Posts Tagged ‘Harry Belafonte’


I was on the net today in really, of the Melissa Harris-Perry Webpage on MSNBC’s site. Her featured letter was addressing the issue concerning the angle of Hot 97’s DJ, Mr. Cee. I’m sure of us have been paying attention about him sharing his testimony about his recent arrest and also his admittance of his encounter with a transgender individual. As I was listening to the conversation online, yes he was in pain. He was in pain from all of the lies and turmoil that has been surrounding him. I’ll be honest, it was open. It was on point. And yes, it’s was real for him to do this. If those don’t know what’s up, here’s is the entire interview of what took place.

BUT BEFORE YOU PRESS PLAY: This interview may contain some adult themes. Be advised. 

What you just heard was just about 30 minutes of Mr. Cee utilizing his confession, and also having doubts of not returning to work. In a way, he did accept his 12:00pm time slot show. Also, as I was looking at the comments on Melissa-Harris Perry’s page about this story, yes, the comments had to ring out. Now many had support of him. But there were questions or statements about not bringing God into this. Why is so many continuing to say: “don’t bring God into this.” Or “Jesus needs to be out of the conversation.” It’s time to admit this, and I’ll say it here. IN EVERY CONVERSATION: no matter what it is, God is in every story conversation. Many are saying how so? I don’t believe no Gods, no Jesuses or any thing that’s all holy. No need for the church to get involved. NEWSFLASH: you don’t need a church with four walls and a sanctuary to clean out or to make a confession of concern. Let’s just say, God was using Mr. Cee in his testimony in terms of coming out of his confession. God was using Mr. Cee to go to that station with the odds of this Transgender/Arrest angle to tell the truth. No matter what. If the “cleansing” portion of the interview was his confession or his “come to Jesus Meeting”, then I would infer that was his need of setting the record straight. No matter how private or public it maybe. It’s not easy for anyone to tell secrets or those like that to remain in the Pandora’s box. But God willing that Mr. Cee doesn’t have to worry about this matter.

I had to bring up this “don’t put God in this” thing on this story because, folks at times don’t want to be all religious. Many don’t realize that there are connections. Or parallels into objectives like this one. We see it all the time. 12 years ago when the World Trade Center was attacked, many were asking: “Where was God that day?” I’ll tell you this. God was working with the firefighters, the policemen, the construction workers, the medics, American Red Cross, and many others in need of help. Those locating their loved ones trapped in the rubble and also those who wanted to comfort from all the drama and pain that was transpired. The same with those who were affected with the Boston Marathon Bombing, and most recently with the Colorado Flooding. Now those maybe National Disasters, in which those are common. But what does that have to do with Mr. Cee’s recent confession? Did he have support while on the show? Yes he did. Ebro wanted him to stay despite of his concern.

Also: this has to be a statement and I’ll make it plain. The Hip Hop world, must not shy away from this. Remember when Harry Belafonte was going towards the likes of Jay Z and Beyonce about “social responsibility”?  And many had the negativity of them doing charities? Well let me tell you as a fan of Hip-Hop since Run DMC made their rhymes of Reading Rainbow back in the 80’s and such:  No more hiding. And STOP TRIPPING! It’s OK to keep track of your endorsements, your connections, your stacks of hits, or many others in the game, but with an issue such as this needs no money. That does not matter. All you have to do is see the responsibility, and take it. Now many not want to do it. But it is an responsibility in a social sense. And this goes for the Local DJ’s here in Milwaukee also. I got love for them, but they better come with a sense of Social Responsibility!

But we know that they won’t come out for this. As long they have fans of all allies ranging from the LGBT to straight, religious, alternative, and many others, this is one responsibility, that needs attention!

Many are still saying, “don’t bring God into this.” Well, the almighty God in another way, has been involved.

Literally.


It’s time once again for that deadly Three Way Dance. I’m going to go three way as usual with my takes on the Jay Z/Harry Belafonte angle. I have to say something about that, even though I like some of his joints. Plus Scott Walker thinks he’s FDR. NOT! And the infamous Ted Nugent and a racist he already is, and have to strike, yet again against African-Americans.

For the battle of respect. – This is how I see Jay Z and Harry Belafonte. Both have and had successful careers, philanthropy, and only one of them has had experience of being on the front lines of Social Responsibility. What got this on was when last year, Harry Belafonte had to comment about those of now in the music game don’t get involved in social activism, or civil rights as much. We remember what Harry said, right? Well here’s a refresher course of what he said:

And I think one of the great abuses of this modern time is that we should have had such high-profile artists, powerful celebrities. But they have turned their back on social responsibility. That goes for Jay-Z and Beyonce, for example. Give me Bruce Springsteen, and now you’re talking. I really think he is Black.
Remember that? And many thought that a legend like Harry Belafonte was disrespecting Jay Z and Beyonce. Not quite. In the minds of true Jay Z and Beyonce fans probably were saying something like “this old dude gonna dis Jay and Beyonce?! and this Social Responsibility?!! WTF he think he is? He lost his mind!!” Now In response: yes Jay Z did in fact replied on both fronts in his music and the news as usual:
I’m offended by that because first of all, and this is going to sound arrogant, but my presence is charity. Just who I am. Just like Obama’s is. Obama provides hope. Whether he does anything, the hope that he provides for a nation, and outside of America is enough.” He continued, “Just being who he is. You’re the first black president. If he speaks on any issue or anything he should be left alone… Of course we want to challenge him to do better. I felt Belafonte he just went about it wrong. Like the way he did it in the media, and then he big upped Bruce Springsteen or somebody. And it was like, ‘whoa,’ you just sent the wrong message all the way around…Bruce Springsteen is a great guy. You’re this Civil Rights activist and you just big upped the white guy against me in the white media. And I’m not saying that in a racial way. I’m just saying what it is. The fact of what it was. And that was just the wrong way to go about it.”
And a far as the rap: Straight from the Magna Carta Holy Grail, and the song Nickels and Dimes:

“I’m just trying to find common ground/ ‘Fore Mr. Belafonte come and chop a n*gga down/ Mr. Day O, major fail/ Respect these youngins boy, it’s my time now/ Hublot homie two door homie/ You don’t know all the sh*t I do for the homies.”

FLAG ON THE PLAY!!!! WHOA TIME OUT!

Let me just say this. Yes, Jay Z is doing charity work besides The Brooklyn Nets Basketball team, and RocNation Sports. According to the Look to the Stars Website: Jay Z has donated to the following organizations in which are recognizable thus far:

Now this isn’t bad. Yes, Jay does give back. In a charitable sense. But I don’t see any Social Responsibility or Activism causes. And I think this was Harry Belafonte’s call out to Jay Z. In his rap lyric, Jay Z called Harry Belafonte a “boy” and having him to move over and let the young folks run the ship. That is like asking the team to punt the ball to many times and run a play without any experience or guidance. Plus the other team will score and win the game. First: let’s us remember that Harry Belafonte was one of the artists who was on the front lines for social responsibility when Dr. King was ALIVE! I was reading Roland Martin’s Facebook page and his tweets about those who are younger need to respect those who paved the way. Oh yeah there were some defenders on the site, but mostly it was saying that Harry Belefonte had a point in a reason to call him out . Harry Belafonte is in his 80’s. And still doing the activism thing. In other words, he is in the long haul. Not the short term crap that those like to be in it for two weeks or less. And partially again seems to be the problem! Just like I mentioned in my last blog about the short terms vs long terms in this 21st Century era. Now Jay Z talks about his “presence is charity”. With all due respect to Jay but, Guess what? Martin Luther King had a presence. Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, Sidney Poitier, and many others who weren’t just entertainers but also Social Activists had or have presence. I was also noted on Roland Martin’s Facebook Time Line about when Harry Belafonte was in a restroom at a urinal,  a cop telling him with a gun to his head “One more drop and you’re dead.” Or cited an event in a Chicago hotel, where he sold old a packed room. Despite of him (Harry Belafonte) not to perform. But a New York Headquarters was notified and Harry Belafonte was the first black performer to enter that front door to the Chicago Hotel. Yes, many artists today sold out Madison Square Garden, and many other venues for Rap or R&B per say, but Harry’s “presence” going in was nothing to be copied! Now that is presence!  Or even having a suitcase full of cash along with Sidney Poitier, to give to the freedom riders in the south, while being chased by the KKK. They did it! And survived! I dare anyone in the music game right now to learn this! Either Locally (Milwaukee) or well known in America or Internationally! And about his rap comment above, is Jay Z really telling Harry Belafonte to step out of the way and let the young cats run the show? I hope he’s not serious! Matter of fact, I’m not surprised. I’ve heard this too many times. If I were to tell my parents to step aside and let me and my older sibling to take over, that is a sign of disrespect!
Many today in the now era, don’t know how to wait for their turn. It’s sad also that Jay Z and Beyonce (with all respect) has a daughter they’re’s raising, and I wouldn’t image if Blue Ivy Carter one day would say to some of us “soon to be old Gen X’ers” to get out of the way and let the new school run the show. Many companies, in the past and presently, have dealt with the exchange of the veterans and rookies commanding the ship. This reminds me of those who graduated this year, and also years past coming out of college. And yes, those coming out of college usually don’t have the experience of a veteran worker of 20+ years. And plus those who are young and up in the work game, must understand that they have to work their way up, not skip those in a disrespectful manner! Long time ago, some of your companies who you are probably working for right now, making the paper, had some issues of letting younger folks and the older folks out in terms of “we got to get younger!” We’ll take out Ole Willie who’s been around for 30 years replace him with Pookie and them, so we can show our groups and customers, that we can attract younger folks. BUT there is a problem. Many don’t have the experience! And they want the older folks get out the pasture? Just like that? Warning to the companies, that might backfire!
I want to address the Generation Y and the Millennial folks right now and only them on this: It takes respect to get respect! You have to learn to wait your turn and be patient. It’s that simple. You’re not going to get ahead in the world per say, with the tales of telling us Gen X’ers or the Baby Boomers, or maybe the Greatest Generation from WWII to get out of the way. That is truly disrespecting them. And also ME! Why I’m putting myself in this? I’ve been told this years ago. Matter of fact, I was just like you wanting my turn now! But it doesn’t work that way. You have to climb that ladder the right way in order to get to the top. And yes, you will be disrespected. But for a reason to get challenged. I got challenged. And still getting challenged by those who want a black guy like me to step up my game to the next level. Not the next level in my craft, but the NEXT LEVEL in an spot that has not been conquered! There was a time, in my old high school (and I mentioned this) that I laughed at subject that had meaning. But after realizing that subject, I would be coming back to the school for visits as an Alum. Real Talk as what is being said now. So technically, you may not like Harry Belafonte, but give the respect where respect where it’s due. In a Civil Rights/Social Activist/Entertainer sense! Respect the game, young thundercats!
If Jamie Foxx had to come to realization that “it’s not all about him”, then can Jay Z do that? He expressed that this year at the NAACP Image Awards.
Now the Wisconsin side of things, currently the state has the National Governors Association meeting underway in progress. And yes Scott Walker is at the helm in this meeting of all of the governors that came near and far. The thing in all of this that he believes he compares himself to FDR, as in Franklin Delano Roosevelt. EXCUSE ME!!!!! FDR, PLEASE! This high school diploma, college dropout Governor of ours IS nowhere near the results or experience of FDR. Many of the policies I think that FDR laid out in his tenure as President, would make most folks want to copy and folks want to take down. Research the New Deal. – The same new deal that included African-Americans in which the acts of Social Security, Civilian Conversation Corps, he also worked with the NAACP in relation to dealing with the cases of police brutality, lynching and voting rights abuses. – Hmmm, And I wonder why America has a problem with this, and don’t get me started on Voting Rights Abuses. The Walker folks as we know had done the redistricting the voting areas in making it harder to get to the polls. And the thing I have realized that these so-called Tea Party Republicans want to undo some of the things that FDR set up years back. For a guy with a High School Diploma and no college degree/being a drop out from Marquette University, is completely clueless of trying to be FDR. GOVERNOR PLEASE! Scott Walker will NEVER BE A Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Period. I’ll bet that he won’t put that in his potential bid for his “run” for 2014 or 2016.  And I’ll bet the Democrats (real democrats) would get after him like white on rice! FDR had real talk. And comprised of real issues and ideas. Scott Walker on the other hand: please. Walker would be schooled big time if FDR would meet him head on. And that schooling would not be taking place in a classroom or a college dorm! Just out of curiosity, if the governors from the other 49 states have a high opinion of Wisconsin, what would they say? I mean they are meeting a guy who already slashed funds for Healthcare, High Speed Rail, let go of Act 10 and most of the Union Collective Bargaining rights. Plus, can someone from the other states remind him of those so-called 250,000 private sector jobs?  As well as forcing women to do ultrasounds? Raise your hands if your sure.
As far as the “Cat Scratch Fever” is concerned: Ted Nugent is a fool! A draft dodger who doesn’t care much about African-Americans. Still on the commentary in regarding Trayvon Martin. And still on the commentary about comparisons between African-Americans, and storm clouds?!!! What the heck is he talking about? STORM CLOUDS?!!! Really?!! This is what he said as reported on the Huffington Post:

“If a Dalmatian has been biting the children in the neighborhood, I think we’re going to look for a black-and-white dog,” he said. “I think that typically when you see the — I don’t even remember the term they use — but the gangs of blacks lately that have been just been going down the downtown streets and breaking windows on cars,” Nugent continued. “Over and over again, I watch the news, and here’s a rape and here’s a burglary and here’s a murder in Chicago. Twenty-nine shot, 29 blacks shot by 29 blacks. At some point, you’ve gotta be afraid of black-and-white dogs if the Dalmatian is doing the biting.”

I find this crazy. And plus he insist that he’s no racist and pay homages to Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley. And I’ll bet he’s one of the folks who say, (here it is) “I have a lot of black friends.”

OH STOP IT!  STOP IT! Out of bounds.

That comment/quote or statement will get you out of the club. No ghetto pass. None. Now if Ted Nugent has African-American friends who follow up, they better step to him quick and condemn him for the statements like that. What if his friends were to be profiled like dogs or having this storm cloud effect of being afraid? NOW WHAT? This dude, is like a dangerous animal that needs to be put to sleep. LITERALLY! And speaking of things to be put asleep, Nick Cannon’s interview with Ted Nugent. The comments that came out of Ted Nugent’s mouth, were actually from Nick Cannon’s podcast show. Now for all the Nick Cannon faithful out there, yes, I know he’s married to Mariah Carey, a host of America’s Got Talent, and yes he’s got skills of “Wild N’ Out” Plus a funny man on the “Real Husbands of Hollywood.” I get it. And yes dude got boat loads of cash. BUT……..THIS “podcast” featuring Ted Nugent is way out of his league! Sorry.

Pay attention what Joe Madison (aka the Black Eagle) had to say on this:

If you don’t know who Joe Madison is, you better check him out. And if you have Satellite XM Radio.  Joe Madison had to school him bad. Yeah, I read on his Facebook Page (Madison’s) that Nick is in a different generation and doesn’t see that like the older folks. WELL I have comment on that: This is not Nickelodeon. And it doesn’t matter who he’s married too! That don’t mean squat! I don’t care if you’re married to the decent of Golda Meir and having this respect of humanity, but still some folks will get called out foolishly based on race, creed, class, generation, gender, or preference. In other words, us Gen-Xers and up know this well:  back in school if you’re dressed differently, folks called you out. If you hadn’t the coolest shoes, you get called out. The type of music you like, and get slammed, will be called out by bullies. But those are small things. But against someone (who is African decent), and like Ted Nugent has been ranting for years, and even recent after President Obama came out his commentary of dealing with racism, it still resonates with a dilemma. And that talk about no real racism? – Check again.  And that needs “no generation thing” to get over.

Don’t get me wrong, Nick Cannon has game. But this game, he should have done his homework!


Oh yeah, it’s time for my editorials. I need to editorialize my opinion about the Republican candidate Herman Cain. The same Herman Cain who believes that Racism doesn’t exist anymore or doesn’t hold anyone back. Yes, this is the guy, who owns Godfather’s Pizza, is the same guy that believes that “racism” is null and void in America. I’m like “REALLY?!!!” I challenge Herman Cain, as conservative as he is,  to come to Milwaukee. Now why I’m bring in Milwaukee in this? Milwaukee is labeled to some as “the most segregated city in the United States.” I challenge him to view this because when you are in a segregated city, and yes, you would expect alot of “black vs white” sort of speak in various ways. And you could be other ethnicity and have segregation as well. Even if you applied for a job, and found out years later that one of the reasons that the phone call didn’t come in: is because of racism. Last year around this time, I was one of the 390 African-Americans living in the Badger State, that was denied of employment through Dresser Waukesha because of my race. Google the story. And even though that didn’t make major headlines, but it was a story about another reason that racism exists. I’ll be those in the “conservative base” should know that as well. Especially Herman Cain. As old as he is, he should know. And those living in Milwaukee and like to post their liberties on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Website do the same on Eugene Kane or James Causey’s stories, should also without having the heads in the sand.

Plus, you heard about it too many times: “Wisconsin is the worst state for Black People”. Don’t get me wrong, it is good at times. The Badger State has more African-Americans in prison than any other state in the union. More than Illinois, California, and a few other states.  I’m glad that he’s being called out on this subject. For real he is. Now, some of the folks are saying that “yeah he owns a franchise, cut him some slack”. Ok, I’ll cut him some slack on that, but for real, the only reason I think that he’s mentioning about the “non-racism angle talk” because of the base that he is paying attention to. Sort of like the rookie Governor, Scott Walker will say anything to get elected: 250,000 jobs, no high speed rail, busting up Unions for collective bargaining, Concealed Carry Weapons, etc. And get this, since this past couple of days have been about wishing to recall him, I think it’s going to happen for real. The recall process will be in full effect on November 15th, 2011, and I’ll bet most of the Badger Faithful will be sigining those John Hancocks to get this on the ballot to admit the truth that Scott Walker was bad in the beginning, and bad now. Want more proof? Look at the record from his days as Milwaukee County Executive. The most he did in Milwaukee County, is doing the same currently.

Oh, now back to Herman Cain. He’s also being called out by the likes of all people: Cornel West, Tavis Smiley, Goldie Taylor, and Harry Belafonte! Now for Cornel West and Tavis Smiley, they have been “critical” of the President of not being able help the poor. But they have commented in which that Herman Cain in their words should “Get off the symbolic crack pipe and acknowledge the evidence is overwhelming.” You read that right. Harry Belafonte also commented that “Herman Cain Is A ‘Totally False’ ‘Bad Apple’ In The Black Community”. Harry Belafonte has been around longer than most of us, and helped those LONGER than Herman Cain. Just saying. I know he’s Old School and has alot of knowledge to share. That I’ll give him my respect. And as for Goldie Taylor, she commented about Herman Cain morely via a video clip from MSNBC:

For this guy, Herman Cain, to tell you the truth, not VERY much of my interest. The only way I think that Herman Cain would get my respect, for example, is to be a “break away candidate” from the Republican party base, the Koch Brothers, and somewhat link up a way to help the Democrats and Independents. And to give an positive (not negative, Benedict Arnold style) impact to the African-American community and other communities. That’s right, I said it!  But in my opinion, he’s doing the opposite of what I wrote previously. That is not helping. In order for him “to be for real”, he has to act like it. That’s what having this President job is. You hear alot of the youth these days say that “you gotta be real”.  If not, we used to have a saying in the 90’s that “we’ll kick you to the curb”.  Straight up. In 2008, yes I voted for Barack Obama for two reasons: One – Enthusiastic. And two – Vision. My opinion of Enthusiasm of the can do American Spirit that we can still make it happen although most think wouldn’t be possible for other reasons. And Vision of giving the country to get a new sense of philosophy in terms of beliefs. And no, I didn’t include the words “because he’s black.”
There has been talk about “The Black Experience”. In what ways may I ask? I heard this many times before from folks who are just as old as Herman Cain, and little older and the black experience that I researched had more in depth that I cannot imagine. I have an uncle who once told me that back when he working for P&H Mining in Milwaukee, it was OK for the other workers who are non-black to call those who are black the N-word. I kid you not. There were times I had the elders telling me about a time in Milwaukee that you couldn’t go past the 16th Street Bridge to the South Side just because you’re black. That’s one of the reasons why Father Groppi got involved to integrate. God rest his soul. Or there were times I heard and have been told that there were times that you are in your car, riding on the freeway, or in the street, always watch out for the Police or the County Sheriff because of the “Driving While Black” mentality. I don’t care if it’s in the suburbs. Or in you are in a store, etc. In regarding the President, during his community organizer days or teaching days in Chicago,  maybe he had an exposure to “The Black Experience”. I said maybe.  Or that reminds me, of the  “you’re not black enough” quotes days. They told this mess to Halle Berry long time ago, and until 2002, won an Oscar Award! I wonder if the Pizza man dig that research like that? Matter of fact, during the Civil Rights Movement, why didn’t the Pizza Guy took part in that, while Martin Luther King, Jr and company commanded the ship? Was he scared? Maybe. Was that an insult of what he’s saying now?  probably. Obviously in my opinion, Herman Cain is out of bounds when it comes to this.  And also about his comments about African-Americans being brainwashed when voting issues come up, which in my humble opinion is not all true. That’s like having a comparison to say….”All blacks think alike.”  I have two words to say: Wrong Answer. And I’ll share this, I’m not one of the African-Americans in this country that are being brainwashed. I vote for the real concerns, mind you.

So yeah, in my opinion, Herman Cain is alot like James T. Harris from 2008. Yeah, he can say what he wants. But do I have to agree with him, just because they’re African-American and I’m African-American?  No.