Jesse Jackson called Black People ‘N*gg#rs’

17 07 2008

There is even worst language used by Rev. Jesse Jackson on Fox News that didn’t come out last week. Bill O’ Reilly now confirmed in another Fox show, yesterday, that Jackson called his own people n*ggers but the initial TV segment was filtered out. Here is what Jackson said: “Barack…is talking down to black people…telling the n*ggers how to behave.. I wanna cut his guts out.”

And according to TVNewser, O’Reilly said the reason why he did not want that part to surface is because: “I’m not in the business of hurting Jesse Jackson. And I’m not in the business of creating some kind of controversy that is not relevant to the general subject: one civil rights leader disparaging another, over policy. So we held it back [but] some weasel leaked it to the internet. That person wants to hurt Jesse Jackson.”

Oh! really, O’Reilly? This world would eventually be a better place if venomous Bill O’ Reilly can talk like that.

Initially, I think the language Jackson used about “guts” is not really a big deal; because this was a guy-to-guy talk. Men, no matter what background, use slangs, jargons and stuff like that when in the mist of their peers. It’s all bravado. However, such language shouldn’t be coming up from someone who wears a ‘clergy title’ on his sleeves.

How much more for Jesse to use racial slurs against the very people he claims to fight for. Isn’t the same Jackson, who advocated banning ‘N’ word, way before Rev Al Sharpton followed suit? Apparently, this isn’t going to be a race issue, but immoral, because Jackson is no Don Imus. So, Rev Al Sharpton should sharpen his rhetoric impartially against his long-time ally: he should start picketing at the Rainbow Coalition Headquarter, as a matter of cause.

BTW, Jesse Jackson had a legitimate reason [but another immoral issue] to vex as Obama teaches responsibility because, if you don’t know, Jackson had a “lovechild” out of wedlock with his assistant, Karin Stanford, Thus that make him absenteeism or partly irresponsible father. So, it is understandable why Obama’s speech hit some core. It was never about Jackson being jealousy of Barack Obama as widely buzzed.

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There are always those who think they know what is your responsibility better than you do.” —-Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Rank does not confer privilege or give power. It imposes responsibility.” ——Louis Armstrong





The Angry Black Men You Ain’t See Yet

29 04 2008

In the United States, it’s not uncommon to describe people of color who protect their civil right as “angry black men”. If you have ever wondered what makes a black man angry, I think this is it: Sean Bell’s murder trial and the justice that followed. Usually the media are quick to judge Rev. Al Sharpton as troublemaker or instigator. When we look at what happens at Manhattan courthouse last Friday, we should be rethinking that Rev. Al Sharpton’s so-called confrontational protests are not too overbearing after all. While I don’t think Sean Bell’s murder was racially motivated, I do think there was excessive use of force (50 shots) against Bell and his two armless friends. Many people across racial lines would agree that if the victims were white Justice Arthur Cooperman wouldn’t have acquitted all the accused NYPD detectives.

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In any case, how come the law is so whacked that defenders can easily waive rights to have grand jury deliberate over the case rather than a lone judge’s decision. This is the type of justice maneuver that cans the disadvantaged and breeds “angry black men” in United States. In other words, the justice system could easily ignore or not believe black man’s testimony; thus put him at disadvantage. There are many cases of black men convicted of the crime they never committed but later be acquitted thanks to the DNA technology. Despite weighing the evidence presented, perhaps the judge reached the verdict with stereotypic mind set.

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With the outcome of Bell’s case, one should remember why there could be anger in the black communities. Next time you experience a black man’s outrage (hopefully you wouldn’t) remember how unfair the justice has been to many of them, their family member, and their acquaintances. I don’t think anyone is winning in this case. Sadly, both sides should brace for long litigations because if Al Sharpton sees “no justice there would be no peace” of mind for the police officers involved.

Quote of the day:

“No race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem.” —Booker T. Washington





Alicia Keys Transfigured into a Bad Girl?

12 04 2008

Alicia, the BadThe last time I saw my girl, Alicia Keys, live was about three years ago, at the Nassau Coliseum when she performed as guest star at Beyonce’s concert. Looking at her fully clothed, unlike Beyonce who let it all hang out, I couldn’t help but admired Alicia Keys for her saintly look and beauty. The audience responses were overwhelming; she actually stole the show from the ‘foxy’ Beyonce. This basically means female entertainers don’t have to dress like hustlers to make strong impact on the music audience. Surprisingly, despite her vast success, Alicia Keys has recently resulted to erotic dresses. Heck!! Who want to see your butt or boobs? We just want to listen to your good music. Those sexy dresses might have worked Beyonce, Rihanna, Ciara and other ass-shakers but that is not you, Alicia babe. 

(Upper picture reps the ‘bad girl’ Alicia. The below reps the ‘decent’ we used to know)

Alicia, the DecentAs if the half-naked dresses aren’t doing enough dents, now sweet Alicia Keys wants to become a modern day Black-Panther. AP reported that Alicia Keys is transforming her self from a romantic to political singer. “She now wears AK-47 chains on her neck,” the report said. She is being spurred by some ridiculous conspiracy spins, such as government encouraged the gangster rap conflict that killed two hip-hop greats, B.I.G and Tupac. Well, Ms. Keys, regardless of how many books you red or researches you have done; your government/gangster rap conspiracy theory is a nobrainer. I don’t think US Government or FBI gave rappers ammo to kill each others. At least, no authority gave Ice T, Ice Cube, and Dr. Dre’s NWA mics or guns to start gangster rap. Back in the 80s, before gangster rap, there were hip-hop groups with clean lyrics. Thanks to the pioneers like SugarHill Gang, Grand Master Flash/Furious 5. Even the political rappers likes Chuck D and Public Enemy never rhythmed killing with guns or calling women hos.

The only conspiracy in hip-hop is the deliberate attempt in the industry to get violent, coupled with expletive lyrics to attract media attention. It is such strategy that made likes of Eminem, 50 cent, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog and others became multi-millionaires today. I could go on this topic for hours; in short, the violence in hip-hop is self-inflicted, strategically plotted by the rappers and their promoters to draw attention and make money out of it.

Moreover, it’s good to remember that hip-hop music became fully “mainstream” after the death of Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. So who are the reapers here? Consequently, P. Diddy, former B.I.G’s promoter became famous worldwide and currently on his way to becoming a billionaire. So, Alicia Keys ’sweetie’ wants us to believe that government is the gainer in the hip-hop game?

People don’t need Alicia Keys to use her music fame to teach about civil rights. Before she ever came to the surface of this planet, there had been great leaders such as late Dr. Martin Luther King, late Malcolm X, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton and other who have been and still doing stellar jobs of fighting inequality. Without the struggles of these leaders, Obama wouldn’t have the courage to run for President office and most minority high-archivers wouldn’t have made it to the top of their careers today.

As it is said in the media that “Alicia Keys was born into the wrong era” because of the nature of her songs which sound so 1960ish – but I love it though. Perhaps, this is what prompted her to look at today’s struggle as if we were in the Black-Panther haydays. If Alicia Keys wants to join the civil right struggle, she would be better off donating money to the causes and be an occasional advocate rather than turning her concert(s) into political protest Arena.

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Digging for facts is better mental exercise than jumping to conclusions.” – Bernard Baruch

UPDATE: Alicia Keys Quickly Back-pedals From Gangster Rap’s Conspiracy Theory. Read more. MSNBC>>