The Devil's Advocate: Imus/Rap industry

[33girl]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

If you rest your case, then you lose on the merits. Completely irrelevant.

You are just completely missing the point that just because Al Sharpton does this or that, doesn't mean 98% of the Black community (or the earth in general) gives a crap because he and/or the media have deemed him a "spokesman."

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by 33girl

You are just completely missing the point that just because Al Sharpton does this or that, doesn't mean 98% of the Black community (or the earth in general) gives a crap because he and/or the media have deemed him a "spokesman."

Uh, thats not even a point that needs making. I've said numerous times through this whole ordeal that I realize Sharpton and Co. don't represent all black people. However, he does mobilize them with ease, and he is a mainstream leader. I agree that the media aids him, but I simply think it would be false to say Sharpton and Jackson aren't extremely influential leaders within the black community.

[jubilance1922]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

Uh, thats not even a point that needs making. I've said numerous times through this whole ordeal that I realize Sharpton and Co. don't represent all black people. However, he does mobilize them with ease, and he is a mainstream leader. I agree that the media aids him, but I simply think it would be false to say Sharpton and Jackson aren't extremely influential leaders within the black community.

I have no clue who these folks are that Sharpton "mobilized". The majority of African Americans that I know would actually prefer if Sharpton and Jackson stepped back sometimes instead of constantly leading the world to believe that they are "champions of all causes related to Black people".

As been mentioned, various individuals and groups have been vocal and outspoken about the language and images in rap music. But news channels don't care about that fight, they simply call up the two Black people they have on speed-dial, Sharpton and Jackson.

ETA: I don't know how "influential" they are either...

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by jubilance1922

I have no clue who these folks are that Sharpton "mobilized". The majority of African Americans that I know would actually prefer if Sharpton and Jackson stepped back sometimes instead of constantly leading the world to believe that they are "champions of all causes related to Black people".

As been mentioned, various individuals and groups have been vocal and outspoken about the language and images in rap music. But news channels don't care about that fight, they simply call up the two Black people they have on speed-dial, Sharpton and Jackson.

ETA: I don't know how "influential" they are either...

By mobilize, I mean at the snap of his fingers he can get a lot of black people supporting his side. Its been shown time and time again.

Honestly, do you really think there is a substantial portion of the black population willing to take a stand against rap music? If so, where is it? Frankly, I don't think there should be a stand against it, but this is a double standard discussion. I think people should be able to say what they want for the most part. I think the natural repercussions are generally sufficient.

[Still BLUTANG]

the fact of the matter remains that there HAS BEEN outrage, see TonyB's post above.

Earlier this week on the Today Show, Meridith V. barely gave Dr. Tatum an opportunity to cite the times our community (and Spelman women in particluar) have stood up to bring attention to this problem, and try to find solutions.

Just because mainstream media has overlooked it, doesn't mean the Black Community hasn't made efforts to counter negative messages in "hip hop."

[NiaX]

Originally Posted by Still BLUTANG

Just because mainstream media has overlooked it, doesn't mean the Black Community hasn't made efforts to counter negative messages in "hip hop."

That's it right there! I have always heard about the plight of removing the screwed images and language in hip-hop about blacks period.

[shinerbock]

There has been outrage, nobody debated that. What we're saying is that there is a double standard on how it occurs, how intense it is, and how much of the population it includes.

If the mainstream media overlooked it, its probably not mainstream. Now thats probably partially the fault of the media itself, but I simply have seen no evidence that it exists on the scale that it does when it comes to things like the Imus situation.

[Still BLUTANG]

sorry you've missed the memo. but now that everyone is aware that we (general black people) don't think its cool when ANYONE uses this language, lets keep the ball rolling instead of pointing fingers and questioning the legitimacy of this movement.

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by Still BLUTANG

sorry you've missed the memo. but now that everyone is aware that we (general black people) don't think its cool when ANYONE uses this language, lets keep the ball rolling instead of pointing fingers and questioning the legitimacy of this movement.

There's a difference between "not thinking its cool" and demanding someone be fired. I'm not pointing fingers at all. I think Imus should stay on the air, and I think rappers should say what they want. But this topic came up, and I'm commenting on it.

[laylo]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

There has been outrage, nobody debated that. What we're saying is that there is a double standard on how it occurs, how intense it is, and how much of the population it includes.

If the mainstream media overlooked it, its probably not mainstream. Now thats probably partially the fault of the media itself, but I simply have seen no evidence that it exists on the scale that it does when it comes to things like the Imus situation.

It is to be expected that the response to a one-time statement or outburst is going to be different from the response to music by hundreds of artsists continuously playing 24-7 on thousands of radio stations all over the world. I don't think that shows that the anger is less intense or on a smaller scale.

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by laylo

It is to be expected that the response to a one-time statement or outburst is going to be different from the response to music by hundreds of artsists continuously playing 24-7 on thousands of radio stations all over the world. I don't think that shows that the anger is less intense or on a smaller scale.

I'm not sure it would conclusively show that either, but I do think the anger is on a smaller scale and generally less intense. Actually, I think it makes sense that it would be, because I think black people are likely personally impacted less when they take action to get someone like Imus fired.

I didn't see protests outside BET regarding "Uncut". If I wanted things like Uncut off the air, I'd agree, its a step in the right direction, but I still think its quite distinct from situations like the Imus one. Goes back to intensity. Also, that music is still out there, being played all the time, listened to by tons of people (whites too, I know). The images are gone (to a degree), but the message is clearly still out there. Is there a large scale movement to get all the offensive rap off the airwaves?

Once again, I don't want all offensive rap music off the air, just like I don't want offensive people like Imus off the air.