YBPGuide: Imus Yanked, Now Yank Blacks With Same Talk
Sheria
· 2 years ago
I completely agree. We shouldn't be hypocrites when it comes to unacceptable behavior - no matter who the person is.
Fredric
· 2 years ago
unfortunately, i'm going to have to disagree with the sentiment from this piece.
imus shared his opinions on public airwaves that had no censorship. the black music artists in this piece are exploitations of a commercial product.
while i no doubt believe that music that promotes ignorance and misogyny shouldn't be supported, i can't deny that if someone chooses to package it and sell it that it shouldn't be available for sale. that is the american way, no matter how much you disagree with it.
the thick dividing line is that public airwaves cannot be used to promote such images unless censored or approved by the FCC. this is why you have warning labels.
what imus did was violate the terms of being able to broadcast publicly by spewing things that are not regulated by government.
he'll go to sirius or xm and say whatever he likes...just like 50 and diddy can create a song and sell whatever they like.
if you don't like it, don't buy it.
Candace
· 2 years ago
I'm actually tired of hearing about it already. There are more important issues we as a black women need to get behind with the same vigor and excitement. I also think it is interesting to point out that those girls found some flat irons and a relaxer after the incident and you didn't see not one resemblance of a curl in any press interview of them.
suchalady vol
· 2 years ago
LOL @ Candance! I noticed that as well.
Maybe I'm a little biased as a UT alumnus, but why isn't anyone asking the Lady Vols how they feel about the situation? The whole situation with Imus and Rutgers is stealing the thunder from a great moment in women's history: the 7th National Championship for Pat Summit and the Lady Vols. Summit has won not only more championships than any other coach (male or female) but also now has over 900 wins to her credit.
Go Lady Vols!
OHSucker
· 2 years ago
See, my thing is it's not rap's responsibility to provide "positive" reinforcement of the Black community. In my mind that's akin to expecting a Pimp to lead a campaign on stopping sex outside of marriage. It just doesn't go. Why are we so bent on having rappers speak up for the community? I know there will be those that say "it's because they have such influence over our children". To that I say, "why not create groups/organizations for our children ourselves"? Why are we waiting and EXPECTING others to raise our children in the way they should go? There needs to be a balance. Where are the groups, shows, events, etc that were all around us when I was younger? I've said this on another board: We need to revive shows like "Teen Summit" because we need positivity and valid cultural information sent to our children.
Dame
· 2 years ago
OHSucker, I have to respectfully disagree with you. Yes, these rappers need to put out positive images for our youths, for the simple fact that these kids from ages 12-21 listen to them. These kids actually believe everything their favorite rapper is saying. Of course we don't see that, and we don't believe half of what rappers say.
But I agree with the author, these rappers need to receive the same treatment as Imus, if not worse. I won't lie, I use to love all of those songs. But has I get older and wiser, looking back, it's like what was I thinking.... But the kids do, so these rappers should take that responsibility to help lead these kids in the right direction. Because they're not going to listen to you or me. Sure we could help one or two kids change their lifes around. But rappers if they do the right thing could help hundred or thousand.
Tambra
· 2 years ago
Have you heard of 'corporate social responsibility?' Well that's the new term that will get the music industry like media into hot water if they don't catch on to the game. In today's environment were reputation matters and image is everything. Rappers will fall victim to CSR. The bottomline is if your brand (from Ludacris to Wal-Mart) doesn't have a social conscious; you too will be in the unemployment line with Imus. I am a lifetime member of Net Impact and former co-chair of the DC professional chapter; and I am here to say rap will die like Nas said due to the inability to invest in the community. With the lack of parental support guiding our children, those companies and people (including entertainers) have a responsibility to promote positive, healthy messages. If you believe that rappers shouldn't then will the social conscious leader within you please stand up and create the balance that's needed in the community. Because in a world of violence, war, competition, and unhappiness, our mental/emotional health needs the space to be free, relax and have an optimistic outlook on life. If not, we will continue to have the violence plaguing our communities. So I ask what are you doing to plant hope in the community?! http://www.planthope.org
Tambra
· 2 years ago
Furthermore, having an awareness of the once forgotten concept it takes a village to raise a child is why we all must play a role in building a better community together. Check out the social ecological model to get a sense of how we have levels of change from self to society. And ever level in between plays an impact on our world. However having self-determination and a driven spirit filled hope is key to overcome the negative messages. In reality we need more people with that spirit; otherwise they fall victim the messaages.
OHSucker
· 2 years ago
My point is being missed. It is not rap's responsibility to raise our children. That's the simple truth of it. WE have to step it up. We've left it up to others TOO long and this is what we're reaping in this season. This cycle needs to stop. Yes it takes a village to raise a child. That's the fundamental value of the Black Community. But that goes BOTH ways. WE have not stepped up our game. PERIOD. Putting all the blame on rap is getting us nowhere. Rap is not going anywhere (as much as many of us may not like it). So instead of casting the "blame stone" WE has the village members needs to step up...declare a mutiny...take our children back. PERIOD.
Tambra
· 2 years ago
I simply ask 'what are you doing to make a difference?' Because the truth of the matter is that the amount of money pumped to skew the community in a manner in which is counterproductive for thrivability is present. So it's take talent, time, and treasures. I am developing several youth programs in the area through a social enterprise that I have started with colleagues from a diverse, educated background. So how are each of us planting hope? PERIOD.
OHSucker
· 2 years ago
Sorry sis...I missed that direct question. But I'll answer it now...I've co-founded an organization geared towards helping Black Women (young and old) re-image themselves. That's getting the ball rolling on my end. I've often said if we can't have a positive image of ourselves FOR ourselves...how can we expect others to?
Martin Lindsey
· 2 years ago
Thank you for saving me a post Tambra. The "litany of excuses" from the African American entertainers and the old "keep our dirty laundry to ourselves" mentality that we hold on to are the biggest jokes we have going. Thanks for airing out those further points in detail.
The question that many of us are asking is --> Imus fired, is hip hop next?. Personally, I agree that the Black community needs to use the energy and passion that built up over Imus and focus it on some of the ills in our own community.
peace, Villager
Sylvia
· 2 years ago
I must commend the author who wrote this article ... WE ARE OUR WORSE ENEMIES! Why get on Imus? Just because he is white? We created this double standard ... now we must live it or get rid of it. Ciao Sylvia
Sylvia
· 2 years ago
The sad thing was hearing my fav rapper Snoop say in response that Imus had no right to say those things about women like the ones on the basketball team. But he went on to defend what he says about women living in the "hood" by saying that they really are all "ho's". It was shocking to hear that Snoop was saying this from the heart. It is a sad thing when you see something like this. It is a lot worse than what Imus did, in that no credible person really thinks Imus believes that these women playing ball were "ho's"; but, Snoop really does categorize the women in our urban areas all as "ho's". What a shame.
Fredric
· 2 years ago
bob johnson, founder of BET, decided to weigh in as well last thursday.
deep.
tom g
· 2 years ago
how many rappers have ranch's for kids with cancer, have given millions for charities, have radio thons for charities, have oncology department named and funded by them, have been personally involved in helping to build a state of the art rehabilitation hospital for our servicemen and women, have food products in many supermarkets with 100% of the profits going to charity, have cleaning products selling in stores and have changed the way many homes and commercial institutions clean their area's using chemical free lotions, oh, also with 100% of the profits going to charity, have a book out on how to clean and green your home, oh, with 100% of the profits going to charity. i getting tired of typing his good points so get over it already. he said something stupid and apologized, so to be politically correct we jeopardize everything else. how ridiculous!!!!!
All Comments
imus shared his opinions on public airwaves that had no censorship. the black music artists in this piece are exploitations of a commercial product.
while i no doubt believe that music that promotes ignorance and misogyny shouldn't be supported, i can't deny that if someone chooses to package it and sell it that it shouldn't be available for sale. that is the american way, no matter how much you disagree with it.
the thick dividing line is that public airwaves cannot be used to promote such images unless censored or approved by the FCC. this is why you have warning labels.
what imus did was violate the terms of being able to broadcast publicly by spewing things that are not regulated by government.
he'll go to sirius or xm and say whatever he likes...just like 50 and diddy can create a song and sell whatever they like.
if you don't like it, don't buy it.
Maybe I'm a little biased as a UT alumnus, but why isn't anyone asking the Lady Vols how they feel about the situation? The whole situation with Imus and Rutgers is stealing the thunder from a great moment in women's history: the 7th National Championship for Pat Summit and the Lady Vols. Summit has won not only more championships than any other coach (male or female) but also now has over 900 wins to her credit.
Go Lady Vols!
But I agree with the author, these rappers need to receive the same treatment as Imus, if not worse. I won't lie, I use to love all of those songs. But has I get older and wiser, looking back, it's like what was I thinking....
But the kids do, so these rappers should take that responsibility to help lead these kids in the right direction. Because they're not going to listen to you or me. Sure we could help one or two kids change their lifes around. But rappers if they do the right thing could help hundred or thousand.
peace, Villager
Why get on Imus? Just because he is white?
We created this double standard ... now we must live it or get rid of it.
Ciao
Sylvia
It was shocking to hear that Snoop was saying this from the heart. It is a sad thing when you see something like this. It is a lot worse than what Imus did, in that no credible person really thinks Imus believes that these women playing ball were "ho's"; but, Snoop really does categorize the women in our urban areas all as "ho's". What a shame.
deep.