Saturday, April 14, 2007

Obama on Imus and the rap/hip-hop culture

Drudge links to an AP article about Barack Obama, who has (rightfully, in my opinion) denounced Don Imus's "nappy-headed hos" comment. Obama, in a move consistent with cultural critique coming primarily from the right, says, regarding some rappers, "[They are] degrading their sisters. That doesn't inspire me."

The article quotes Obama as saying something I like:

I think that all of us have become a little complicit in this kind of relaxed attitude toward some pretty offensive things, and I hope this prompts some self-reflection on the part of all of us.

I doubt I'll stop being coarse, crass, and coprological, but Obama strikes the right chord in asking that we engage in some reflection. There's very little actual reflection in public discourse. That Markandeya post, with its YouTube link to Bill O'Reilly's meltdown, is evidence of what I'm talking about.


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1 comment:

  1. MavenApril 16, 2007 at 12:28:00 PM GMT+9

    IMHO, the only thing Imus is guilty of isn't racism, it's being PRESUMPTUOUS. Presumptuous to think that if there are rappers winning grammies for singing songs that contain the word "HO" (and while we're at it, the unrelated "N" word), that it was fair game for him to use it. I'm sure it was a feeble attempt to be "hip," and not to be hateful.

    Here's a fantastic piece written by John Ridley posted at The Huffington Post.

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