Who Will Be The New Jesse Jackson? (Not Nas or Lil Wayne)

0 Kudo

Author	Comment
mrdaveyd	Who Will Be The New Jesse Jackson? (Not Nas or Lil Wayne)		Lead	[-]
Posts: 735 07/15/08 05:59:34	Tags : None Who Will Be The New Jesse Jackson? by Najee Ali on Jul 13, 2008 Rev. Jesse Jackson's words last week that he wanted to cut Obama's nuts off was a source of outrage for many blacks across the nation. He has apologized. Obama has accepted. Personally, that was good enough for me. I think it's time to move on this week to more serious issues such as the economy, gas prices, the war in Iraq, global warming. But rapper Nas just wouldn't let me. He told MTV that Jesse was finished. "I think Jesse Jackson, he's the biggest player hater," Nas said. "His time is up. All you old …, time is up. We heard your voice, we saw your marching, and we heard your sermons. We don't wanna hear that … no more. It's a new day. It's a new voice. I'm here now. We don't need Jesse; I'm here. I got this. We got Barack, we got David Banners and Young Jeezy's. We're the voice now. It's no more Jesse. Sorry. Goodbye. You ain't helping nobody in the 'hood. That's the bottom line. Goodbye, Jesse. Bye!" Now this comes on the heels of rapper Lil Wayne diss of Rev. Al Sharpton. On the track "Misunderstood," Wayne spits: "You see, you are no MLK/ You are no Jesse Jackson/ You are nobody to me/ You're just another Don King with a perm/ Just a little more political/ And that just means you a little more un-human/ Than us humans/ And now let me be human by saying/ Fk Al Sharpton and anyone like him." Rappers have the right to their personal opinion just as anyone else does. But, I'm never going to confuse Nas or Lil Wayne with Chuck D of Public enemy, Mos Def , KRS One, or Sister Souljah. We now have gangsta rappers trying to wrestle away Black leadership and some of them are putting themselves on the level of Obama. I cant quit laughing. Who on earth would actually follow these malt liquor drinking, misogynistic, drug using, gang banging idiots? Nas and Lil Wayne are helping people in the hood? I believe the last time I heard Lil Wayne's music it was blasting out of some gang member's car as they rode though South Central L.A. and did a drive by shooting. Seriously, I do believe Jesse's time has come and gone, he's lost to much credibility to be effective anymore. But should we and are we ready to dump Jesse's outdated vision for the more clear advancing vision of Nas? Excuse me while I laugh some more. Sharpton on the other hand has emerged as the heir to King's movement and is seen as the premier civil rights leader in the nation. Now, there are some who may disagree and don't care for Sharpton and his tactics, but the reality of the situation is he led and organized the Jena 6 movement. The Sean Bell movement was spearheaded by Sharpton as well the fight for justice in the shooting death of Amadou Diallo, and the torture of Abner Louima by the N.Y.P.D. When Black folks are in trouble across the nation and the circumstances are shady when I turn on CNN, I'm looking for Rev. Al and his bullhorn, not Nas, Lil Wayne, David Banner, or Young Jeezy. Which brings me to my question. Now that Jesse has truly become irrelevant, and there are so many that don't want to follow Sharpton, NAACP, SCLC, and the older model of civil rights leaders and groups, which young leader is going to emerge and step up to the plate of advocacy? Is the hip hop nation ready or even prepared to lead a movement for justice? Are you willing to follow Nas David Banner, Young Jeezy and other gangsta rappers and let them lead you and be your voice? What do you think? Najee Ali is Executive Director of Project Islamic H.O.P.E, a national civil rights organization that advocates for the human rights of oppressed people regardless of race, gender or religion. He was selected by Wave Newspapers and Our Weekly Newspaper as one of the 25 most influential black leaders in Los Angeles. More information is available at: www.islamichope.org. Return to Davey D's Hip Hop Corner**
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
doittoem	NOT ji ali	#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1 07/15/08 22:47:15	yo, this ali dude aint right! he seems to have no understanding of where power really lies. obama, nor jesse is a viable option for serving THE PEOPLE(leadership). we will allow these two council on foreign relation, rockefeller front niggers to cancel each other out anyday! ali probably still think he's an american...uttering the words naacp and leadership in the same breath...got me LAUGHING. PLUS, Banner is a beast when it comes to Self Help and bringing awareness to the plights of our oppressed youth! Lay off banner ya dig!!! ali, u con-fused dude!
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
INT3		#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 8 07/16/08 07:17:59	the days of 1 or 2 people speaking for an entire population are over. we have to help ourselves and organize to do for our community what the government cant. many smaller local groups building and serving the community is more effective anyway because it leaves the powers that be w/o one person to target w/ violence or character smearing campaigns
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
Digital Champ.politicalpalace		#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 18 07/16/08 12:29:15	You always need leaders who rally the cause. Singularity leadership is how our social mene moves. Until somebody steps up and actively does it on the necessary street level that Rev. Al does, connects politically as Rev. Jackson does, to dis them you are just hating on your own power opportunity. Hip-hop shouldn't come off wild like that. Competing to help is contrary to unity, and a logical progression of power. The author is right, hip-hops best opportunity to just seize power was shorted out by the media committees. P.E. and them were directing the intellectual focus, and unto agenda of a large population demographic. Suddenly no longer visual. The old school's reaction to all these wanna be hip-hop Sonny Bono's should be to focus on response rather than reaction, be wiser, and pass on what you can. Or maybe it's all gonna go down to quick for you.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
righteous		#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1 07/16/08 13:20:15	I think there is some relevance on both accounts. jesse (messy) jackson times has passed undoubtedly. he is and has always been an attention whore. don't get me wrong he has done some good work however, i think he finds it difficult to pass the torch. I don't think artists should always take a reactionary approach to what the elders say. Nowadays, we have many voices of relevance (and i"m not speaking of lil wayne and jeezy) within the hip hop diaspora. David Banner is on the cusp of being a great leader in the hip hop movement as well Immortal Technique, NYOIL and others, who barely get any press. I think Najee made some valid points that should be evaluated also. Smear campaigns do nothing but divide us more. Some stuff just need to be kept in-house.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
kmcvol1		#5	[url]	[-]
Posts: 12 07/17/08 06:07:37	Mr. Ali, Let me make this clear. You have made not one statement in your poorly written article that was even remotely relevant. You speak on Nas and Wayne as if they stood up and stated that they were trying to save the Black Race. Then you spue your ignorance stating " believe the last time I heard Lil Wayne's music it was blasting out of some gang member's car as they rode though South Central L.A. and did a drive by shooting". So you stopped this person and asked them if they were a gang member? You followed them through S.Central and witness them doing a drive by? It is people like you who make artist like Nas or Wayne say or react the way that they do. It is your ignorance that is spreading idiodic statements. And you have the nerve to have a Muslim name and say that a young brother was listening to Wayne and did a drive by. Are you saying Wayne told him to do it? Did you make that same statement when the killer at Virginia State was listening to Rock and decided to go on a killing spree? How many times have you listen to a Nas album? Have you ever met the man and conversated with him on his views where you critisize? Matter of fact, when was the last time you did anything to help raise MENTAL awareness? It's easy to sit behind a computer and critisize those who are doing what you don't have the heart or talent to do. But it's harder to make the attempt. And even harder to suceed at doing it. You say you won't call Nas or Wayne, KRS and the others you mentioned. But guess what? They won't ever call you Malcolm, Martin, Farrakahn. To be honest they won't even give you the honor of calling you Jessie or Al and they aren't even admired by them. For future reference, next time you feel as if you wanna speak on someone. You should talk to them and get their views before you open you mouth and state the obvious facts that you know NOTHING of Hip Hop, Nas, or anyone else you mentioned in this article.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
mrdaveyd		#6	[url]	[-]
Posts: 735 07/17/08 08:25:15	Hey fam.. I'm sure Najee can speak for himself.. but I will say this on his behalf.. he ain't somelight weight who is n\unaware and uninformed of the actions of these artists.. Nor is he someone who isn't out there doing stuff in the hood.. Najee is usually among the handful of a few who is out and abou calling atteention to egregious situations in the community. It could be around the issue of police brutality.. or the Minute men coming to town or some other crazy stuff.. Najje frequently goes to the jails and works with alot of the gang cats in his area..He also calls out alot of the artists who he knows from experience if they are actually out trying to make a change or just faking the funk.. So Najee has his faults like all leaders.. but being a arm chair revolutionary who has not gotten his hands dirty.. thats not Najee.. he can be found in the ghood digging ditches I will give him that..
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
Cosmonaut Seven	Willie Lynch shit	#7	[url]	[-]
Posts: 83 07/17/08 10:45:49	When I heard Nas say 'all you old niggas' I knew the boy was fucked up in the game. Thats textbook divide and conquer shit. The young against the old. The young need to consult with the old. Jesse may be an opportunist, maybe hes makin moves for his people in silence. Either way its a bad look for Nas to be disrespecting him like that. What Jesse said was bad enough already.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
mootst	NAS SHOULD KNOW BETTER	#8	[url]	[-]
Posts: 11 07/17/08 14:26:09	THIS IS WHY WE SHOULD NOT ASSUME BECAUSE I THOUGHT NAS NEW BETTER AND IT HURTS TO KNOW THAT HE DOES NOT UNDERSTAND THAT HE'S NOT A LEADER. TALIB KWELI WAS HONEST WHEN HE SAID.. I KNOW THE PEOPLE NEED US BUT RAPPERS JUST AIN'T THE RIGHT LEADERS. ASA HILLIARD ONCE SAID THAT A COMMUNITY THAT HAS LOST THE ULTIMATE CONNECTION WITH IT'S ANCESTORS WILL NOT SURVIVE. LISTEN PEOPLE, IT'S A PERSON LIKE ME THAT NO ONE KNOWS WHO IS THE NEXT LEADER, WHY? BECAUSE I CAN ARTICULATE OUR PROBLEMS WITH SOLUTIONS. IN MY EYES IN ORDER TO BE A LEADER YOU HAVE TO KNOW LEADERS LIKE MARCUS GARVEY BECAUSE HE WAS ABOUT MANUFACTURING PRODUCTS IN THE COMMUNITIES AND NOT ONLY MANUFACTURING BUT EMPLOYING, EDUCATING AND EMPOWERING. I'M SURE NAS AND MOST READERS DON'T KNOW KWAME NYKRUMA AND HIS CONNECTION TO AFRICAN AMERICANS WHO EMPOWERED HIM AND PUT HIM IN A POSITION TO GIVE GHANA INDEPENDENCE. AMERICAN'S HAVE TO KNOW THE WORD XENOPHOBIA AND SEE IF THIS WORD DESCRIBES WHO YOU ARE OR NOT. WE HAVE TO DEPEND ON A ROOT AND PHILOSOPHY THAT HAS WORKED IN THE PAST. IT'S TIME TO OVERSTAND CULTURE AND WHEN WE DO, MOST AMERICANS WILL REALIZE THE AMERICAN CULTURE IS MADE ON TV. ALL THIS NEW SHIT IS NEW SHIT, WE NEED OLD SCHOOL CLASSIC OPINIONS AND PHILOSOPHIES THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE SOUL. JESSE JACKSON'S SOUL WAS TAKEN AWAY WHEN DR. KING WAS ASSASSINATED IN HIS FACE, THIS IS WHEN HOPE WAS LOST AND IT JUST SO HAPPEN TO BE 40 YEARS AGO AND NOW BLACKS HAVE THEIR MOJO BACK. CHE GUEVERA ONCE SAID I DON'T CARE IF I FALL AS LONG AS SOMEONE PICKS UP MY GUN AND KEEPS SHOOTING. THIS TRANSLATED IN MY EYES MEANS TO CONTINUE TO WALK IN THE SHOES OF THOSE YOU BELIEVE IN BY CONTINUING DR. KINGS POOR PEOPLE CAMPAIGN, PLEASE READ ABOUT THIS AND THEN GOOGLE THE LEADER OF THE SCLC IN CALIFORINIA AND WITNESS HOW SOME ARE USING DR. KINGS PHILOSOPHIES. WE SHOULD KNOW THIS WAS BELIEVED TO BE THE REASON DR. KING IS NO LONGER HERE TODAY. GOOGLE THE TEACHER WHO WAS FIRED FOR TEACHING MALCOLM X's PHILOSOPHIES. A MEXICAN LADY WAS FIRED BY A BLACK PRINCIPLE FOR USING MALCOLMS TECHNIQUES AND THE MEXICAN STUDENTS IS LOOKING AT THE BLACK PRINCIPLE LIKE WHAT'S WRONG? IT'S TIME TO STOP LYING AND START LIVING PEOPLE, WE NOW KNOW THAT MALCOLM X WAS RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING HE EVER SAID, GO TO YOUTUBE AND LISTEN TO HIS DELIVERY AND YOU WILL SEE ALOT OF MALCOLM IN BARACK. WE MUST UNDERSTAND WHAT BARACK KNOWS, HE KNOW HIS CULTURE, BOTH AMERICAN AND AFRICAN. READ THE BOOK AFRICAN POWER BY ASA HILLIARD AND THEN WHEN YOUR DONE YOU'LL SAY DAMN BARACK KNOWS THIS SHIT AND HE SAID HE READ THIS BOOK. THIS IS WHY WE MUST GO BACK AND GET OUR HISTORY SO WE CAN GET RIGHT IN 2K8. XENOPHOBIC PEOPLE CAN'T AND WON'T GROW, SANKOFA... Last Edited By: mootst 07/17/08 14:41:58. Edited 1 time.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
kmcvol1		#9	[url]	[-]
Posts: 12 07/18/08 08:58:50	Man Jessie soul was taken when Dr. King was assassinated in his face. The should have made him stronger. When Elijah Muhammad died did Farrakhan become and "OPPORTUNIST"? No, he did not. He understood what he had to do and he became stronger and he lead his people to positivity and enlightenment. Jessie/Al, all they do is wait for an opportunity to get some spot light and TV time and when all is said and done......they are gone. See we as blacks don't get all ralled up and fight the powers that be. No, we march. In peace, and yell for our rights. We don't demand or take what is ours we would rather be calm and pray that some powerful being is going to make things better for us. Meanwhile, the same people that we march against are still doing the same things to keep us marching. And they know that the most we will do is march! The problem facing us with leaders is that our leaders like to immulate instead of creating their own image of who they should be as a leader. Jessie/Al are trying to be too much like MLK, and the times are different now. We need a Malcolm not a Martin. The days of turning the other cheek and we shall overcome are pass. We need George Jacksons and Crispus Attics, and Huey Newtons, Black Panthers. Now days, Gays & Lesbians have more rights than Blacks. Animals have more rights than Blacks. The only thing they are killing faster than the Black race is the planet Earth. And if our precious government won't help to save the Earth.....do you really think they are going to do anything for the progression of Blacks. The same people who technically are slaves once again due to the expiration of the Emancipation Proclamation. All the "TRUE" Black leaders are locked up, or dead. The powers the be made it this way because they know who will inspire and stand up and who will bow down and disappear when they say so. And Jessie and Al fit that catagory. Yeah these two will go to jail for what they march for, but can you see Jessie or Al taking a beating for what they believe in? Can you see either one fighting a policeman back in defense? I don't I see them cooperating with the police to make the arrest easier. I don't see Farrakhan bowing down to the police or our government. I don't see it. From all the situations that have taken place where these two individuals have stepped in to be a leader or spokesman. There are no solutions. No outcome of positivity. Nothing!!! Sean Bell was murdered in cold blood and Al got arrested for it but where is Al now dealing with this. The police were aquited and released and still nothing is being done by Al. I guess he figured well my time is up, off to a new cause. Jessie was on national TV on a channel that prosecuted him several times and chewed his ass up. But what does he do. He makes a statement of the potential Black president without thinking that his microphone might still be on. Knowing FOX, like he should have, that mic is on the whole time its attached to you. And no matter if it was on or not, there is an appropriate time and place to express your feelings for what you disagree with. On that note I will rest my keyboard and await the responses.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
mootst	TIME FOR CHANGE NOT TALK...	#10	[url]	[-]
Posts: 11 07/18/08 12:33:51	How many people really want to get their hands dirty? It's alot of talk and no action, and it's not because we don't want to do anything, we just don't know what to do. The last time blacks worked together we were slaves, not just slave, but slaves that didn't get paid. Leaders today are mixed up because they're trying to get a check and stay righteous and that combo never works. Some readers might think I'm fool of it, but what I do to solve the problem is employ the homeless, crackheads and drug dealers, because these are the first people who should be rehabilitated, check out the spook that sat by the door so we have a clear understanding for who's real and why. The last comment was right on point and I agree with Malcolm's perspective and philosophy and I also use it in my everyday life, but we must overstand the majority is scared to death of Malcolm and we must spoon feed him. We must take philosophies and learn to apply our new techniques with the old. Black people in America don't know how to make money, they only know to work hard for it and this is the problem. Why wouldn't Russell Simmons and all of these other so called big brand set up 8 to 10 percent of their manufacturing companies in America? Why won't Ludacris and these multiplatinum artist learn the essence of printing their own inserts and cd's? Because they are creatures of habit and really don't know how to train their own people for the job because they are trained to distance theirselves from their people once they get money. This is our problem, not Jesse and Al... We must learn the essence of working together. Please visit my site, www.myspace.com/mootstreetpoetry and I think it's the last movie clip at the bottom of the page, please watch that video and you'll understand why I say blacks can and have done everything. Also visit my catalog and check my homeless models out and we're working to get them into "Camp Crack" and on the site is where you'll be able to check the status out, this site addy is www.myspace.com/knowfourthward. Let's stop keeping it real and keep it right, enough is enough we've been embarrassed enough. Let's talk about investing and making things happen, talk don't get us know where.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
Brutha Minista	Nas say's "He got next"?	#11	[url]	[-]
Posts: 5 07/19/08 13:31:10	Peace, This was a very good article to raise discussion. I personally don't believe the issue is who will be the next Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton for that matter. Both Jesse, Al, and Minister Farrakhan are unique products of the struggle that cannot be duplicated or replaced per se. I don't believe that there is an official baton passing from one leader to the next like a coronation; instead, the struggle provides a unique opportunity for anyone to serve provided that they have a plan, a purpose, a position and a passion to uplift those who are broken. True leaders are precious and they shine line diamonds among the masses of coal; they are shaped and cut by the struggle. Not all diamonds are the same size and cut; there are imperfections but we choose to focus on the brilliance of the diamond rather than the imperfections caused by the cutting. As long as we position our selves in the light of the creator, we are able to shine and reflect it's brilliance. Each of us have an opportunity to be diamond we just have to examine our hearts to determine where we can best make a difference In many ways as an oppressed people in America, the real leaders are not given the national spotlight; instead, the forces of oppression informally "choose" those who are the so-called leaders of the group. These are the manufactured cubic Zirconium leaders who shine like the real thing but don't pass the trained eye of the educated masses of the people. If the truth be told, uncompromising Black leadership is hard to find today because the oppressor fears the rise of a Black Messiah as documented by the COINTELPRO declassified records. Now that I have provided some of my thoughts on the succession of leadership, I would now like to discuss the comments by Nas regarding Jesse Jackson in particular as well as comments by other rappers against other Civil Rights Leaders in general. I personally found Nas comments about the civil rights leadership being expired and obsolete disrespectful similar to how a youth would disrespect his elders. Don't get me wrong, Jesse has some imperfections however, I don't feel that this was the opportunity for him to be attacked as he was by Nas. His comments hint of a prideful and materialistic western mentality that suggests, in a simplistic example, that newer "X Box" leadership is necessarily better than the older civil rights "Atari" leadership. Leadership is not like western technology that is replaced after a few months for something newer; instead, leadership is about experience and "puttin in the work", grass roots organizing and struggling for the interest of the people often without pay. I think Nas is an important voice in the hip hop community but I don't think he, Li'l Wayne, or David Banner for that matter can replace Jesse and Al to somehow speak for the Black community. Furthermore, if Barack had to distance himself from his liberation theology Pastor, what makes us think that he would not distance himself from Nas as the scriptures say "as far as the east is from the west." Let's face it, Nas, like other rappers, is an entertainer who is paid to make music to educate, uplift, and entertain a largely white middle class audience. In the hood, they love Nas but his music is on the bootleg circuit along with Li'l Wayne and David Banner. The reality is that both Jesse and the "Ole head Civil Rights Leadership" kicked down the doors of segregation that paved the way for the current generation to benefit as the future president and recording artists of today. Regardless of whether Nas agrees with the tactics used by the civil rights leadership, whether its marches or boycotts for that matter, I ask what plan does he have as an alternative? What organizations or institutions has Nas built? If Nas is the leader that he says that he aspires to be then he should be held to the same standard that he used when criticizing Jesse Jackson for his private conversation. Can we criticize Nas's character as contradictory when he makes a song like "I know I can" versus another song like "oochy wally wally" (http://www.lyricsdownload.com/nas-oochie-wally-lyrics.html) ? Furthermore, which Nas is our leader? Is it Esko named after a drug king ping named Escobar? Nasty Nas? Nastradamus? Pharoah Nas? I think Nas comments opens up a door of opportunity to expose his purpose, position, passion, and plan for Black America. Other than KRS-One, Paris, Chuck D, and Russell Simmons, and even Diddy, I don't know his position other than his wreckless use of the N-Word like a shock jock marketing scheme for more ratings. Perhaps instead of wearing clothing marketing the N-Word maybe he can take a page out of Chuck D's rhyme book and become an Anti- N-Word machine. Not to worry y'all Nas say's he got this.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
TungzRA		#12	[url]	[-]
Posts: 26 07/24/08 06:15:03	When Jesse got caught stating his desire to sever Obama's "cashews", this was one of those very rare moments where "honesty" showed its face in politics. I can appreciate that; not because I desire for Obama to be neutered (I wouldn't wish that on any man, and in fact, I think that Lorena Bobbitt should be #1 on the terrorist watch list), but because now we know how Jesse "really" feels (again). That moment was a moment of truth, and I personally would much rather someone tell me that they don't like me than to conduct themselves as if they do. Not because I like to be disliked, but because I prefer honesty over anything else; especially from so-called "leaders". What I don't appreciate is the rigorous back-peddling in a vain attempt to down-play, sugar-coat, or diffuse what one "really" meant - or the truth - in order to remain in favorable standing in the public eye. Unfortunately, the larger part of America prefers the latter, and as a result, comments like Jesse's or satires like the one in The New Yorker will be condemned because people would much rather cling to the comfort of "positive/popular images" than to deal with their misconceptions of them. As the old saying goes, "Ignorance is bliss"; and this fact alone is what makes "politics" effective. Jesse said: "Barack, he's talking down to black people…..he's telling n!ggas how to behave! I want to cut his nuts off." (while making a jabbing gesture with his hand) From a different perspective, Jesse's comment could have been viewed as a positive because it reflected his dedication and concern for the "black community" as a whole as opposed to one black person (Obama in this case). Can it be that people are so enamored and smitten by Obama that the full context and intent of Jesse's comment goes ignored? Even with his hypocritical use of the infamous "N-Word", the context of Jesse's comment is still consistent with his views on Obama's actions; that is to say that Obama is treating black people like "n!ggas" by telling them how to behave, as opposed to using the word as an endearing epithet or reference for "black people". As evidence of this allegation, some have cited Obama's choice to use Father's Day to address the black community regarding "absentee fathers" - while previously rejecting numerous invitations to attend the State of The Black Union symposium where such topics are openly discussed and addressed - as political pandering; intentional "talking down" to black people as a means of appealing to non-blacks, without any actual commitment or concern for the "black" plight. Truth be told, if "integrity" is our concern, then both subjects have provided fodder for suspicion….as all politicians do. In all likelihood, if the tables were turned, and it was Obama who made the searing comment about Jackson, the media still would have had a field day, but the black community at large would not be nearly as incensed, possibly even overlooking his comment if not defending it. How ironic. However, regardless of its intended context, for the "N-word" to fumble off of the lips of someone who vehemently denounced its use [insert Mark Fuhrman picture here] wreaks of hypocrisy and duplicity, and does little to secure the image of "integrity"; something that has been waning in the eyes of many despite Jackson's historical contributions and initiatives. In regards to the New Yorker satire, the condemnation and denunciation of such images will be the harbingers to the end of "free speech", and that is one right that should never EVER be limited. The end of "free speech" means the end of "free thought" (because they are one in the same; both equaling "free expression"), and without "free thought", everything ceases to exist……i.e. music, art, science, philosophy, idealism, progression. Some thoughts/perspectives you simply aren't going to agree with….and that's okay. Grow from it. Take it for what it's worth and keep it moving. :o) "Free thought/speech" is necessary because we need to live in an environment where our ways of thinking are constantly challenged; where hopes are sometimes met with disappointments, because this is what impels us to grow and to take responsibility for our own thoughts and actions. Once one gets to the point of valuing "how" to think over "what" to think, then we will no longer accept something because it's "popular", but rather, because it is "practical". Personally, I look forward to more satires and open honesty. :o) Peaces, Tungz
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote
Notyouraverageeveryday	We need dialogue not dissin	#13	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2 07/24/08 13:56:57	I think the point of the article is why should the youth have so much venom for the elders? I have never seen a Rainbow PUSH or National Action Network in my neighborhood growing up. Yet, I don't blame them I blame the fathers that were not there in the community. Mainstream artists today cannot be political because they are controlled by the powers that be. They can do otherwise but that may cost them $ and they won't go that far. We need balance. I have listened to Banner speak and he is smarter than he is articulate. Instead of dissing Rev Al, why not have a dialogue and see where common ground can be found? If the object is really the upliftment of black people than we won't divide ourselves. Yet, I think artists like Nas might just be mad because somebody held him accountable for his lyrics. Funny, of all the things he could have came out against he went after O'Reilly because Bill O got on him about his mentioning of guns in his lyrics. Yes the old school has failed to teach the youth but the youth have failed to listen and be responsible as well.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts	Reply Quote