Saturday
May052007
Positive Hip Hop Artists - Yoda was Right
Saturday, May 5, 2007 at 5:07PM The Blogmother
I must admit that my motivation for starting this blog was anger and frustration. Okay, maybe even a smidge of RAGE. I had an “ENOUGH is ENOUGH” moment and acted on it. For three weeks I have been working at a blur, fueled by adrenaline and a hint of fury. I accomplished a lot. I got the blog started. I more than quintupled the blog traffic. I have a radio show now. I discovered talents I didn’t even know I had. I’ve met some wonderful people along the way.
Yesterday I did a show with the topic “ Does Hip Hop HATE Black Women.” Today I have to take a moment to pause and consider if I really want this blog to be driven by rage. Yoda was right when he said that “Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”
When Verizon severed its relationship with Akon, I was downright giddy. I engaged in a full blown case of schadenfreude. At some point(s) in this man’s life, he gave over to an anger and hatred towards women and now we got a glimpse of the resultant suffering. But it all started with fear. He clearly doesn’t love himself enough. *cue the violin music* That 15 year old girl was somebody’s daughter. Somebody gave birth to her, they wiped her tears when she cried, fed her when she was hungry, and kissed he when she had booboos. No matter how she was dressed or why she decided to sneak into a club when she was underage, she didn’t deserve to be treated like a Teflon blow up doll. She’s a human being and as much as it pains me to say it, so is he.
Does this mean I am going to stop pushing to impose economic sanctions on misogynistic lyrics or negative portrayals of African American women in popular culture? NO. It just means I am taking stock of my motivation. This blog is a service to those who want to make the world a better place. If you know about an organization or individual who is trying to end the negativity, send it in.
To kick off the Festival of Kindness,
These are artists who Bronze Trininty thinks have positive empowering messages instead of the fear, anger, and hatred of commercial hip hop. Check out some positive hip hop artists courtesy of Bronze Trinity.
Yesterday I did a show with the topic “ Does Hip Hop HATE Black Women.” Today I have to take a moment to pause and consider if I really want this blog to be driven by rage. Yoda was right when he said that “Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”
When Verizon severed its relationship with Akon, I was downright giddy. I engaged in a full blown case of schadenfreude. At some point(s) in this man’s life, he gave over to an anger and hatred towards women and now we got a glimpse of the resultant suffering. But it all started with fear. He clearly doesn’t love himself enough. *cue the violin music* That 15 year old girl was somebody’s daughter. Somebody gave birth to her, they wiped her tears when she cried, fed her when she was hungry, and kissed he when she had booboos. No matter how she was dressed or why she decided to sneak into a club when she was underage, she didn’t deserve to be treated like a Teflon blow up doll. She’s a human being and as much as it pains me to say it, so is he.
Does this mean I am going to stop pushing to impose economic sanctions on misogynistic lyrics or negative portrayals of African American women in popular culture? NO. It just means I am taking stock of my motivation. This blog is a service to those who want to make the world a better place. If you know about an organization or individual who is trying to end the negativity, send it in.
To kick off the Festival of Kindness,
These are artists who Bronze Trininty thinks have positive empowering messages instead of the fear, anger, and hatred of commercial hip hop. Check out some positive hip hop artists courtesy of Bronze Trinity.
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Reader Comments (4)
Hi! Thanks for the promotion and for starting this blog because people have noticed. Rage and anger are difficult. I am mad about some things but I still haven't lost hope and belief that positive things will happen. I know that things are better for us now because we are not slaves and we can do so many things. Even if there isn't perfect equality that doesn't mean things haven't gotten better at all. Sometimes I almost lose hope but it keeps coming back. Sometimes I think I will fail so why bother trying but somehow I still try! Maybe I should stop thinking of myself as someone fragile who could lose all hope because I have never lost all of it.
P.S. I loved those quotes too. They made me feel good about my life and they were from a positive African American role model.
Well you know what happened? My Mama had been on me for months (actually years) to get me to go back to church. I went today and the message was on fear and kindness.
Don't lose the fire...
I understand taking stock of your motivation...but (if you are serious about this) it will take some time. This will have to be a long haul effort (years) if you really want to have a long lasting impact. You can adjust your motivation and soften your voice without softening the message or weakening your determination.
I believe we are in a war...an epic battle for the hearts and minds of Black youth and to reclaim and redeem Black culture and our image...particular in the case of the women.
As long as you are broadcasting on this issue... I will support the blog and the podcast...
I will try to keep up with the shows...and post as many as I can. (I have listened to the first two shows...and both were very good).
I am not losing my fire just coming up for air. I was really really angry. I could literally feel it. So I had a relax, relate release moment.
I can still be committed and fervent without the element of fury that was propelling me.
Anger can only take you so far.