The Right to Be Wrong
Between Don Imus and Duke Lacrosse, the nation at large has once again taken up the issue of the Crisis of Black America. Much discussion has been made regarding the plight of African-Americans, and what (or who) is responsible for it. The most recent target? Hip-hop.
Many prominent and influential African-Americans are leading the charge against misogynistic and violent images and lyrics in hip-hop music. The discussion has been at a heated apex for the last two days on the “Oprah Winfrey Show,” where a diverse panel of political, music, entertainment and educational representatives came together to flesh out what’s wrong with hip-hop, and why it’s wrong for us.
Many good points were raised about the motivating factors for rap music, its divisive qualities, and how “cleaning up the music” can lead to healing in the community.
Unfortunately, the fact that this discussion presently holds so much weight, defines exactly what is wrong with the Black community. Of all the miles we have traveled, and all the “rights” we have earned, we are still significantly deprived of our most important right:
The right to be wrong.
Despite our collective professional and personal achievements, by and large Black America shoulders the burden of those brothers and sisters who are not on board with the idea of “marching on til’ victory is won.”
When one of us cuts the fool, breaks bad, or shows our behind, we all have to answer for it. Rappers, actors, comedians, politicians, preachers, their actions speak for all of us, and the public reception of their actions leads to our private shame.
Because we face such numerous and genuine problems, our people as a whole are deprived true freedom. The epidemic of black men in jail, single-parent homes, devalued education and fractured morals spills outside of our culture and into mass media like molten lava, only to burn each and every one of us.
Yes, we are our brothers’ keeper, but only as much as they are willing to be kept. No longer should our collective positive efforts be diminished or tarnished by the ills of others. Revolution on a mass scale will be impossible if resolution amongst the good and bad, high and low, conscious and coons of our race cannot be established. Let’s face it, some folks just don’t want to be right, and why should we force them?
Why should we take away the God-given right of those determined to raise hell?
We should continue to raise our children to not view entertainment and certain images as truth, but as an exaggerated prism through which life is viewed. We all are brothers and sisters with one life to lead and one example to set; our own. When it’s all said and done, only what you said and did will matter to anyone.
Pierce and Language Arts can’t and shouldn’t answer for ‘Tip Drill.’ M.K. Asante can’t and shouldn’t answer for E. Lynn Harris, and I can’t and shouldn’t answer for Armstrong Williams.
Danielle can’t and shouldn’t answer for Condoleeza Rice. Kameelah can’t and shouldn’t answer for Karrine Stefans. Neither of us can’t and shouldn’t answer for fellow blackademics.org poster Arthur.
Some may call this a defeatist attitude, but the truth is that the sun shines and rain falls on scholars and Sambos alike; and we can no longer bear responsibility for the actions of others, or act as representatives for each other. We must carry the torch forward for the benefit of those willing to travel. For those who don’t, we pray they can find the matches we left behind.
Published on April 18, 2007 at 10:21 am.
16 Comments.
Filed under black culture, entertainment, black image, collective action.
