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Showing posts with label Black. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Black. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Lupe Fiasco Didn't Vote For President Obama

If you are Black and reading this I am sure you have been in conversations regarding being Black and supporting (voting) for the President because he is Black. I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion, that is, when they vote; otherwise, its really wasted space. Take a look at  musical artist Lupe Fiasco and what he had to say regarding his decision to not vote for President Obama? Do you think that mentality hurts or helps? Did you vote or did you have the same thoughts he did?


Lupe Fiasco didn't vote for President Obama. In fact, he didn't vote for any President. The video clip of Lupe being interviewed by Tim Westwood talking about President Obama and United States foreign policy is making its way across the internet with an interesting message.
Photo courtesy of Atlantic Records 
 
"I haven't voted for anybody, for that matter," the rapper answered when asked if he voted for President Obama. "The American federal government, the American system, America's foreign policy is something I can't [support]. When you vote for that person, you vote for that."

Lupe continued, taking his position a step further. "If you look at it, like, the taxes pay for everything. The taxes that I pay, I'm paying for bombs. Lupe's paying for American bombs. I don't want to represent that. I don't want to have that blood on my hands."

Although Lupe is moreso expressing his disgust with American politics than he is with the Pres, he does talk specifically about Obama. "One of the first things Barack Obama said as President-elect was that we gotta get out of Iraq, and instead of saying we've got to get out of Iraq, we've got to get Afghanistan, and come with a more cordial non-military way to end these kind of problems. [He said] we need to go out of Iraq and get to the real war in Afghanistan and I was just like, 'here we go, same ol' ol.'"
So is it counterproductive to the cause for an opinionated rapper like Lupe (who happens to also be from Chicago) to make these statements about the country's first Black President? Probably not. But for Lupe, it's just a critique. "I have no problem critiquing my fellow brother or anybody. I'll critique Bush. I'll critique Clinton.... I'll critique anybody that's in a position of power that in some instances is not looking out for the better of the people," he said in the Tim Westwood interview.

For his upcoming album "Lasers" (scheduled to be released on March 8), there is a song called "All Black Everything," where he talks about reparations, creating a story behind the idea of slaves getting paid. As one of few rappers who actually has something to say, Lupe is no stranger to tackling these type of political issues. Now, all he has to do is start voting for them.

SOURCE: www.BET.COM 

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

Why the Glorification of Thug life in Hip-hop music contributes to lack of respect in the Black Community?

-Romaro Spivey

After work the other day I was watching BET’s 106 and Park and the number 3 video came on which was Welcome to my hood by Dj Khaled. Normally, I would just turn but this time I decided to listen to the lyrics and watch the video. Although I found the beat to be catching I found the lyrics to be so negatively influential.  Here we have a song that is glorifying the “HOOD” as being something good because it is the hot spot, the place where N*ggas rob, cable is stole, and half of the people on papers (probation for some criminal activity).  Here are few lyrics from the song:

(part of Plies’ verse): If you aint from the hood, bitch, than stop impersonating us
And tell congress when you see 'em I'm stealin' cable
And leave the D-Boys alone 'cause they motivate us
And why is the half of my whole hood on papers
Some are on house arrest, some are on child support
Some of 'em did they bit, the other half waiting to go to court
Mr Landlord we gon bust your ass with an eviction note
Better have the police with you dog, if you came to repo

(part of Ric Ross’ verse) I got possession of a federal offence
I'm talking pressure in my criminal intent
So wear ya vest's and I'm still gon' stunt
Like it aint no tomorrow, f-ck ya house note n-gga
Blow that bitch on a bottle

I understand that this is America and we are entitled to freedom of speech; however, in a day and time when so many of our young Black men are being raised without fathers and more by the music and the streets, words like these become implanted in their heads as the “Thing to do” and so the cycle continues.  My question is, why do we glorify thug behavior? Why is it viewed as a norm to go against the law rather than respect it? Where is the respect for culture and self in the Black community as far as hip-hop today goes? Share your thoughts.

Romaro Spivey

Lyrics courtesy: http://www.metrolyrics.com/welcome-to-my-hood-lyrics-dj-khaled.html
Image: tulsapolice.org