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Serenasailor
Veteran Poster
Username: Serenasailor
Post Number: 1509
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 23, 2007 - 05:17 pm: | 
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NEW YORK (Reuters) - Prominent U.S. hip-hop executive Russell Simmons on Monday recommended eliminating the words "•••••," "ho" and "••••••" from the recording industry, considering them "extreme curse words."
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The call comes less than two weeks after radio personality Don Imus' nationally syndicated and televised radio show was canceled amid public outcry over Imus calling a women's basketball team "nappy-headed hos."
Simmons, co-founder of the Def Jam label and a driving force behind hip-hop's huge commercial success, called for voluntary restrictions on the words and setting up an industry watchdog to recommend guidelines for lyrical and visual standards.
"We recommend that the recording and broadcast industries voluntarily remove/bleep/delete the misogynistic words '•••••' and 'ho' and the racially offensive word '••••••'," Simmons and Benjamin Chavis, co-chairmen of the advocacy group Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, said in a statement.
"These three words should be considered with the same objections to obscenity as 'extreme curse words'," it said.
Ho is slang for whore and commonly used in hip-hop music while ••••••, a derogatory term for blacks, is among the most highly charged insults in American culture. The slur "nappy," used by Imus, describes the tightly curled hair of many African Americans.
CHANGING STANCE
Monday's statement changed course from another one by Simmons and Chavis dated April 13, a day after Imus' show was canceled, in which they said offensive references in hip-hop "may be uncomfortable for some to hear, but our job is not to silence or censor that expression."
The Imus controversy stoked a debate in the United States about how to deal with inflammatory words that are widely considered highly offensive but at the same time commonly and casually used in youth culture.
U.S. black leaders such as Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson have led the charge to suppress offensive words while many artists have argued for freedom of expression. New York City declared a symbolic moratorium on the so-called N-word in February.
"Our internal discussions with industry leaders are not about censorship. Our discussions are about the corporate social responsibility of the industry to voluntarily show respect to African Americans and other people of color, African American women and to all women in lyrics and images," the statement from Simmons and Chavis said on Monday.
The network recommended the formation of a Coalition on Broadcast Standards that would consist of leading executives from music, radio and television.
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Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 2158
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 23, 2007 - 05:40 pm: |
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Figure the odds....... |
Tonya
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 5323
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 23, 2007 - 05:56 pm: |
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Yaye for Russell!! It a goog START. They still need to watch how the characterize women and do something with those video's, next. But anyway, looks like others are indeed falling in line.
“As an African-American owner of four TV stations and one radio station, I am announcing, effective immediately, that music degrading women and other members of our community will no longer be played on Hot 97.7, WRBJ-FM. The rule applies to all broadcasting operations owned by my brother Steven and me.”
http://blogs.sohh.com/nyc/archives/2007/04/hot_97_is_the_laughingstock_of.html
Foul-Mouthed Rappers Get Booted From the Air
By Tracy Stokes, BET.com Staff Writer & Wire Services
Posted April 20, 2007 – Snoop, 50 Cent and all other foul-mouthed, hip-hop artists, your air time is up at one Black-owned radio station.
Roberts Broadcasting Cos. LLC, which operates four TV stations and a hip-hop radio station, said violent, sexist and racist music is being ditched from its radio playlist, The Associated Press reports.
Rappers On The Defensive
Rather than censoring the offensive words of the songs, the station, WRBJ-FM in Jackson, Miss., is banning them altogether.
"We take tremendous pride in being African-American and refuse to let anyone, White or Black, strip us of that pride," said Steven Roberts, president and chief operating officer of the company, adding that if it's offensive in any way toward women or Blacks, it's not going to be played.
The decision by brothers Michael and Steven Roberts, who run the company, comes less than a week after Don Imus was fired by CBS Radio for calling members of the Rutgers Women's Basketball Team "nappy-headed hos."
Many Black activists, community leaders and organizations, along with Imus defenders say “hip hop made him do it,” putting rappers on the defensive.
Drug-dealer-turned-rapper Snoop Dogg, who activists point to as one of the most egregious offenders -- has walked women out on stage with dog leashes around their necks and shoots pornographic videos -- was quick to try and draw a distinction between gangsta rappers and shock jock Don Imus.
Speaking to MTV following the Imus debacle, he said: “It's a completely different scenario. Rappers are not talking about no collegiate basketball girls who have made it to the next level in education and sports. ... We are rappers that have these songs coming from our minds and our souls that are relevant to what we feel. I will not let them mutha******* say we in the same league as him."
Terrill Weiss, general manager of WRBJ-FM, said there’s probably a higher incidence of derogatory language in general in hip-hop music because it's a language of the street.
"It reflects life, and their art involves a lot of language that could be deemed objectionable." Still, Weiss said of the ban by Roberts’ management, "I'm glad they made a decision to take a stand.”
Respecting Ourselves
In a letter to the staff of WRBJ-FM, Chairman and Chief Executive Michael Roberts wrote that the Imus case "has certainly put new fire under the need to respect ourselves first -- specifically the hip-hop nation and rap music's role in desensitizing our country to derogatory comments toward women and each other."
Last Friday, hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons called a meeting in New York with other hip-hop chiefs to respond to the growing criticism of rap. He said that hip hop is a worldwide, cultural phenomenon that transcends race and doesn't engage in racial slurs.
“Don Imus' racially motivated diatribe toward the Rutgers Women's Basketball Team was in no way connected to hip-hop culture," he said. " ... Don Imus is not a hip-hop artist or a poet. Hip-hop artists rap about what they see, hear and feel around them, their experience of the world. Like the artists throughout history, their messages are a mirror of what is right and wrong with society. Sometimes their observations or the way in which they choose to express their art may be uncomfortable for some to hear, but our job is not to silence or censor that expression. Our job is to be an inclusive voice for the hip-hop community and to help create an environment that encourages the positive growth of hip hop."
Meanwhile, the Rev. Al Sharpton, who was due to present the James Brown Memorial Culture Impact Award to former Arista and current Island Def Jam boss L.A. Reid during the National Action Network's annual conference in New York this week, has cancelled the presentation and instead said he intends to focus his energies in targeting corporations that support "gutter rap."
Several rappers under Reid's label frequently use racial and sexual epithets.
Roberts Broadcasting Cos., LLC, operates broadcasting units including four television stations -- WRBU in St. Louis; WZRB in Columbia, S.C.; WAZE in Evansville, Ind.; WRBJ in Jackson, Miss.; and a hip-hop radio station, WRBJ-FM in Jackson, Miss. They also own an aviation company, shopping centers, hotels, construction firms and residential developments.
http://www.bet.com/News/RappersStation.htm?wbc_purpose=Basic&WBCMODE=Presentatio nUnpublished&Referrer=%7B03CE5360-2620-42CB-AD7E-77E4249C5FB7%7D |
Tonya
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 5324
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 23, 2007 - 06:10 pm: |
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My bad...IT'S A GOOD START...lol!! |
Libralind2
Veteran Poster
Username: Libralind2
Post Number: 783
Registered: 09-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 23, 2007 - 06:41 pm: |
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Too little to late..but Im not going to knock it.
LiLi |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 595
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 23, 2007 - 10:10 pm: |
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The genie is out of the bottle...
If Russell does not sell it someone will. What they gonna play in the strip club India Arie?
So what if this is not played on the radio -- radios best days are long gone. Are the going to now police Sirrus/XM radio, the internet? Make it against the law to listen to Gangasta rap, or any other type of rap some moral figure deems inappropriate?
Is it going to be Rev. Al, Russel Simmons who decides what Rap is worthy of being broadcast -- who annointed those cats to be responsible for what we can listen to?
First it is rappers next they will be after Chris Rock, and Cedric the Entertainer.
Look I'm not saying that B's and Ho's should be broadcast across our airwaves -- and if it were up to me it would not. But I would not presume that my taste should be imposed on anyone else.
The problem is not the rappers or the corporations or the advertisers -- it is us. We create the stuff and we buy it in fantastic numbers. You are not going to change this behavior but not broadcasting this stuff on the radio.
I bet you any amount of money that if you went into the Rutger's Girls locker room and pulled the first 5 ipods you saw; 5 out of 5 would have rap musics with crap far worst that what Imus said.
So Imus loses his job. Some New York City cops will probably lose their jobs for saying the same thing -- it is getting crazy.
Since when did we get so freaking sensitive!
Who cares what Imus said? Come on do you REALLY think they give a crap. Honestly I can;t even feign indignation.
We used to be strung up in trees. Now I'm supposed to be outraged by some crap Imus said that we say to each other?!
Do Black people even listem to Imus? I'm sure the ones that do probably chuckled, then forgot about it... Do we have to fire everybody that says something stupid. People listen to Imus becasue he says stupid things.
SO now Hip-Hop mogul Russell Simmons, after making Millions is calling for an end to "offensive words" in rap music? Gimme a break. There are so many ways to say offensive things without using a single obsenity.
I guess now we are going to have to bend over everytime someone says something that someone else finds "offensive".
People have become a bunch of punks. We are crying about Imas or what some rapper is saying and meanwhile we are failing in school, and filling up the prisons -- But hey we got Imus fired.
I guess now we have to go to the corners of the Earth and impose our new found righteousness on the rest of the rap listening world...
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Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 4607
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 23, 2007 - 11:59 pm: |
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Troy - Tuesday morning. Go tell your people at the day job that you quit. Stay in your room with the laptop and write a book. Tell your wife to bring you meals. Lots of protein and brain food. Your children should leave you alone. Don't open the drapes. Listen to Jazz. For thirty days. I will be your agent. 10% will be fine. I'll pimp your book on myspace. It will be one of those digital downloadable e-books. Everyone will buy it. I'll get you on Oprah. We can be gazillionaires. Your ish is so deep. Trust me.
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Urbanreviews
Newbie Poster
Username: Urbanreviews
Post Number: 35
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 10:46 am: |
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Well said Troy. I agree with you. Are they going to start pulling books off of the shelves that they deem inappropriate too?? I mean just how far are they going with this? At the end of the day, its all about what sells and if this brand of hip-hop sells then its going to keep getting produced. Don't get it twisted. Imus is off the air because the advertisers started pulling out and not because they care about African-American people and women. I finally saw the second Oprah Imus town hall meeting and I was rather disappointed. That proved that they weren't ready to have a real discussion about this topic because if they were then they would have had Diddy, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, or Snoop on there since they are the ones that use those words in their lyrics. They also should have had a cross section of college students and not just the Spellman women. Looks like everyone has their own agenda. |
Chrishayden
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 4228
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 11:16 am: |
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I think its time for the "Write what Chris Hayden Wouild Write on This Thread" Contest.
By now I am as predictable as--I don't know--Cynique.
Go ahead and write what I am going to say about this subject.
I'll give you a hint. It will probably contain the words "hypocrites", "Sellouts" and "self loathing negroes" |
Yvettep
Veteran Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1990
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 11:23 am: |
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LOLOLOLOLOL!!!!! |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 8413
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 12:08 pm: |
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Bravo, Troy! Thank you for having the guts to by-pass all of the politically-correct protocol by tellin it like is. Banning Rap will just send it underground, relegate it to the ranks of the forbidden fruit that folks of all ages will want to devour. Sociological problems don't have instant solutions. They have to evolve. Rap won't disappear but it is already starting to lose its impact because the market is becoming glutted and the material repetitive. IMO. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 8414
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 12:11 pm: |
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Poor ol chrishayden, without the safety net of his old stand by buzz words, he is in free-fall, left to do nothing but sputter! LMAO. |
Chrishayden
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 4237
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 02:40 pm: |
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Okay. Nobody wins but me.
After purveying loads of filth on the airwaves, having made his pile, Russell Simmons now sallies forth for cleanliness on the airwaves.
He is just like some old coots we know who campaign for chastity now that they can't get it up no more.
And he has about as much weight. |
Tonya
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 5328
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 05:28 pm: |
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Oprah's 100% right on this one.
Russell Simmons is still an asshole who’s just folding under pressure.
And women need step up in their own defense, and stop waiting for others to give a f*ck. |
Doberman23
Veteran Poster
Username: Doberman23
Post Number: 957
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 05:51 pm: |
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i will agree with imus that gangsta rap make him react a certain way if he starts selling crack and shooting up clubs (the good theme to any g-rap song) but until then he should shut up and take his consequences like a man. and russell simmons might as well retire if he thinks that rappers will not say stuff like that in their songs, because what he won't do another music producer will. |
Latina_wi
Regular Poster
Username: Latina_wi
Post Number: 336
Registered: 08-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - 11:18 am: |
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You know what Russell Simmons that really f u c k i n g offended the heck out of me? Denying the seriousness of diamond mines (which Akon also done - startingly as he is actually an African, maybe he is part of the hoi polloi who exploit the blood diamond situation, eh?).
Maybe Russ should address other comments he has made and stop preaching to the choir. Retard. |
Urbanreviews
Newbie Poster
Username: Urbanreviews
Post Number: 36
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - 11:48 am: |
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Russell Simmons is just a figure head. He's hasn't even signed an artist in 10yrs. He can only suggest that rappers clean up their act, he can't make them do anything. Oprah should have had the CEO of Viacom on the show since they own all of the music channels. Rap has gotten worse over the years and it does need to be cleaned up. But there is a fine line between deciding what's decent and censorship. People have to decide how far they want to go with this. Right now its hip-hop, tomorrow it might be books and not just urban-fiction either. Women are some of the main consumers of hip-hop. All women won't come together on this because we don't all feel the same way about this. |
Serenasailor
Veteran Poster
Username: Serenasailor
Post Number: 1527
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: 
Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - 01:57 pm: |
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See Troy that is were you are wrong. The problem is the Corporations. These corp. are zillionaires that are "pimping" out these young Black men to sell this "junk" to our children.
And these are White dominated corp. not Black. So they can care less about what is going on in our communities.
And I also find it a "weak" argument that if we take away some aspect of a negative cultural trait like gangsta [c]rap than we are going to start going after ppl like Chris Roc and Cedric the Entertainer ppl who have paid there dues and established themselves not only as comedians but as actors as well.
You are comparing "Apples to Oranges".
Cedric the Entertainer and Chris Roc are not some 19 year old kids who recently came into wealth by being able to rhyme words that sound like Bytch and Ho. Like many of these gangsta [c]rappers are.
I also heard that "weak" ass argument by some of Don Imus's Lacky's that if you search these girls I pod's that you will find some of this degrading music.
That really made me "ANGRY" to say the least. Who are YOU or ANYBODY else to assume that just because these are young Black women that they listen to gangsta [c]rap. That sounds a little racist in itself. To "pigeonhole" these young women who are working there way through college and biggest "crime" they ever committed was to lose a Basketball game.
But I do agree with you on one fact. That it is a little hypocritical for Russell Simmons one of the industries largest pimps to "all of a sudden" now want to "clean up" music.
However, one must realize that Russell Simmons "came of age" during a time when rap music was just an "extension" of Pop & Disco. Rap music was very different when Russell made most of his millions. It was dominated by groups like the Sugar Hill gang and even artist like Blondie were rapping.
Russell Simmons is just a "figurehead". To go after him is like going after the wrong person. |
Serenasailor
Veteran Poster
Username: Serenasailor
Post Number: 1528
Registered: 01-2006
Rating:
Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - 02:01 pm: |
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Another thing that I find a "little" disturbing Troy is that you are saying that just because Black ppl at one time were "hung off trees" that we should tolerate bigots like Imus calling us "Nappyheaded Ho's".
Now whether Black ppl listen to Imus or not what he said was inexcusable PERIOD!!!
Especially about a group of hardworking young women who are working there way through college and biggest "crime" was to lose a Basketball game. |
Renata
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Renata
Post Number: 2092
Registered: 08-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - 02:11 pm: |
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I don't get the big controversy. Radio stations have the right to play what they want, which is why you don't have that kind of rap on every channel. Heck, not even all black stations. The people who want to listen to it will just turn to another channel. Ratings will tell the stations how much people prefer listening to whatever they play. |
Tonya
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 5344
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - 02:25 pm: |
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These 'artists' aren't being "censored" anymore than the people are. They have the right to say what they want, but then so do we. And if it happens to lead to the cleansing of their music, or even the elimination of such, so be it. We are not taking away their rights to say what they must...we're just exercising our rights to do the same.
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Serenasailor
Veteran Poster
Username: Serenasailor
Post Number: 1532
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: 
Votes: 3 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - 02:49 pm: |
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I don't get the big controversy. Radio stations have the right to play what they want, which is why you don't have that kind of rap on every channel. Heck, not even all black stations. The people who want to listen to it will just turn to another channel. Ratings will tell the stations how much people prefer listening to whatever they play.
Again Renata I hate to bring it back to this because I have alot of respect for you but you are speaking from a lightskinned/mixed womans P.O.V not a Black P.O.V.
You are use to seeing positve images of yourself in society and in these rap videos. You are use to be portrayed as the "standard of beauty" for Black women and the height of fiminity for Black women.
When these rappers say "nappyheaded ho" they are not talking about you and you know that. |
Urbanreviews
Newbie Poster
Username: Urbanreviews
Post Number: 37
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - 03:34 pm: |
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And I also find it a "weak" argument that if we take away some aspect of a negative cultural trait like gangsta [c]rap than we are going to start going after ppl like Chris Roc and Cedric the Entertainer ppl who have paid there dues and established themselves not only as comedians but as actors as well.
You are comparing "Apples to Oranges".
Cedric the Entertainer and Chris Roc are not some 19 year old kids who recently came into wealth by being able to rhyme words that sound like Bytch and Ho. Like many of these gangsta [c]rappers are.
This is true but what's to stop someone from attacking Cedric The Entertainer, Chris Rock and other comics deeming their routines are all of a sudden not decent? Some of these hip-hop artists or heads of hip-hop labels like Jay Z and P. Diddy have been in the business for at least 10yrs so they would not say that they just came into their wealth. I understand what you're saying but where will the line be drawn? And who is going to be responsible for drawing that line? That's what I'm concerned about. |
Serenasailor
Veteran Poster
Username: Serenasailor
Post Number: 1533
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - 10:20 pm: |
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Yeah urban review 10 yrs compared to almost 30 years for Cedric the Entertainer and Chris Roc. I honestly don't think that they would attack these men because they have "paid their dues". Cedric the Entertainer had a sitcom for 6 yrs that was very "clean". And Chris Roc starred on one off televisions most successful comedy improv show "Saturday Night Live".
You can hardly compare them to "sleezy" characters like 50 cent, Snoop Dogg, and Too Short.
And if these brothas are making degrading comments about Black women, and children then they do deserve the same "fate" as some of these rappers. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 8437
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - 11:17 pm: |
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I take it you've never seen Chris Rock's and Cedric the Entertainer's
comedy specials, SS. Do you ever know what you're talking about??? |
Urbanreviews
Newbie Poster
Username: Urbanreviews
Post Number: 39
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 10:14 am: |
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Serenasailor, its all about perception. People aren't going to care if these or other comics have "paid their dues" if they think that their routines are not decent. You think 50 Cent, Snoop, and Too Short are sleazy which is fine but what if someone thinks that Chris Rock's Never Scared, or Bigger and Blacker is not decent or sleazy? What if they decide to never show or sell those routines again? I'm not sure if you've ever seen these two comics routines but they are funny and I like them. But under this whole what is decent and what is not debate, someone might see their comedy as offensive. All I'm saying is that this is going down a slippery slope that everyone is not going to be prepared for when it dips into other things besides hip-hop.
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 9342
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 10:28 am: |
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I'm probably as doubtful as most are about how effective Simmons' attempting to clean up hip-hop will be. But I find it interesting that the man is being dissed for at least trying to take a step in a positive direction. Perhaps it will be ineffectual. And perhaps he is being self-serving. But if it causes just a few would-be gangsta hip-hoppers to tweak their delivery some, won't that be a good thing? |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 609
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: 
Votes: 3 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 01:24 pm: |
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Serenasailor you missed my points on many levels Corporations are source of the problem they, like Russell Simmons, like Bob Johnson are capitalizing on a condition that exists in our community. Sure corporation are exacerbating this condition, but they are not the cause.
Urbanreviews’ clarification about my point on Cedric and Chris was sufficient.
I did not hear the argument regarding the girls IPods by Imus lackey’s. However I would still be willing to bet real money, were it possible. You see Serenasailor, the obscenities in the music is SO prevalent the odds are that if they have any rap music on they it will contain something more offensive than Imus’ comment. Imus’ lackey’s and the rest of the Western world know this too. Indeed, if my two teenage daughter’s Ipods were scanned the result would be the same. I’m not disparaging the girls basketball team (I sorry you could not assume that as a given) or my daughters it is more a comment on the state of the industry.
Re: Russell Simmons – at least we agree about something (smile).
Regarding the “hung off trees" the point here is was too fold (1) we had thicker skin at one time and (2) in comparison Imus’ remarks is not worthy of our time and effort given the more pressing problems in our community. Imus uttered a handful of words and we are going ballistic. I just think our efforts are misguided. But the controversy did bring to light out ignoring the rap music issue – we will see what happens.
ABM, I can say with all certainty that Russell Simmon’s will have no impact on the creation of so called “gansta” rap. Again, I’m not trying to dis him. I’m just saying that neither he or Sharpton will prevent this. Even if those three words are baned from the radio. This won’t even be a band aid on the underying problem.
Here’s the thing, many of us (including myself) were raised with the thug or ghetto mentality. This might sound crazy but I know it is true because I experienced it; and based upon what I’m reading and hearing things have gotten worse.
For example, the whole snitchin mentality we are hearing about is nothing new. When I grew up if you and one of your boys stole something from a store; and one got caught you did not squeal on your boy. Today it seems this as now extended to include all citizens. Cameron is respected because he would not snitch on a mass murderer living next door – insane.
I was raised (by my peers) to believe the more girls you could have sex with the better. The more girls you could get to have your baby the better. Speaking proper English and doing well in school was acting white. Hanging out late drinking and shooting craps in the stairwell was a good use of your time. Going to jail was not bad it shows how tough you were. A man should physically fight another man if the other man dissed him. Only soft men listen did what a woman asked him to do. Cops were to be avoided. Stealing was ok as long as it was not someone you knew. Get over as much as possible.
The only way to avoid this is to not hang in the streets. When I was a kids those kids that did not hang in the street were considered punks. When I pulled away during my high school years it was hard because I missed hanging out, in retrospect I believe most of my boys was glad I escaped. Fundamentally they believed more in me than they did in themselves…
But the influence of my youth long lasting when NWA came out with Straight out of Compton – despite being in my early twenties THAT was one of my favorite rap albums I STILL listen to it. Too Short freaky rhymes (I think that was what it was called) was like a Richard Pryor album – you listen to it in the basement. But I also loved Public Enemy too They all spoke to me though in different ways.
Ok I’m rambling…
But the bottom line is that things are getting worse. The rap reflects the culture, albeit exaggerated, but it reflects the culture not the other way around. You want to change the music – change the culture. I don’t know how to do this any more than Simmons or Sharpton. But I do know forcing rap artists to change the words in their rhymes will definitely not do it.
What will definitely help is a consistent moral outrage. We can’t get Imus fired and slap ourselves on the wrist. Nothing will change unless we are prepared to treat rap artists the same way we treated Imus. I know we are prepared to do that today….
Troy
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 8440
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 01:53 pm: |
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An excellent testimony, well-worth the reading, Troy. Hummmm.  |
Chrishayden
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 4251
Registered: 03-2004
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 02:05 pm: |
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Criticism turns to Hip Hop, Russell Simmons Creates the Perfect Dodge (6 comments )
by Eric Deggans
It's the best head fake I've ever seen in a media debate.
Well aware that all the folks P.O.-ed by the tsunami of outrage that kneecapped Don Imus' career would soon turn to gangsta rap to settle the score, onetime rap impresario Russell Simmons came up with a public relations move that proves why he was always the slickest operator in hip hop.
Simmons' solution? Let's ban all the words that upset people -- from the clean versions of hip hop singles.
He's been talking to media outlets everywhere about his plan for deleting "ho," "•••••" and "••••••" from the already highly edited "clean" versions of rap records played on the radio. It's a great dodge for the hip hop industry for several reasons.
1) It focuses people on the specific words rather than the ideas behind the words. You don't have to debate how women are treated in rap lyrics if you boil it down to banning a few words from versions of songs that the vast majority of hip hop fans don't buy, anyway.
2) It takes responsiblity for the material from the artist who created the song to some nameless record company editor patching together a radio-friendly single. The artists -- who are still Simmons' main constituency -- don't have to change a thing.
3) It allows folks like Simmons to keep playing the philanthropist to the wider world without challenging rap artists to really adopt new messages or tell stories in a different way.
4) It allows gangsta rap artists to keep filling their albums and non-radio product with the same awful messages for fans, while cleaning up the product most likely to reach those who are criticizing hip hop -- the stuff played on the radio.
Like I said, masterful.
Unfortunately, this latest gambit isn't even a band-aid. Sooner or later, rap artists must learn how to preserve their creativity and vital spirit while chilling out on the more harmful messages. Once upon a time. gangsta rap opened the world's eyes to the desperae rhythms of impoverished neighborhoods the mainstream had forgotten; now it's a marketing tool that clocks millions for companies and artists which drench their product in violence and antisocial images.
That's what keeps some black folks -- even rap artists who have forsaken violent or misogynistic language themselves -- from criticizing gangsta rappers too harshly. In a debate with Bill O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh on one side, with Russell Simmons and Snoop Dogg on the other, it's not hard to see which side most hip hop fans would find most comfortable.
In a better world, old heads like Simmons would be helping the young bloods figure this out, instead of trying to head fake the critics. But sometimes, it's hard to take the hustle out of a hardcore entrepreneur.
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Jmho
Regular Poster
Username: Jmho
Post Number: 207
Registered: 03-2004
Rating:
Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 04:32 pm: |
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Troy wrote:
You want to change the music – change the culture.
But isn't music one aspect of the culture? |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 8445
Registered: 01-2004
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 05:25 pm: |
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Gangsta rap is supposedly spawned by the culture. Change what produced the thug culture and the next generation will free style about their improved conditions. LOL |
Tonya
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Username: Tonya
Post Number: 5358
Registered: 07-2006
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 06:58 pm: |
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April 26, 2007
Are You a Hip Hop Apologist?
"When Did It Become Par for the Corporate Course that 'Black Man as Thug' and 'Black Woman as Slut' be Business as Usual?"
By PARIS
Since the Imus controversy erupted there has been a lot of finger-pointing and blame-placing as to what the root of the problem really is. Of course, we all know that racism and sexism existed before hip-hop -- that's a given. But it's completely beside the point when our (black) culture is dictated to us by white corporations. Follow me...
For the record, most folks in our communities didn't even know Don Imus before he made headlines with his slurs (and many still don't). For the most part, we remain oblivious to the tirades of him, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity and others who constantly malign us and foster a climate of intolerance simply because these talking heads don't speak to US. For Imus to blame black culture as being the reason for his ignorance is both sad and backwards. He's a racist and a sexist, pure and simple, and he can't blame an art form or a culture that I'm certain he has little knowledge of for his actions. The fact that he named hip-hop "culture" as a culprit is telling, however.
If you haven't noticed by now, life imitates art -- it's not the other way around. There is no stronger cultural influence on people now than popular media, and hip-hop is at the forefront. Ask almost any child about the lyrics to a popular song or a scene from a video or movie and more often then not they will know the details better than they know their school lessons. Entertainers and the culture of celebrity that we find ourselves living in often hold more weight with kids than parents, educators, preachers politicians or even sports heroes. Can we blame some rappers for selling completely out? Of course. Be we have to look at the entire picture.
The argument is often made by Russell Simmons and others that rappers are poets who simply report on what they feel and their surroundings, and that they shouldn't be censored. As an emcee, on that point we partially agree -- we shouldn't be censored. But balance between the negative and positive needs to be provided, and it currently isn't. Most artistic integrity is questionable at best. My understanding is that artists are supposed to express what they believe in at all costs (if not, there's work at the post office). But most don't, and they mold their approaches to making music based on what they perceive major labels want. If Def Jam or Interscope or any of these other large culture-defining companies issued a blanket decree that they would only support material and artists with positive messages then 99% of those making music now would switch up to accommodate.
That's real talk.
I'm not saying these labels should (or would), but if they did, gangstas would stop being gangstas and misogynists would stop being misogynists at the drop of a DIME. Many artists are like children, and most will say and do what is expected of them in order to benefit financially. And although there is definite self-examination that needs to take place within the artist community, the lion's share of the blame falls on the enablers who only empower voices of negativity. Record labels and commercial radio often use the excuse that they are "responding to the streets" and that they are "giving the people what they want." BULLSHIT. They dictate the taste of the streets, and people can't miss what they never knew. The fact is that there are conscious decisions made by the big business and entertainment elite daily about what to present to the masses -- and it is from those choices that we are allowed to decide what we do and do not like. Who presents the music that callers are invited to "make or break" on the radio? That callers are invited to "vote on" on T.V.? Who decides on what makes it to the store shelves or the airwaves at all? Like I said, life imitates art, and pseudo-black culture is determined by those other than us every day. Walk into any rap label or urban radio station and you can count the number of black employees on one hand.
The argument in response could be made in defense of labels that if they don't respond to the streets then the music will just go underground. Huh? WHAT underground? Do you know how much good material is marginalized because it doesn't fit white cooperate America's ideals of acceptability? Independents can't get radio or video play anymore, at least not through commercial outlets, and most listeners don't acknowledge material that they don't see or hear regularly on the radio or on T.V. Very few of us are willing to actually seek out material and messages to identify with. As with anything in our fast food culture, we want our entertainment choices fast and in our collective face. For most listeners, all the rest need not apply.
What I want to know is, when did the worst in us become normal and accepted? When did it become par for the corporate course that "black man as thug" and "black woman as slut" be business as usual? Major companies now line up to profit from the buffoonery of a few...at the expense of us all. MTV, Viacom, Clear Channel, Boost Mobile, Amp mobile, Chevy, all major record labels and most video games come readily to mind, but there are many others.
I'm not a hater--although I do hate the imbalance in the industry right now and the negativity it fosters. I'm not calling for censorship. You can't lump me in with the Jesse Lee Petersons and the Armstrong Williamses of the world--bourgeois self-hating black men who demean other black people and profit at our expense. And nobody can say that I'm unqualified to speak on it, since I've contributed to the sale of just under 4 million albums independently, still run my own successful counter-establishment label (www.guerrillafunk.com) and have been embracing messages of self-esteem and self-sufficiency for years.
Like I said, I'm not calling for censorship, but I am calling for balance. I'm calling for more representation of points of view other than gangsta rap and escapism. More revolutionary voices. More voices of women. Where is the diversity? Music can only be kept artificially young and artificially dumb for so long before an inevitable backlash ensues, and that's what we're seeing take place now. Overall album sales for the January 1-April 2 period are down 16.6% -- with a 20.5% decline in CD album sales since last year -- and an even greater decline in hip-hop. Since LAST YEAR (and it was already raggedy last year, believe me). We're seeing the industry implode before our eyes. I heard somebody say recently that in this current era of style over substance Stevie Wonder, Parliament/Funkadelic, Earth, Wind & Fire, Curtis Mayfield and others would never have been signed. Let that sink in for a second. They would never have been signed. Some of the very architects of black music as we know it would have been sidelined too, just as countless others are now, because they wouldn't have fit into white corporate America's cookie-cutter feel-good box of acceptable black behavior and appearance. Same goes for me, Public Enemy (they'll take the Flav, but not the Chuck), Kam, X-Clan, BDP, Wise Intelligent, dead prez, Zion-I, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, The Roots, Blackalicious, Immortal Technique, The Coup, T-K.A.S.H., Michael Franti and a host of others.
So how many half-naked women sipping Cris draped in blood diamonds poolside will it take before we collectively agree that shit is tired now? How many backward-ass coons with tats and plated grills and pimp cups etc. in the strip club before we all agree that enough is enough and that we need balance? When did the bar get set so low? When will we demand more? And as for Simmons' argument that "rappers are reporting what they see" etc, how are cocaine-kingpin rhymes or poolside pimp-nigga fantasies anyone's reality? Miss me with that bullshit argument. Yes, there should be room for all voices to be heard, but we have to be treated and presented equally. Now we have bitches and hos, players and pimps, gangstas and dealers -- but no kings and queens, no revolutionaries, no dissent, no political commentary and no anger -- how is that? In an era where EVERYTHING is political and people are more disgusted with the way things are more than ever? It's no mistake. Yes I can say that we have failed, that we have allowed black culture to once again be co-opted, diluted and prostituted. Commercial rap culture is now to hip-hop is what disco was to funk. No wonder Nas is saying it's dead.
And who's to blame? Definitely not artists like the ones mentioned above. Not most artists at all, actually, because we don't control whether or not we're seen and heard by the masses. No, the blame needs to squarely sit on the shoulders of those who run the labels, the commercial radio stations, the television studios and the large corporate sponsors who reward only the worst in us and seem hell-bent on pursuing (with little success) the most fleeting, fickle demographic of all -- 12-16 year old adolescent females. You know, the demo that's the most impressionable, with the least amount of loyalty or disposable income. Brilliant.
Know that it's okay to call shit like it is and quit being cowards worrying about who we'll offend. It's okay to blame Simmons, Lyor Cohen, Jimmy Iovine, Antonio "L.A." Reid, Kevin Liles, Bob Johnson, Debra Lee, Michael Martin and others of their ilk because the blood is on their hands. They are the gatekeepers of popular culture and they are the ones who determine what you see and hear. They can't say that their decisions are based on economics when they exclude voices of reason because there are literally hundreds of millions of people globally who feel the same way. What about that consumer base? I guess that money is no good, huh? •••• outta here... Remember, part of the strategy of mind control is to fool the public into thinking that they have choice. We do, but the playing field is so skewed in the favor of mega-corps that the contributions of the alternatives are often viewed by most as insignificant.
So yes, there is a problem, but the fake "Kumbaya" moment on Oprah recently won't solve it. Are we really going to look to those individuals who have made a killing off of pushing poison to us to fix the problem? We shouldn't. Instead, we should vote with our dollars and continue the campaign of public shame until we see some concrete change. The music industry as we know it is on its death bed. People are now more tired than ever of 'music business as usual' and style over substance.
Imus was an insignificant part of a much greater problem. Sure, his incident opened up national discourse regarding issues of race and sex. And yes, it is now more apparent than ever that whites have a hard time acknowledging racist and sexist behavior in other whites as being solely their fault. Most black artists are not to blame, as we often can't been seen or heard without white help. But it's important to note that many of us can and should know better when saying and doing the things we say and do. It's easy to despise the indefensible, and media outlets like Fox News have made good money demonizing those with little real power.
But will we champion the good among us?
Paris is a successful independent hip-hop artist and founder of Guerilla Funk Recordings, a musical organization that counters the corporate stranglehold of censorship currently plaguing the entertainment industry. This article originally appeared in hip-hop artist Paris web site for his record label, Guerilla Funk.
http://www.counterpunch.org/paris04262007.html |
Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 2174
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 08:42 pm: |
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"Are You a Hip Hop Apologist?"
The writer of the made that perfectly clear. This Negro is part of the problem. As long as he openly and passionately spews this type of cheap excuse making and finger pointing, black Americans are doomed to experiencing a non-stop carassale of projection coonology and tired ass excuse making for the nauseating black trash their children are being inundated with. Glad I don't have to deal with it.
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Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 612
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 11:59 pm: |
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Jmho, yes the music as Cynique clarified is driven by the culture.
I quickly read the article by Paris. While the corporations are a catalyst they are NOT the cause. I truly believe if Talib Kweli sold more records that 50 cent we would not be having this discussion.
Record companies do not define our tastes they identify them and capitalize on them. Diddy, Simmons, Bob Johnson, Jay Z, et al are gazillionaires because they knew what people liked before the corporations did. Where is Motown and Stax when you need them…
Have you heard some of the gospel music lately? Shoot have you been to a church lately? Pastors argue that they need a full band, dancers and rappers to appeal to a younger audience... I’m not making a value judgment, just an observation. My culture is changing before right before my eyes.
Things that were taboo when I was a kid are celebrated now. The music reflects that.
The worst part is that things are changing so quickly elders can make moral judgments on the young anymore. We are already played out, passé. There is are no universally cultural norms accepted across the generations. If there is a 10 years difference in age the rules are all different.
When I was a kid if an unmarried teenage girl had a baby, there was shame. Today it is celebrated, in fact there are special high schools to accommodate the teenage mothers. If you dare express outrage you are accused of being uncompassionate. So the behavior continues until something forces it to stop.
It is the same with our books. AALBC’s best sellers list are dominated by sex and urban/street lit. This happened not because I decided I wanted to sell more urban sex books. It happened because that is what people started buying. I don’t even have to check, but I’m sure Karrine Steffans’ Video Vixen book http://aalbc.com/reviews/karrine_steffans.htm the all time best selling book on AALBC.com.
Clearly this is what people want to read. Now the "evil corporations" are looking for more of the same and will keep doing so until the well runs dry. They will look for the next Karrine Steffans, they will try to squeeze more stories out of her. Of course this will encourage her to tell even more stories -- making them even spicier than before to satisfy our insatable appetite. In fact it will even encourage other to do the same ala Nas’ ex girl.
Kensington signed urban books, Simon and Shuster signed G-Unit, St Martins signed Relentless Aaron and the arms race continues as each tries to get a little piece of the pie (*I’m writing off the top of my head, so I may have may be off on my publisher alliances)
Personally I feel what Karrine did was f’ed up I don’t even own her book. I don’t read urban fiction or sex novels (Of course I’ve read a few to speak intelligently about them).
Once people stop buying rap music with self degrading lyrics corporation will stop selling them and writers will have no incentive to keep writing them in such abundance.
Tell me; why do rap songs with the most f’ed up lyrics have the best beats?
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Yukio
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Yukio
Post Number: 2309
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 27, 2007 - 04:34 am: |
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i don't know...everyone is to blame and no one is to blame...next! |
Chrishayden
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 4263
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 27, 2007 - 02:50 pm: |
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black Americans are doomed to experiencing a non-stop carassale of projection coonology and tired ass excuse making for the nauseating black trash their children are being inundated with.
(Not as nauseating as death metal or hillbilly music.) |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 8453
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 27, 2007 - 03:30 pm: |
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If I didn't know better I'd think what chrishayden asserted were the words of a white sociologist - or even a self-loathing negro. Will wonders never cease?? |
Serenasailor
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Username: Serenasailor
Post Number: 1536
Registered: 01-2006
Rating:
Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 29, 2007 - 04:23 pm: |
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See thats where you are wrong troy Hip-Hop is not a "reflection" of the Black community it is an "exploitation" of it. Because if it was a "reflection" than the ppl it's "reflecting" would be the "beneficiaries" of it. Instead these White/Jewish "wigger" CEO's are "pimping out these young Black men and getting rich off of Black ppl's "pain and suffering".
I will also agree that these [c]rappers deserve the same punishment that Don Imus got. |
Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 2183
Registered: 10-2005
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 29, 2007 - 05:02 pm: |
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"....Hip-Hop is not a "reflection" of the Black community it is an "exploitation" of it."
This is absolutely true. No doubt about it......
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Serenasailor
Veteran Poster
Username: Serenasailor
Post Number: 1539
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: 
Votes: 3 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 12:44 am: |
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But this is also what upsets me about you NTFS. Your hatred of Hip-Hop is not about the "exploitation" of women or Black ppl. It is about you not wanting to "look bad" in front of your White/Non-Black counterparts.
Thats one of the main reasons why nobody takes the critics of Hip-Hop seriously. Because the way these [c]rappers and these Hip-Hop corps. have "spun it" is that they have made Black ppl like out as the "Black Burgiouesy" and these [c]rappers as the "real heroes" of the "free world".
Out of no disrespect NTFS your reasons are disingenuious. Sorry if my spelling is wrong. But that is how I feel. |
Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 2202
Registered: 10-2005
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 09:14 pm: |
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”But this is also what upsets me about you NTFS. Your hatred of Hip-Hop is not about the "exploitation" of women or Black ppl.”
Ummm….How do you know that? What proof can you provide to substantiate that accusation? You can’t! But for the record, you are wrong…..DEAD WRONG!! My disdain for so-called gangsta rap stems from its shameless, ruthless blaxploitation and degradation of black women (and women in general). I detest the negative imagery it promotes to unsupervised and impressionable young people. It’s sickening seeing these buffoon coons proudly flashing high powered bling and diamond studded grills, driving souped-up cars and SUVs, flashing weapons, angrily gesticulating at the camera, and cavorting with mindless gyrating hoochies. The devastating impact this nihilistic culture of anti-intellectualism, anti-morals, thuggish criminal glorification, misogyny and simple minded harlequin behavior, can never be over stated. So you are wrong about my reasoning for disliking the cyanide (hip hop) of black America.
”It is about you not wanting to "look bad" in front of your White/Non-Black counterparts.”
Uh huh….and you an prove this? Why would you think I am concerned about these nimrod Negroes making me look bad? How could they possibly do this? You have accused me of this before so let me set the record straight once and for all: I HAVE NO INTEREST IN WHAT WHITES THINK OF THE COON CLOWN CULTURE (HIP-HOP). THEIR THOUGHTS OR BELIEFS ARE OF NO CONCERN TO ME. THIS IS AN ISSUE WHICH HAS HAD A DEVASTAING IMPACT ON A GENERATION OF YOUNG BLACKS. THAT IS MY CONCERN. NOT WHAT WHITE PEOPLE THINK! My concern centers on what black people are experiencing in their families and communities as a result of a thug culture gone wild –NOT WHAT WHITE PEOPLE THINK! Got it? I hope we are clear on this now.
”Thats one of the main reasons why nobody takes the critics of Hip-Hop seriously. Because the way these [c]rappers and these Hip-Hop corps. have "spun it" is that they have made Black ppl like out as the "Black Burgiouesy" and these [c]rappers as the "real heroes" of the "free world".”
Not sure what you are trying to say here. But there is a growing tide of consternation and disgust with the blatant vicious misogyny and street thug celebration among blacks. I’m glad to see this. Despite our glaring differences, I think this is something we can both agree on.
”Out of no disrespect NTFS your reasons are disingenuious. Sorry if my spelling is wrong. But that is how I feel.”
No problem. I’ve made my position very clear. Perhaps you were not aware of what I really believe. Hopefully this post clears it up for you.
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Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 630
Registered: 01-2004
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 03, 2007 - 12:48 am: |
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Urbanreviews I just noticed this comment: "Oprah should have had the CEO of Viacom" Now that would have been a good idea. But is would not have resulted in any contrition or admission of culpability – not when stock holder must be reckoned with.
Serenasailor, I still believe hip-hip reflects the culture. Of course hip-hop is being exploited for money. We are seeing the worst part of the culture being reflected. The more money that pours in that negative more that aspect of the culture is reinforced. This continues to spiral until some screams uncle.
Consider the following:
Urban/Street literature is some of the most popular literature sold on this web site. These best selling books are penned by the likes of Vicki Stringer, Nikki Turner, and Terri Woods (by the way if you are going to sell street fiction your first name better end in the letter "i"). When I said “If I did not thing else but sell Nikki Turner books AALBC..com would be profitable”, I was not exaggerating.
Of course, these are not the only books I sell, but one could argue that I am contributing to the degeneration of our culture by providing an outlet for selling book that "glamorize" criminal behavior. Would they be right?
Suppose I decided to build a web pages (Author Profiles) to for each of these authors, to highlight their tremendous success. At the same time I also know their content will drive more traffic to the site (read: generate more advertising revenue) and additional books sales. Would they be right then?
Because I contribute to raising the visibility of the authors I’m indirectly encouraging others to follow the same path. What should I do? Remove all of the authors with first names ending in “I” from the web site. But wait, these books were selling even before they were on AALBC.com -- maybe I’d have to block all orders for urban fiction. At the same time I would be reducing revenues and eliminating the ability to promote the more literary authors.
I might as well start a not for profit and have the Viacom CEO, Mr. Simmons donate money to assuage his guilt about doing the same thing with Rap music, that, one could argue, I’m doing with books.
Does this make sense to anyone? Bottom line you can ‘t have the amount of freedom we have without someone selling, doing or saying something you do not like. Would you rather live in a totalitarian state or how about a religious fundamentalist state?
Lately I'm been hearing more and more complaints about urban/street fiction. People are becoming more vocal in their disapproval -- it will be interesting to see where this goes. There seems to be no effect on sales…
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Serenasailor
Veteran Poster
Username: Serenasailor
Post Number: 1553
Registered: 01-2006
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 03, 2007 - 07:30 pm: |
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Hey NTFS If I am wrong then, I am very sorry. But I have not once heard you say that your reasons for hating Hip-Hop is its treatment of women(especially Black). Which I think you already have a pretty low opinion of anyway.
But again if I am wrong then I am sorry. |
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