How do you feel about Kanye West's Comment

[DSTcretion]

Originally posted by ladygreek
^^^^ Ditto. And I didn't see a problem with him saying it. Desperate times need desperate measures.

I Co-Sign

[CrimsonTide4]

I copy and paste it fully but since I know her, lol, it's okay.





Posted on Tue, Sep. 20, 2005

IN MY OPINION / THIANÉ CARTER

Living in separate universes

Blacks and whites: We exist but do we co-exist with one another?

THIANÉ CARTER


George Bush doesn't care about black people. Kayne West said it, and that makes it true. And therein lies the problem. While white people were trying to figure out who Kayne West is, black people were nodding in agreement. Hurricane Katrina, in its massive destruction and color-blind fury, cast one long truth on race relations in America: Blacks and whites live in separate worlds.

I first noticed it when R&B singer Aaliyah died. Mainstream journalists were writing short, tragic obits about a "rising star," while black journalists mourned "R&B royalty." The schism was stark and undeniable. In entertainment and in life, whites and blacks live in two separate places. So is this a problem?

It wasn't until recently. We aren't separated by Jim Crow laws anymore, so this isn't a legal separation. Interracial couples and friends are more common, so it isn't a socially mandated separation. I submit that blacks and whites exist in parallel universes because we like it that way. It is only when Mother Nature forces us together that our universes collide, and we're forced to look each other in the eyes.

The fact is, we like different music, and we watch different television shows. Sure, I occasionally, watch "Will & Grace" -- it's funny. But when I want to see people who look like me, in situations I can relate to, I watch "Girlfriends" on "black night" on UPN. If I polled the white people I consider friends, they wouldn't know what "black night" is, much less that there is a show called "Girlfriends." I have a certain fascination with Kelly Clarkson and Maroon 5. I think it's because they are so different from the music I usually listen to -- plus they are catchy. But I don't buy white music -- I listen to it on the radio or download it. I save my precious purchasing power for artists who need my support; mainstream white artists don't usually qualify. (There was that whole Alanis Morrisette thing, but I'm over it now.)

In any event, I don't consider myself a racist. I don't consider George Bush a racist. But I, like the president, don't take note of the needs, interests or music of the members of other races. It's not racism, but willful indifference and genuine disinterest. And it's harmless. At least, it was until Hurricane Katrina.

The invisible, working people
The lessons about Hurricane Katrina are not about racism, perhaps not even about class. They are about ignorance and indifference. Some people died in that storm because they would not leave. Many, many more died because they could not leave. And I'm not referring to the homeless and forgotten, but to the invisible, working, able-bodied people who were left behind. The men, women and children who spend every day being ignored by more affluent members of society. The human beings who live in our country, work every day, and make just enough money to feed, clothe and house themselves but not quite enough to get "ahead." I'm talking about the people who could not escape the storm, just as they could not escape their poverty. The hurricane's fury picked up their lives, shook them and laid them out for the world to see. It wasn't pretty.The hurricane was devastating but the lives of many of its victims before the hurricane were almost equally tragic. Barbara Bush implied that living in Houston's Astrodome was an improvement on their lives. I wouldn't take it quite so far, but the honest truth is, the victims may have more of a head start on life now than they did before the storm.

Racism, or indifference?
It's unfair to say George Bush is a racist; few of us know him well enough to say for sure. But it is fair to say that many of Hurricane Katrina's victims were victims of his indifference long before the storm. But it's not exactly racism that causes us to live in the same country but on two separate planets. It's a self-imposed segregation that causes us to exist, but not co-exist.

Many times there are no consequences to our segregated society. But this time, just this once, segregation killed people. And I would venture to say it will continue on its murderous rampage, as New Orleans is rebuilt -- until we start noticing one another. It would be appropriate for Katrina to bring us together as a nation, for us all to "just get along." But more than likely, we will pick up the pieces, and put them back exactly where they were -- until we need each other again.


Thiané Carter, a former community columnist for Viewpoint, has a master's in public administration from UNC Charlotte and is working as a planner in Jacksonville, Fla. Reach her at thianecarter@hotmail.com.

[TonyB06]

This is a well thought out piece. Sad to say, but in America we live in two different worlds.

I'm the only African American in my office. In the 04 presidential race some stuff jumped off about what one of the "Dixie Chicks" had said about the president. I was like, "who are the Dixie Chicks?" My co-workers, generally pretty enlighted people as far as water cooler talk goes, were astonished. "You don't know the Dixie Chicks?"

then I hit em' with "ok, name me one other member of the Jackson 5 besides Michael." ...they then understood my point.

[Conskeeted7]

That was a very well written article. It was also very true. My hometown is extremely segregated. I come from a city where there were very few opportunities to communicate or interact with a white person until you had one as a teacher in high school.

Until a person recognizes that they are living in such conditions nad chooses to change that, they are exhibiting the same indifference that this article discusses.

I still think that Kanye was speaking his mind and I'll never oppose his right to free speech.

[Tickled Pink 2]

Wonderful article.

[CrimsonTide4]

[Gyrl7]

http://www.cafepress.com/bushdoesntcare


My t-shirt is on the way!!

[jitterbug13]

I should order one and wear it when I go see him in two weeks.

There will be plenty of people mad at me in Bush-loving Greenville but WHO CARES!!!!

[Gyrl7]

Originally posted by jitterbug13
I should order one and wear it when I go see him in two weeks.

There will be plenty of people mad at me in Bush-loving Greenville but WHO CARES!!!!

You should......LOL

I'm gonna order my hoodie version so that when I go jogging/walking all the Republicans that live in my neighborhood can see it.

[Phasad1913]

www.angelfire.com/la3/k_west_against_bush/

hilarious

[DableST_1]

NEW YORK - Rap feuds aren't usually about differing opinions on President Bush. However, that appears to be the case between 50 Cent and Kanye West.

ADVERTISEMENT

50 says he disagrees with West's infamous statement that " George Bush doesn't care about black people," proclaimed during a September telethon for Hurricane Katrina victims.

"I think people responded to it the best way they can," 50 told ContactMusic.com. "What Kanye West was saying, I don't know where that came from."

Instead, 50 said, "The New Orleans disaster was meant to happen. It was an act of God."

It wouldn't be the first time 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, made comments that weren't flattering of West. In a September interview with MTV, 50 — while otherwise complimentary of the popular "Gold Digger" rapper — said: "I feel like Kanye West is successful because of me."

"After 50 Cent, (hip-hop fans) was looking for something non-confrontational, and they went after first thing that came along. That was Kanye West, and his record took off."

West's second album, "Late Registration," has remained near the top of the charts since debuting Aug. 30.

50 stars in the upcoming film "Get Rich or Die Tryin," a biopic of the rapper that is set to open Nov. 9.

___

On the Net:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051102/.../people50_cent

[starang21]

Originally posted by DableST_1
NEW YORK - Rap feuds aren't usually about differing opinions on President Bush. However, that appears to be the case between 50 Cent and Kanye West.

ADVERTISEMENT

50 says he disagrees with West's infamous statement that " George Bush doesn't care about black people," proclaimed during a September telethon for Hurricane Katrina victims.

"I think people responded to it the best way they can," 50 told ContactMusic.com. "What Kanye West was saying, I don't know where that came from."

Instead, 50 said, "The New Orleans disaster was meant to happen. It was an act of God."

It wouldn't be the first time 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, made comments that weren't flattering of West. In a September interview with MTV, 50 — while otherwise complimentary of the popular "Gold Digger" rapper — said: "I feel like Kanye West is successful because of me."

"After 50 Cent, (hip-hop fans) was looking for something non-confrontational, and they went after first thing that came along. That was Kanye West, and his record took off."

West's second album, "Late Registration," has remained near the top of the charts since debuting Aug. 30.

50 stars in the upcoming film "Get Rich or Die Tryin," a biopic of the rapper that is set to open Nov. 9.

___

On the Net:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051102/.../people50_cent

what a buster.

[CrimsonTide4]

50 is lubricating his own reproductive piece WAY TOO MUCH!!!

[Tickled Pink 2]

Bye Fiddy. He's stepping on waaaay too many toes. ASB (attention seeking behaviors).

[Honeykiss1974]

*pulls out prayer list*

*scribbles the name........50 cents *

*places list back in bible*

He's had one to many blunts to the dome.