Post by LIFE AND DEATH on May 16, 2005 13:49:18 GMT -5
First it was Ludacris.
Then Snoop.
Who's Next?
TV and radio talk show t Bill O'Reilly and his loyal fanatical following have managed in a period of two months to force or heavily influence the loss of income by two prominent African American men.
At first I was hesitant to address this issue because the attack was clothed in the cloak of decency and "protecting America's children". Citing unsuitable rap lyrics and calling Ludacris a "thug", O'Reilly launched a quick but calculated plan. His goal, to remove Ludacris as a spokesman for Pepsi. In less than a day he achieved his mission. Pepsi was back-pedaling and Ludacris lost a lucrative contract.
Believing O'Reilly used his position of power and influence in a careless fashion, I assumed his power move was complete and his ability to pull this feat again was null and void. It was my feeling that this was a cheap stunt!
Wrong!
Instead of settling, he set his sights on a new target, Calvin Broadus (aka Snoop) who was scheduled to play a role in an upcoming Muppets special. Snoop found himself in the scope of O'Reilly's ranting and raving. O'Reilly questioned the Jim Henson company's choice to include Snoop in the production citing his credentials and history were unsuitable for a Muppets' movie.
Shortly thereafter, Snoop was history and my internal alarms began to go off!
Although the Jim Henson Company states the decision was not due to any negative publicity they felt they would receive they did send the O'Reilly Factor information regarding Snoop's dismissal. (Was it to avoid negative publicity?)
O'Reilly, in a McCarthy-like fashion, has begun to systematically target African American males. We are currently in an age where politicians such as Rep. Cynthia McKinney and Rep. Earl Hilliard are being isolated and removed from office by outside interests and US citizens are facing increasing criticism and censure for not "toeing the official line" of the powers that be. It should be apparent that the Ludacris-Snoop incidents aren't a blip on the screen but an ongoing movement that fosters social, political and economic disenfranchisement.
Regardless of feelings for Ludacris or Snoop's music African Americans should realize that while some consider these incidents as minor they are actually major "slaps" in the face. If the Black community allows this to occur without a struggle, it sets a precedent and demonstrates to te who are not as bold as O'Reilly that they can disenfranchise Black people, especially males, and nothing will happen.
Today it's rap artists, which some may find hard to defend due to controversial or negative lyrics, but soon it can extend beyond the range of hip-hop or outspoken politicians. It can easily trickle down to the Black masses once O'Reilly types begin to think that if the most powerful and visible of African Americans cannot defend themselves then ordinary African Americans will fare much worse.
Persecution doesn't exclude honorable and upright individuals.
In addition, one has to ponder if there is a correlation between the increasing power of hip-hop as a mobilizer of black youth (or youth period) and recent efforts to cripple their influence in the community. Increasingly, politicians are working with the hip-hop community and as more hip-hop listeners/artists become older and gain clout due to education, businesses and other means the Black community must analyze and combat individuals such as O'Reilly who prey on Black America.
It is time to stop allowing individuals such as Bill O'Reilly and his merry band of censors to use their bully pulpits to economically, socially and politically disenfranchise the Black community without receiving a taste of their own medicine.
African Americans have to realize their own strength and "turn the tables" on these individuals. Bill O'Reilly has sponsors too! Everyone answers to someone else. The people who fund him or provide him with his ting jobs can also experience the pressure and wrath of a community that's tired of being regulated and mistreated. For a change, why not make someone answer to you!
Then Snoop.
Who's Next?
TV and radio talk show t Bill O'Reilly and his loyal fanatical following have managed in a period of two months to force or heavily influence the loss of income by two prominent African American men.
At first I was hesitant to address this issue because the attack was clothed in the cloak of decency and "protecting America's children". Citing unsuitable rap lyrics and calling Ludacris a "thug", O'Reilly launched a quick but calculated plan. His goal, to remove Ludacris as a spokesman for Pepsi. In less than a day he achieved his mission. Pepsi was back-pedaling and Ludacris lost a lucrative contract.
Believing O'Reilly used his position of power and influence in a careless fashion, I assumed his power move was complete and his ability to pull this feat again was null and void. It was my feeling that this was a cheap stunt!
Wrong!
Instead of settling, he set his sights on a new target, Calvin Broadus (aka Snoop) who was scheduled to play a role in an upcoming Muppets special. Snoop found himself in the scope of O'Reilly's ranting and raving. O'Reilly questioned the Jim Henson company's choice to include Snoop in the production citing his credentials and history were unsuitable for a Muppets' movie.
Shortly thereafter, Snoop was history and my internal alarms began to go off!
Although the Jim Henson Company states the decision was not due to any negative publicity they felt they would receive they did send the O'Reilly Factor information regarding Snoop's dismissal. (Was it to avoid negative publicity?)
O'Reilly, in a McCarthy-like fashion, has begun to systematically target African American males. We are currently in an age where politicians such as Rep. Cynthia McKinney and Rep. Earl Hilliard are being isolated and removed from office by outside interests and US citizens are facing increasing criticism and censure for not "toeing the official line" of the powers that be. It should be apparent that the Ludacris-Snoop incidents aren't a blip on the screen but an ongoing movement that fosters social, political and economic disenfranchisement.
Regardless of feelings for Ludacris or Snoop's music African Americans should realize that while some consider these incidents as minor they are actually major "slaps" in the face. If the Black community allows this to occur without a struggle, it sets a precedent and demonstrates to te who are not as bold as O'Reilly that they can disenfranchise Black people, especially males, and nothing will happen.
Today it's rap artists, which some may find hard to defend due to controversial or negative lyrics, but soon it can extend beyond the range of hip-hop or outspoken politicians. It can easily trickle down to the Black masses once O'Reilly types begin to think that if the most powerful and visible of African Americans cannot defend themselves then ordinary African Americans will fare much worse.
Persecution doesn't exclude honorable and upright individuals.
In addition, one has to ponder if there is a correlation between the increasing power of hip-hop as a mobilizer of black youth (or youth period) and recent efforts to cripple their influence in the community. Increasingly, politicians are working with the hip-hop community and as more hip-hop listeners/artists become older and gain clout due to education, businesses and other means the Black community must analyze and combat individuals such as O'Reilly who prey on Black America.
It is time to stop allowing individuals such as Bill O'Reilly and his merry band of censors to use their bully pulpits to economically, socially and politically disenfranchise the Black community without receiving a taste of their own medicine.
African Americans have to realize their own strength and "turn the tables" on these individuals. Bill O'Reilly has sponsors too! Everyone answers to someone else. The people who fund him or provide him with his ting jobs can also experience the pressure and wrath of a community that's tired of being regulated and mistreated. For a change, why not make someone answer to you!