One of the more odd things is the lawsuit facing the New York Knicks. I’m not a big fan of basketball, so when I ran across this news today, I was surprised. Perhaps it’s old news, or completely covered by the OJ saga and the Britney Spears drama. (Ms. Spears seems to have been busted on using drugs in front of her kids. If it’s true, then I’m glad she does not have her kids.) It seems that Mrs. Anucha Browne-Sanders felt sexually harassed by Mr. Isiah Thomas during her time at the Knicks. She further alleges that she was fired as a consequence of this harassment.
Now I’m unfamiliar with the allegations and details. I have no idea how she believes that this is worth $10 million. Sexual harassment cases are difficult to understand and often way over priced at trials. I’m not saying she wasn’t harassed, nor that she doesn’t deserve compensation. I just don’t get to $10 million.
But the part of the case that does trouble me has nothing to do with that. It’s the video tape interview with Mr. Thomas. One part of the video has Mr. Thomas asked if he thinks it’s bad that a White guy calls a Black woman a b****. His answer is yes, very. The next question is the troubling part. He is asked if it’s bad for a Black man to say the same thing to a Black woman. His answer was, and I paraphrase,
‘I’m sorry to say this but it’s not the same. I just don’t think it’s as bad. Though I do think it shouldn’t be said to any woman.’
[Just found the video after writing this. I will not alter what I said. I feel it still applies. Oh, the quote is only 1:08 long, the rest is a commercial]
Now what the hell is that about?
This derogatory term does not improve in any manner based on the color of the skin of who spoke the term or who they said it to. The only way that it could be considered ok, or better, is if one accepts the mentality (or lack thereof) found in gangsta rap music.
Now some will say, ‘There it goes. Attacking rap again.’ Actually in this case yes I am. It’s fitting. Because only in that form of music and the lifestyle it directly promotes, is such derogatory terms considered acceptable. The pollution of minds that it creates seems to be quite pervasive as it has reached into the American culture affecting the perceptions of a 46 year old man that is college educated and basically otherwise professional to my knowledge. That’s sad.
I understand the argument that derogatory words used by Whites against Blacks harkens back to Slavery and the entitlements White have still 400 years later. I do not argue that aspect of the statements. I have great concern over the perceived allowance of this kind of speech when directed at people of the same race.
Now I say this is gangsta rap’s fault, let me define why. Men of my age or older were not raised speaking to women, of any race, with such disrespect. In fact many men, were raised with strong mothers that would never stand for such a comment directed towards them, or uttered by their children (grown or not). Men were look upon harshly when mistreating women, whether they were from uptown, downtown, or the ghetto of any city I am aware of.
It was not until the recent 1990’s when such language entered the public in a consistent manner. It was not until the advent of corporate sponsored gangsta rap that such language was allowed on the airwaves. Prior to that time, rap never referred to women negatively, and even those songs targeting a specific woman such language was not used. It wasn’t until the small minds that spout gangsta rap were promoted did such drivel become part of the mainstream. It’s become so common that those born into gansta rap (roughly 30 or younger) have been programmed to accept these comments, like N***** and B****, as compliments not unlike a slave being called the same terms, or a Black man being called a ‘boy’ up until the late 1970’s. [Yes, it was common in many places to call a Black man ‘boy’ that recently. It’s not ancient history and I guarantee it still happens, because I have been addressed as such in my adult life. Not that that went over well.]
Since Mr. Thomas is older and knows better, and I would guess was raised to be better, my only conclusion on why it is any degree of ok for any man to call any woman a b**** is gangsta rap and its forced exposure in every medium.
If anyone can give me a logical, thought-out reason why gangsta rap is not the root of this evil, I would be happy to hear it.
Until then, I again say we need to do something about this vicious downward vortex that gangsta rap is, as I see it.
This is what I think, what do you think?
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