Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback reacted to Don Imus’ racist remark by pointing to the Billboard rap chart. He gave ABC News song lists and lyrics for Mims’ “This Is Why I’m Hot,” Bow Wow and R. Kelly’s “I’m a Flirt,” Young Jeezy and R. Kelly’s “Go Getta,” Rich Boy’s “Throw Some D’s” and Unk’s “2 Step.” Brownback, who wants the artists’ labels to do to these tunes what CBS and MSNBC did to Imus, shouldn’t hold his breath waiting.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Registered?
Commenting on WE Blog now requires you to be a Kansas.com member. Use the links above to register, if you haven't already, or to log in.Contact us
Follow us
Daily Archives
-
Recent Comments
- BlueJay on Open thread 11/22
- Regular on Open thread 11/22
- Regular on Open thread 11/22
- Rage on Open thread 11/22
- cosmos_originally on Open thread 11/22
- Chas on Open thread 11/22
- BlueJay on Open thread 11/22
- Boxlock20 on Open thread 11/22
- satatom on Open thread 11/22
- JimJohnson on Open thread 11/22
21 Comments
Imus is fired, old news. The finger pointers Sharpton and Jackson now have the responsibility to help clean up the rest of the word, since they appointed themselves judge and jury.
But I would bet they don’t…
And I would bet they won’t even try…
I actually agree with Brownback which is a very rare thing. Rap music is audio garbage. The people that listen to it are dumb ignornat people- the dung of society if you will. And no, it isn’t a black thing. Living in the suburbs I can tell you that plenty of white kids like it too. And like their ignorant brethern in the city, they always feel the need to share it with everybody else within 1000 feet of their cars.
A few rappers have wit. I figure about half of all men (being one and around them a lot) are verbal bigots. Whaddayagonna do when you hear a Rastus story, walk out? I usually listen to a few, then tell a white boy joke. The punch line is usually, “that’s the gear shift, stupid.”
The good old boys just don’t know how to react, and I’m too old to beat up.
Imus was wrong in what he did. Not sure that he should have been fired. There should have been a consequence for his actions.
Where are Jackson and Sharpton on the derogatory language in rap music? They don’t seem to care about the words that encourage women to be abused, cops to be killed etc.
Jackson and Sharpton it is time to put up or shut up.
There was a great thing on Oprah yesterday… It was a townhall between black females, rappers and black leaders…
It was really interesting, listening to them (all blacks) talk between themselves. Imus has finally jump started the discussion within the black community regarding the way they talk to themselves.
As far as i am concerned, they can say it to each other, than I can say it to them. Enough is enough. I’m tired of reverse racism.
I just had this hilarious visual of Brownback wearing big gold chains bumping to the music and a glass of hennessy (sp?) in his hand.
I have to admit that I listen to SOME rap. It’s not all bad, there are even Christian rap bands. But then again I’ve been told by people who are hardcore rap fans that what I listen to isn’t even considered rap so I guess it depends on what you consider to be “rap.” And Kev, I also can’t stand those who feel that everyone should be forced to listen to their music. That’s one of my pet peeves…
I must admit, I have listened to all of the songs Browneye mentioned, and I enjoy most of them. So, yes, there are intelligent, adult people that listen to rap.
IMHO, the government has no place regulating (read: censoring) media content.
Imus said stupid things, CBS is his boss, CBS can fire him. No problem.
Brownback is acting in an agency fashion for the Government. Brownback/goverment says rappers should be fired for using certain words or lyrics, he is way out of place. If Brownback/government push (via whatever means) record labels to drop the artists in question, that way crosses the line.
I only recognize one of those songs off the top of my head, I recognize all the artists just don’t know those specific songs. That is Mim’s “This is Why I’m Hot.” The whole song is pretty much the phrase, “this is why I’m hot” over and over again. Sounds more stupid than offensive to me:) Of course I like the beat and sound of the song so I still listen to it and just ignore what he’s saying.
OK Brian, then why don’t $harpton and jack$on attack the business that supports the offending language just as they did Imus? Attack the record labels, attack the stations that broadcast the ‘music’ and their sponsors. Attack the companies that hire the offenders for endorsements.
Fair is fair isn’t it?
A poster last week, don’t remember who, attached a link to an article about Imus written by a black journalist. What I thought was refreshing was that the journalist pointed out that black people are their own worst enemies. Many of them buy into the rap culture, and when a black person is killed, more often than not they are killed by another black person. There was more to it, but I’ve slept since then.
Sol-
two reasons1) African Americans using offensive language is less offensive
2) The real reason? No dollars or “base” support for either one of these two “gentleman” to take up such a position
By the way, I don;t support Imus. Never did. And his employers were certainnly within their rights and priviledges to get rid of him. Maybe even within their responsibility, but that is another debate
SolDevVB,They are private individuals and as such, they can attack or not attach whoever they want.
Brownback is not a private individual. He is a representative of the Governement of the USA and has a duty to ensure that its laws are applied equally to everyone.
As I see the indexed piece, he didn’t call for the firing of anybody, but for the record companies to stop allowing such lyrics. Nor did he call for a new law to accomplish the same. He is a public figure, he commented. No violaiton of his legislative duties there. And I do not support his candidacy for president, so don’t start that.
Both of those ‘private individuals’ ran for president as well. Looks like Brownback is doing the same.Both of those ‘private individuals’ proclaim themselves to be the voice and leaders of Black America.
I don’t support Brownback nor Imus. I just support equality.
Senator Brownback, in his individual capacity, is certainly entitled to express his opinion on the lyrics to the companies involved. So long as he takes no steps in his official capacity as Senator to introduce legislation to that effect, there’s no issue with me.
I join the list of those who wish that those who listen to whatever it is they listen turn down the volume, so that my right to not so listen is honored. Maybe I need to get a super system, big amp, woofers, etc., and start blasting others with Bach Fugues, etc.
There certainly is a double standard about acceptable speach, though. A black person can pretty much anything about any race without anyone thinking twice. A white person on the other hand had better never be heard uttering a thing about another race.
When Chris Rock does his bit about blacks versus n***as, it is funny and sounds so true. If Jeff Foxworthy gave the exact same monologue, he would be pilloried, villified, and probably never work again.
If Brownback doesn’t like the music then he shouldn’t listen to it. There is no shortage of variety in music (except for on the internet where independent broadcasting has practically been made illegal). I don’t like gospel or Christian rock but I’m not calling for censorship because I, unlike Brownback, have the ability to not listen to crap I don’t like.
Vaughn I’ve fallen victim to the same thing a few times when I was when in a bad mood and decided to “teach those jerks” about listening to their music so loud. It can be kind of funny to see the looks on their faces when your music overpowers theirs. I don’t usually listen to it in the car but I’m sure it would be even better with clasical music – I like classical but I usually like to sing along and yes I’m probably the one you’re laughing at on your morning drive…
I too object to those people who love their music so much that they just have to share it with everybody in a 5 block radius. I look forward with much anticipation their purchase of a personal MP3 player.As for Rap, it’s an old and honored form (the earliest fully documented Rap I’ve found was written in 1928 by a white guy). Despite McLuhan, the medium is not necessarily the message. Rap can be, and often is, a vital cultural expression. Banning it solves no problems and is probably unconstitutional to boot.By the way, as much as I dislike Imus, I fully support his right to publicly make an ass of himself!
“Rap can be, and often is, a vital cultural expression. Banning it solves no problems and is probably unconstitutional to boot.By the way, as much as I dislike Imus, I fully support his right to publicly make an ass of himself! ”
I don’t wish to ban it. Living in a free country means having to put up with Rap Music and the fools who listen to it. But I don’t have to support it either. When I see a commercial with filthy rap in it, it turns me off from the product such as the one for the Chevy Impala. I wouldn’t even consider a car favoured by that crowd.