Exactly. I wish we would focus our protesting energies on more important things than entertainment. This kind of reminded me when there was a big protest at one of the local malls because do-rags were not allowed there. Only a few miles a way around the same time, a black women became paralyzed because of police brutality. What's worse, it turned out that the woman was innocent of the crime they accused her of. Guess what? No protest and not much outrage.

Axeam, I agree with you and my soror Steeltrap. One way that we can increase our economic wealth is to begin to support Black-owned businesses. Do you know that the Black dollar circulates less than something like an hour in the Black community? That means that as fast as we can cash it, we spend it ... ELSEWHERE. This behavior is seen at all levels - lower-economic class right up through the wealthiest-economic class. We need a change of mentality.

How many Black people do you know who are willing to support Black owned businesses? The typical reaction when you even pose such a thought is folk telling you all of the reasons that they *can't* support. We don't have much faith in ourselves as a people sometimes.

I hear you that the award show is insulting. HOWEVER, as Soror Steeltrap said, we got bigger fish to fry. Just think what we could do in our community if those same organizations put just as much energy into education and economic empowerment. We would be much further as a people. But, alas, I think that all they really care about is being in the limelight. Furthering education and economic empowerment is not glamorous and it won't get you on tv or featured in articles so people are not as gung ho about it.

SC

IMO, EACH ONE OF US IS A BLACK LEADER. What are we doing in our communities as leaders? Each of us must look w/in ourselves to determine what *we* can do to be apart of the solution, not wait for some Black messiah leader on high to come down and guide us HOWEVER, we do have established groups with resources that I believe should be more proactive and less reactive as concerns issues in the Black community.

SC

Now come on D you know police bettings get attention I believe that's one that slip through the cracks................I understand what you are saying but.....we cannot control what the mainstream media tends to focus on cause believe me brothers and sisters are always out there protesting about our educational and economic plight.



I don't believe the powers that be in the area of the media want to shine a light on those protests......maybe they fear something will be done........ who knows......that's why I watch BET nightly news in concert w/the mainstream news.

WOW it would be nice to hear this kind of outrage over issues that really affect out community...:rolleyes: I/WE got bigger fish to fry than to worry about who's hosting an awards program....why do we care?? If JT hosts..big deal....is that going to change any of the accomplishments of MOtown?? BOO on folx that actually takes the time to protest this BS

Dayum, Dio. A protest over do-rags? Wow. Another example of misplaced priorities. *SMH*

I'm trying not to laugh, but I see your point.
http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/eek2.gif

I think a woman being paralyzed because of po-lice misconduct is far more serious and important.:mad:

TTT/update
 

Much ado about nothing...:p

Justin Timberlake Chooses Kevin Spacey, Morgan Freeman Over Motown

By Yoji Cole and Polya Lesova

February 24, 2004

Pop singer Justin Timberlake is side-stepping controversy by bowing out of a commitment to co-host the ABC network's "Motown 45."

Timberlake, who was to host "Motown 45" with veteran recording artist Lionel Richie, will instead be in Canada filming his first motion picture.

"When Justin was asked to host the Motown 45th Anniversary special, he gladly accepted, but alerted us to the fact that he was in talks to star in his first motion picture with Kevin Spacey and Morgan Freeman and that at the last minute there could possibly be a scheduling conflict. The movie, in fact, is scheduled to be shot in Canada at a time which no longer allows Justin to host the 'Motown 45' special. He has cancelled all television appearances through the end of April to allow him to concentrate on making the movie," said Jeff Margolis, executive producer of "Motown 45," in a statement.

Enlisting Timberlake as host of a show created to celebrate Motown's hit singles brought the singer even more controversy three weeks after the NFL half-time show in which he exposed Janet Jackson's breast while singing his song "Rock Your Body."

"The selection of Timberlake is a cultural insult to the black community," said Najee Ali, a community leader in Los Angeles and director of Project Islamic HOPE, the civil-rights component of the American Society of Muslims. The coalition urged all concerned citizens to call, fax or e-mail ABC in protest.

ABC received three faxes Friday protesting Timberlake's involvement with show, said the publicist for "Motown 45." A new co-host has yet to be named.

Founded in Detroit 45 years ago, Motown has become an emblem of R&B and soul music around the world. The record label launched the careers of some of the most prominent African-American artists including Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Richie and the Jackson Five.

Choosing Timberlake as co-host was seen by some as an effort to attract a young, white demographic to the show.

"This special should not be compromised in the pursuit of a crossover audience," said Ali.

Timberlake has been anointed as, "the new king of pop," because of the success of his first solo album. He has collected awards at ceremonies that range from the Grammy's to the MTV Music Video Awards, where he attributed his success to those who produced his solo debut, such as Pharrell Williams and Tim "Timbaland" Mosley, who both are African American.

In December, Rolling Stone magazine anointed Timberlake "the new king of pop," comparing him with Michael Jackson, whose career accelerated after Motown-25.

Part of the outrage over the selection of Timberlake comes from the Super Bowl incident, when he tore off part of Janet Jackson's top, which caused her breast to appear to 90 million TV viewers. Timberlake was harshly criticized for distancing himself from Jackson and not bearing his share of responsibility in the media frenzy that followed. Although Jackson did not appear at the Grammy's, Timberlake, who won two awards and was nominated for five, was there.

Timberlake also apologized for his part in the Super Bowl halftime show after CBS executives said he would not be permitted to attend if he didn't apologize.

A "Motown 45" publicist was unable to confirm whether the controversy surrounding Timberlake co-hosting the show will factor into their choice of a replacement.

The special will be taped at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on April 4. All proceeds from ticket sales to the event will be donated to the United Negro College Fund.

aaauugh..........Lovespell we do get this outraged over other issues such as education and economic matters the media just doesn't cover it as much.


Hey I got this upset over Iraq and those(non)WMDs they found.

How do you know?

Like I said I watch BET nightly news along with reading black owned publications that cover black issues unlike the mainstream media................you should try it sometimes.

I never said that I only watch/read mainstream news. I heard about the do-rag protest on a AM radio program that discusses both local and national black issues. I heard the police-brutality incident on the local TV news, however I did not hear anything about a protest on that AM program. If it was, I'm sure they would have said someting about it.

You never heard about protests against black school districts receiving less money then their white counterparts, you never heard about protests against blacks being unfairly passed over for promotions in police depts,fire depts corporate America, head coaching positions,police beatings of blacks if you haven't you might want change stations or listen to The Tom Joyner morning show.....hell go to our forums OMEGA PSI PHI there's a nice little protest going on down in Ga. b/c of an unfair shooting of one of our Bruhs by a policeman.

I'm speaking for what happens in my area. Yes, I hear protests about those type of injustices all of the time, but there was a lot more drama w/ the do-rag protest.

Anyways, you have taken us waaaaay off topic.

Well it doesn't matter Timberfake bowed out.........alls well that ends well.

...........Yeah I was just showing that blacks do protest over other important matters