YBPGuide - Latest Comments in Commentary or Contempt?

Re: Commentary or Contempt?

The Urban Scientist — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 16:47:25 -0000

Don't get distracted. This cartoon is not about using the word "ho" - though it is an interesting social commentary in and of itself.

The primary message is that the Black Urban community 1) tolerates crime, 2) aids & abeds criminals, 3) suborns criminal activity, destruction of property, and the taking of life, & 4) is not the least bit civically engaged in creating/promoting safe living environments. These 4 perceptions (and sad to admit realities) of Black urban neighborhoods in the US are some of the main reasons why the black middle and upper class run far, fast, and long from inner city neighborhoods. It also exacerbates the problem of classism within the African-American community.

But back the the word "ho". I think it clearly is used as a pronoun to describe a powerless person. In this case, the powerless citizens of urban neighborhoods who do nothing to stop/prevent violent crime and who may also be the same type of people who think of the police/government/etc as the enemy. They are hos - being pimped my criminals to give up what they may have worked hard to obtain - a home, financial security, peace of mind, safety, innocence of children, etc. They have turned all of that over to the criminals - society pimps if you will.

It reminds me of a quote "Injustice against anyone is an injustice against everyone." Many people turn their heads to violence and cruelty invoking the ever popular and cowardly phrase ït ain't me, so I'll shut up."

As an evolutionary biologist, I can't help but see parallels. It's cultural evolution before our eyes. Tolerating crime against you neighbor sends the message to cruel criminals (or politicians/businessmen) that you can be taken advantage of, too. And that's exactly what happens. Over time, neighborhoods become less safe and people don't care to be vigilant.

Not snitching isn't cute and it isn't a black value. Not snitching is a victim attitude and if people relinquish their power and possesions to those who haven't worked to create security for them selves, then maybe HO is an appropriate word to describe them.

Re: Commentary or Contempt?

The R — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 16:22:44 -0000

Having grown up in a predominately white neighborhood, it always made me cringe when my white friends would ask me questions about what they perceived to be our behavior, especially when it came to the images from hip-hop videos. I hated the questions about the style of dress, ebonics, and the level of violence we can employ in situations where violence is not needed.
I could only walk the fence for so long both condemning the behavior and pointing out the social inequalities that exist in America that help create the negative imagery. The conversations were enlightening because, nearly daily, I got a window into how we were being perceived and it was completely enraging seeing how television just created a monster in terms of what it was doing to how we are being portrayed.
At some point you just have to draw a line and say what is right and what is wrong and then get on the right side of the line.

Re: Commentary or Contempt?

VLM — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 12:41:51 -0000

So many paradoxes in the community nowadays. Folks complain the po-lice aren't stopping the crime.. but those who know who's committing the crimes won't 'snitch.' We can say nigga, ho, bitch... but 'they' can't. (Why would we even want to demean each other with those words?!)
It's time to sideline these 'artists' who are 'keepin' it real' -- they are indeed keeping it 'real.' They have created what's become the reality and it is self perpetuating. Glorify thug life and more young kids will think that's the gold standard to emulate. I say that whomever can hold up a mirror and stop the madness has my support.

Re: Commentary or Contempt?

ETS — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 12:12:36 -0000

If you read the billboard in the back it shows the "spirit" in which this cartoon was drawn. I think it is a great cartoon. It just sucks that it is in a newspaper - something most of the cartoon's target audience doesn't read on a regular basis.

Re: Commentary or Contempt?

Kay — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 19:25:16 -0000

I agree with you on this one. I think the fact that people are really wearing "stop snitching" shirts in high-crime areas and that rappers are on public airwaves demeaning women and promoting criminal behavior is MUCH worse than the fact that someone made a cartoon about it. If we don't like what we see in the mirror, we need to change the reality.