As often times seems to be the case, Fox News contributor and '70s porn star wannabe, Geraldo Rivera, appeared perplexed when he made a recent appearance on HuffPost Live yesterday, where he said this:
"Hip-hop has done more damage to black and brown people than racism in the last 10 years. [I challenge anyone to find] a youngster -- a Puerto Rican from the South Bronx or a black kid from Harlem who has succeeded in life other than being the one-tenth of one-tenth of one percent that make it in the music business -- that's been a success in life walking around with his pants around his ass and with visible tattoos..."
He then added:
"And I love Russell Simmons. He's a dear friend of mine. I admire his business acumen. At some point, those guys have to cop to the fact that by encouraging this distinctive culture that is removed from the mainstream, they have encouraged people to be so different from the mainstream that they can't participate other than, you know, the racks in the garment center and those entry-level jobs, and I lament it. I really do. I think that it has been very destructive culturally."
I find it ironically humorous that Geraldo lays claim that hip-hop music has been more destructive than racism for African-Americans in this country while being racist himself. Why is it, according to him, only "black and brown people" walk around with their pants around their rears and have visible tattoos (not necessarily on their rears)? Why does he seem to insinuate that only "black and brown people" listen to and enjoy hip-hop? Why is it he seems to feel so few "black and brown people" are successful, especially when wearing their pants around their butts and possessing visible tattoos?
What Geraldo seems to be missing, besides a larger mustache, is the fact that one's personal and professional life isn't identical (not usually anyway). When one returns home from work and changes out of their more formal attire, they're free to dress in whatever fashion they so please, from a t-shirt and gym shorts to a sweatshirt and sweatpants to a t-shirt and pants "around one's ass." When the next workday arrives, to Geraldo's surprise, I'm sure, that same person will likely change into his or her work attire. I know, crazy, right? If only every day were PJ's-at-work day...
Also, let's not kid ourselves, there has been some form of controversy surrounding each and every music genre at some point in its history. Certain hip-hop artists weren't the first nor will be the last to be labeled as controversial. What does Geraldo expect, for a person, regardless of their age, to dress like their favorite musical artist(s), no matter what the time, day, or location? Will people into punk rock be sporting green spiked hair and mohawks while working at the bank? Will those into goth rock wear dog collars and assless chaps while teaching elementary math? Will fans of country music be wearing tight blue jeans, a cowboy hat, and cowboy boots while waiting tables at an Olive Garden? Give me a break...
Hip-hop isn't more damaging than racism and Geraldo unintentionally illustrates that with the racist undertones in his commentary. Honestly, Geraldo, what's more damaging to African-Americans, hip-hop or a lack of funding in predominantly black schools? What's more damaging to African-Americans, hip-hop or the growing wage gap? What's more damaging to African-Americans, hip-hop or a lack of the failed war on drugs? What's more damaging to African-Americans, hip-hop or a lack of gun regulation? What's more damaging to African-Americans, hip-hop or profiling by cops? What's more damaging to African-Americans, hip-hop or racism?
Holding such an absurd opinion on the matter, I have to imagine Geraldo will utter the following nonsensical things at some point in the future:
- "Boob-jobs and that Hello Pussycat Kitty brand are more damaging to women than sexism."
- "Islam is more damaging to Muslims than xenophobia."
- "The Village People and rainbow flags are more damaging to gays than homophobia."
In response, I'd like to say:
Geraldo Rivera and Fox News are more damaging to intelligence than heroin, crack, and alcohol.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/17/geraldo-rivera-hip-hop-racism_n_6701628.html
"Hip-hop has done more damage to black and brown people than racism in the last 10 years. [I challenge anyone to find] a youngster -- a Puerto Rican from the South Bronx or a black kid from Harlem who has succeeded in life other than being the one-tenth of one-tenth of one percent that make it in the music business -- that's been a success in life walking around with his pants around his ass and with visible tattoos..."
He then added:
"And I love Russell Simmons. He's a dear friend of mine. I admire his business acumen. At some point, those guys have to cop to the fact that by encouraging this distinctive culture that is removed from the mainstream, they have encouraged people to be so different from the mainstream that they can't participate other than, you know, the racks in the garment center and those entry-level jobs, and I lament it. I really do. I think that it has been very destructive culturally."
I find it ironically humorous that Geraldo lays claim that hip-hop music has been more destructive than racism for African-Americans in this country while being racist himself. Why is it, according to him, only "black and brown people" walk around with their pants around their rears and have visible tattoos (not necessarily on their rears)? Why does he seem to insinuate that only "black and brown people" listen to and enjoy hip-hop? Why is it he seems to feel so few "black and brown people" are successful, especially when wearing their pants around their butts and possessing visible tattoos?
What Geraldo seems to be missing, besides a larger mustache, is the fact that one's personal and professional life isn't identical (not usually anyway). When one returns home from work and changes out of their more formal attire, they're free to dress in whatever fashion they so please, from a t-shirt and gym shorts to a sweatshirt and sweatpants to a t-shirt and pants "around one's ass." When the next workday arrives, to Geraldo's surprise, I'm sure, that same person will likely change into his or her work attire. I know, crazy, right? If only every day were PJ's-at-work day...
Also, let's not kid ourselves, there has been some form of controversy surrounding each and every music genre at some point in its history. Certain hip-hop artists weren't the first nor will be the last to be labeled as controversial. What does Geraldo expect, for a person, regardless of their age, to dress like their favorite musical artist(s), no matter what the time, day, or location? Will people into punk rock be sporting green spiked hair and mohawks while working at the bank? Will those into goth rock wear dog collars and assless chaps while teaching elementary math? Will fans of country music be wearing tight blue jeans, a cowboy hat, and cowboy boots while waiting tables at an Olive Garden? Give me a break...
Hip-hop isn't more damaging than racism and Geraldo unintentionally illustrates that with the racist undertones in his commentary. Honestly, Geraldo, what's more damaging to African-Americans, hip-hop or a lack of funding in predominantly black schools? What's more damaging to African-Americans, hip-hop or the growing wage gap? What's more damaging to African-Americans, hip-hop or a lack of the failed war on drugs? What's more damaging to African-Americans, hip-hop or a lack of gun regulation? What's more damaging to African-Americans, hip-hop or profiling by cops? What's more damaging to African-Americans, hip-hop or racism?
Holding such an absurd opinion on the matter, I have to imagine Geraldo will utter the following nonsensical things at some point in the future:
- "Boob-jobs and that Hello Pussycat Kitty brand are more damaging to women than sexism."
- "Islam is more damaging to Muslims than xenophobia."
- "The Village People and rainbow flags are more damaging to gays than homophobia."
In response, I'd like to say:
Geraldo Rivera and Fox News are more damaging to intelligence than heroin, crack, and alcohol.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/17/geraldo-rivera-hip-hop-racism_n_6701628.html
Comments
Post a Comment