Mainstream Media & Hip-Hop Boycott Petition

I was surfing on Afrobella and found an open letter to Hip Hop. In the comments section I found a link to a petition against degradation in hip hop. I thought I would post a portion of the petition here. Stop by and support these folks. People everywhere are outraged. We just need to be organized for change. They were up to 1256 when I signed.

To: BET, MTV, VH-1, and Mainstream Radio

As members & supporters of the Black community, we the undersigned wish to express our outrage against the numerous rap artists whose lyrics and videos degrade women, Black women in particular, as well as themselves. Their incessant use of the terms ‘nigger', ‘bitch, and ‘ho' degrade the Black community. We also denounce their promotion of drug dealing and the poisonous culture of violence they perpetuate.

We realize freedom of speech is a value held dearly by all in the United States of America. That same freedom of speech which allows these artists to spew their poison is the same freedom that allows us to stand up and say: "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!"

We do not advocate censorship. We are advocating responsibility. Know that this promotion of prison culture has affected our youth. We must put the future of the Black community first!

AS SUCH, WE WILL NO LONGER SUPPORT ARTISTS AND MEDIA OUTLETS WHO PROMOTE STEREOTYPICALLY DEMEANING IMAGES OF BLACK WOMEN !!

WE WILL NOT PURCHASE MUSIC THAT CATEGORICALLY INSULTS US!!

WE WILL BOYCOTT BET, MTV, VH-1, MAINSTREAM RADIO, AND ANY OTHER MEDIA OUTLET THAT SUPPORTS AND PROMOTES ARTISTS WHO MALIGN, DEBASE, AND OTHERWISE DISRESPECT BLACK PEOPLE!!

WE ARE SPEAKING OUT AGAINST A CULTURE THAT HAS BEEN HIJACKED AND TURNED INTO A VEHICLE OF HARM AND DEGRADATION OF AN ENTIRE PEOPLE!

In the great tradition of our ancestors who began the Birmingham bus boycott, we will not financially patronize or support any entity that discriminates against us and/or disrespects our people!!

Comments

[Black American Princess]

Thank you sooooooo much for spreading the word about this boycott. I co-authored and posted that petition online, you're blog will really help bring more attention to this effort. I've been tired of garbage masquerading as hip-hop for so long. We won't even talk about the misogynistic videos and lyrics.

I also wish that young Black women who really want to succeed in the music video business would really think twice about allowing themselves to be degraded on film. Not trying to be judgemental or anything, but images are POWERFUL and far-reaching...

[DJ Black Adam]

Hit em in the pocket books, that always gets their attention!!

[Mervin Malone Jr.]

Hey there – thank you for visiting Aria and commenting on my post on hip hop. Your blog is very timely and needed. I will most likely link to it soon.

[Anonymous]

DL HUGHLEY (BLACK COMEDIAN) ATTACKS RUTGERS WOMEN!

As a black woman, it's a shame that
we cannot always count on our men
to protect us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIqD1GCvedw

[steve]

I am Caucasian, middle age and am too outraged over how women are degraded and treated. My hometown where I taught at risk kids with very little family structure has real life Who's your Daddy realities. Young girls are promised love and attention when they aren't getting parent support, then the older men have their way, leaving 5 out 6 babies now born in our hospital to young blacks being without a father even to speak up and claim responibilty. the grandmothers wind up raising most of the babies. The words and music needs to show respect and people need to held accountable.