posted
Did anyone else see Kanye West and Mike Myers on the NBC Benefit Concert for hurricane relief?
Kanye clearly went off script and Mike Myers was obviously shocked by this. When West made the statement "George Bush doesn't care about black people", they quickly switched cameras to Chris Tucker who I think was eating a sandwich, either way it was clearly not scripted.
quote:“I hate the way they portray us in the media. If you see a black family, it says they’re looting. See a white family, it says they’re looking for food.
quote: “George Bush doesn’t care about black people” and said America is set up “to help the poor, the black people, the less well-off as slow as possible.”
posted
Another racist who fails to realize that the real line in this country is drawn between rich and poor, not black and white.
Posts: 58 | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
Whatever he believes, it was very poorly timed--this program was designed to encourage people to contribute to the rescue and cleanup effort in New Orleans. Angry people don't write checks.
Posts: 516 | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
If you were a black person following the media storm of what is going on in New Orleans right now, you might be a little unreasonably pissed yourself. I'm white, and it's pissing me off. There has been an inordinate amount of coverage about the violence and looting perpetrated by african americans during this disaster. When he says "If you see a black family, it says they’re looting. See a white family, it says they’re looking for food.", he is mostly right. And when he talks about the way the US is set up for disaster relief, with poor people and black people sent help last, well, you can see where he would think that, with the amazing lack of response the government has shown to this disaster, in an overwhelmingly poor and non-white area.
I'm not saying he chose the right forum to air his thoughts, but you could see him shaking with passion and anger when he spoke. He probably felt this was the only time he would really be able to get his point across, and that it needed to be said. I applaud his bravery, in saying what he really felt, instead of sticking to a milk pap script, even if I dont completely agree with his message.
Posts: 499 | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
The problem with showing mostly African Americans doing the looting is that, well, most of the people still in the city at the time were African American. That had to do with demographics, not racism, that's who lived in those areas of the city and many of the people in the Superdome were from the Ninth Ward area, which is mostly government housing and predominantly minority.
I did see whites going into the superdome and I've seen whites and hispanics on the media looting, but not all that many. And that's not because the media is purposefully editing the coverage, I don't think, I think it's just because that's who is there.
I did see many arrest photos from Mississippi of looters that were white or hispanic, along with looters that were African American and it seemed as if they were all being treated the same way by the police and the media.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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posted
I also have seen a ton of pictures of dead and dying people, mostly black, followed my people sending in huge amounts of money.
I have seen pictures of black people doing wonderful things trying to help their fellow man, and have seen a lot of stories of people of all races and creeds donating funds and supplies, and of rescue workers trying to help.
I dislike Bush, but this was hurtful, divisive, ane insulting, and I hope his "career" tanks because of this. . He just got his 15 min of fame, and he chose to be a racist with it.
He had no problem with taking white peoples money, and I bet he will still be fairly rich after all of this....so he is really part of the problem, rather than part of the solution.
Posts: 15082 | Registered: Jul 2001
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It was probably not the best time for Kanye West to voice his opinion in on this matter, but it was his opinion to voice.
George W. Bush has been extremely rich people friendly, poigntly noted in the Farenhieght 9/11 video where George W. Bush says "Good to see you, the Haves and the Have mores, or as i like to call you, my base."
The republican party did have a long Southern Strategy of being anti-black, which they have acknowledged and apologized for.
So was it poor taste?
Yes.
But...
Bush has caused far more damage to this country, its future and the world, than Kanye West's words ever could.
Posts: 2752 | Registered: Feb 2001
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The Honorable Leonard Pitts of the Miami Herald pretty much said the same thing Kanye West said in a much better, more thought out column.
Posts: 2752 | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
Question: Is Bush actually considered a racist? My cousin and uncle said that the reason New Orleans isn't getting as much help as they should be is because New Orleans is mostly black and Bush is racist. I tried to ask why they think that but I got yelled at a whole lot. Does anyone else believe that he is racist and can provide reasons for it?
Posts: 853 | Registered: Feb 2004
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I dislike Bush, but this was hurtful, divisive, ane insulting, and I hope his "career" tanks because of this. . He just got his 15 min of fame, and he chose to be a racist with it.
This is a tad off topic but 15 minutes of fame? I think he's well aware of his status famewise, and the fact that many of his fans (of which a much larger percentage is white then most other rappers) will listen to him. He thought that this issue needed to be talked about far more, and he made his stand.
Posts: 122 | Registered: Feb 2003
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No, don't like it, exercise our own freedom of speech to say exactly what we think of him and his lies.
Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
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George W. Bush fights people he believes are the devil. He fights them with money, bombs and guns, Kanye may believe that George W. Bush is on the devil's team, so if he fights him with words and songs so be it.
Word and Song is MORE GODLY than guns, money and bombs.
Posts: 2752 | Registered: Feb 2001
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President Bush has placed ENORMOUS amounts of trust and responsibility in the hands of minorities in his administratio - Condi Rice, Colin Powell and Alberto Gonzales just to name 3.
A racist?
C'mon, it's just not true.
Posts: 201 | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
I dont know how Bush feels about people of different races. I dont know him, and I dont trust the media to give an accurate portrayal of anything having to do with his personal life. So, I cant call Bush a racist. I dont think that is what Kanye does. He says that Bush doesnt care about black people, and that the way this country is run stacks up against them. Mr Bush has displayed plenty of care for the wealthy, and not a whole hell of a lot for anybody else. That includes poverty stricken black and white people. I like Kanye. I like his music, and I think he is an interesting person. I agree with much of what he says, regardless of how uncomfortable it makes me or others. And Kwea, TSS makes a lot of valid points that you have mockingly brushed aside. I'm guessing he really doesnt care a whole hell of a lot that you dont listen to his song. I know I wouldnt.
Posts: 499 | Registered: Mar 2004
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quote:and that the way this country is run stacks up against them.
Kanye went a lot further than that. The transcript of his comments are here.
Here's the part that concerns me the most:
quote: So anybody out there that wants to do anything that we can help -- with the way America is set up to help the poor, the black people, the less well-off, as slow as possible. I mean, the Red Cross is doing everything they can. We already realize a lot of people that could help are at war right now, fighting another way -- and they've given them permission to go down and shoot us!
What this means, precisely, is not clear to me, but the last sentence sounds like he thinks New Orleans is under martial law. If you've spent any time on Hatrack the last two days, you know that's not the case. Accordingly, no one has permission to shoot anyone. A state of emergency has been declared; that's very different.
If you like Kanye, great; he's gotten a lot of buzz recently. Even Gold Digger is pretty catchy. However, his comments on the benefit were unfounded, poorly timed, and I think I'd need a degree in semiotics to make any coherent sense of them. I'm particulary disturbed by the fact that he choose to participate in a network event if he didn't think he could deliver the comments prepared for him. As someone said, Don't like it? Don't watch, don't listen.
Kanye West hijacked that benefit, plain and simple.
Posts: 516 | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
Well, part of what he might mean is explained here: ABC News
There are some horrible things going on right now in New Orleans. Anarchy can bring out the scum of the earth, and law enforcement officers need to be able to protect the innocent any way they can.
However, I find these words disturbing: "These troops are fresh back from Iraq, well trained, experienced, battle-tested and under my orders to restore order in the streets.
"They have M-16s and they are locked and loaded.
"These troops know how to shoot and kill and they are more than willing to do so if necessary and I expect they will."
These soldiers wont be fighting insurgents bent on killing as many of them as possible. They will mostly be dealing with desperate people who need to steal to survive.
One police officer "admitted that a number of police officers who had lost everything in flooding after Hurricane Katrina had handed in their badges, unwilling to take the fight to looters." They recognize that these people are just trying to survive. Will troops with guns fresh to the scene feel the same way? Lets hope so.
Posts: 499 | Registered: Mar 2004
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quote:A National Guardsman was shot outside the Superdome and a shot was also fired at a Chinook helicopter taking part in the operation to move refugees out of the stadium, officials said.
The National Guard is on the scene because NO's local law enforcement has effectively abdicated its duties after a prolonged period of stress.
quote: W. J. Riley, the assistant superintendent of police, said there were about 1,200 officers on duty on Saturday. He said the department was not sure how many officers had decided to abandon their posts and how many simply could not get to work.
quote: {New Orleans law enforcement} recognize that these people are just trying to survive. Will troops with guns fresh to the scene feel the same way? Lets hope so.
There's a vast difference between trying to find food for your family and trying to shoot down a Chinook helicopter. No one with that type of firepower is "just trying to survive." Stabilization efforts--aimed at people trying to shoot down helicopters--are not fun exercises; they are an integral part of being able to supply the poor with things they need, like food, water and medicine.
As you have indicated,
quote: Anarchy can bring out the scum of the earth.
So what is your point, exactly? The National Guard, who apparently has nothing better to do, is going to descend on New Orleans to "misunderstand" gunfire around the Superdome? That they will somehow be confused by the notion that they must provide food to the hungry?
Posts: 516 | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
"There's a vast difference between trying to find food for your family and trying to shoot down a Chinook helicopter. No one with that type of firepower is "just trying to survive." Stabilization efforts--aimed at people trying to shoot down helicopters--are not fun exercises; they are an integral part of being able to supply the poor with things they need, like food, water and medicine."
This paragraph I agree with completely. Like I said, there are bad people out there doing bad things, and security forces are there to stop them.
However, this: "So what is your point, exactly? The National Guard, who apparently has nothing better to do, is going to descend on New Orleans to "misunderstand" gunfire around the Superdome? That they will somehow be confused by the notion that they must provide food to the hungry?", I dont get. I thought my point was pretty clear. That when Kanye west said "and they've given them permission to go down there and shoot us", he wasnt pulling crap out of his ass. You said "Accordingly, no one has permission to shoot anyone. A state of emergency has been declared; that's very different." That is no longer true. National Gaurdsmen, who dont really have anything better do than save a city full of people, have been given permission to "shoot to kill". A black man has reason to be nervous in a situation like this.
Posts: 499 | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
Yes, he was. They have been permittied to exchange fire with people who shoot at them...so unless he figures ONLY blacks will be doing that, he is full of crap to put it politely.
No one has given anyone orders (or permission) to go into town and start shooting anyone, unless they are under fire themselves.
quote:National Gaurdsmen, who dont really have anything better do than save a city full of people, have been given permission to "shoot to kill". A black man has reason to be nervous in a situation like this.
A shoot to kill order does not mean that they have permission to shoot anyone they think deserving on site. We're not talking about National Guardsmen being authorized to shoot people stealing bread.
quote:"We have individuals who are getting raped, we have individuals who are getting beaten," Compass said. "Tourists are walking in that direction and they are getting preyed upon."
quote: A day after Nagin took 1,500 police officers off search-and-rescue duty to try to restore order in the streets, there were continued reports of looting, shootings, gunfire and carjackings.
Any man has to be nervous under these conditions. These aren't traffic stops, it's an organized attempt whose sole purpose is to save people by giving them food and water--where do you think the confusion comes in?
Posts: 516 | Registered: Aug 2004
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quote:Originally posted by The Silverblue Sun: It's a free country.
It was probably not the best time for Kanye West to voice his opinion in on this matter, but it was his opinion to voice.
George W. Bush has been extremely rich people friendly, poigntly noted in the Farenhieght 9/11 video where George W. Bush says "Good to see you, the Haves and the Have mores, or as i like to call you, my base."
The republican party did have a long Southern Strategy of being anti-black, which they have acknowledged and apologized for.
So was it poor taste?
Yes.
But...
Bush has caused far more damage to this country, its future and the world, than Kanye West's words ever could.
We may live in a free country, but when West voiced his opinion during a benefit special on a network's airtime that he didn't pay for, he doesn't have the right to voice it on national television at that time. He shouldn't have used airtime that wasn't his to do this, particularly when it's to raise money to help the people of New Orleans. Quoting Fahrenheit 9/11 is like quoting a piece of propaganda. Even Moore, when confronted with the fallacies of the movie, called it such. Either way, though, both of the major parties in this country have at their base the rich; it's where they get the money to run campaigns. You seem to forget that Abraham Lincoln was president during the Civil War. Oh yeah, he was a Republican. This isn't to say that the Republican party hasn't treated blacks badly, but it was a nationwide trend to do so, so the blame doesn't lie solely with them; at least they did more than the Democratic party did. As RoyHobbs stated, Bush has appointed a number of minority people to his administration. Calling him a racist is unfair and untrue.
Posts: 143 | Registered: Sep 2005
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posted
I don't think so, he sponsered the largest social program of all time, the very thing that the Repblicans ridicule and protest agains these days. Hell, they run entire campaigns using a "that isn't us" platform, and win. Posts: 15082 | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
LBJ did more than FDR, although the New Deal was a bigger change from the status quo than the Great Society was.
Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
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No I suppose not Rakeesh. I'd say in foreign relations he is closer to a 21st century Republican. But in almost all domestic policies he's more akin to a 21st century liberal.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
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What a jackass. I think it was uncalled for and racist. But whatever... I won't get started on the screwed up view of racism in todays society. I hope his career suffers from his poor timing and 'everyone's against us' attitude, but I know that his target audience loved it... and he will only get more fame. Everyone who hated him before still does, only more. He doesnt care though. He's laughing at the hate all the way to the bank, in his mercedes.. stretch limo... with platinum diamond rims....
Posts: 46 | Registered: Apr 2005
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Also... Uhm.... people who mostly listen to country or classical music. Perhaps... fans of punk and ect.
btw... when I say 'hate'.....
'hate' = disliking his music and world views ect.... not... I hate that person and I hope they drop a hammer on the toe when not wearing shoes... hate.
Posts: 46 | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
Ahhh, while I do know the difference between them, I had a brain fart and though you were talking about FDR...sorry 'bout that.. Posts: 15082 | Registered: Jul 2001
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