Chambers: Racism still exists

I did not understand the analogy between the songs and the Michael Richards' event, I would really appreciate if you could enlighten me on what you were trying to achieve.

The idea that a rap song justifies racial profiling is absurd. It's a song, that's like saying all white american suburb kids need to be profiled on drug enforcement because of Phish.

I don't like most rap music (I do enjoy Kanye, Run DMC, etc.) But they do have the freedom to express themselves, and I do understand the anger a lot of blacks have torwards law enforcement (although I think both sides over simplify it and these sort of artists only take advantage ofthe controversy, without really contributing to a critical dialogue). Kanye does actually offer valuable insight, and I have never seen anything in him that shows that he believes that "any criticism of the black community is racism, but not vice versa." You related two different songs that probably don't have anything to do with one another. I don't think Kanye is against arresting black people, but against racial profiling.

In an ideal society black people shouldn't need privileges, and affirmative action wouldn't be necessary, but what is offered now (and it needs improvement in numerous ways) is necessary. It is necessary to circumvent the horrible effects that years of slavery, segregation, and slavery left in black communities.

And Black History month is not that big of a deal. It was established to celebrate and expose black culture and contributions to society, something that at the time didn't happen. It eventually evolved into a celebration of black culture in general, a celebration of the diversity in this country, who knows, hopefully in the future it will evolve into "diversity month" or something like that.

No one should be given privileges based on his or her race. But I shouldn’t be complaining. After all it is Black History Month; even white people don’t have an entire month devoted to them.

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• Posted by hawkhawk on March 1, 2007 at 4:42 p.m.
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Chambers: Racism still exists

I am sorry that you misinterpreted the relationship between rap songs and Micheal Richards. However I do not know how to make my point any clearer. HE, a white person, is ostrasized for being a racist, but the same treatment is not given to blacks. IE Chamillionare's rap songs are accepted- no popular, and they are racist songs.

I do not think that rap songs particularily justify racial profiling. I dont think racial profiling is ever okay. I was just saying that songs like that give racial profilers an exuse to do so. They hurt the black community- not help to dispell myths and discredit stereotypes.

If you are going to claim that Kanye offers valuable insight, please provide some. And even if he does, its hidden by comments like "Bush hates blacks." Bush has shown no evidence of hating blacks. News flash, Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice are both black AND are in his cabinent.

It is a big deal that there is a Black History month. There is not Asian history month, and we put them in concentration camps during WWII. There is not Mexican History Month either. And I wouldnt agree with a diversity month either. That conotates that people of other races are SO different from white people that we need a month to sit back and recognize those differences. It makes white people look superior.

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• Posted by fchambers on March 8, 2007 at 10:18 a.m.
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Chambers: Racism still exists

The music analogy makes perfect sense. Musical artists are role models for children just like parents and teachers are. A kid sees Kanye West with all his fame and all the publicity he gets and wants those same things. How did Kanye get those things? Through his music and what does Kanye sing about? Apparently hating cops. I don’t listen to Kanye West. And how can you justify why African Americans hate cops? Because of the Rodney King incident? I’m pretty sure most everyone despise cops, the image that has been given to them is that they abuse their power and are arrogant pigs. If you’re going to make claims, back them up. Black History month is important because of how you just described it. It gives others a view of black culture and if there is anything that will end racism it is being culturally accepting. A way to get to that is by better understanding someone else' culture. Francesca, the truth is, we are all distinctly different and we have to come to terms with that if racism is to be eradicated. Ultimately all our differences have to be exposed in order for them to be accepted.

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• Posted by evanschulte on December 14, 2009 at 1:49 a.m.
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