What About Our Daughters

This was a great post. I am going to save it because once in a while I admit I do fall for the propaganda. Mostly because its a long tiring fight and its easier to wish the enemy away, or be exasperated with everyone involved and "throw in the towel."

But this post is very strengthening. I hope that my blog words encourage people in the direction that you're going.

(as an aside, I must admit -and probably this goes for others? I was gung ho about trying to put my two cents in to do what I could. I even started a blog meant for teens and meant to give a positive image to and of them.

But I saw no one was staying on that blog. The meter count would show people coming but zero time spent. It wasn't until a few days ago that I realized that the zero time spent could be 0 or it could be 4 hours spent on that blog! The meter only show when someone clicks elsewhere within the blog like archives or labels, etc. So that encouraged me.)

Also, I don't know where you get your strength! I commend it. Driving a wedge between mainstream money and the bling blingers is basically saying "let's fight greed!"

This is a battle I knew was inevitable but dread.

Lastly, its easy to fight a battle when there is an army with a head, etc. But this is not an excuse, God willing, I hope to do more and (hopefully) be more effective.

I'm overwhelmed by your sentiment. I'm just as ANGRY as you are about the Goliath of Corporate propaganda. I am a man with a daughter to raise in this system. I know too well how the dehumanizing of a peoples women and girls (young boys also) WILL destroy the entire people, or at least put them and keep them on their knees.

"....nothing brings men together better than the wholesale marginalization and dehumanization of Black women."

Not all men! I am totaly against the giant propaganda machine and am smart enough to see right through it's cover. I am an actor and stage producer who is dedicate to using my talent to challenge the hypocrisy. I develop shows and take them into the schools and rec. centers to try to reach the children; also Workshops to help them learn to express themselves and think for themselves so they don't buy into the mainstream madness. I refuse to stay at the camp and intend to write a letter to at least one of the corporate sponsors you mentioned and will send it to you.

Funny you write about something I was just thinking about when I saw a young black man being arrested for home invasion wearing a 'my president is black' t-shirt. IN fact if you listen to the lyrics in Jezzy's my president is black song, if I'm not mistaken there's quite a bit of drugdealing references in there. I know, because unfortunately many of my black male relatives are thugs. I question our mental stability when with actually believe one black man can undo decades of self destruction in the black community. The problem is too many black folks subscribe to this type of magically thinking. I pray we as black women don't get some wrap up making Obama our honorary black male role model we ignore what's going on in our streets. Just last week here in Atlanta a young black girl was choke to death and thrown in the garbage by her black boyfriend and his friend. They were teen agers

The band plays on because there are listeners who are doing the very same thing the "bards" are singing about. Don't get me wrong, I agree with this post all the way. I would just add that there is an issue with the general contentment with low expectations in your communities, from the most upscale Baldwin Hills to the most disgusting project. Somewhere something happened, whether it was the deaths of various civil rights leaders or the inception of welfare, something happened and it hit hard. Advertisers and corporations will do what they want to do as long as there is money. We have to start from the inside out and it starts with the kids. I've been trying to get a hold of my old high school and another connect, but they're no getting back to me. I won't give up. It starts with the kids. My son goes to school with several boys (jacori, kayveon, all rubbish names) and as early as kindergarten they're terrorizing the other kids and being thugs. Unacceptable. If the parents can't do it, then we have to step in and give them balance. At the end of the day, no matter how we would like to make these people disappear, they are there and we can either take over or let them overtake us when they are older.

This contentment with reaching the lowest common denominator has got to stop. It seems that all the bad things are acceptable: low grades, one track mindless music, bad foods, sedentary lifestyles, resistance to higher education, resistance to individualism. I just don't get it.

"Advertisers and corporations will do what they want to do as long as there is money. We have to start from the inside out and it starts with the kids."

With all due respect. That is propaganda. Placing the nuson children to sterrylize their own environment and be critical consumers of culture is fiction.

I'm sure you've read The Parable of The Sower. You can't protect children by building a wa around them. Eventually forces outside will get beind your walls. They need your children and the ar wlling to fight to get them.

You do't have to believe that. That-is cool. This post was written for those that do.

It was'nt intended as yet another kick th can down the road to avoid confrontation post.

I smell a youtube project. Using the logos of these companies alongside images of the BBB.

*rubs hands together real sinister like*

Will post the link as soon as I am done.

Maybe I'm a bit cynical, but how is writing a letter asking a business to give up thier cash cow or protesting at the Image awards that don't ask me if I like the images I'm seeing hitting Goliath between the eyes?

Absolutely vigilant and unapologetic posts like this are why I love your blog.

I admit that I am not, and have never been a fan of rap music. But I know enough about the music to know what is being said. I remember some protests in the past over Jay Z's song "Girls, Girls, Girls." The claim was that it directly degraded black women. It does:

"I got this Spanish chica, she don't like me to roam
So she call me cabron plus marricon
Said she likes to cook rice so she likes me home
I'm like, "Un momento" - mami, slow up your tempo
I got this black chick, she don't know how to act
Always talkin out her neck, makin her fingers snap
She like, "Listen Jigga Man, I don't care if you rap
You better - R-E-S-P-E-C-T me"
I got this French chick that love to french kiss
She thinks she's Bo Derek, wear her hair in a twist"

REPEAT:

"I got this black chick, she don't know how to act"...

Now, I would like to know why a president, married to a strong black woman, and with two beautiful black daughters, would campaign and feature at his inauguration an individual who has shown utter contempt for me, and anyone who looks like me.

I disagree that it's propaganda. I grew up listening to the same music, but my mom made sure that I had knowledge of self and pride. So when I heard Oochie Wally in my late teens, early 20s I knew not to be that girl because I had knowledge of self. Does anyone remember the thong song? That came out when I was 17, 18. Foxy and Jay and Biggie and 2pac all were doing it big in my teens and tweens. I wasn't running out listening to them, and many of my peers didn't either. Why? Because my mother made it clear that the music was crap, I was not to dishonor with playing it around her/when she was in the house and she was so on top of my life as in checking my room (I had NO privacy. It was her house), being on top of my grades, etc. And she was a single mom. I may have grown up with rap, but I grew up with Bob and a strong sense of pride in my caribbean culture and heritage. I read about Marcus Garvey but could listen to Snoop Dogg because my mother raised me to be discerning.

These kids parents aren't raising them, much less raising them to be discerning.

People forget that Rock and pop are still out there. Let's say we get rid of all of the crap rap (and there is a lot), what next? Death metal? Trance/Electronica because of the drug culture? Punk?

The problem is there is something fundamentally wrong with the fact that these kids can even LISTEN to this music and not know that they are being had. Why is that?

Prohibition got rid of the liquor (for the poor and middle class, the rich had it) on the surface, but it made it worse on the bottom. The attack should be multi-faceted. AAs are dealing with a hydra. Music is one head, low expectations the other, child illegitimacy the other, this thing has many heads. You chop one off, you'll still have the others to contend with and a very pissed off beast.

@ Seattle Slim

You do realize that when we were growing up (I assume we are around the same age by your comment) that hip-hop was funded solely within the black community? The hip-hop of the past is not at all the same monster we are facing now. Could you imagine Biggie Smalls going to the Clinton White House for a reception? White AND BLACK media would have gawked at that.

We have to face the fact that there is no longer an ability to just say "well if those parents raised their kids, we wouldn't have this problem." We KNOW that many black children are sufferring because no one has their best interest at heart. We KNOW the rates of single parenthood and all that comes along with that. But what we DON'T know is what is possible if people stopped accepting this garbage and actually worked to de-fund it. Hip Hop has now become the standard BLACK culture. It has infiltrated movies, television, and even theater. It is now synonymous with black Americans. ALL BLACK AMERICANS.

It is sitting at board meetings with large corporations speaking on MY behalf and I don't even listen to it. It is going to non black people and telling them this is how I act, think, and feel. None of which is true. It is speaking for ME in places that I cannot represent myself.

So like this blog's author I think that it is time to tell the giant that we want our image back. If these fools want to play into every racial and sexual stereotype they are free to do so. But to REPRESENT black America and to have the oldest civil rights organization now honoring this stuff simply because it brings in MONEY is ridiculous.

@hollywood Blackout _ It is futile. It is a quicksand trap. Don't even get involved goign round and round.

The rock music argument always gets trotted out on cue. Rock Rock Rock Punk Punk Punk. Whatever. BLack "culture" has ONE genre. that's it. There's no Black country. there's no black swing. There is no competing narrative for the eyes and ears of Black children while White children have at least half a dozen. if you are lucky you live in a city with an Smooth R&B station, but chances are you got all Hip Hop all the time.

The censorship argument is propaganda too. i never said shut them up. I never said throw them in jail for saying it. I have said I DON'T WaNT TO PAY FOR IT and people who are disturbed by it must speak out loudly and forcefully so these corporations that ought to know better can't claim ignorance of what they are doing. Again, they'll pay for it, until someone shines a light on them and then they run for cover.

Slim brings up "prohibition". But says nothing about the prohibition of Black women from hip hop. Nothing about the prohibition of a message that falls outside of slanging rocks, having indiscriminate sex and violence. No one ever brings upt he fact that a tiny group of people have decided which Black folks will get a platform and which will be iced out.

If you are going to decry Prohibition, be balanced.

I'll address the "It starts in the home" propaganda in a separate post because that's another peice of propaganda Goliath has gotten people to swallow.

The ultimate goal is to find ANY reason NOT to confront Goliath.

The real question is, why don't people want to confront Goliath? Why go out of your way to do everything else, but take your complaints to the source?

Carry on!

Goliath has been around for a long time, since the late 60s early 1970s I believe. It showed up in movies like Superfly, Coffee, some television programs and music. But it's presence was not very noticeable, its power very weak due to the beautiful sounds of music during that time. Music during that time and decades before soothe the soul, lifted the spirit, and helped you get through the tough times. Music kept Goliath at arms length, and it could never get into the mind or soul of the human spirit in large masses. But during the late 1980s Goliath became stronger, and began to penetrate the minds of many with the help of a new kind of music called rap/hip-hop. By the 1990s, Goliath gained a strength we could never have imagined. The mind is a terrible thing to waste, especially for all children. Protect it, nourish it with the great sounds of music, art, and literature. As a teacher, I try to expose children to great entertainment at a very young age. I try to teach them to be critical thinkers. At least when they are older they will know that there are choices out here. Yes, they will know there is rap/hip-hop, but there's also John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Nina Simone, and others who have produced great music, art, and literature. Give them choices, and help them to see it's a big world out there.

While I dont disagree with your post in the slightest, I have to say that 99 problems is one of the few Jay-Z songs thats isnt disparaging to women.

It does have Bitch in the hook, but thats only in reference to other men (for once)

That said...Hard to argue otherwise.

It's sad. We've made so many compromises and excuses. I'm always up for a fight. I think it's a worthy battle. But, it's tough, when you really get into it. l don't know where to start anymore.

More propaganda, keep it coming. Heck this whole thread might turn into an ebook.

YME the fact that you don't know where to start is just an indication of propaganda.

Start by challenging foolishness. Taking your fight directly to the source.

You say you don't know where to start anymore, when did we ever start? The Black community just rolled over and played dead. While Goliath was left the entire field of battle with no speed bumps in place.

Inkonegro then pick another song by Jay Z hell the list is long. more diversions and tarrying.

This strikes at the heart of why I absolutely hate being a Black man. This is why i'm always theoretically looking for a zipper on my chest...so that I can crawl out.

I knew, even before he was elected, that Rap and the Rap culture would haunt Obama (and the rest of us by extension...because of the increased exposure and interest by big media and the Right).....and I had a feeling that the inaugural festivities would probably involve this kind of nonsense.

Obama screwed up by not getting in front of this early.... to try to stop these parties from taking place in his name (although he probably couldn't have stopped them all). But by making it clear early that they don't speak for him, it could have at least given him some cover. Instead... FOX News, Drudge, Limbaugh, Hannity, Ingraham, Savage and all the rest will have a field day on this... And on occasion it is going to spill over into the mainstream media as well. And it will be like this for Obama's entire Presidency. It's probably going to get worse from here.

Gina, Thank u so much for posting my blog post "Wishful Thinking:After President Obama Closes Guantanamo Bay, Can He Shut Down Gangsta Rap too?" I see that it has re-ignited the debate about what we can collectively do to crush gangsta rap. I suggest we write a template for an open letter to every sponsor who has supported gangsta rap, post it on your site, and then we can all sign it. There is power in this. I used to work for a Fortune 500 company that was sponsoring the Gwen Stefani/Akon tour 2 years ago. I wrote a letter to the CEO asking why would we support Akon, a misogynist rapper who boasts about criminal activity. I questioned how that would affect our brand. A few weeks later, the company dropped their sponsorship. America is the country of boycotts. After we sign the open letter on your site, you should post it on YouTube like another commenter suggested. Although it seems like a Herculean task, we can do this! We must ask ourselves, "Would Dr. King, Harriet Tubman, Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, Shirley Chisholm, Fannie Lou Hamer, Nat Turner stand silent while gangsta rap infected the minds of everyone who is exposed to it? We owe it to our ancestors to stop being scared and go after the sponsors! Let me know what else I can do to get this started.

@ Kelly Draft the letter already don't wait on me! Pick up the sling shot already!

@angryindependent Please stay back at the camp. Go zip yourself inside a tent somewhere far away from the battle field.

"If anything it means that the giant is more cocky than ever having wrapped himself in the cloak of respectability."

That quote right there sums up all of what I was thinking, but couldn't fully articulate while watching the Inauguration festivities. For me it's not about the music, but the place in black society and culture this music and these artist want to hold. People have the right to make what ever music they choose, but they aren't entitled to being revered and respected simply because they're black and successful. A lot of Hip Hop artist are conflating their success with that of Obama's and it's the height conceit. I was actually listening to the radio during the inauguration festivities and heard Jay-Z call into a show where he was bragging about having a police escort "presidential style" so he and Beyonce could avoid traffic and how Obama was "almost" as cool as him. Then he proceed to tell US, John Q public, what we needed to do to make sure Obama was successful. It was at that point I had to turn the dial! Political correspondence form JAY-Z! I can't take it!

You can't do certain things in the dark and not expect them to see the light of day. You can't make music that is questionable and then divorce yourself from those questionable lyrics to advance your mainstream image and business interest as needed. There used to be a time when artists who were provocative and made controversial music we're not interested in even entertaining the establishment, let alone becoming part of it. These rappers are not those artists and all of the arguments about creative expression fall short because they are motivated by money and media domination. These are businessmen who have realized that music listeners, particularly those that are young, white and male, spend dollars on stereotypes. They have convinced young black people into thinking they speak for they're generation and convinced older black people that they're discomfort with the music is only generational. Think about it. One of the most powerful art forms to come from black youth culture in a few generations and it touches upon none of the real issues young black people face in any significant or profound way. Young black people are being told to idolize individuals who at one point shared their experience but have since moved on to significantly better lives that they now brag about. The first time you see Hip Hop artist get politically active in a major way is to support Obama - a candidate that 90+% of black people already supported and already had a large youth following. That's not sticking out your neck out for something you believe, that's riding the wave to maintain your own relevance.

The sad part is, so many black people view their success as if it's win for black people on a whole. Those who question or criticize them are either out of touch, hypocrites or just hating. Look at the criticism Oprah received for not inviting certain rappers on HER show. It's as if, these rappers are such royalty, no black person should be allowed to deny them their due. This self made black woman didn't even have the right to decide whether men who have made a living disrespecting all of who could use HER platform to further their careers.

There has to be a line drawn in the sand. Using rock lyrics or lack of parenting as excuse is not acceptable. Regardless of how relevant it is, it doesn't negate the fact that Hip Hop, because of it's sheer business potential has an uneven amount of dominance and influence on black culture and life. Furthermore, as much as I love children, this is not just about children. No person should have to endure there image being repeatedly maligned and assaulted by corporations. Can you imagine telling a group of Jewish activists that they shouldn't worry about negative portrayals in the media and just focus on raising their kids with a healthy self image? First of all, you can do both. Secondly, it's not just about how you view yourself, but how others view and treat you. I work with a group of students who are all wonderful, but when they leave our program, that's irrelevant to the average person because they're black and brown. They have to live in the culture climate of disdain that has been created for them, regardless of how well they're raised or not. This is certainly not all Hip Hop's doing, but to say it is not a contributing factor would be a lie.

This is a great post, very motivating.

Wanda:
"Now, I would like to know why a president, married to a strong black woman, and with two beautiful black daughters, would campaign and feature at his inauguration an individual who has shown utter contempt for me, and anyone who looks like me."

______________

Because Obama is a fan of this garbage. This is one of the main reasons why I have never been able to fully embrace Obama or to really take full Pride in his victory and inauguration. I haven't been able to get too excited about any of it. And it's because I don't identify with this man. Just because he has brown skin doesn't mean I identify with him. I only see bits and pieces of me in him....nothing whole....and no more than I saw in a Progressive White politician. In fact, I still would have rather seen John Edwards win.... (minus his personal issues). I would have been just as excited about his inauguration...if not more. Edwards actually had a better plan for the poor than Obama.

This is why Obama was a 4th or 5th choice for me (and even then reluctantly so). He's almost another Kwame Kilpatrick. We had the Hip Hop Mayor...and that didn't go so well (there was a reason why I hated this guy from the get go). Now we have the Hip Hop President. Yippeee!

Place your bets.... how long before a BS scandal having to do with Farrakhan or one of these damn rappers...or something else stupid that will be tied to "Blackness". This is what I dread about this Presidency...and it will bother me everyday... Just waiting for that shoe to drop. You know it's there.... you just don't know when it's coming. Much like the Grim Reaper.

LOL... Why are you always picking on me Gina?

wow, i didn't realize my comment was that long. forgot to add, i'll make sure to send any responses from letters i receive back.

@angry independent because you always come up in here trying to play Job's friend. Lamenting and urging us to curse God and die. Like I said stay back at camp. You not ready yet.

Iman said "Can you imagine telling a group of Jewish activists that they shouldn’t worry about negative portrayals in the media and just focus on raising their kids with a healthy self image?"

They understand the power of images in pop culture. They have concrete proof of the consequences of relying on the "good intentions" of neighbors and the power of images on their lives and survival.

If you live with an abusive person, it is easy to become accustomed with that way of life. In fact, you can learn to walk on eggshells and do high somersaults to maintain calm even though you are being destroyed from inside out.

I do not want to live with Goliath. I don't want us to make any room for him. He shouldn't even have a guest room. If he is poisoning me, then he does not belong.
And we shouldn't be "Ok" with being poisoned year after year.

Goliath is powered my money, and I agree, not buying the music/movies, etc. will impoverish him-starve him.
Hit him where he's weak.

I also agree that this problem is multi-facted and multi-layered. But throwing out some trash will help us move forward quicker and free our minds to think of better solutions, and create POSITIVE propaganda.

We have to understand and believe that we are beautiful. We have to WANT good for each other and imagine our success. And even though we have a dirty fight at our doorstep, it detracts nothing from our worthiness. Nothing.

Where's my slingshot..?

Gina, here's a draft for the economic boycott letter. Let me know what you think and feel free to add revisions. I think it's a good start:
Dear Sir/Madam:

We are writing in reference to your support of the NAACP Image Awards which celebrates gangsta rap, a genre of hip hop that is laden with misogynistic, violent, drug-laden, and gross materialism references. Studies have shown that young people, especially those that come from disadvantaged households are more likely to condone criminal behavior and violence toward women due to their exposure to gangsta rap.

Gangsta rappers such as Jay-Z, T.I., Ludacris, and Lil’ Wayne are the most prolific offenders and they traffic in negative and stereotypes about both black men and women. Their lyrics portray black men as hypersexual, sexist, and prone to violence, especially gunplay and drug activity. Black women are described as oversexed, short-tempered, and grossly materialistic. Family values are eschewed for deviant behavior.

As consumers of your products, we believe that your sponsorship of events where these gangsta rappers appear is a direct contradiction of the values you espouse. With our first black President of the United States and his lovely First Lady, we believe the time is now to end your support of entertainers who traffic in dangerous stereotypes.

We respectfully ask that you end your partnerships with these entertainers who contradict what both your company and America stands for. Let’s show the rest of the world, that America’s corporations respects all of its consumers and believes supporting entertainers who spew vile and degrading lyrics offends us all.

During these difficult economic times, we believe that an economic boycott should be the last resort. We hope you will consider our request and do what’s right for the image of your company and the minds of our children.

Sincerely.

***Please see my (gem2001) comments below before you send this letter. Blog Management****

I wondered how all the riff-raff managed to infiltrate DC and the Balls. I'm glad I just skimmed through them on tv for a few minutes apiece. I saw Nick Cannon hosting something and immediately went 'click'.

Gina: do you think trying to infiltrate the do-nothing CRIC organizations would be an effective strategy for making them relevant again?

All i'm gonna do is post a link to a blog that i help edit, called The Black Critic. You all really need to read it; i know it's not gonna change anybody's mind and ya'll still gonna go on ya'll little crusade against rap music but at least read it with an open mind. I really like WAOD and usually love reading the posts but this is one issue where i'm in serious disagreement with.

http://theblackcritic.com/?p=12

http://theblackcritic.com/?p=1461

http://theblackcritic.com/?p=1410

Here's some contact info:

Southwest
www.swamedia.com/swamedia/sidebar/pr_team.html

FedEx
www.fedex.com/us/investorrelations/contact.html#5

American Airlines
www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/aboutUs/pressGuide/contacts.jsp

Here's some contact info:

Southwest
www.swamedia.com/swamedia/sidebar/pr_team.html

FedEx
www.fedex.com/us/investorrelations/contact.html#5

American Airlines
www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/aboutUs/pressGuide/contacts.jsp

@faith think about this 64 Member Board. imma say that about one more time SIXTY FOUR MEMBER BOARD. Not to mention most of these CRIC organizations are set up as 501 C3's and the Board of directors are hand picked to make sure no one other than the friends of those in power will ever have any power. So that would be a negative.

What do you want? Who do you want it from? Why are you entitled to getting it?

@Kelly I don't do boycotts. Boycotts aren't necessary. The first step is to educate the person you are attempting releif from. Paint what they've done in stark terms. Use examples of what they are paying for. In defensible examples. You will find that your greatest ally will be the people responsible for protecting the brand. You can't call for a boycott until you've at least made a demand. Have you asked anyone for anything?

Don't talk about Gangsta Rappers. What is that? What makes them Gangsta? Be specific. Painfully specific. What the heck is mysogyny? Be specific "DO you know that you are advertising on a page featuring g-string clad women with their legs cocked in various sexually explicit positions?"

Another example "Do you know that you are advertising on a web page featuring a Blackface cartoon?"

You have to have a specific complaint with a specific remedy. I've never actually gotten past the "educating" stage. If you frame your request appropriately you don't have to threaten people.

What is specifically wrong with Southwest Airlines paying for the broadcast of the NAACP Image Awards? Once you send you letter what is it you are expecting them to do, and what will you do if they don't do what you want them to do, and what will you do if they DO give you what you want? Where will you go next?

What people places or things do you have a problem with? Not in some nebulous "misogyny is bad" kinda way. Specificially. Did they say something, write something produce something? Who? What? Where? Why? How? On what date? At what time? Where can the recipient of your letter view what you are talking about so that they can make an informed decision?
How you feel is irrelevant. What can you prove?

Yes, this is a teaching exercise and yes, I am using a Socratic method. No, I won't always be around to tell you this stuff.

@Zabeth thanks. you are the contact information guru! Just like old times :)

FYI Southwest Airlines has a blog http://www.blogsouthwest.com/blogsw

thanks Kelly for the letter. I just went to Southwest's website to send them an email.There is no email on their contact page but a physical address. I just flew with them this past week to DC so they just got $ from me. I want to definitely send them a letter.

@thenderson OH I love the propaganda "Little crusade agains rap." Brilliant! Folks note the attempt to marginalize your efforts and attempt to reframe the issue. This isn't about "rap music" that's what they want you to believe. This is about whether I should have to PAY FOR someone to marginalize me.

Folks can say whatever they want to. I don't have to pay for it.

Remember this little little taunt by Goliath. You'll have lots more.

Just because there were some rappers in the inaugural doesn't mean they are "now respectable" nor untouchable.

Widening the spectrum a bit: didn't he use a minister that the gay community didn't like? Does that negate the gay community?

Everyone will still do their thing.

I don't think the appearance on DC should shake anything.

@miriam THAT'S PROPAGANDA! The "it is no big deal" propaganda.

again, this post wasn't written for you.

I clarly directed the post at people who perceive the danger. If you don't that is fine, but the time for debate is over.

If you see a problem act on it. Confront Goliath. If you don't stay back at the camp. Even Saul didn't take on Goliath and he was the tallest among them and king.

Again, everybody doesn't have the boldness of Little David.

I wrote the post for people who were willing to pick up rocks and throw them, but were aiming too low.

Gina,

You're getting trigger happy.

I meant that it should not deter folks to fight rappers simply because they seem to have "respectability" because they were seen at the inauguration.

Is THAT propaganda? Perhaps I wasn't clear.

I disagree that black culture has one genre. We are behind jazz, country (yes there are and were black country musicians), rock (sevendust, living color and slash from guns and roses is black, santogold flirts with rock, afro-punk movements, the list goes on), blues, classical, you name it we are behind it even electronica/trance. I resent the fact that black americans believe in one genre. Note I did not disagree with the post, I am merely saying that music is not the only problem black americans are facing. White kids consume the crappiest rap and while they have issues (white mens murder rate went up) our issues are greater in the black community and they go deeper than Jay-z. The music is a catalyst for the "showing out". I am exploring all the variables in this very complicated equation.

Gina, thanks for the feedback. My idea for the letter draft is to invite peer review from the commenters to tighten it up. Then, it could be posted on your site for folks to sign. When you get enough signatures then it could be posted to the companies' websites, mailed to them, and posted on youtube.

It is clear that we don't live in the same city. Seattle has one hip-hop station, a bunch of talk radio, a few rock, oldies and several jazz stations. We have options here and the kids are still wiling out. People are blaming the hip-hop clubs for the recent shootings. I agree they attract certain "elements." That's a fact. At the same token, why are these kids even out on the streets? There is no black swing? Lena Horne, Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong? There are options here. We even have a world-renowned trance station. Now, having lived in Texas and Hawaii for some time, I see how certain stations don't get played or even exist.

Thank you, Gina.

I am ready to go to the front. I have picked up my sling, polished my stones, and stretched out my arm. You are right: we have been aiming MUCH too low.

Even now, I am composing a blog post on this.

We are dealing with good old fashioned evil and spiritual wickedness in high places. It needs to be named and called out. There is a time for dialogue and then there is a time to go to war.

Thank you for the clarion call.

I am glad I discovered this post and this site. I have taken the time to read several past post, and I admire the dedication and the fight.

And though I disagree with the post here, as well as others, it's a respectful disagreement, because I respect warriors for justice and equality, even if we happen to choose different methods of fighting for the same cause.

I will be adding this site to my blogroll, and I hope to follow the message and powerful posts from now own. And while I disagree completely with the foundation of the arguments made here, I am so impressed with the "ACTION" mentality here instead of the usual, "complain" mentality, that I consider you an ally--we just have different agendas.

You have my support, even if you don't want it, as I love what I have read here so far--I love "action" sites.

Good points, all. I was feeling a bit defeated until I read some of the posts.

And, then I read a post by "thenderson".

It probably had the opposite response from what the author intended. I followed one of his links to a very thoughtfully written article and just thought...you know what, I'm sick of the mf this and the mf that.

I don't think this is what my ancestors died for. This isn't what I want for my children. I see very little positive in it and much more detrimental.

I'M BACK TO LETTER WRITING!!! GO TEAM GO!

If it means one less degraded black woman...it's worth it. If it means one less black man grows up conditioned by this noise...it's a battle worth fighting.

Thanks for the posts. All of them.

Yme,

I TOLD you NOT to read the comments. :) I knew yesterday when I put up the post that there would be people who wanted to chime in with the same ole "lets debate XYZ" I knew there would be people who would say "Its futile" I knew there would be people who would want to take you off course.

Don't pay attention to them. If the post was written for you, then some force will propel you to act. If no force propels you, then this wasn't your post.

That's why everytime a boo bird, nay sayer or idle chatter chimes in, I chime back. This isn't a post about re arguing all the crap we've argued before.

The first time you see Hip Hop artist get politically active in a major way is to support Obama - a candidate that 90+% of black people already supported and already had a large youth following. That’s not sticking out your neck out for something you believe, that’s riding the wave to maintain your own relevance.

I had to read you 2x Iman. You are on point. Ditto Gina about controlling images. There is a significant Jewish presence in the media b/c they have been burned before. That's what never again means.

Gem, thank you for making this post. I too was very disgusted that those filth anti-Black female rappers were invited to/had anything to do with the inauguration. Pres Obama has gained my respect and admiration because he actually PUT HIS MONEY WHERE HiS MOUTH IS as an advocate for Black female by marrying Michelle and how he loves and takes care of his daughters, so seeing that anti-Black female scum trying to ride on his coatails was a very bitter pill to swallow indeed. The time to take down Goliath is NOW!