“If it wasn't for
race-mixing there'd be no
video girls. Me and most of
our friends like mutts a
lot. Yeah, in the hood they
call 'em mutts." — Kanye
West
Why is there a double
standard when it comes to
objectifying, stereotyping,
or degrading a person based
on their complexion?
When Michael Richards went
on his racial rampage a few
weeks ago the country for
the most part was in an
uproar. He was labeled a
racist, apologized at least
three times I know of. Two
of which was through the
American National media and
still many do not accept his
apology.
In the December 06 Essence
magazine article, according
to MediaTakeOut.com and
other media outlets, Hip Hop
artist Kanye West put his
foot in his mouth again.
Normally, it takes an entire
life for an individual to
figure out their purpose in
life - and sometimes one
never finds it. However, Mr.
West has figured out what
"mixed" women (or "mutts" as
he calls them) life's
purpose is based on their
skin complexion and
features. Their sole purpose
in life is to dress scantily
clad and wiggle their bodies
for music videos! Wow…what
substance huh? And then, to
further his already
offensive rant, he compares
mixed women to dogs because
"Yeah, in the hood they call
'em mutts."
Many people believe the Hip
Hop and Rap Culture is
contributing to a lot of
negative ideas surrounding
Black America. Whether this
is true or not, this quote
does not help Hip Hop's
cause. Roy Innis, National
Chairman of Core was part of
the Civil Rights movement.
After Mr. West's comment,
in a statement given on
November 15, 2006, Mr. Innis
made the following comment:
"I was one of the pioneers
of the concept of Black is
Beautiful. That we must be
proud of our African
ancestry. Unfortunately, the
demon of self-depreciation
has been the most difficult
demon for Black Americans of
all complexions to expel.
Darker-skinned blacks like
Kanye West have had an even
harder time accepting
blackness in themselves and
in others. I wonder how much
we have gained
psychologically, since the
bad old days of the 60's, in
our appreciation of our
Blackness."
I wonder what Mr. West
thinks us "pure breed"
women's purpose in life is?
While Kanye West shares the
same right of Freedom of
Speech as the rest of us, I
can't help but think of one
quote to describe him:
If you think education if
expensive ……. try ignorance!
