Media wakes up some: With Imus Gone, Critics Turning to Rap

Gee, you think?!

from JoeUser Forums

Leave it to the mainstream media to be a bit behind the curve when it comes to news events.  Always lagging real events, always reporting yesterday's news while todays is passing right by them.

Anyway, in an Associated Press article that can be found via IWon.com (or potentially on other sites), there's the following linked article: With Imus Gone, Critics Turning to Rap

The article does point out what many others -- myself included -- have been saying, that Imus is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to detestable speech and derogatory comments about Black women. Again, it seems Captain Obvious must have smacked the author of that AP piece upside the head enough to wake them up to what was going to be next.

I have to say I don't buy a few of the comments that defenders of rap and hip hop are putting forth though, as found in the linked article in these passages:

"Comparing Don Imus' language with hip-hop artists' poetic expression is misguided and inaccurate and feeds into a mindset that can be a catalyst for unwarranted, rampant censorship," (pioneering mogul Russell) Simmons said in a statement Friday.

The superstar rapper Snoop Dogg also denied any connection to Imus. "(Rappers) are not talking about no collegiate basketball girls who have made it to the next level in education and sports," he told MTV.com. "We're talking about hos that's in the 'hood that ain't doing ---- that's trying to get a n---- for his money."

Check those Snoop Dogg comments again if you have to. Do you really buy his claims? Does anyone -- White or Black, male or female -- really have the authority and rightfullness to be able to use the words and language that rap artists have been using for some time now?

Does Russell Simmons have a point that we're about to see rampant censorship? Maybe, or perhaps, just like what has happened with Don Imus what we are really about to see is a group of educated consumers putting pressure on the corporations that profit from the crap that is spewed from some artists mouths in the name of free speech (see Snoop Dogg comments above for a prime example).

politics
3,447 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
As always, there's much more in the linked article, so please take the time to read it and then come back and add comments to the discussion here.
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
On this, I really agree with you terpfan. Unfortunately, sooner or later, a rap artist who refers to black women as bitches and ho's will wrongly say that media is targeting them because they are black, which takes away from legit racism cases. Urgh! If our community were rid of ganster rap, we would be done with about 60% of the problems in our community. Let's hope the attack sticks and changes will eventually come.
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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
It's not just Black women, it's ALL women! It's ALL women that are disrespected!
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top

Unfortunately, sooner or later, a rap artist who refers to black women as bitches and ho's will wrongly say that media is targeting them because they are black, which takes away from legit racism cases.

That is very cynical.  Unfortunately, I have to agree with you.

Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
Rappers SHOULD be allowed to say what they want and so should Imus.

There is no middle ground. Either you are for censorship or you're not.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
Rappers SHOULD be allowed to say what they want and so should Imus.

There is no middle ground. Either you are for censorship or you're not.


Absolutely. They should be able to say exactly what they want.

But let's be clear. Rapping as we know it is a business. Execs CHOOSE to promote these slimeballs and their music. They choose to because we BUY it.

And while they may have the "right" to call my wife and daughters "ho's" by virtue of their being born with vaginas, I have the right to call them worthless gutter trash and to prevent their music from coming into MY home.