all women. These are young ladies who are in pursuit of higher education and also athletics. It takes a great deal of talent and intelligence to manage both a college schedule and an athletic schedule. These are women who have made a conscientious choice to do something positive with their lives, and yet a disc jockey thinks that he could use his freedom of speech to degrade them.

I have heard theories that he is a racist. I have heard another theory that he forgot his race for a moment. He thought that he had the ability to talk about African-American women as though he was part of the race.

Let’s explore the second theory. Why would it be acceptable to call young ladies “Nappy-headed Hoes”? When would it be acceptable? Would it be more acceptable if these were sisters shaking it on a rap video? Would it have been more acceptable if Imus was a rapper?

I say it is never acceptable. Women and men must be respected regardless of race, color, religion, or culture. This brings me to the whole of issue rappers. It is never acceptable to refer to women as B……. and Who………
All of us were given life and delivered into this world by a woman. It makes you wonder, would these individuals care if someone was calling their mother or grandmother by the terms above?

As women we can not allow this degradation to continue. We must teach out daughters, sisters, nieces etc that they are precious jewels and always deserve to conduct themselves with respect and be treated respectfully. Our ancestors fought hard to ensure that we receive that respect. We must therefore uphold that respect.

Audrey B.
CEO of FLY-Fostering Leadership in You

Concluding Now that Imus is gone - 4.12.2007.3

Concluding Now that Imus is gone...

Any institution that serves the public has a responsibility and morale imperative to not disparage the public. Commentators are not allowed to say anything they wish in a discussion, television broadcasters (public and cable alike) cannot show movies and films of any content at any time to every viewer without discretion, news media cannot report anything they cannot justifyably confirm. There are limits to what can be done, as there should be. Even in the 1950’s and 60’s when parents were outraged by Rock ‘n Roll, with its mantra of sex and drugs there was still limits. There were boundaries that the society and the corporations abided by. In breaking those boundaries record companies, media corporations and entertainers have violated a trust the public has placed in them. Rather than rewarding this breach of unwritten laws with our money we should protest and deny them our funds.

The good and bad must be taken when appropriate. The Black community has failed its children, just as the record companies, radio stations, and gansta rappers have failed the public. This is not something that cannot be resolved, in fact it must be. We have shown the fact we have power, and we need to use it. We must use it in a positive manner. We need to change the Black culture from the commodity it has become to something greater. We are born Black, to sell that off as a cheap triffle is no different than shooting ourselves in the foot. It’s just stupid.

We must also recognize the failures and positives of some of our more recognized figureheads. I say figureheads and not leaders as at this moment there are no leaders of the Black community. There has been no leader since Mr. Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, with perhaps some argument made for Minister Louis Farakhan or Rev. Jesse Jackson for a segment of the community. While Rev. Al Sharpton was helpful, as was Rev. Jackson, in bringing this recent incident to public attention neither are leaders in my mind. They bring baggage and questionable motives to every arena they enter.

Rev. Sharpton is particularly in question. He has a long history of inflammatory actions who’s main motive seems to have been the promotion of Rev. Sharpton primarily. We need to accept that those that would claim to be leaders of the Black community are accountable for what they have said, positive and negative, and when they are in the wrong they admit to this. I say this as the credibility of serious issues that plague the entire community are lessened and placed in question when public figures of questionable motive jump into the limelight. As an example I pose the fact that several of the pundits on television questioned the seriousness of the demand for the removal of Mr. Imus on the sole basis that Rev. Al Sharpton was asking for it. Leaders are followed because they are credible, because they bring a somber tone to the subjects they deal with. To accept less is to weaken the causes, no matter how worthy, that are being pursued.

Again I say that we must change the nature of rap music as it stands today. In doing this we bring ourselves into full accountability for our community and the Black culture as a whole. We are more than just pimps, ho’s, drug dealers, ganstas and other riffraff. In reclaiming and redirecting one of the most popular and prevalent formats that the society and world views us by, we gain in all aspects of our lives and futures.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Imus is gone part 2 - 4.12.2007.2

Continued from Part 1...

It’s time that such deragatory comments stop being uttered by anyone. The meaning doesn’t change when a person of color says it, nor when it is put to song. These oppresive words are a poison in the Black culture without regard to who the person stating them is. The fact that they have become somewhat commonplace is similar, to me, to an ebola-like virus eating away at it’s host without any attempt to end the destruction.

We cannot demand that Mr. Imus be held to a standard we do not hold ourselves to. The reason that Mr. Imus had to go is that as a figure of influence he espoused hatred and racism to millions across the country. Gansta rap music entertainers are figures of influence that attempt to entertain millions with the promotion of hatred, racism, drug addiction, and criminality. If we have anger with Mr. Imus, and obviously we have, then we can have no less anger at the current state of rap music.

This does not just end with rappers. They must accept the responsibility for their comments, as has Mr. Imus, and there should be a change. I will not demand that gansta rap should be removed, though I think that would be best, as I do not agree with censorship. Entertainers, as well as all people, deserve the right to the First Amendment, given that their use of this right does not inflict harm to other individuals. You cannot scream fire in a movie theater, you cannot call non-public individuals prostitues and racial slurs just because. Comedians and singers and entertainers deserve the right to ridicule and caricature the society in general and in its parts. But the blatant use of offensive, inflammatory words who’s only purpose is to lessen the humanity of an individual is hurtful in my mind.

But as I stated, rappers are not the final part of this equation. The record companies and radio station owners are equally at fault, if not more so. Before 1992, there were several sub-genres of rap music. Some were more political, some more playful, others with mixed meanings. All during this time rap was considered a fad, and was barely promoted or given significant radio airplay as well as being virtually non-existent in music video airplay. With the emergence of N.W.A. and other gansta rappers there was a decision made by executives that has affected millions since that day. Rap became an official music category, and promotion of this singluar sub-genre became all encompassing. Music videos glorifying violence, the de-humanizing of women, massive drug use, and criminal activity hit the masses in a volume never before seen.

I’ve mentioned before that there are words (particularly the N-word) that these executives could not say without losing everything, but they have made tens of millions promoting music that let others say this for them. The responsibility for morality that every media outlet maintains was thrown to the wind for the sake of money. That is insulting. That so many would do these things for mere money is also troubling and insulting. And this insult was compounded with the almost complete exclusion of any other form of rap. Because of that the record companies are responsible as much as those entertainers that utter these words.

Concluding in Part 3...

Now that Imus is gone - 4.12.2007.1

Don Imus has been fired. A simple statement of fact that carries a huge amount of power. It’s a statement that is important, and it deserves to be understood completely. There is more to this than just his removal for his racist and derogatory statements.


The commentary has been fast and furious since Monday when I think the nation at large became aware of the incident from the previous Wednesday. I have been part of the media that has spoken on this subject, and its ramifications, since Monday having written about 10 posts so far. To say I was outraged is an understatement of massive proportions. But I have also discussed this with many people of all colors and ages and sex. I have read the comments on the blog posts, and I have read other blogs, and watched the many experts and figureheads debate the matter.

I said, “While I am in favor of severe actions against Mr. Imus, I feel Mr. McGuirk cannot be left out either.” I stand by that commentary. I asume he will be losing his position along with Mr. Imus, and that is a good thing. Comments about jigaboos and wannabes are hardly funny, especially in the context that both men presented them. [For those unfamiliar, while the news media has not presented this, later in the same discussion of the Rutger’s womens basketball team these terms were bandied about in addition to the other vile comments.]

I had asked in that same post, “What I would like to hear Mr. Imus, and Mr. McGuirk, explain is what makes the Black women of the Rutgers basketball team hos. Then I want to hear what makes their hair nappy. And then perhaps I can hear how either of these comments have anything to do with basketball or the abilities of these women. I would listen to Mr. Imus explain that, and I’d like him to do this in front of the women that he has nationally demeaned. And then he should still be fired. Not resign, fired. He has given up his right to save face in this matter.” It has now come to pass that all the things I had hoped for have come to pass in one manner or another. I am greatful for that. But this is not the end of this matter.

Ms. C. Dolores Tucker started a movement that rings as true today as when she started it in the 1990’s. Gansta rap “is a crime that we are promoting these kind of messages. The whole gangster rap industry is drug-driven, race-driven, and greed-driven.” The comments by rappers like Mr. Calvin Broadus (Snoop Dogg) in trying to justify and re-define terms like ‘ho’ exemplify that Ms. Dolores was correct in her comments. As I translated the comment of Mr. Broadus into an intelligible wording the potential for damage becomes clear I think, “…he states that any Black woman that is not in or graduated from college, that is living in a predominantly African American neighborhood, that is not earning a middle class income is a ho. If these same African American (actually he does not limit this to only African Americans) women seek a successful Black man [though he does indicate their search is based solely on the economic status of the Black man] and have not achieved equal status on their own, then these women are ho’s….”

Continued in Part 2...

Imus vs. Rap justification conclusion - 4.11.2007.3

Concluding Imus vs Rap ...

But in looking at the comment made by Mr. Broadus I come to understand that he states that any Black woman that is not in or graduated from college, that is living in a predominantly African American neighborhood, that is not earning a middle class income is a ho. If these same African American (actually he does not limit this to only African Americans) women seek a successful Black man [though he does indicate their search is based solely on the economic status of the Black man] and have not achieved equal status on their own, then these women are ho’s. That is what I understand as his statements meaning in English, a language that must be translated into from the disjointed words of Mr. Broadus. It may be obvious but I do not agree. Perhaps I am too old at 39 to get it, but a ho is a prostitute as I understood it. No more, no less. Any other derivation of the meaning is just a colloquialism, or a lack of knowledge [of which I feel the latter may apply to Mr. Broadus]. It appears that according to the English translation of Mr. Broadus (Snoop Dogg) the majority of women, married or not, fall into this category to some degree. If Mr. Broadus would like to clarify his jumbled definition, I invite him to contact me or place a response on this blog.

Again, the logic does not justify why rappers (which could include White, or Asian, or any rappers) can use offensive language and other people cannot. It does not explain why any woman, regardless of her financial success, location, style of living, love interest, or education level deserves to be regarded as a prostitute unless she in fact employs herself in that work. It does not justify why rappers should be held to a standard above anyone.

I directly ask Mr. Broadus, and any other renown rap entertainer that may choose to respond, why he can insult my mother, my sister, my family [and those of you my readers] in such a degrading manner, and not be held to the same standard as Mr. Imus or any other person. I ask, what difference is there if I went to Mr. Broadus’ wife, mother, daughter and told them they were ho’s or other equally offensive language that he uses in his records and songs? If he feels that such actions are wrong, how does he justify the use of these words? What provides Mr. Broadus, or any rapper, a higher level of morality than myself [or you]?

I will say it again. I want Mr. Imus fired, and it seems that Procter & Gamble, Staples, and now MSNBC [they just cancelled the simulcast of the show] agree. So would Mr. Broadus, Mr. Creekmur, Fatman Scoop and virtually everyone I am aware of. But if Mr. Imus has made a vicious attack, a racial slur, an insulting and degrading commentary, it must be accepted that so has the current gansta rap industry. In the same reasoning why it is disgusting for one to make such comments, it is wrong for all. I will say that I want Mr. Imus gone, and I equally wish gansta rap to be removed from the airwaves.

I will further state, this is not the end of this story. This is still just symptoms of a larger issue. I restate that I feel the source, or at least one source, of this anger and animosity is truly the failure of America to apologize and make reparations for slavery.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Justifying rap music Part 2 - 4.11.2007.2

With due respect to Fatman Scoop, whom I have never heard on the radio, his logic is incredulous and inane. Words have meanings, and while meanings do change over time (which is a slow process) that change in meaning is universal. Blue does not mean ‘light my cigarette’ just because illiterate, or uneducated, or trend-followers chose to accept it as so when the majority of the WORLD does not. If the meanings of the words used by Mr. Imus, or any person, have changed in meaning then everyone should be ok with them and there should be no debate over it. This is not the case. Words and their meanings are not dependant on the artificial prejudice of the color of the skin of the person using it. If it were then how is it possible for Eminem (Mr. Marshall Mathers) to be able to use the same words as Mr. Imus without insult?? The meaning has not changed, the prejudice has. To try to justify this prejudice is to look foolish in my opinion.

As I mentioned above Mr. Creekmur tried to shore up the obvious fallacy of Fatman Scoop. Mr. Creekmur stated that it was offensive for Mr. Imus to use these words as their meaning has not changed. But he further added that the use of these words is an internal matter for the Black community to resolve. While this is a better argument it also fails. African Americans do not exist in a bubble, separate of all other Americans [even if we feel unfairly treated by the government and/or the society]. We have commoditized our culture, and placed for sale our speech, preference for clothing, and other aspects of life. In doing that we have invited the use of the words we use to be used by others, even if that usage is not the same as what is desired. That is part of the deal in making this sale, you lose the choice of how what you sold is used.

But I do agree that this is something that must be address by the Black community. I have said from virtually day one of this website that I disagree with the sub-genre of gansta rap music. I still maintain that it needs to be removed, or at the least not promoted at the exclusion of all other forms of rap. Rappers need to take responsibility for their words, no different than Mr. Imus does. Look through the posts, I’ve always said that. So have many others, this is not a new argument, but it has taken a new impetus due to this situation.

Of those that need to take responsibility there is Mr. Broadus and his comments. Mr. Broadus announced his definition of the term ‘ho’ and it exemplifies, for me, the need of education among African Americans. Beyond the fact that the statement by Mr. Broadus is ill-formed, horribly articulated and obscenity-laden, it tried to justify his career while attacking others for using the same terms his career is built upon. [I must interject that I strongly feel that use of obscenities in place of thoughts is a direct communication of the lack of intelligence of the person using the obscenities.] Mr. Broadus has placed himself as the high-arbiter of the English language and its use by the Black community. That alone makes him delusional. I will never accept an uneducated, drug addicted, low class criminal and former gang member as an authority on a language that he displays a clear lack of mastery for.

Cocluded in part 3...

Don Imus vs Rap music - 4.11.2007.1

As I expected the debate over the comments by Mr. Don Imus continues to expand. Inevitably the question of rappers use of similar terms as those used by Mr. Imus has been broached. It’s a subject I have long targeted, but now comments are being made by Fatman Scoop and Snoop Dogg, in addition to Rev. Sharpton and Jackson. The comparison is not only fair, it is necessary.

As we watch Mr. Imus fight for his career, as sponsors abandon his show which may be the key to his dismissal, attention is moving to rap music. While the hypocrisy of the corporations that fund and promote the current version of rap have remained untouched questions are being asked of the artists and entertainers in this field. And in the case of Mr. Calvin Broadus (Snoop) he has graciously offered his ill-worded and obscenity-laced position. I will discuss the failures of his argument in a moment.

Rap is about to face the biggest challenge to its existence ever. Let me correct that, gansta rap is challenged. There is a blatant difference. While there has been no other form of rap music promoted since roughly 1992 other than gansta rap, it is not what the music genre is comprised of. Public Ememy, Grandmaster Flash, KRS-1 and may others are not the same as 50 cent, Snoop Dogg, or the others in the current crop of ‘street prophets.’ Given this distinction, this form of rap is being asked to justify its existence and I personally don’t think it can be done.

The current trend in rap is similar to the trend in movies; copy what others did well and just pump out volumes of it and see what sticks. Originality is widely missing in this sub-genre. To my knowledge [which I will state is somewhat limited as I do not actively listen to, and never buy, the current gansta rap music offerings] the sum total of virtually every entertainer today is to state that they are some form of criminal (pimp, drug dealer, thief are the most common) that is an addict (smoking marijuana, possibly also using other drugs in combination with, or instead of) and uses women in a manner similar to tissue paper. They seem to state that they are the best at these 3 actions, as opposed to their counterparts who are less than men since they don’t match up. I think that sums up 85% of all the rap songs made in the last decade or so. In my opinion that is so pitiful that I do not have the words for it.

Given the limited mental expenditure used to create these less than expansive ‘social’ comments, the question is what is the difference between anyone using the same corrupted terminology as these predominately Black ‘artists?’ During the Big Story on Fox News at 5:35 today, Fatman Scoop tried to justify that there is a difference. His argument was perhaps one of the weakest ones I have heard. Mr. Chuck Creemur tried to help shore up Fatman Scoop’s argument but it still fell flat. In essence the argument made by Scoop was that the meaning of the words used by rappers and the youth of the nation today [I believe he means specifically African American youth but that is a guess] is separate of the meaning that has endured for centuries of use and is still maintained today. This logic is dizzying in its fallacy. In effect Fatman Scoop is saying that if kids start calling cellphones pineapples, then the meaning of the word pineapple is now changed. Does that make sense? He further clarified that the “old people” just need to get used to this as we are the ones most offended by these words.

Continued in Part 2...

Chuck Creekmur and Rap on Fox News - 3.7.2007.2

But in the real world, I want to commend Mr. Chuck Creekmur. On The Big Story at 5:15pm, Fox News, Mr. Creekmur was interviewed on the issue of the influence of hip-hop on teens, specifically the kids that gave blunts to the toddlers. Mr. Creekmur correctly mentioned that there has been nothing that connects rap or hip hop with the actions of those teens. He asserted that the real issue was what the parents of those kids failed to do, teach those kids that such actions at the least are reprehensible. He reminded the audience that the images portrayed by hip hop today is one that has been approved by corporate boardroom executives, funded and advertised to have the image that is so common today.

While the interview was trying to be driven towards blaming rap and hip-hop, which do have problems – something that Mr. Creekmur did not deny – the connection does not exist and the conclusion is unfair. [My comments on the obviously stupid teens can be seen at Where are the complaints, drugs and smoking - 3.6.2007.1] The issue is bigger than such a simple and one-sided accusation. The faults of rap and hip hop lie as much with the executives as the fan base, which is driven primarily by White patrons.

Entertainers are responsible for their actions, both on stage and in the world. They are made to be role models, and how they present themselves is their own fault. But to blame the thoughtless actions of random people to these entertainers, on the sole basis that they are African American and there are drugs involved in this situation is wrong and insulting – to me. As Mr. Creekmur mentioned, where is the outcry about the virtual elimination of any form of rap or hip-hop that conveys a positive message? Where are the investigations why record studio executives consistently stereotype the Black community, or why there is active censorship of the formats availablke to the public?

I can’t agree that this is a ‘chicken before the egg’ argument. As I’ve mentioned many times before, rap and hip hop was not always the current simplistic, redundant, refuse we see today. In virtually 2 years any format that was not ‘gansta’ was removed from public access. Why has no comment come about that? Critisim of what is the music genre today must have that question in it.

But I’m glad that Mr. Creekmur, owner of www.allhiphop.com, was above the bait laid before him and made the credible arguments he did. That’s worthy of respect and comment in my eyes.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Part 2 of the death of rap - 3.1.2007.2

Continued from part 1 The reported decline of rap music - 3.1.2007.1...

And the issue of what ‘gansta’ rap addresses needs to be addressed. This is supposedly the life of Black Americans, the ‘truth’ of being African American in America today. Perhaps I grew up in the wrong time in the world, or the Bronx is not large enough, or the apartment I grew up in was too rich, but few of the ‘truths’ rap speaks about are what I’ve encountered. While my experiences show that the police are not the most friendly group of individuals (to say the least) they are far from the Klan. While the materials I was taught with were sub-standard, nothing stopped me from seeking more knowledge or furthering my education. While I’ve seen and been in many fights, there was never a need or reason worth killing someone over. And drugs have always been present, though as a child they were beyond the reach of kids; and I’ve seen more childhood friends become addicts, locked up in jail, and dead by the time I graduated high school because of them than I wish to recall.

If the ‘truth’ that ‘gansta’ rap speaks of was true, then my younger siblings should all have very different lives. [I am the oldest, my siblings range from 3 to 14 years my junior] My sisters should all be baby-mamas with 4 kids each from a different father without an education and living off any man that regards their bodies as ‘doable’. I’m happy to say that this is not the case, like many other women my sisters have all attended college (one with a Masters, another with a BS, and a third in school now) and the only one with children is married (with her husband the father). According to rap today, that isn’t the truth yet I see it often. If my brothers were to live by the standards espoused in songs today, I wouldn’t be able to own a company engaged with computers and the internet nor would my brother be able to program computers. None of us would be able to even spell computer, and my other brother would be dead. All of the males in my family would have 6 kids, all from different women, we would sell drugs, kill other Black men to prove we are important, and be addicts. None of this is accurate for my family, nor the vast majority of African Americans I know and have seen across this country.

Continued in the final part 3 ...