I have another verse that I must add to my Change Demand prose. I was listening to Race for the Whitehouse on MSNBC today (in the kitchen cooking up a storm), and I heard the host David Gregory start talking about Barack Obama and Ludacris, so I had to run to the TV (or shuffle in my condition) to see what that was about. As he and his guest started the conversation, I shook my head in disbelief…”Here we go again”, I thought. Luda posted his newest rant “Politics (Obama is Here)” on YouTube just slashing all of Obama’s major opponents both past and present including the current Commander in Chief?. In presidential form the Obama camp released the following, “As Barack Obama has said many, many times in the past, rap lyrics today too often perpetuate misogyny, materialism, and degrading images that he doesn’t want his daughters or any children exposed to. This song is not only outrageously offensive to Senator Clinton, Reverend Jackson, Senator McCain, and President Bush, it is offensive to all of us who are trying to raise our children with the values we hold dear. While Ludacris is a talented individual he should be ashamed of these lyrics.” Yeah the song was just that rough. But this time , unlike the Jeremiah Wright situation, I didn’t even question Obama’s move. This statement had to be made, he had to make it known that as a Pro-American Presidential Candidate he had to detest this “noise” from Ludacris, even though it fully endorsed him, and probably got some Luda listeners even more “crunk” about Obama.
I make no assumptions, this was a disappointing moment and decision for Obama, but it had to be done. He had to seperate himself from Ludacris and this song. When in the past Obama was proud to say that Ludacris was on his Ipod playlist . In 2006 he met with Ludacris to discuss the empowering the youth of the country. Now don’t get me wrong, I too enjoy listening to Ludacris because he is a vicious lyricist and he does have a conscience (his work through the Ludacris Foundation and the YouthAIDS “Kick Me” campaign), but does that discount his sometimes misogynist lyrics. Again we have the issue of balance and maturity. Sometimes we have to make tough decisions when we are on our journey of change. With that it forces us to make the hard choices and separate ourselves from people and situations that we were once proud of. Don’t be mad at Obama about this statement because this is how a presidential candidate gets his “Grown Man” on. When’s the last time you had to make a hard decision and change what you demand from the people in your society. All we have is time and opportunity.Monthly Archives: July 2008
Over the years their has been an ongoing sentiment among reformers in the youth development community, get rid of BET. I, myself, confess to sitting down one day and writting a chain letter demanding that the network clean up their act. I did nothing with the letter because the network is not at fault…ok maybe they should have guidelines for their videos, but that messes with the freedom of self expression. Yesterday, I read a blog on www.hiphopgrowsup.com, which out rite asked “Should We Blame Viacom?” and the writer stated what I realized years ago, the Network is a business that has to meet and exceed the bottom line for both it stockholders and other shareholders. We can’t expect this for-profit business to operate any differently that any other company. So how we change what we see and hear in urban music?
The fearless social revolutionist Mahatma Ghandi said “Be the change you want to see in the world.” I say, “Create change and ultimately you will change demand”. There has been a powerful move on the Go Green scene. People developed organizations, these organizations networked, blogged and developed disciples. These disciples made demands in the marketplace and as a result we have eco- friendly cars, houses, appliances, food, clothes, more people recycle, think of any product in the marketplace and there is an eco-friendly version. This started with people creating synergy, creating change and as a result they changed demand.
Changing minds is a challenging task. However, if a group of individuals organize, network and create a synergy around the cause re framing the music of the hip hop culture, Music and Black Entertainment Television along with artist, record labels and radio would have to Supply more entertainment with positive, tasteful and meaningful messages. I’m not saying every song should be “Kumbaya”, “We Are the World”; but it wouldn’t hurt to have one less “Kill, Kill, Kill, Murder, Murder, Murder”.
The time for change is NOW! So connect with us and create the change you want to see in the world!
Jonnette S. Fair
Founder, Hunter Reign
The night of the banquet for my 10 year high school reunion, I met Da Truth. My husband came and got me out of the ballroom. He said “babe guess who this is”, I said, “your cousin” ( a running joke that we have going). He said, the “Open Book” and I was still trying to run him through my mind, then finally my husband said, “Da Truth”. Of course then it clicked. So we hugged and I ran through some songs that touched me and names some of his cohorts on his label Reach Records. We talked for a brief moment about his performance in the “Good Life City” and uh…well… I guess that’s all I’ll say about his warm reception. We must face it. In some circles in the South, Holy Hip Hop is still taboo. Someone tell me why??? (someone please answer)
My biggest issue was not knowing that Da Truth was in Albany, GA that night. And no I don’t listen to the AM Gospel station in my town. Maybe I should, but I don’t. Why? Because of the format…it’s for some folks, but it is not for me. The few times I have listen to the station I’ve heard no Holy Hip Hop or Urban Gospel and I need that in my life. There seems to be a lack of marketing and promotions for this type of event in my area, even though there is a need. (All my closet HHH/ Urban Gospel Listeners of Southwest GA stand-up and be heard). In order to keep good life music coming to the area, we must support these artist and surpass their expectations because I’m sure they dread coming to the South (most parts of GA South of Atlanta). Let’s start the discussion, because the world really needs to know what you think.
Cultivate Intelligence. Be Change.
Jonnette S. Fair
Founder, GoodMusic Advocate
Soundproof Radio a Movement of HunterReign, LLC
