The Devil's Advocate: Imus/Rap industry

[unspokenone25]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

haha, never ceases to amaze.

Same can be said about you.

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by unspokenone25

Same can be said about you.

That I never cease to amaze? Kind words, thank you.

[unspokenone25]

If you want to take it that way but you're smart (and ignorant) enough to know it wasn't a compliment.

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by unspokenone25

If you want to take it that way but you're smart (and ignorant) enough to know it wasn't a compliment.

I don't really know where ignorance ties in...but sure, I know it wasn't a compliment. If you want reassurance that your insult got through, yes, I'm well aware that was your mission. Hopefully that'll put your mind at ease.

[unspokenone25]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

I don't really know where ignorance ties in...but sure, I know it wasn't a compliment. If you want reassurance that your insult got through, yes, I'm well aware that was your mission. Hopefully that'll put your mind at ease.

Shinerbock, it wasn't intended to be an insult. It was more of a statement. It never ceases to amaze me that when black people on GC get upset or heated about something in the black community, you always find the time to come into our respective forums and comment with a conservative tone and overview. I called you ignorant because obviously you have had a sheltered life and thus, have a limited view and perspective. I called you smart because you do make valid points from time to time.

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by unspokenone25

Shinerbock, it wasn't intended to be an insult. It was more of a statement. It never ceases to amaze me that when black people on GC get upset or heated about something in the black community, you always find the time to come into our respective forums and comment with a conservative tone and overview. I called you ignorant because obviously you have had a sheltered life and thus, have a limited view and perspective. I called you smart because you do make valid points from time to time.

Listen, you can insult me if you'd like. I don't think you're a person to do that nor do I think it was your intention to. However, it doesn't bother me, so don't feel I was attempting to make you feel bad for stating what you did.

Hey, if you would prefer to argue this amongst yourselves, I'd be happy to leave you to it. I've made similar disclaimers in the past.

Your assertion of ignorance is correct to a degree. I don't understand what its like to be black, just as you're likely ignorant on my feelings (and of other white people) when it comes to racial discussions and the perception of a double standard. I haven't lived a sheltered life, however. Also, my viewpoint is limited, like is yours. However, I'm able to see many sides of an issue, the fact that I take a position doesn't indicate that I'm close minded. It indicates that I'm highly opinionated.

Simply because I disagree with you doesn't mean I'm not considering your viewpoint. It means I like mine better.

[unspokenone25]

I only insult when it is warranted. This isn't the case.

Besides everyone is entitled to an opinion on GC (unless you're a troll). Healthy dialogue, frank and honest conversations with open-minded people are good. Conversations with sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigots are not. So, let's keep the conversation moving! (Sorry for the hijack!!)

[luv4denzel]

I have to say that as an African-American woman, Imus' comments on the air were insulting, degrading, ignorant, and uncalled for. His apology (IMO) wasn't sincere. The fact remains that he called a group of women a bunch of whores. Insult to injury--"nappy-headed hos". He knew when he made that comment that he was as wrong as two left shoes. I say that so-called apology wasn't sincere because he wasn't apologizing for what he said. He did that to save face, and probably because the big wigs who pay him $8 million a year told him to "just say you're sorry, and they'll forget the whole thing in a couple of days." Would he have apologized if he had made such comments in the privacy of his home as opposed to on the air? Probably not.

I don't think that firing him is going to be productive at all. When this first popped off, CBS had no intentions of firing Imus. They decided to 'suspend' him for a couple of weeks. This so-called suspension wasn't scheduled to begin until next week. Right there, you can clearly see how serious they were taking this. The decision to fire Imus (and we all know this) had nothing to do with morals or the people of CBS being equally outraged by Imus' remarks. That was BUSINESS decision. When the big time sponsors decided to jump from the sinking ship of Imus, CBS saw rivers of money sailing away from them. There are many people out there now doing a happy dance that Imus is gone, but not me. I'm shaking my head. Where was all this outrage when Nelly was sliding a credit card through a sista's behind, and when another rapper claimed he had "hos in different area codes"? Imus made those remarks because that's how he felt. I'm sure he thought he'd dodge the bullet of outrage from our community with that half-assed apology, but he was sadly mistaken. If I'm being devil's advocate here, I have to say that I honestly don't believe that anything will change. There will still be rap songs with sistas being degraded and disrespected. There will still be half-naked women dancing and shaking in the videos with money being thrown at them as if they're exotic dancers in men's clubs. And while I applaud all the efforts made to make these artists accountable for the lyrics of their songs, there hasn't been much progress in that area. I believe in free speech, but I don't believe you have to say and promote degrading things about women to validate yourself as an artist. I could almost be happy about this Imus firing thing if I honestly thought that something productive would come of it. This is NOT a victory.

If I'm being honest here, I have to say that I am guilty of nodding my head or tapping my feet to the beat of a rap song in which we as African-American women are degraded, disrespected, and insulted. In light of this Imus situation, I took a long look at myself. I went through my extensive collection of music to take stock of how much money I've put into patronizing (and therefore supporting)music that has a tendency to degrade, insult, and disrespect me. I've helped these artists get homes, cars, jewelry, and the stamp of approval to continue to say the things they say, and now I'm insulted because a white man said it? I have to clean house--starting with my own. While I've stopped watching those videos years ago, I cannot continue to support artists who degrade, insult and disrespect us--AND I WON'T. I am raising two boys. If I'm nodding my head to that mess, what message do I send to my sons about women? I am a woman, in every sense of the word: intelligent, strong, spiritual, confident, and much more--and I don't need hip-hop artists to validate that. The music industry is BIG BUSINESS. If we want these artists whose music we listen to and purchase, our children look up to (and some aspire to be like) to stop these kinds of lyrics, we'll have to pull a Proctor and Gamble, a GM, or a Sprint-Nextel. Their lack of financial backing got Imus off the air. If we all stopped buying and listening to this stuff, it's possible we could do the same damage. But like my Mama used to say: "Wishing don't make it so."

[delph998]

Originally Posted by luv4denzel

I have to say that as an African-American woman, Imus' comments on the air were insulting, degrading, ignorant, and uncalled for. His apology (IMO) wasn't sincere. The fact remains that he called a group of women a bunch of whores. Insult to injury--"nappy-headed hos". He knew when he made that comment that he was as wrong as two left shoes. I say that so-called apology wasn't sincere because he wasn't apologizing for what he said. He did that to save face, and probably because the big wigs who pay him $8 million a year told him to "just say you're sorry, and they'll forget the whole thing in a couple of days." Would he have apologized if he had made such comments in the privacy of his home as opposed to on the air? Probably not.

I don't think that firing him is going to be productive at all. When this first popped off, CBS had no intentions of firing Imus. They decided to 'suspend' him for a couple of weeks. This so-called suspension wasn't scheduled to begin until next week. Right there, you can clearly see how serious they were taking this. The decision to fire Imus (and we all know this) had nothing to do with morals or the people of CBS being equally outraged by Imus' remarks. That was BUSINESS decision. When the big time sponsors decided to jump from the sinking ship of Imus, CBS saw rivers of money sailing away from them. There are many people out there now doing a happy dance that Imus is gone, but not me. I'm shaking my head. Where was all this outrage when Nelly was sliding a credit card through a sista's behind, and when another rapper claimed he had "hos in different area codes"? Imus made those remarks because that's how he felt. I'm sure he thought he'd dodge the bullet of outrage from our community with that half-assed apology, but he was sadly mistaken. If I'm being devil's advocate here, I have to say that I honestly don't believe that anything will change. There will still be rap songs with sistas being degraded and disrespected. There will still be half-naked women dancing and shaking in the videos with money being thrown at them as if they're exotic dancers in men's clubs. And while I applaud all the efforts made to make these artists accountable for the lyrics of their songs, there hasn't been much progress in that area. I believe in free speech, but I don't believe you have to say and promote degrading things about women to validate yourself as an artist. I could almost be happy about this Imus firing thing if I honestly thought that something productive would come of it. This is NOT a victory.

If I'm being honest here, I have to say that I am guilty of nodding my head or tapping my feet to the beat of a rap song in which we as African-American women are degraded, disrespected, and insulted. In light of this Imus situation, I took a long look at myself. I went through my extensive collection of music to take stock of how much money I've put into patronizing (and therefore supporting)music that has a tendency to degrade, insult, and disrespect me. I've helped these artists get homes, cars, jewelry, and the stamp of approval to continue to say the things they say, and now I'm insulted because a white man said it? I have to clean house--starting with my own. While I've stopped watching those videos years ago, I cannot continue to support artists who degrade, insult and disrespect us--AND I WON'T. I am raising two boys. If I'm nodding my head to that mess, what message do I send to my sons about women? I am a woman, in every sense of the word: intelligent, strong, spiritual, confident, and much more--and I don't need hip-hop artists to validate that. The music industry is BIG BUSINESS. If we want these artists whose music we listen to and purchase, our children look up to (and some aspire to be like) to stop these kinds of lyrics, we'll have to pull a Proctor and Gamble, a GM, or a Sprint-Nextel. Their lack of financial backing got Imus off the air. If we all stopped buying and listening to this stuff, it's possible we could do the same damage. But like my Mama used to say: "Wishing don't make it so."

This was so well said and I concur 150%. It's time for us to stop listening to music because of the beat and stop supporting these artists that degrade US on a consistent basis. That includes songs like "Shake Your Money Maker" to "Some Cut," to songs that make reference to a woman "giving good brain like she graduated from a good school." Our children, young children are listening to these songs.