Don Imus & Rap in the Crosshairs
*sighs*
I'm going to try to tackle this one briefly, but I just can't keep ignoring this.
I don't care to comment on Dom Imus' comments, the response, his firing, etc. It's been overexposed, and as of today, it's a done deal. He was wrong, and he's suffered the consequences. My problem was never the word, but the feelings & emotions underlying it, and the fact that he felt as empowered to use that word, as Michael Richards did using the *N* words. Moving on...
What is this other deep-fried madness surrounding this issue? It's the rapper's fault? Are you f*cking kidding me?
Don't get me wrong - I have my own issues with the current state of hip hop. And I do understand that in lieu of our parents and our community raising and nurturing our children, the streets, the music and the sub-culture(s) are having their way with them, no doubt.
But you cannot convince me that Don Imus listened to Mims, and suddenly felt like he could use that phrase, and feel empowered doing it. GTFOHWTBS.
racial fundamentalismm:: as I alluded to before, was introduced to me by Dr. Michael Eric Dyson on his show, when discussing the Banning of the N-word as a result of the Michael Richards incident. The idea, is that we (black people, collectively) have/are allowed one fundamental "right" viewpoint, that we're supposed to adopt, support, and promote when it comes to the issues of race in this society - or face questions aboout race loyalty, and the desire for the betterment of our people. We should ALL want to ban the use of the *N* word. We should ALL want to ban the use of the *B* or *H* word. Yeah, right. The idea inhibits healthy debate of the issues that hit closest to home, and prevents creating viable solutions as a result of the forgone discussions.
I've heard Rev. Al Sharpton, Stanley Crouch, Steve Harvey, Rev. Jesse Jackson, NY Post columnist Michelle Malkins, Kansas City Star columnist Jason Whitlock, Bryan Monroe of the National Association of Black Journalists and Carol Swain of Vanderbilt University recently speak on the controversy, blaming the rappers for their derogatory language and creating an environment or culture that basically empowered/allowed the Imus incident to occur.
Again, GTFOHWTBS.
Can I go in a meeting, and tell my boss, that the spic faggot*** that is testing my application is a lazy beaner a$$hole***, and that if it weren't for my subscription to digital cable and the Comedy Channel or Sirius Radio I wouldn't feel like I could use that language? Right.
Don Imus knew better, just like Michael Richards knew better. But I don't even care to address the overall culture (at a societal level, outside the black community) that empowers anyone to say such things about people of color. My focus is on rap, and these "crosshairs' it appears to be in.
When Essence started Take Back the Music, and when Ebony ran articles also charging the industry to become more responsible, where was the punditry? When Spelman was protesting Nelly's appearance because of Tip Drill, despite the charitable nature of the event, where was the punditry. Right.
We need to clean up our act, not by banning words or blaming whomever. We need to educate and enlighten the musicians to make them want to become more creative, and lteach them the power and influence their words hold.
A a lover of un-censored hip hop and a proponent of creative empowerment, I have to play Devil's Advocate. Sure, go give Mims a hug, talk directly to Snoop, teach the brethren that the ripple the words are to them can/has caused a tidal wave. But do it because our community needs it, not to get a byline or press. And not to provide justification for Imus' behavior. Do it because that's the right thing to do, not because it's becoming popular to do so. Teach the listeners to demand more creativity, and less derogatory references to women. Demand that the entire industry (not just artists) portray women in a more responsible manner. And like Mapplethorpe's Piss Christ, let the viewer of the work, the audience, decide whether/not it has merit.
***ETA: I HATE that kind of language, but it was added to illustrate a satirical point. It truly wasn't meant to be offensive.