Black Conservatives on television

I don't know how many people saw this on Friday. I think it was very important. I think that there are far too few that pay attention to the other Black voice in the Black community.



These days Black culture is a commodity up for sale. Various consumer products use it to sell everything. Politicians use it to get votes. The youth are sold it as the norm they should observe. Yet there is a portion of African Americans that are completely opposed to such an outright mental slavery.

Why is it that the youth of today are sold on the idea that they should got to jail? Why do kids think that the only way to make money is via illegal actions, rap music, or sports? How have we moved from creating some of the most important inventions in the world, and multiple scientific discoveries that have saved untold millions of lives, to (some of us) waiting to be handed money?

Not only that, but why is it that in a mere 40 years we have gone from a people that led the nation from a mindset of prejudice and segregation to that of subservience. Dr. Martin Luther King never advocated that, Malcolm X never believed that. Both men were conservatives, especially in the political world of today. Yet Conservatives that are Black today are shunned and rejected. Why?

I really don't understand why we have come to a place where intelligent Blacks that offer strong reasonable opinions, that differ from the Liberal mindset, are considered to have abandoned their race. I don't understand why just speaking American English is considered an insult to so many. It leaves me with my head spinning.

I know of some younger African Americans that have bought into the commoditized view of Black culture. They rush out to buy anything that is hip hop, they obsess over rappers and bling. They are the first to go to any movie that is Black-oriented - no matter the quality - the first to buy a big SUV while living in the projects, the first to get $500 jeans and/or Prada shoes while they can't pay rent. And they are the first to denounce the Black businessman that questions the economic programs of President Obama, or the kid going to college.

Listen to the things said in the video clip. Forget that it's on Fox News, forget about Glenn Beck. Listen to the words, listen to the people. Have you heard these voices in your community? Maybe you even heard it from Bill Cosby. Now ask yourself this, Why have you not supported these views and instead contributed the nearly $1 trillion dollars of Black buying power supporting those that would keep you in a line for food stamps - essentially economic slavery?

Why, in America, would Black Conservatives consistently be called sell-outs, yet entertainers that are followed and emulated and are merely high paid employees selling the denigration and commoditization of Black culture are seen as being pro-Black?

How can an African American that rises from poverty, gets an education even though in sub-standard schools, goes to and pays for college without a trust fund or family money, and creates a career - maybe even a business - so that they can raise their kids in a better life than they had be called a sell-out?

Maybe Black Conservatives don't agree with every word coming out of President Obama's mouth. Maybe they aren't Democrats. Maybe they speak well and have educations. And how does that make them any less worthwhile or Black? How does that make them so different from Dr. King, Malcolm X, or even President Obama?

I'm glad Glenn Beck did this show on Black Conservatives. I'm glad that finally the major media is acknowledging our existence. I'm glad that the Black community is now faced with addressing this segment of Black Americans. Because maybe now we can have some real discussions on fixing the problems we all face. At least until another rapper tells the Black community that jail is good, drugs are great, and abandoning their own children is manly.

The full video is available at www.mvass.com. Either way let me know your thoughts.

Transformers 2 - controversy or not?

Transformers 2 is now in theaters, so the question of whether the hype is equal to the film is about to be answered. But setting aside the lack of logic, the overabundance of CGI and explosions, and the failure to have a script worthy of the Saturday morning versions this was created from, there is a big question.

Is having a CGI robot speaking ebonics a take on Black culture and, even in the most innocent of ways, making fun of African Americans?

This is the growing question from the film. Many fans that have seen the movie (which I have not) believe that it does, others do not. But what I have read leads me to believe that this is another instance of Hollywood sticking to what it knows best – stereotypes in bad taste.

“Skids and Mudflap, twin robots disguised as compact Chevys, constantly brawl and bicker in rap-inspired street slang. They're forced to acknowledge that they can't read. One has a gold tooth.”

So the robots are deep into hip hop. Which could mean anyone, since fans of hip hop reach from Beverly Hills to Japan to the Bronx. But how often have you seen a character in a movie that speaks “rap inspired street slang” that isn’t Black? How many movies can you recall ever having a character with a gold tooth (or teeth) that were anything but African American? Add to this the connection the major media makes between rap and violence (which is a natural conclusion), and African Americans (which is not).

So is this a caricature of African Americans? Sounds like it. In fact some are relating these characters to another CGI major movie character that inflamed millions. Jar Jar Binks. They are being called Jar Jar Bots.

How do some defend these characters?

“They don't really have any positive effect on the film," she [Tasha Robinson, associate entertainment editor at The Onion] said. "They only exist to talk in bad ebonics, beat each other up and talk about how stupid each other is.”

Sounds like most rap music videos. And who is the lead minstrels in those music videos?

This disturbs me since any association some might make to African Americans is to 2 cowards, that are illiterate, eternally distracted by the useless, and are worthless. Would you like to be referred to in an association like that? I sure don’t.

“If these characters weren't animated and instead played by real black actors, "then you might have to admit that it's racist," Robinson said. "But stick it into a robot's mouth, and it's just a robot, it's OK."

Perhaps the best way to consider if this is making fun of African Americans in a negative way is if we substitute what the characters are portraying. Let’s say that instead of rap, they went with country music. Instead of street slang they speak with a Southern drawl. And instead of the gold tooth we have a confederate flag.

So in effect we have two illiterate, cowardly (since they avoid all fights), dumb, Southern brawlers. What might be identified as the Southern inbred hillbilly redneck stereotype – like Ricky Bobby. Still sound like a fun character, something that you and your friends can laugh at? Would you laugh if you were in the deep South? Would you still like it if foreigners heard your accent and compared you to these characters?

Yes it’s a movie. And movies often use a stereotype to convey thoughts that are in the societal mindset. But the negative stereotypes really don’t need to be reinforced. Especially on an international level. And saying that it’s just a movie, is akin to saying a Nazi flag is just a decoration.

You may disagree, but for me it is just one more reason not to see this film.

Hip Hop and Washington DC – going back to the beginning

Rap and Hip Hop today has taken a huge leap backwards, which is actually a great thing to happen. When I say backwards I mean to the beginning of the entire genre of music. Back before there was the current mainstream of gangsta rap there were the diversified and influential styles of rap music.

From Grand Master Flash introducing the first serious rap song in 1982, The Message, there was a growth in the music that spoke to serious issues. This culminated in perhaps the strongest voice for political involvement and criticism from the rap hip-hop industry ever: Public Enemy.

They might not have been the most loved rap group among White America, or even people of color, but they were vocal. They took the entrenched political status quo and shouted for them to be accountable. They looked at African Americans and demanded we do better. That we become involved rather than be directed. And they had an effect.

In fact Public Enemy, along with serveral other rappers and groups, became such a force for change that the music industry stood up and paid attention. Their reaction has been denied for decades, excused and deflected. They found, pushed, and manipulated gangsta rap.

In the over a decade since 1992, gangsta rap has become the standard rather than a sub-genre it started as. It has almost entirely avoided any serious involvement in politics or political action. It has promoted violence, drug use, abuse of women, and crime. It has distracted the masses with illusions of wealth and giggling of female anatomy. The music executives did their job so well that even when leaders in the rap and hip hop industry tried to get serious about politics (2004) no one listened. And they were undercut from within with actions like that of Kanye West during the Hurricane Katrina Fund Raising efforts.

But then came President Obama. And the rap and hip hop industry rallied. Because President Obama is relatively young, a Democrat, full of promises, and most importantly (if we are honest) he is Black. And they jumped in with both feet, in an election more defined by a national breaking of the ultimate glass ceiling than most anything else.

Now I do not fault rappers or hip hop for this. I in fact am happy to see they have finally gone back to their roots and suddenly realized the power that was thrown away (or bought off) 17 years ago. The latest attempt to regain the past impact on politics is the Hip Hop Caucus.

The Hip Hop Caucus is a lobby group made up of rap artists, guided by the Congressional Black Caucus and supported in some issues by members of Congress. As of this moment they are seeking to have a bill introduced, with the support of Sen. Barbara Boxer and Rep. Ed Markey. Their goals – green reform, education, re-entry legislation for prisoners, lessons on the Constitution in schools and funding for voter registration.

These are all good ideas (to varying degrees). The big question though is if Hip Hop is capable of making the transition back to where it started. Especially as the music genre continues on its path of glorification of violence, drugs, and abuse of women. Can it make money for music executives focused squarely on distraction of the masses, while encouraging the youth to become involved in the politics that shapes their lives?

I think not. To me only one master can be served at a time. Which means either Rap cleans up, potentially causing another backlash from the music industry, or the Hip Hop Caucus and other such groups fail.

“The decisions that we make now politically will affect the next generation and the generation after that. So we have to be involved. By speaking out, I end up speaking for poor people and a larger group all over the country.” – David Banner, rapper

The quote is a true statement. But as long as we affect the next generations with thoughts and images of exclusion from the mainstream of America, of living in a manner that is counterproductive to society in this nation, then all of the speaking out will be little more than static in the air.

Stephen Colbert's Michael Steele remix

I just don’t know who I am more upset with, Michael Steele or Stephen Colbert. It’s just so hard to say at this point.

The problem starts with the idiotic statements of Michael Steele purporting that hip hop needs to be the means of gaining more Black and Hispanic/Latinos into the Republican Party. Which is just dumb. A bad gimmick and a waste of time.

In fact it’s more than a bit insulting. Just because we are Black or Latino does not obviate us to being hip hop fans. Nor does it mean that we all support the lifestyle choices that are the definition of modern commercialized ghettofabulous hip hop. It in fact flies in the face of the reality that most of the ideals of many of the Black Civil Rights leaders were more in line with current Republican views than those of President Obama and Democrats. And Michael Steele knows this as well as most anyone.

So I don’t blame Stephen Colbert for jumping on that bandwagon. It was just obvious and easy. Not like he is going to take on President Obama for lying to the public about promises he has made. Like pork-barrel spending by the Government, creating a plan to deal with the economic crisis, getting all troops out of Iraq, or giving full transparency to the public on each bill before he signs them into law – to name just a few. Colbert, like Jon Stewart, is far too in love with President Obama to dare touch on those facts.

But as I was saying, Colbert took Steele on in this hip hop is the answer (lack of) mentality. Thus came a challenge to Steele to perform a rap battle. Steele of course fell into the trap, by agreeing to this and then not following thru to do it. You know that Colbert would never let that slide.

Thus we get the following.



Yes it’s funny. Yes the massive man-power and resources of Comedy Central came up with an inventive remix of the many things Steele has said, to achieve a highly biased view of all Republicans. But it irks me.

Not because it’s against Republicans. That’s what Jon Stewart and Colbert do. And they do it well most of the time. It’s just that they are degrading African Americans. All of us.

If you don’t see that, just think of this. If Fox News, or Saturday Night Live (which will never happen) – or Jon Stewart if hell froze over - created a remix of the speeches of President Obama highlighting all the lies and broken promises he has done so far what would be the result? Massive outrage. From Democrats and the media in general as every liberal in the nation would freak-out over the portrayal that the remix implies about African Americans. Yet, it’s the same joke.

Even if you change the person to say Dr. Martin Luther King, or Malcolm X – and highlighted how their political views are actually more in line with Republican values than Democrats today – the outrage would still happen. Perhaps even more.

Thus it makes me ill at ease. Because if you can’t flip the scenario, then something is wrong in the message. Laugh it up, enjoy the humor at Michael Steele’s expense all you want. Colbert makes it work, I admit. But there is more to it. The subliminal message is not positive.

Am I over the top on this? Maybe. Then again, just because someone says it’s only a joke does not make it funny, less cruel or less offensive. Even if they bring it on to themselves.

Kings of Rap hosted by DMC of Run-DMC

The world of rap music originally had a diversity that matched the diversity of African Americans across the nation. That diversity contained in almost equal parts positive messages of empowerment and self-responsibility, fun, sex appeal, and the gritty reality of life some experience. That diversity lasted from 1978 until 1992.

In 1992 the thought of gangsta rap was created, and the music industry jumped on it like a crackhead on a rock. Within 2 years of its start gangsta rap had become the rap industry instead of just a part of the many genres within it. Along with this infection of rap came an acceptance of rap that had been denied since its inception. With that acceptance came large contracts, music videos, Grammy Awards, and inclusion by the media.

In effect the rap industry was commoditized, selling a corporate image of what was and was not Black culture. This image was plastered onto movies, television, music videos, and entertainment news. I will note that the number of African Americans dropping out of high school, and becoming single parents, skyrocketed at the same time that gangsta rappers (now just called rappers) were being lauded for arrests based on violence, drugs, and misogynistic acts.

But not everyone has agreed with the corporate view of rap, or African Americans.

It's taken some time, but now the potential return to the roots of rap music is in the works. DMC (Darryl McDaniels of Run-DMC) is to be the host of The Kings Of Rap. This is a new reality television program. Unlike most reality shows featuring a rapper, this program is not to create more fortune for the rapper, or laud their questionable skills, or even reinforce their bloated self-image. Nor is it an attempt to find a way to scour the nation for moldable individuals that can easily be disgraced and discarded.

DMC states the idea as this

"There are so many talented kids out there who don't get heard or don't get signed because they're not controversial enough, or they're too positive. That amazes me. The spirit of hip-hop was always about changing the world or yourself, not with a gun or with denigrating or offensive words, but by being effective with your mind. This is a time when everyone is talking about change, and we as a country have the opportunity to make a difference."

That's powerful, because it's honest. This is one of the few rappers I've ever heard address the sell-out mentality that has become rap. What else can anyone call gangsta rap, when the industry refuses to allow non-controversial (ie. entertainers that are not ex-convicts, and are not being arrested for violence, drugs and so on) positive (ie. individuals that are educated, finished high school, and/or religious maybe even politically aware) influences in the music?

Do I like reality television programs? No. I find them to be insipid at the very best. But the prospect of a program that will help return the rap music genre to the diversity and richness that is the Black community intrigues me.

Do I find rap music worth listening to? Not since maybe 1994, likely earlier. Because not everyone enjoyed KRS-1, Public Enemy, Heavy D, LL Cool J, Will Smith, Kurtis Blow, Doug E. Fresh, The Beastie Boys, De La Soul, Erik B & Rahkim, Ice-T, Sir Mix A Lot, and the multitude of other rappers but they did have a choice. And there were more than enough styles to match the people out there.

The Kings of Rap may be more important for what it re-introduces than what it's ratings might be. Likely there will be little media coverage, and corporate promotion will be minor compared to that of Sean Combs, 50 cent, Snoop Dogg and other malcontents. Yet if it achieves what it proposes, reawakening the spirit that created rap and hip hop, then none of that matters.

I may not be a big fan, I may hate reality television, but I think I will check out Kings Of Rap on occasion just because I believe in its ultimate goal. How about you?

Hip-Hop Chess Federation - expanding minds and hip hop

I am often asked why, or more often criticized for, I have disdain of hip-hop. This is especially true in regard to gansta rap music. And my answer is always in one wording or another the following:

"I do not support anything that commoditizes Black culture and pigeon-holes African Americans. We are diverse, intelligent, successful Americans. Anything that detracts or distracts from that deserves to be reviled."

Put another way, I grew up with rap music. I enjoyed it as much as anyone, if not more than some, prior to 1992. It was up until that time that Hip Hop was still formative. There was a diversity in the sub-genres that fell under the cloak of hip hop.

There was political, social, and just recreational commentary. All at the same time. And there were positive messages being put out every day. Yet at that time, not one advertiser or the music industry itself would commit to rap and/or hip hop. Not until they found a way to package it and sell it as a negative. On that day it stopped being a fad (more than a decade after it had started) and was 'legitimate'.

Since 1992 there has been no reason to have anything but contempt for rap and hip hop, with the constant message of drugs, violence, gangs, and illiteracy being propped up as positives. Until I saw something today.

The Hip-Hop Chess Federation. The name alone drew my attention. I feared it was a gimmick meant to just drive more dollars to some corporation intent on denying the potential of Black youth. I'm glad to say this is not true.

Adisa Banjoko is one of the founders of Hip-Hop Chess Federation (HHCF). The stated goal of this organization that

"We recognize that chess, martial arts and hip-hop unify people from multiple cultural, religious and social backgrounds. These black and white squares do not care what color you are or if you are rich or poor. The only thing they ask is that you come with your strategy, your patience and your skills."

I can and do respect that thought. To use Hip Hop and rap in such a manner is more akin to the roots of the genre and its intention of improving and enjoying lives. This is something that hip-hop has needed for over a decade.

Since it's inception in 2007 HHCF has had the support of celebrities and entertainers including DJ QBert, international chess Master Vinay Bhat, Casual from the Hieroglyphics, award-winning filmmaker Kevin Epps and martial artists champions Denny Prokopos and Alan "Gumby" Marques. Without huge fanfare HHCF has been able to fund over $10,000 in educational scholarships.

So when I am asked why I find sell-outs like 50 cent to be a insult to the minds of the youth, it's not because I don't understand hip hop. Nor when I question the commercial interest to limit the growth of minds via gangsta rap am I against rap music - the full scope of it.

When presented with the positive, spiritually and mentally beneficial aspects of hip hop, as found in HHCF I am a happy supporter. Were there more organizations like this, I'd never have a negative word to say.

What Black Men Think: Youtube videos - 3.1.2008.1

A friend of mine made me aware of a video that I think deserves to get far more attention. You can find it on YouTube under the title "What Black Men Think PSA".

Several of these ideas and issues I have covered here and at VASS. But some things can never be said enough. Especially with the major media making a point of portraying every negative they can, as often as they can.

But don't stop with this video or my blog. Seek out the information for yourself. Learn and revel in the fact that we are all more than the music videos present. We are not limited to just being entertainers and athletes.



And then there is this video for those of you that like spoken word and probably hip-hop. In checking out the above video I found the following. What it says about gangsta rap is near and dear to me.

I warn you all that it contains profanity, the N-word (which I still hate, but if it is the means to convey it's true meaning I will acquiesce), and fully concieved thoughts. But I expect all my readers can handle that.

[This video was found at What Black Men Think]

Review of Jeff Johnson speech at Ithaca College - 2.28.2008.2

When I first noticed a piece of news about Jeff Johnson speaking at Ithaca College I honestly didn’t think much of it. I had never heard of the man. But after reflecting on the college, which was a mere hour or so away from me, I decided to really read the announcement. From that I learned that Mr. Johnson was more than just some entertainer but was a recognized influence on hip hop and youth activism.

I also found out that he had worked with Black Entertainment Television, on the program Rap City as Cousin Jeff, and then later in the Jeff Johnson Chronicles. In all honesty that lowered my still unclear opinion of the man, and drove me to go to the event in hopes of discussing the actions of BET with Hot Ghetto Mess (now called We Got To Do Better) and the less than positive representations of Blacks by the cable network (owned by Viacom) with him.

Prior to going to the event, I read through the biography of Jeff Johnson via the website of his management team. Again, in all honesty as an opponent of gangsta rap, I was not encouraged by the endorsement of Source Magazine or the BET collaboration. At the same time I was interested by the fact he had been the only American reporter to interview Africa’s first female head of state, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf in Liberia. Add to that the fact that he was a former National Youth Director for the NAACP and appointed by Russell Simmons as the Vice-President of the Hip Hop Summit Action Network.

There was more to the man than what the association with rap and BET may make some 40 year olds conclude. And I’m happy to say that I miserably under-estimated the ability, sincerity, intelligence, and communication skills of this man. I was impressed not just because I had foolishly almost closed my mind to what he could be and was awoken to the fact that I nearly allowed my own prejudices to miss this event, but because of what he was imbuing the students at Ithaca with. He gave them more than hope or polispeak; he gave them a motivation to seek out their own purpose and the drive to make a difference.

I have already spoken about the students at this event. Let me tell you about Jeff Johnson’s speech.

First of all, Mr. Johnson is an excellent orator. He has a command of the stage that few I have heard have. And he isn’t shy. Not in the subjects he discusses, the message he wants to convey, the examples and images he draws upon, nor in the desire to get feedback from his audience as he talks to them. I want to be clear; he doesn’t talk at the audience but speaks to them.

The first clue to that came when Mr. Johnson bypassed the podium and stood before his audience and asked if we could all hear his voice. While the room was of decent size (easily holding over 200 people at a guess) there was no question that his voice filled the room. A good sign and more comforting than watching someone shielded by a podium.

Mr. Johnson started off with the Black community’s struggle with Black History Month. The fact that there are too few programs on people of color (the preference of Mr. Johnson when referring to Black Americans, being inclusive to all the heritages that make up what is the Black community but also used to include all non-whites) and noting that Black History Month currently exists on a superficial level, ignoring it’s inception as Negro History Week, why it was created and what it has evolved into.

As Mr. Johnson stated

“Blacks have been patriots longer than citizens.”

And that the Civil Rights Movement was ‘gangsta’ because never had so much changed without violence and revolution, and Civil Rights purpose was the change of Laws and Policy in this nation. Only a true gangster could effect so much change without rising up arms to do so. And they raised a generation of children that couldn’t fight.

Yet one of the problems in 2008 was that the children of the Civil Rights Movement have an identity crisis that is separate of civil rights or BET. It was because of 2 things, the ending messages of Civil Rights. I will try to paraphrase it

“First, I don’t want you to fight like I did – go to school, get an education (and lose your minds).

Second – [in a whisper] If you don’t tell people you are Black they might not know.

Both of these things can be found in the personifying an image of Blackness connected to hip hop rooted to Africa that doesn’t reflect Africa and has nothing to do with being Black.”

Read that again. It’s very powerful, and I fully admit I do not give justice to the way and full scope of what Mr. Johnson said on this. I’m giving you a paltry couple of seconds’ summary of at least 10 minutes of conversation that was far more intense. But the point is there I believe.

From this point the speech went on to discuss the split that occurred in hip hop and the emergence of rap. Like many recognize, prior to 1992 the rap industry was about social commentary. That not only included groups like Public Enemy but also much of the tracks from N.W.A. Right up until the album, The Chronic.

At that point a new model for rap was created, funded by White people while Black people (or people of color) danced to it, and had record companies saying ‘Pimp stuff sells thus we sell it’. And that was the first time, after the last track of the Chronic album was out, that people started to say ‘I don’t listen to what they say, I listen to the beat.’

Jumping forward a bit Mr. Johnson then went on to discuss how the grandchildren of Civil Rights Movement have less power than the parents of the Civil Rights Movements (meaning slaves) and how we buy into the lie that Dr. Marin Luther King would have had the same dream from 1965 to 2008.

Another point that I agreed with and struck the audience was the thought that there is $100 million dollars being spent on a statue of Dr. King that ½ of Black America can’t afford to go see. Or that less could be spent, or a matching funds campaign could be made, to fund schools across America.

At a later point Mr. Johnson stated

“Black History is a time where our obligation is to share with the world our history. And if we don’t know it, it’s just a party celebrating our ignorance.”

As I mentioned Mr. Johnson is hardly reserved in the points he makes. And that is a good thing as the comments are needed. The impact and repercussions of what he is discussing are real events and inaction that is in the Black community today.

By confronting the youth of today, especially those that are people of color, with these realities, and reminding them of the ability and power they have to change the world around them he helps to improve America for us all. We can play chess as if it were checker and wonder at our repeated losses, or we can plan and act and win. And often those that are just entering the adult world can have the biggest and longest lasting impact. Because they shape the future and present, and live with the consequences.

I will not claim to do justice for the speech of Jeff Johnson. There are many elements that I have not covered, and others I have paraphrased, perhaps poorly. But I will say that my understanding of his message, and the ability that he has to positively impact the youth of the nation is more than just a pleasant surprise.

I may not agree with every aspect of what he said, that is not important. But I will say that many would find benefit in hearing or reading a speech by him. Even better to be there as he give his words the power of his voice.

I look forward to speaking with Jeff Johnson in the future, if possible, and passing that conversation on to you. But until that time I suggest that you look into him via his website at jeffsnation.com

College students of color talk with Michael Vass - 2.28.2008.1

Do you know who Jeff Johnson is? Some may think of BET (Black Entertainment Television – no relation to this site) upon hearing the name. Others will have completely no idea whatsoever. To both I would say, you need to hear him in person.

On February 27th 2008 Jeff Johnson spoke at Ithaca College at Phillips Hall. This announced speech drew a mixed crowd of students that ranged from freshmen to seniors, male and female, and of all races. One commonality I noticed was the fact that they all were interested in becoming more involved in politics and active in issues important to them.

I had the chance, before Mr. Johnson spoke to talk with a few of these students. Initially I was speaking with 3 students, 2 guys and 1 woman with ages between 19 to almost 21. One of the most outspoken was Chinedum Nnodum, a 20 year old 1st generation son of Nigerian parents who grew up in the Bronx (not too far from where I grew up I later learned) and then in Connecticut.

Some of the questions I wanted to hear their opinions on are the same ones that are often spoken about at each Primary and Caucus that has occurred this year. When I asked how long they have all followed politics, and what interested them about this Presidential race I was told that they followed politics infrequently. That the big interest and draw was the fact that there was new blood in the candidates in the forms of Senator Clinton and Senator Obama.

When I asked if their preference was limited solely to Democrats and if so why I was told yes, partially because of the focus of the media and news feeds focused on them and the historic nature of their potential candidacy. Not to be left out was the fact that there is an ”emphasis on change.” Added to that was the fact that they felt the Democrats sounded more authentic in what they had to say.

Some of their concerns about this current Presidential race covered both political parties though. They all felt that there needs to be more of an emphasis on education. That this subject was being ignored due to the Iraq war and oil prices. For them it is a key issue, not only because it will affect the interest rates they will pay for their college loans but also – as one pointed out – what kind of opportunity will be provided to the younger brother of one of the students who is in middle school and will be coming to college as well soon.

They also felt that things were already changing, just by virtue of the fact that a woman and African American were potential nominees. Because of their involvement, and the fact that either way a minority potentially could be President, issues are being raised and addressed in a manner not seen before.

Considering the question about raising issues I then wanted to see how students in the Northeast, in college, felt about the emerging trend of school shootings like Virginia Tech and others. Their response was sober and immediate. The major media was not helping the situation.

“Tragedies do happen, but the timeframe seems to be promoted by media attention, making copycats.”

Because of the media attention, other disturbed individuals were gaining an impetus and validation for committing these heinous acts. It’s a view that I think has solid ground, and the major media should pay attention to. Suffice to say, it’s an issue that is prevalent in their minds, yet not preventing them from gaining the educations they have striven for.

Changing gears I wanted to ask about rap and hip hop, one of the issues Jeff Johnson was known for speaking about. In particular I wanted to know how they defined the difference between hip hop and rap. The answer was that the initial rap music, which I grew up listening to, was really hip hop. While there was a lot of entertainment in the initial songs, the overall theme of the industry also included culture and the people of the time.

Hip Hop today continues in that theme with artists like Gym Class Heroes (currently defined as an indie hip hop group). Their description of the band seemed like R.E.M. to me, back when they were just on college radio. They agreed in that groups like this have thought provoking songs like Cupids Chokehold which are not in the mainstream.

Modern day rap (which is what those in my age group would consider by the sub-genre title of gangsta rap) was simply about money. That artists like 50 cent was only in this for the money and had sold-out to get it. And that they felt this was reflected in the songs artists like this made.

While I spoke to just a small group of these students at the event, I can say that I was really pleased to learn of their interest in the future of America, their own educations, and the culture around them. They renewed my hope that, much to the chagrin of record company executives, many in the African American and minority communities are not buying into the images that are purported to represent them. And I have to believe that if even a small portion of students of color hold similar motivation and energy as the outspoken and determined Mr. Nnodum and the others I spoke with, the polispeak and much heralded change Presidential candidates are bandying about will be positive and real in the near term.

I would have asked further questions of these students in Ithaca College, but at that point, Jeff Johnson was about to be introduced. My thoughts on his speech will follow shortly.

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...

Conservatives vs Rap, maybe - 9.7.2007.1

I recently read a post by Min. Paul Scott that deals with the conservative right and their reaction to hip-hop culture. There are parts of this post that I agree with, but there is far more that I disagree with. I agree that overall, there is a feeling in the conservative right that hip-hop is equivalent to gangsta rap. Such equivalence is unfair to some degree, as everything that is considered hip hop is not in fact gangsta rap, though everything that is gangsta rap is hip-hop. The difference is subtle, especially when considering the nature of mainstream rap today is so prevalent and so violent.

While I agree that at its best rap has had the potential to give a voice from the Black community to the world. Perhaps one of the best examples of that voice would be Chuck D. and Public Enemy. Political rap was a powerful genre of rap music that came onto the scene at the end of the 1980s and was quickly extinguished by 1992 with the birth of gangsta rap. The loss of such a powerful medium has never truly been addressed by the mainstream, and I believe not fully understood by most of the Black community.

Something that is to be understood is what happened from approximately 1992 forward as opposed to what happened prior. Prior to the birth of gangsta rap, the entire rap industry was considered to be a fad, though it had existed at that point for roughly 10 years. The influence, diversity, and attention being given to rap and its subgenres had been growing continuously, which bewildered many while it was described consistently as being a false form of music. This denial of what is now considered a valid music format, ended very shortly after the appearance of NWA and other similar groups. At the same time, corporations invested heavily in marketing, music videos and distribution for this new music format. As gangsta rap grew, all other forms of rap were minimized. Few groups of any other style were signed by the music corporations and existing artists were weeded out. With the recognition of gangsta rap as a form of music enormous amounts of money were made from the commercialization of this genre.

[It is my long-held and absolute belief that for all the comments people may make about what is selling out and "keeping it real," gangsta rap does not keep it real and is the most explicit form of selling out I have ever seen in four decades of life. Some may disagree, but that's what I feel.]

The post mentions the greatest fear of Senator Robert Wentworth being his young son getting in trouble for threatening to bust a cap in another student. I would have to believe that for every parent this would be a great fear. That is unless I missed the time when threatening to kill a person became a positive statement. That's not conservative thing, it is a human being thing. Anything that promotes such extreme violence is something that I would expect every parent would be against. I submit that only through the excellence of various corporations and their marketing programs, has such a concept become considered anything besides undesirable in any community of people.

Of course that isn't hip-hop. That's gangsta rap. But at the same time, the elements and identifiers of gangsta rap are hip-hop. The baggy clothing, baseball caps, gold chains, platinum teeth, overpriced speakers, and other forms of crunk or ghetto fabulous attire are part and parcel hip-hop and gangsta rap. It may be to the detriment of hip-hop that it is almost impossible for someone to not associate one with the other. I have yet to hear a solid explanation of where the line between one and the other exist. But given the fact that there is some fuzzy gray area dividing the two, I am not surprised that a parent seeing their child dressed in this manner and espouses such commentary would be concerned to say the least.

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?

What a nightclub can tell you - 8.20.2007.1

I was out recently; at a club that has a huge hip hop following and I noticed a few things. Normally I tend to go to bars or more upscale places as they tend to have less of all the noise that I find gangsta rap to be, but I wanted to try something different. Different is hardly the word to describe what I noticed.

I realize that most would not go out in a suit to anywhere besides work, if it was required that they wear one. That is the general culture in America these days. Everyone wants to be as casual as possible. I am a bit old school, real old in style. I prefer to go out in a suit. I was raised that a man should stand out from a crowd. I was raised to take pride in my appearance. I have learned that most people make an assumption based on what you wear, and the first words out of your mouth regardless of the surroundings.

Given these facts, the particular club I was at, I was the only person in a suit. As I mentioned this is not a new experience for me. Every guy in the place, White, Black or Asian (yes they were all in the same place) was wearing sneakers or work boots, jeans, t-shirts and other accessories. You might have thought that there was some kind of music video going on.

Of course some were wearing their fake teeth. You may have seen this type of stuff before. Platinum, gold, diamonds and the rest in their mouths and earrings (usually just one) to match. It was quite the assortment of wannabe thugs, future rappers, convicts and soon-to-be convicts. When I say convicts, I mean just that as I was told by a few about the differences of county and state prisons. Joyous knowledge there.

But I started to wonder a few things. I tried to figure out how much money was being spent on this thug look, and comparing it to my own appearance. It was quite surprising.

Given the average thug there are sneakers that run about $150, jeans about $50, t-shirt (print on it) $45. Then there are the rings, gold with diamonds that can go from $325 to over $8000. A similar range can be found in gold teeth, ranging from a mere $30 to $7000. At a guess the top end of cost was not in this club, but some probably had the more mid-range of these items. Figure about $4000 at best, but more likely $2000.

For myself I had $200 shoes, a $1200 suit, and a $70 custom shirt. A mere $1500 for everything. I don’t wear rings, earrings or the like.

Before anyone might think me a pauper consider this. For all that money they are showing, they can’t wear most of it at work. Running around casually, they are targets to be robbed for the more expensive items. If they wanted to go to a fine dining restaurant, they wouldn’t be let in (well many of them). I don’t mean Red Lobster, or some other chain. That’s not fine dining; it’s just a fancier version of fast food.

Effectively they have a set of clothing that is useless for almost anything besides going out. Of course there are the more illegal occupations which it is perfect for. Yet again that also means that they are perfect targets for police to follow and arrest. The $2000 spinning rims don’t help either.

Continued in Part 2...

Comment on article by Victoria Tang at The Daily Californian Part 2 - 7.26.2007.4

Continued from Comment on article by Victoria Tang at The Daily Californian Part 1...


Ms. Tang also implies that the fact that there was an uproar against the show, based on it’s title alone, was a matter of PC. That all the bloggers involved were seeking to restrict the things being said about African Americans. Perhaps that was true of some bloggers, but speaking for myself that is not true. This was about the dissemination of context to the world. Context of the program, and therefore the quality of the program was the issue not words.

Virtually any program can be put on television, or in a blog. I may not agree, but I respect the right neo-nazi’s have to speak what they wish. I support statements, that do not evoke harm or inflict undue pain, being made by anyone. BET had every right to make a show called Hot Ghetto Mess, and given the context and quality of the program I’d have not even noticed. But when looked at in a total view, which it appears Ms. Tang has not done, what the program suggested did in fact seem to inflict harm and evoke pain.

I submit to Ms. Tang that if a program was announced to appear on say ABC Disney that was titled ‘Hitler Rules’ it would catch attention. IF ABC had on it’s website a desrition of the program that stated it would feature KKK rallies, neo-nazi marches, church burnings and equated this to a plane crash you can’t stop watching. Lastly if the logo of the company was an image of a burning cross inscribed in a no symbol. It is well within the First Amendment to state these things. And without context I would imagine many would be outraged.

If Disney, which owns ABC, then refused to comment on the show other than to say it’s not what the outraged public was stating would you be satisfied? If television critics requested a preview of the program and were denied, would you be concerned that perhaps this was not a positive program?

If such a program description and image evokes emotion from you or other readers, is that PC? Is demanding an explaination and/or the removal of the program infringing on the First Amendmant? Or is it a statement of the thoughts of people using their First Amendment rights to ensure that no harm or pain is inflicted on the nation and world.

The fact that the program showed video clips of people being arrested for these actions, or derided, or the resulting pain inflicted on people by these actions does not change the lack of context made prior. The fact that questions asked of the public about Aschwitz, the Holocoust, slavery, ethnic cleansings, genocide, prejudice, and other events – then providing facts on each – would not change the implied meaning that was lent to the program prior.

PC is a useless and dangerous trend, I believe, and I think Ms. Tang does as well. But there are too many people that seek to claim serious questions are merely stifling of the First Amendment. There is a difference between moral outrage and civic duty vs mere discomfort of terminology used.

This is not

“targeting the hip hop industry seems to be a favorite pastime of political correctness junkies”

To say that

“But the content of the series isn’t going to change”

is too simplistic a comment, and highly likely incorrect, as I stated above.

I believe that Ms. Tang only caught the last bit of what the anger of most bloggers on this issue was about. I suggest that she go back to the beginning of this issue and see what it really was about. Regardless of what was finally presented to the public, the outrage and protest of bloggers was necessary and hardly PC. To claim otherwise is minimizing and disrespectful of the actual issue.

This is what I think, what do you think?

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?

The reported decline of rap music - 3.1.2007.1

Finally there is an outcry about rap music. I must say that while I am glad this is finally happening there should be an understanding that such an outcry should not be all inclusive. I do not recommend abandoning the music genre en masse. I do not think that it should be censored, or limited. In fact I want it to be widened, more like its original format than the narrow range seen today.

I have long stated that rap today, and hip-hop, is a waste of time. There is far too much copy-catting of the same 3 themes: drugs, sex, and violence. Virtually every rap song, and hip-hop to a large degree, discusses to some extent at least 2 of those 3 themes. Those themes are used to promote the use of drugs, the use of sex as a means of status and degradation, the sale of drugs, and violence to support status, gain income, and further the degradation. For more than a decade this has been the voice of rap.

Yet this was not always the case. Those roughly 35 and older recall that there was more to rap than this. Rap music initially was a statement of fun and enjoyment. It evolved to discuss social ills, individual empowerment and positively being around friends. That’s when it was killed off to be replaced wholesale with what is now the mainstream (formerly the splinter genre ‘gansta’ rap).

Rap is not responsible for someone being so vile as to go out and shoot a cop, or rape a woman, or any other offensive action. I’m sure lawyers wish they could prove that, but it is no more responsible for a thoughtless action than Rock & Roll is for suicides (examples include Marilyn Manson or Metallica). That being said, I do feel it is responsible for praising such actions. Rap today nearly requires its top stars to be convicted felons, drug addicts, and uneducated.

The growth of ‘gansta’ rap is not the fault, or cause of, African Americans. While entertainers emphasize their Black heritage the fact is that sales have been predominantly fueled by White Americans. As the need to ‘express the truth of our lives’ became more violent, sales to White Americans grew. So the claim that, “...the truth is at least us talking about what we're talking about, we can bring certain things to the light,” seems to be reaching a group of people that neither knows what ‘we’ are talking about nor capable of making it change [those changes being a personal responsibility not a societal one].

Continued in part 2...