Are black people being divided?

Question

of course the division has always been there. But does it seem that lately the wedge between the variety of black cultures is being widened?

I've been seeing a lot of black folks on TV arguing among eachother. And usally its about non-sense. I just watched "hip-hop vs. america." As much needed as the debate is, The fact that is ia airing on BET can not escape my mind. Afterall, isn't BET the part of the main corporation that profits from the part of Hip-hop that they are complaining about. It seems to me that the powers that be are promoting the poorest quality, oversexed, violent, forms of the art and making it the standard. Then standing back and pointing the finger to say "look at how these people are."

Many black people rightly denounced the carricaturization of the culture. BET "bamboozled" hip-hop. That forum was like watching the mintrels blame eachother for their own carricature.

Why so many black people pointing the finger at eachother?

*caricature

Answer 1

We're ALL divided, and its always been that way since it's natural for people to differ greatly in their opinions. But I know what you mean... I just thought I'd throw that in.

I don't think blacks are any more divided than the extent which they've always been divided in this country. In general, white people have tried FOR A LONG TIME to ensure that blacks are divided here. And no, I'm definitely not claiming that blacks aren't responsible for their own thoughts or actions.... I'm simply stating fact. I completely agree with BAMN... The case here is divide & conquer.

"Afterall, isn't BET the part of the main corporation that profits from the part of Hip-hop that they are complaining about."
----True, but think about this for a minute... They profit from promoting disgusting stereotypes about black people. Why WOULDN'T they want to air a bit of debate? Doing so perpetuates stereotypes even further by giving the impression of exactly what you said ("...mintrels blame eachother for their own carricature.")... What I'm saying is that we're not only seeing a bunch of black minstrels but also, in the words of white racists, dummy lamonts. Know what I mean?

As I said, I'm not saying that blacks aren't at all responsible. I completely disagree with anyone who says that the white establishment is the end all be all of the problem. To bring about change, we must influence those who are influenced by big business... Boycott BET. Refrain from purchasing the music of the "minstrels". Hit the white business people in their pockets by dissin' on the black people- the black people who are either too stupid, too greedy, or both. Train your eyes to see the same color that big business sees- GREEN.

Answer 2

Kelly is 110% correct. Black people can boycott it all they want, but they're not. And I feel that BET isn't really aimed at black people anymore. Some are still to blame because they play up to a stereotype they not they don't fit in to just to make $$$$. I personally cannot stand that aspect, which is why I don't support that. I'm not really worried about the individuals that know the music for what it is. It's the weak minded brothers and sisters and those other races of hip hop lovers that buy into and believe that this is all real.

Answer 3

So true. I made a statement a while ago and got several nasty e mails about it. BET is owned and operated by Viacom. Viacom chooses what is shown by BET.

Not only that, who is behind the rap videos and promotion of the lyrics. The music industry is not owned by us. Yet, when these songs and videos come out, everyone is saying how awful these black rappers are. If the record labels did not sign them, they would not have the forum to spew their garbage.

Just like so many things that are going on right now, People want to blame the faces that are seen instead of the ones that are making billions promoting this nonsense.

Here is the big problem. On top of all of that, we are feeding into the hype . Then we go after one another. We need to go after these huge music companies. They are sitting back smoking cigars and raking in the profits while the artists is catching all the flack.

Answer 4

Media and public schools (both controlled by the government--puppets of the elite). Same reason the whites are so divided. I think it's kind of funny (but mostly sad) how some people think whites are united to oppress non whites. Nothing could be further from the truth. Most whites can't agree on anything, except for what they've been brainwashed to believe. The 'problem' is that the brainwashing doesn't take with all of us. I'd say blacks are having similar problems.

Answer 5

Yes, I watched the forum last night too and the only one who represented really well was, imo, Chuck D. Nelly was over aggressive and he sat there the whole night defending his profits...basically. He was so ignorant, talking over people, loud as he!!.

Yes, Blacks are being divided and I think Master P touched on this. Jeff Johnson also made a good point, he asked one of the participants about how we can go about redistributing our product. Most of the buyers are white kids and these artists are constantly rapping about this crap to get their money. I mean what about us? Aren't we important too? Create music for us* for once!

Modern day Black minstrels

Answer 6

BET isnt owned by us. and the sad thing is that the images displayed on the channel, and through hip hop music (speaking in terms of the majority of mainstream, not ALL) are whats holding us DOWN as a people. its whats separating us all. certain things like that are whats gettin us called ignorant. WE as a people are not ignorant, nor are we a culture about self degradation or glorification of self. we are for glorification of US as a WHOLE. which is why its so sad we are getting this division because we have, pardon the language, "house ******" doing what they think they have to in order to get ahead in a predominantly white-owned industry. we need to drop the hate towards our own people, we need to realize that what we are seeing in music and the distribution of drugs alike are being used as weapons JUST TO DIVIDE US. and its working!!! We need to focus on the goal we are ALL trying to attain.

Answer 7

It's only my belief (not claiming as rock proof), Blacks in America are losing ground/influence to Hispanics/Asians on major issues such as education and employment. At my university (in science and technology faculties), a great majority of students come from Asian countries such as China, India, Philippines and the "Black" students are usually straight arrivals from Africa.

If you see the larger picture, it's for the greater good of all minority communities if any of them carve out a separate niche for themselves in White America institutions. This creates a level-playing field free from discrimination and prejudice and everyone should prosper in the longer run.

Blacks like any other community, should put greater emphasis on education and knowledge-based initiatives to enhance opportunity for not only Black, but all underprivileged people including Whites. It's time to take a lead. Blacks need more people who are willing to step into an entreprenurial role for the greater benefit of everyone. Here are a few online places where you can meet individuals in the Black community with such broad vision plans

http://www.blackenterprise.com/
(Very important if you are a Black trainee in a White-majority organisation)

http://urbanboe.blogspot.com/
(Black online forum)

http://www.blackentrepreneurship.com/

http://www.blackwealthnow.com/

http://www.ncsu.edu/stud_orgs/ybe/

http://blackentrepreneurshalloffame.blogspot.com/

Answer 8

Black people are not being divided. Black people have always been divided since we were forced into the african diaspora. The northern slaves hating the southern slaves, east hating west. Light skin slaves hating dark skin slaves, house slaves, hating field hands & vice versa to all of the above.

What I see now is not so much hating of each other, I see a lot of black people hating themselves and projecting that hatred as hatred of another black person for a vast amount of reasons. But it all leads back to the above paragraph which is sad. For instance, currently I am growing my relaxer out to go natural. I felt it was the right decision since moving to FL/ w the humidity my hair is always frizzy and if I go natural at least I can wear it curly. My co-worker, classmates, friends, etc. that are white or non-black compliment on how soft it is and how much they love it. Yet their black female counterparts can't stand it and say it's not "professional”, it looks "dirty" and really have a serious dislike toward my going natural. When I asked why, they either say they don't know and just shrug their shoulders or will be completely honest and say "well I think you look like a slave". I said I'm black, a descendent of slaves so obviously whether my hair is bone straight or fro'd out I will always resemble a slave. To me that lets me know that they are not comfortable with who they are and where they come from. When they see me w/ my hair in it's natural state it reminds them of that which they wish to forget. You feel me? Which in turn divides us, me being proud of where my ancestors came from and them wanting to forget!

Answer 9

BET isnt black owned anymore but its still very much run by blacks (board of directors and all).. But The programming was actually WORST when it was black owed..At least now thy got hell date, take the cake, and that American Idol ripoff show..

Anyway I welcolme the dialogue about hip hop..I dont see it as a divison. We as black folks was talking about OUR issues on OUR TV network..It was actually a beautiful thing.

Answer 10

My stand on the subject: Music, movies, etc. if for entertainment purposes... it shouldn't be the sole defininig quality of black people. After wataching this special, T.I. Nelly, etc. kept saying that they rap about issues that they see in their neighborhoods. As artist, we rap, sing, and write about issues that are relevant to us as well as society. My point is I live in the same neighborhood that these people rap about. Is there drug dealing, murder, etc, etc.? Yes, but its also so much more to our neighborhoods as this. The news channels do a pretty good job of describing how we are murdering each other, killing each other with drugs, and how we are living in poverty. After a while we get tired of hearing the same ole, same ole. So why not use your art and rap about something of substance. Our people needs it.

I am one of those people who knows that if you sell drugs you could get away with it for awhile, but eventually you will get caught and the consequences out weigh the rewards. However, IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, you have ADULTS walking around and taking these lyrics literally. They are trying to make careers out of illegal activity, women believe behave the way rappers portray them in the videos, etc. Should they stop rapping about drugs, etc., etc.? Some may argue yes, but its how they make their living. I just wish I could see more variations. Not all women are H*** and not all black men are drug dealing, sex crazed, pimps. Show people all different variations of black music.

People debate. Thats a part of life. Most people choose to see issues in black or white... I often see the grey area. With powere comes responsibility, sometime you have to step up to the plate. I commend Nelly and T.I. and others for taking the stand and fighting for what they believe in. As well as Al Sharpton, and other for standing up for what they believe in. I would rather see black men and women debating about subjects than comming to blows.

Everyone is talking about how BET is owned by blacks. Its true, but we still have to take responsibility for us. It doesn't matter who owns the station, or who owns the label. What matters is how we choose to portray each other.