Why in this day and age does a man make mis-educated statements and instead of letting that man take fully responsibility for his actions. News programs and other media outlets try to place the blame on hip hop. Long before the days of hip hop, racist and sexist statements were being made in America. Have people forgotten the minstrel shows of the 20s and 30s. Do they not think that had a lasting impression on the minds of elder black people. Has America forgotten about segregation. That was enforced by the same government that is trying to inflict harm on innocent Muslims while searching for those few rotten apples in the barrel. The same government who inflicted reaganomics and who at one time was ran by Reagan who made the statement that there was no poverty in America. This is the same America ran by the same government who at one time told women they were useless processions of their husbands. But for some reason people have forgotten the harsh and dark past of America. If we forget that we are destine to repeat it and see a harsh and dark future.
Various forms of media have been birthed in America and in this family of outlets hip hop has become the black sheep or the red headed stepchild of sorts. For some reason unseen by my eyes hip hop is now the “Scapegoat” for all things wrong with America. The perfect example is the story that follows:
Cop Killer In NC May Have Listened To Pastor Troy Song Before Deadly Shootings
By Roman Wolfe
Date: 4/10/2007 4:50 pm
Officials in Charlotte, NC believe a man charged with killing two police officers may have been influenced by a song performed by rapper Pastor Troy titled "Murda Man."
Demeatrius Antonio Montgomery, 25, is charged with fatally shooting Officers Jeff Shelton, 35, and Sean Clark, 34, on Mar. 31 during a struggle outside of an apartment complex.
Montgomery was arrested after the shooting, charged with two counts of first-degree murder and may f ace the death penalty if convicted.
"Murda Man" is taken from Pastor Troy's 2005 album Face Off Part II.
The rapper disses fellow Atlanta rapper's Lil' Jon and Lil' Scrappy on the single, which features lyrics like:
I flex, I motherf***in ball better ask em/Catch a n***a talkin s**t and motherf***in blast em/Murda, m-u-r-d-a/I'm pumpin gats at whoever in the way/I'm back with gun play/Don't think they understand/But I don't think they wanna f**k with the murda man, murda man
Police claim Montgomery spent the day drinking brandy, smoking and believe that he listened to "Murda Man" shortly before killing both police officers.
Officers raided an apartment Friday (Apr. 6) in connection with the shootings, seeking more evidence, including the Pastor Troy CD that contains the "Murda Man" song that Montogomery allegedly listened to."It's a real tragedy for us, the officers, for the families, for the communities, that we've lost two in one incident," Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Chief Darrel Stephens said. (allhiphop.com)
It's hard for me to understand how an individual can be so influenced by a song to murder someone. If you are so closed minded that you can be influenced in that matter. Why can't you be influenced by song to do something positive. When people talk about hip hop or rap for that matter. They only talk about the negative aspect. There are many artist with a positive message that don't get heard because the powers that be would rather see black people in a negative light.
Lets take a look at BET aka black exploitation television. Which is owned by Via com who also owns MTV, MTV2, MTVU, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, TV Land, Noggin, VH 1, Spike TV, CMT, Comedy Central, Showtime and The Movie Channel. When Bob Johnson created the first black owned media outlet to be beamed in the living rooms of millions. I don't believe he had the vision of seeing it turn evolve into a channel giving exposure to so called reform drug dealers with videos of falling money and scadily clad girls. In an recent interview he stated that he had given rappers and record labels the opportunity to change whats seen on the station. He said they had the choice to change what they rap about and put in the videos. Well in response to that Mr Johnson. What about the little brother incident where you and your BET representatives said that Little Brother's music was too intelligent for black people. Are you trying to say that black people, matter fact your own people are too dumb to understand anything but tales of drug deals, murder and sex. BET is now an outlet used by its parent company Via com, to enforce the stereotypes of black people.
Via com also uses its other media outlets to enforce stereotypes. For instance the Flavor of Love show on VH 1. When I look at Flavor Flav, I can't help but see the painted face used in minstrel shows. He is the modern day version of Sambo. With his big glasses and his big clock draped around his necked he looks like a figure in black painted face acting in the ways of a clown. His show is riddled with stereotypes of black males and women of all races. It's has women plotting against each other for the affection of a so called reform crack addict who has fathered over 10 children out of wedlock. These women are cohersed to believe that they will get further in the competition through various sexual acts. Enforcing the beliefs of some small minded women that they must do the same in life in the business world to get ahead. It expresses the stereotype that black males are sex crazed fiends who do anything to get it. I believe that it was handed down from god that a man shall have one woman for him to call his wife. Not have a house of 20 something women competing for your affection by performing sexual acts.
I don't understand why America assumes all hip hop artist are a certain way. I myself am I artist. I also don't understand why does America complain about the subject matter of the material on the radio television stations and CDs but continue to support these media outlets and buy the CDs. You will listen to Young Jeezy or Rick Ross rap about slang white ,but won't listen to Little Brother rap about real life not embellishments of what you wish to be. I don't blame the artist for this though. I blame the record labels and parent companies of these outlets. There are a thousand emcees with deals rapping about sex guns and drugs. While there are thousands more with a positive message wishing to get heard.
America was built on racism and sexism. It was here before hip hop and it will be here until the end of time. Don't look for someone or something to blame the problem on. Take that time wasted forging war on hip hop and try to figure out way to fix the problem.
