The secret anti-gansta rap movement Part 3 - 4.30.2007.5

Continued from The secret anti-gansta rap movement Part 2 - 4.30.2007.4 Part 2...

On March 7th Mr. John Gibson of Fox News discussed the issue of rap and it’s images and words with Mr. Chuck Creekmur. I point out Fox News directly as I watch this cable news network often and they have had multiple members of the staff do pieces on the lack of attention on the words and images used in rap since Mr. Imus was fired. “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?”

These are just a few recent items on the point. There has long been controversy and discussion of gansta rap. The commentary started long before this one-time sub-genre became the prevelant form in the industry. Many entertainers, celebrities, educators and commentators have spoken about this for years. The news media just turned a blind eye to it. Obviously their lack of attention led to the lack of knowledge among many Americans. Even the voice of Mr. Bill Cosby had no affect on news organizations in drawing attention to this subject.

“Recently Mr. Cosby has gone to Los Angeles and took to task the educators and parents of young African American students. As well he should, because it is the responsibility of both these groups to do more than just provide the minimum to children. It is not enough to expect rote memorization to provide the knowledge needed to do well in life. It is not enough to promote a dream of athletic prowess, without any thought of a back-up plan. It is far too little to believe that stardom in a mostly talentless industry will be the cure to all ills. Worse yet, acceptance of underperforming and allowance of a lifestyle that involves drug-use and misogyny and lack of self-responsibility are a plague in my view.”

So when the news media ask why nothing has been done I have to ask, “why didn’t you open your eyes?”

This is what I think, what do you think?

The secret anti-ganst rap movement Part 2 - 4.30.2007.4

Continued from Part 1 The secret anti-ganst rap movement - 4.30.2007.3 ...

The fact that many do try to use that argument, which fails, brings up the question why hasn’t anything ever been done if such language is so bad. The media has been a huge proponent of highlighting the apparent blasé attitude among Black Americans on the language and imagery used in rap hip hop. I have watched literally dozens of news programs where pundits and talking heads pose the question, “So why hasn’t anything ever been done?” I’ve seen multiple African American interviewees get this question presented to them almost everyday since the firing. I have to ask in response, “Why did it take so long for you to open your eyes?”

I ask that question to the news media. They act today as if there has never been a single person speaking out against the gansta rap genre. They present statements by Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson against modern rap as if they are making a sudden noise to grandstand and serve their own interests. The Media poses questions to entertainers and celebrities as if the fault for inaction laid upon them. That is a horrible lie, and a misrepresentation of enormous, perhaps epic, proportions.

Reverends Jackson and Sharpton may be placed in the public spotlight by the media on various issues, but only those the media wants to cover. There is no question on the fact that both have rallied against the language in rap music for quite some time now. And they were far from the first. The battle against gansta rap has been ongoing for over a decade now. There have been dozens, perhaps hundreds of articles that have been written, seminars and lectures made, and blog posts against gansta rap since 1992. I’ll say that timeframe again, 15 years. Yet the news media and various pundits seem to be shocked that there has been no action made. They should say there has been no action they chose to hear.

For whatever the reason the media has chosen to ignore the growing number of voices demanding change. The corporations have ignored the consumers asking for diversity in a music genre that started off with multiple sub-genres; each one basically killed off to make room for only one style. Let me make a couple of examples.

The national media focused on the Mr. Don Imus story on April 9th. On March 22nd Blackplanet.com had a poll I commented on, which dealt with negative stereotypes in the media.

“The Internet and Film both hit the bottom of the list at 3%, followed in order by Newspapers at 8%, Movies at 9%, TV 25% and the big leader is Music at 53%. I have no doubt that Music leads this group due to music videos, especially those of rappers that feature the ladies barely clothed and gyrating. Of course those with the ridiculous (my opinion) stuff on their teeth, or those incapable of speaking their native language are no less unattractive.”

On March 8th New York City banned the use of one word in particular. It was an empty act and I criticised it,

“Obviously the City Council of NYC agrees with the view held by me, as does Mr. Michael Richards [doesn’t that prove the point right there?]. Their ban on this word was passed, and you may wonder why less time was spent reporting this than Ms. Rosie O’Donnell’s depression. Because it was a bunch of hot air. The usefulness of the ban rates on par with releasing known illegal immigrant child molesters on bail and expecting them to show up to court (as happened in Vermont not long ago).”

Concluded in Part 3...

The secret anti-ganst rap movement - 4.30.2007.3

I’ve noticed something lately. Since the well publicized departure of Mr. Don Imus the gansta rap genre has been the focus of a lot of attention. I can’t say that this intense review of the medium is unwarranted. Yet, part of the arguments being posed are completely unfair and disproportionate.

On the one hand we have the use of defamatory, derogatory words by multiple rap hip-hop artists for well over a decade now. There is no question, in my mind at least, that there is no excuse for this. I have yet to hear an argument that justifies the use of words like n-word, hoes, and their ilk. That is except one. The only thing that can justify the use of these words if the fact that the First Amendment allows any citizen to utter virtually any comment. Note that I said virtually any.

I do not believe in censorship. Artists should be able to express themselves. All music genres should have the opportunity to reach the portion of fans that exist for the genre. Even if part of it is objectionable. If a government can help fund an artist that hugs a dead pig as art, gansta rap can be made. But it’s exclusive existence, and the daily ramming of its objectionable material (to me) goes beyond mere protected speech. It’s widespread availability to minors is detrimental, and unnecessary. The argument can be made that it deserves to exist, but it can’t be said for proliferation like a virus without a thought to containment. In addition, just as a person does not have the right to yell fire in a crowded room for no reason, some words incite violence and should be limited if not worse.

Mr. Imus tried to state that his use of the now famous statement was inspired by rap music, and that it was no different than words found in music videos everyday. I’ve heard various pundits and regular people try to float that same thought. They are partially correct. Music videos today do convey words and images that portray ALL African Americans in the worst type of light. The emphasis on ignorance, drug addiction and criminal behavior is primary. The terminology used is no less insulting than that used by Mr. Imus. The difference is that Mr. Imus, without provocation and without comical context, attacked a group of unknown young women and compounded that act by making the attack racial while on national airwaves. I’ve spoken about this in depth in my posts Imus, Rutgers basketball, and Rev. Al Sharpton - 4.9.2007.1, Don Imus vs Rap music - 4.11.2007.1, Now that Imus is gone - 4.12.2007.1 among others.

But that does not excuse the language in rap today. Nor does it give Black Americans the opportunity to play both sides of the fence. The language and imagery is wrong. It does not become more or less appropriate depending on the color of the skin of the speaker.

Continued in Part 2...