*****This Post Is Rated R (for bad language)*****
"It's the money that - makes shit get ugly
It's the money that - makes these hoes love me
It's the money that - makes niggas wanna slug me"
From 50 Cent - "The Good Die Young"
"How you gonna take this? like a Man or a bitch?
you gon' get it on nigga or you gon' snitch?
I represent niggas in the hood gettin' rich
man, I stack chips and I unload clips..."
From 50 Cent - "That ain't gangsta"
"If a bitch don't like me
Somethin' wrong with the bitch (fuck that bitch)
Why... oh why... why... you wanna fuck with me now?"
From 50 Cent - "Material Girl 2000"
You see where I am going with this, right?
Wait. I'm not done.
"Uh-huh, white paper though nigga
Can't even fuck with those blunts
White paper baby, old school nigga gimme a joint"
From Jay Z - "Do You Wanna Ride"
"You know I - thug em, fuck em, love em, leave em
Cause I don't fuckin need em
Take em out the hood, keep em lookin good
But I don't fuckin feed em
First time they fuss I'm breezin
Talkin bout, "What's the reasons?"
I'm a pimp in every sense of the word, bitch
Better trust than believe em
In the cut where I keep em
til I need a nut, til I need to beat the guts
Then it's, beep beep and I'm pickin em up
Let em play with the dick in the truck"
From Jay Z - "Big Pimpin'"
...and Don Imus is the problem?
Look, I think Don Imus is a racist, homophobic, misogynist dirtbag... but where are our people when it comes to protesting about this garbage when it comes from 50 Cent, Jay Z, or any other so-called "artist"? Don Imus isn't the problem, friends. Oh sure, he is a symptom, but he isn't the problem.
I'll tell you what the problem is: Pick up a mirror and look into it. If you see the face off someone that looks the other way when this vile filth is spewed at our own, by one of our own, keep your mouth shut about Imus.
We can't have it both ways!
We can't demand dignity and respect from others when we don't show respect for ourselves.
26 comments:
Another insightful and may I add brilliant post! There will always be double standards but I must admit that those who have the courage to point them out have my highest esteem and respect!
Couldn't have said it better - with the blatant racial division in New Orleans in these post-K days, this is a story we've been following closely. Well done!
I'm not even sure how I stumbled over here but I'm glad I did.
Great post!
"he is a symptom, but he isn't the problem."
I agree wholeheartedly. It's true he shouldn't have said those things, but nobody should. Yet people do all the time and go unnoticed.
I think the fact that these were specific people caused the more outrage.
What an incredible dumb $#@% he is!
For the love of God!!!! ...
what is wrong with people?????
What a miserable person Don Imus is...
I couldn't agree more. Our country is full of kids listening to this stuff on their iPods right this second. What are their chances for getting out unscathed--learning self respect, kindness, basic humanity? Why doesn't this make headline news too?
the single most important thing we can teach our children is respect. if they respect themselves and each other.. all else will follow.
Well said, my friend. Well said.
But still, Don Imus is a jackass.
Mos def. We need to get these weeds by the root!
Eloquent and insightful, as usual! Very well said!
Ever thought of running for office?
See! Here is where I was going to insert some smart*ss political comment, but I am refraining.
hee-hee!
I'm actually speechless by the whole thing. People are such idiots.
Another real shame here is that, because so many people are ready to fling the term "racist" about, is that many people can't point out the double standard without being attacked, themselves.
For example, if a white liberal would say what I just said on this blog, there would be others ready to hang the label "racist" on them... the same could be said of conservatives, but the problem there is that everyone wants to hang the racist label on them no matter what they say.
Labels are at the heart of what is really wrong here.
Having said all of that, I'll no doubt be labeled a "sellout" by some that come across this post... not that I give a rat's ass.
You're not a sell out. You're being REAL. 'Nuff said.
Thank you GF. Too few of us have taken the time to call out the ones who create the double standard.
Some of us get all up in arms over stuff like Imus' comments, but don't see the error in feeding lyrics like that to the masses. Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black? (pun intended)
Sadly, racism isn't germane to one race targeting another race. The race-on-race racism in our country is just as insidious and wrong as Imus' bigotry. Great post, GF!
Yup, I'm with you, GF. I shudder about how lyrics like that will impact PunditGirl, your daughter and others -- not just the words, but the implicit message that it's OK to write and sing that stuff.
Well said, Gunfighter, and I like what you added in the comments about labels. Labels are at the heart of what is really wrong with many things today in this country. Our social issues are way too complicated for labels; if only the world was so simple!
Great post, as always.
It's funny that I thought exactly what GF wrote about - is it really my place (as a white liberal woman raised in the 'burbs) to comment on this?
Of course, it is all well and good that we agree with each other. How do we pressure the various industries that profit from the culture of disrespect (of self and others) to stop promoting it?
"How do we pressure the various industries that profit from the culture of disrespect (of self and others) to stop promoting it?"
The old fashioned way. By hitting those industriues in their walltes.
No, I don't mean by dumping their tea in the harbor... I mean by not using their products. not purchasing music from companies that have these hateful artists on their labels; by not watching their television shows; by turning off radio stations that play this garbage; by making sure that the advertisers that sponsor these particular stations and channels that you will refrain from buying their products unless they withdraw support.
The other part is to be unafraid to tell your friends that you are doing this, and encourage them to do the same.
It's all about money, baby... when their bottom llines get hit, they holler.
Power to the people!
GREAT post, GF. I'm loving the comments too.
But Don Imus is still as *ss.
Well said, GF. This might be part of the reason why I the only radio station I listen to is NPR. :)
Welcome, Jess!
Nice cat. Anyone who listens to NPR is alright in my book.
GF
I've kept my thoughts to myself for fear of being called a racist. I've also thought the same thing. If I say this out loud then I'll be labeled a racist. Unfair and untrue. Kudos for standing up and pointing to yourself and saying change starts from within. If you want the dumbass Don Imus' of the world to stop then you need to do it first. This is not just a black thing, it's something that affects all of society and manifests itself in soo many ways.
Hiya Lindy... just as an aside. I never listened to that garbage. I have a mother, a grandmother, sisters, and daughters.
AMEN.
No doubt Bro! We SHOULD expect more of ourselves! (the operative word being should)
I was having this discussion with someone the other day… about people having children that shouldn’t be permitted to breed, spreading a continuing cycle of unadulterated ignorance, reflected in the sheep-like mentality, expressed in the “music”(if you can call it that), self-conduct (or the lack thereof), and communities (no communal spirit). Sorry, about going on a tangent Bro, observing some of these buffoons on the street on a daily basis… It almost seems hopeless (and I consider myself to be an optimist*lol*).
ONE!
D.A.D.
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