“Any real change implies the breakup of the world as one has always known it, the loss of all that gave one an identity, the end of safety. And at such a moment, unable to see and not daring to imagine what the future will now bring forth, one clings to what one knew; to what one possessed or dreamed that one possessed. Yet, it is only when a man is able, without bitterness or self-pity, to surrender a dream he has long cherished or a privilege he has long possessed that he is set free—he has set himself free—for higher dreams, for greater privileges.”—James Baldwin
Um, but isn’t Lil Zane one of the five worse rappers of all time? Isn’t that actually true. Isn’t water wet? Isn’t the sky blue? Aren’t you unimpressed with Lil Zane’s “rap career?” I am too.
It appears some folks are quite salty about Barkley’s SNL skit, “White People Problems.” Many in the blogosphere have retorted, “What if a White comic made jokes about how ignorant and unsuccessful Black people were? Black people would be mad!” The reason why similar jabs about Blacks by Whites would be taboo is because (a) White people already did that. It was called the 16th-20th centuries. And (b) doing so would be like Goliath giving David a wedgie on the way home from school everyday.
As Chris Rock once asked, “If White people are losing, who’s winning? It aint us!” And I don’t cite that as a victim, but as a realist. Barkley’s skit was not reverse racism. Do “you people” even know what racism is?
To start, can anyone name one institution wherein Black Americans are doing better than White Americans? Education. Labor. Law. Economics. Health. Technology. I’d even argue that Whites outperform Blacks in sports, if we correctly focus on management and ownership and not employed athletes.
“Racism” implies a power dynamic that is strong enough to prevent one racial group from succeeding and fully participating in our democracy. Barkley didn’t prevent White people from voting, or pass a drug sentencing law that imprisoned them more than Black dealers, or make them 50% less likely to gain employment because they had “White-sounding names,” or use lending and credit practices that historically kept them out of nice, affluent neighborhoods. That would be racism.
Hopefully you get the point. I’m really trying to add to our understanding of this complex, heated issue, and not “bash” anyone or group.
My girlfriend and I saw Fela! at the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles, and if you haven’t made time to catch this musical, you are doing yourself a disservice. Never before have I been so engrossed and enthralled with a story that I didn’t want it to end.
You may check out your favorite website for information on Fela Anikulapo Kuti, but let me say that his story is one of musical genius, revolutionary action, and a celebration of what it means to be Black (not just African). Aaannnd of course, his story includes a bit of drug abuse and womanizing too–few leaders have been able to avoid those vices. Still, his story does remind me a bit of the movie Amandla! (look it up!). One thing is for sure, music can be a weapon.
Fela! is amazing and a must-see! The performers did an amazing job.
Big up! to Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter (he deserves to be known by his government name on this one) and Will & Jada Smith for being executive producers for this musical. I really appreciate them doing that.
“Any real change implies the breakup of the world as one has always known it, the loss of all that gave one an identity, the end of safety. And at such a moment, unable to see and not daring to imagine what the future will now bring forth, one clings to what one knew; to what one possessed or dreamed that one possessed. Yet, it is only when a man is able, without bitterness or self-pity, to surrender a dream he has long cherished or a privilege he has long possessed that he is set free—he has set himself free—for higher dreams, for greater privileges.”—James Baldwin
