Javine and Janet (above) missed out on music opportunities because of the colour of their skinIs it me British folks, or is MTV NOT giving Janet Jackson any rotation? Has Janet been black-balled by MTV internationally? I mean, Justin Timberlake gets played every hour, sometimes not even that, every 20 minutes. And I don't even see a Janet video. I was sitting in my living room putting the final touches to my novel which I decided to call Reflection (the name still might change, this is probably about the 10th title I've come up with). And the reason why I'm bringing up my novel is because it is centered around certain prejudices regarding black women in a nation-wide society and that you know, we're still pretty much living in a white man's world. The Hurricane Katrina tragedy more than sealed the deal for me. Janet publicly apologised, but later backpeddled saying that Bush put all emphasis on the Superbowl incident to take away from the controversies concerning the war in Iraq.
Does anyone remember Popstars: The Rivals? The format was exactly the same as Making The Band (almost). They were all looking for an all-girl band and each contestant had to perform live in front of the judges just to try and win a place in this girl band. One by one each girl were told that they had made it into the band but two girls were left standing. Their names were Sarah Harding and Javine Hilton. Everyone was convinced that Javine would make it into the band simply because she was consistent whereas Sarah had a very weak voice and only got as far as she did because she was a Barbie, was pretty, had blonde hair, blue eyes and looked a lot like Britney Spears - the ultimate young boy fantasy. Her image was immaculate. She was pop culture perfection to ANY music industry. As for Javine, she was a pretty mixed race chick but being black, well, she didn't stand a chance.When Javine was told she didn't make it, the whole audience gasped in shock. Later, it was revealed that the votes were rigged. All the hundreds of folks that voted for Javine got the telephone message: "Thank you for voting for Sarah Harding". So it was pretty evident that an all-white girl band was wanted and they didn't want any cocoa getting into the milk. That group is now the very successful Girls Aloud. Javine went on to record an R&B/pop album (which I brought out of support) but the album didn't do well at all as nice as it was. Then she represented the UK at Eurovision, but that went badly too. I remember her saying that she was glad she didn't make Girls Aloud because she didn't favour the type of music they were putting out (retro pop/dance music) but now she has resorted to that type of sound for her new single ... I don't want to call her a hypocrite but sometimes, when you need to make a way for yourself, it's always best to explore your options.
Anyway, I had MTV running for TWO hours and Janet didn't get any play AT ALL but Justin Timberlake got played like eight times throughout those two hours and to me, I think that's disgusting. I don't think it's right that Janet is being pigeon-holed in a country over an incident that didn't even take place over here. To me, that's just some bandwagonist bullshit right there. Janet is a black woman who made a mistake but she was exposed by a white man who actually revealed her pierced nipple in front of a billion people so Justin should've taken equal blame. But he backed away like a little weasel. I have already berated him for the fake-assed apology which took place during his All Eyez interview. There was nothing sincere about an apology which took place at a time where he's about to release a new album and in which rapper TI features on his next single meaning that he needs his black fan base more than anything (if he still has one that is). Many black folks are saying the apology has only made them despise him even more because he's only using Janet's name for promotional gain. Had he apologised three years ago and not have waited until his new release, he'd have scored cool points, but the timing of the apology was more transparent than a glass window.It's a shame it's all come down to this though. Janet has gone from MTV icon to MTV loser. She has accomplished so many things in her 20 year long music career whilst Justin strives off making a career copying other legendary artists like Prince & Michael Jackson, leeching off their styles to get ahead and make a career for himself. Whilst I DO think he's talented and puts out hot music he is NOT original by any means. He is a follower, not a leader. Janet makes 100 times more the artist than Justin Timberlake will ever be. I have yet to read an interview about her new album. Janet has to take her clothes off, show off her toned body and weight loss, talk about Jermaine and what they get up to but I want to know more about her new album, the type of songs she has on it, what inspired her to record these songs, etc. Nope. I'm not getting that. Justin can devote a whole paragraph about his music. You don't see him stripping off or talking about his sex life or his relationship with Cameron Diaz. If it was Madonna, she would NOT have been punished this way and we all know Madonna's career has been nothing but shock, sex and controversy. The incident happened three years ago and Janet has already paid the price tremendously so why is she STILL paying?
43 Comments:
What's sad is that you're going to get people that once again say, "Race has nothing to do with it." But in this case, it's true (about Janet), race has nothing to do with her situation.
I don't have time to go into it, but MTV caters to a young demographic, and Janet does not fit into it any longer. There's also a lot of politics that go into adds that people shouldn't really be concerned with – just know that it isn't fair, but it's the way the industry works.
One thing that I will say is that American Idol is the same over here now. It has more to do with the voters truly not wanting to see a black person win now versus a white contestant. In recent seasons, the black vocalists seriously haven't been as strong as the white singers, but that wasn't the case for a long time. To have it come down to Fantasia nearly losing to someone like Diana DeGarmo (2 seasons ago) is just silly and utterly ridiculous. It was only ever close because of race. There is no way that Diana is anywhere close to the singer OR performer that Fantasia is, and yet, she almost lost to her (Diana).
People don't want to believe stuff like this exists - especially with things so meaningless - but it does. And it is apparent.
So she is being blacklisted in the UK too.
It's so sad what they are doing to Janet. I am very hurt over it and I will NOT be supporting Justin TimeberFAKE. They just chew you up and spit you out. They don't give a damn about loyalty and respect.
TOYA FOR REAL, IM WHITE BUT I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU, JANET IS A REAL ICON OF MUSIC, DONT KNOW WHY SHES BEING TREATED THIS WAY, SHE JUST DOESNT DESERVE THIS, MTV IS KILLING A LEGEND FOR MUSIC. I LIKE JUSTIN'S NEW ALBUM, AND 2 SONGS OF HIS OLD ALBUM, BUT I DONT THINK HE CAN MAKE GOOD MUSIC, HE JUST SAMPLES OLD STYLES LIKE U SAID. HE AINT BEEN IN MUSIC AS MUCH AS HAS BEEN JANET, AND PROBABLY HE WONT EVER BE AN ICON FOR MUSIC. I JUST CANT STAND HOW JANET HAS BEEN PUNISHED FOR SUMTHIN THAT WASNT EVEN EROTIC, SHE JUST SHOWED HER BREAST WITH A STAR ON HER NIPPLE, DAMN THERE ARE MANY OTHER THINGS ON TV MORE DANGEROUS THAN THAT, SEX IS SOMETHING NATURAL THAT SOONER OR LATER EVERYBODY WILL HAVE AND ENJOY, BUT WHAT ABOUT FIGHTS, MURDERS, GUNS...?? PLUS PEOPLE IN THE U.S. ARE KINDA OLD MINDED, I LIVE IN SPAIN THO, BUT I SEE OVA THERE EVERYTHING THAT GOES FURTHER OF WHAT IS CONSIDERED "USUAL" PUNISHES YOU FOREVER, AND JANET IS THE BEST EXAMPLE
WHATEVA I WILL KEEP SUPPORTING HER
You know... scratch what I said as the first poster in this thread. I just remembered Madonna's huge success and video play with "Hung Up" not too long ago. So throw out age.
I think it MAY have to do with race but mainly the Superbowl incident.
Now the question is, had Madonna been in the place of where Janet was standing on that famed Sunday... would she be in the same situation?
Janet's music still appeals to the younger audience. MTV and its racist ass IS boycotting Janet. This is the same station that kissed her as with the Icon show now the are treating her like shit. I dont like Janet like that but it is ery obvious. I guess my grandmother was right back in the days white folks will put you ass in your place.
YOU KNOW WHAT I EQUATE THIS SUPER BOWL THING WITH?
RAPE.
THINK ABOUT IT.
EVERYONE SAID THAT JANET EXPOSED HER SELF BUT IF SHE EXPOSED HERSELF,WOULDN'T SHE HAVE BEEN THE ONE TO PULL OFF HER BRA TOP?
SO SHE DIDN'T EXPOSE HERSELF,JUSTIN DID.
AND THE REASON WHY I EQUATE THIS TO RAPE IS BECAUSE THIS IS THE SAME OL'STORY OF A PEOPLE BLAMING THE WOMAN.
OH,SHE WORE A TANK TOP,SO IT WAS HER FAULT THAT SHE GOT RAPED.
SO JUSTIN PULLED OF JANS TOP AND EXPOSED HER BREAST AND NOW IT'S JANETS FAULT.
MTV CAN KISS MY ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AND TO TOYA,
YOU SHOULDN'T EVEN PUT UP ARTICLES OR MUSIC OF JUSTIN TIMBERFAKE ON YOUR SITE.
HE IS AN ASSHOLE.
SO NOW HE APOLOGIZES FOR WHAT HE DID?
TOO LITTLE,TOO LATE.
HE SHOULD'VE BEEN A MAN ABOUT IT AND CAME FORWARD 2 YEARS AGO.
I THINK MTV WANTED AN EXCUSE(ANY EXCUSE)TO TAKE OFF A BLACK ARTISTFROM THEIR PLAYLIST.
AND THEY USED THIS.
Sorry, Justin may be a punk, but Janet gets no love, either.
Yeah, it sucks that Janet is getting NO MTV love right now (thereby dooming her album to flop), but she made her bed and now it’s time to lie in it. MTV isn’t being racist—heck, the president of the network is black herself, and to still claim that MTV is being racist is to completely ignore all of the positive things (events, programming, advertising for OTHER black artists) MTV has done for the black community. MTV has shown plenty of love to the black community in the past. So let’s move on from this idea. Claiming “racism” is the only thing black people feel they can do nowadays in defense of each other, and that’s just disappointing.
That fact of the matter is that the stunt Justin and Janet pulled not only got MTV fined big time, but it also cost them the Superbowl Half Time Show deal. MTV lost a LOT of money and prestige from that incident, so they were going to be pissed no matter what. Don’t be mad at Justin because he was the SMART one. He knew MTV was pissed and ready to chop off some heads so he did what anybody who was concerned about their career in the long run would have done: he put his tail between his legs, sucked up his pride and apologized.
JANET, on the other hand, not only refused to apologize for the incident, she then went on to attempt to CAPITALIZE off of it (remember her SNL skit that year where she played Condoleezza doing a Nipplegate at a hearing?). To this day she has yet to officially come out and apologize for Nipplegate the same way Justin has. Justin thought about his career in the long run and humbled himself, realizing it’s better to be on MTV’s good side. Janet, on the other hand, attempted to use the incident to forward her then current album and it backfired, big time.
Don’t bite the hand that feeds you, and that’s exactly what she did. If I were MTV Janet would be getting ZERO airtime too. And now she’s in a position where magazines only want her for her weight loss tips, and word on her sex life…and she’s CATERING to that. Nobody’s telling her to do all these magazines.
Oh, and of course it doesn’t help that her current album is barely making waves, anyway.
i'm going to have to agree with the last comment, if you truly despise justin for what he did---then do not post his music on your site, don't advertise his rolling stones cover, don't promote him in any way because that is the only way that your point will be proven, otherwise all you doing is just talking just like justin did in his little bullsh1t interview w/ MTV. I also think that everyone should boycott Justin and his music for what's happening. I hate that it's turned into a white vs. black thing but what other reason is there for this happening. Madonna has done more controversial stuff than Janet's ever done and they just love her but yet Janet is condemned. F*ck MTV, all they do is steal from black culture anyway and distort it that's why there's such a negative image of black people out there in america, uk, and around the rest of the world. again, Toya don't promote Justin or his music b/c or else you're just talking just like everybody else simple as that.
I don't know about the whole Fantasia vs. Diana thing. I hate when people bring this up and play the whole race card. Diana's voice was a lot smoother than Fantasia. Fantasia always over sang and I believe she's overrated. Either way, both Diana and Fantasia's albums were boring. Same with season 2. Yes, Ruben had an awesome voice, but he was boring as hell, too! Season 2 was the worst American Idol season. I still only recognize Kelly as the only true American Idol winner. Everyone else after her wasn't and still isn't as great as she is.. as a singer, no scratch that -- as a performer.
Now, in respect to the whole Janet thing.. I don't know what's going on there. I think it sucks, but at the same time I honestly don't care they aren't playing only because the video is WHACK! And the song itself is alright, but pretty boring. It's like EVERY single other track JD has ever made.. just listen to 3LW's "Feelin' You" song and you'll know what I mean. Janet's new music isn't even up to par from what it was before. But whatever. That's my 2 cents.
It's tragic that they aren't playing her for whatever reason they have, but it's nothing to lose sleep over, people. A lot of comebacks this year have been pretty pityful. And I'm going to just come out and say it: Justin's comeback this year is the best (so far). You can't deny that. FutureSex/LoveSounds is a great CD from start to finish. Janet's new stuff is pretty whack. I'm hoping her album is good, but Khia.. come on. Be real.
I agree with what that person said about Justin being smart about his career. If it's anyone's fault Janet's not getting any airplay on MTV its her own fault (well, and her entire camp for not realizing she was destroying the name she made for herself).
Please don't start saying "Janet was keepiing it real and was doing 'the right thing'." Don't tell me the entertainment industry is a place for morals. You play the politics right or you get eaten alive. I would think Janet would have known about that by now...
Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think Madonna's shock factor has ever caused MTV to be fined a hefty amount or lose something as huge as the Superbowl Halftime show...
Toya, i agree with everything you said. janet doesn't deserve what MTV is doing to her. afterall janet didn't pull out her own tit . if you gonna punish one , you need to punish the person who did the pulling. yeah this was janet's idea, but if justin didn't want to change the routine and do what janet wanted to do then he should have said no. he had every right to say no and if janet didn't understand his reasoning for saying no then that's where the friendship would have ended. by justin half ass apologizing three years later, it just shows that he's trying to gain more album sells cause he knows that people will eat that garbage up. a real man would have stood beside her admitted that he was just as at fault as janet , but he goes and hides behind his granny like a punk.
to the person who said janet didn't apologize , you're wrong because she apologized the day after the SB . it doesn't take a genuis to know that of SNL was going to want to do a skit about the whole fiasco. that's the whole point of inviting janet to the show. also if justin really cared about what happened he would have apologized not only to the people , but janet as well three years ago.
Toya. I agree with what you said 100%. I couldn't have put it better myself. *applauds*
[On Janet]
Being black, I think it's pretty disgusting how Janet has been disgregarded and black listed by MTV. Madonna has done worse things on stage than exposed a titty and ain't no channel looking to wipe her from playlists. Britney has equally done some nastiness on stage ("Onyx hotel tour" anyone?) But ain't nobody black listing that trailer park bitch.
[Popstars: the rivals]
I think it's wrong. As for 'Popstars: the rivals'. I remember watching that and thinking "Oh SHIT!!!" as Javine got booted. It was blatantly rigged. And as somebody rightly pointed out a similar thing went down in the 'American Idol' season with Fantasia. The likes of Jasmine Trias and Diana DeGarmo (both of whom did not compare in any way to Fantasia, LeToya and Jennifer) were safe and these 3 badd-ass BLACK vocalists were cast into the bottom 3. How!?! Even Elton John spoke out and said it was rascism. I think it was too.
[White world]
The music industry favours white. Simple. It used to annoy me when niggaz used to be all up in artists videos, but now I see it's necessary. Especially seeing as many folk don't want to give them credit.
People (and JT himself) need to remember WHO was responsible for Justin's breakout as a solo star. NIGGAS. That's who. Talented brothas named Pharrell and Tim Mosley.
It's shocking to think in this day and age there is still descrimination against artists because of the colour of their skin. If it wasn't for black music such as Hip hop, Dancehall and R&B being so popular right now, what in the world would MTV be playing?
This white world bullshit is also seeping into the way many black female artists are portraying themselves. Mariah Carey is mixed race (her Father was black) - yet it's the long blonde hair looks she goes for. Even Beyonce. As much as I love her, her weave gets blonder, the skin looks lighter in photos. Mary J. Blige - her album cover - she's not even black, she's light blue! You look in the inlay - her hair's blonde as anything!
If chicks wanna rock blonde hair, that's fine. But I think they should also remember they are image role models. And I think more black girls should grow up seeing it's okay to have black nappy hair and dark skin. This reason though, is the sole reason why India.Aire and Jill Scott will never push units like Beyonce does. Their image doesn't conform to the kind of image labels and the white man wants to put out there.
The one thing about this world and in this case the music industry, race has alot to do with alot of things, well the entertainment industry. If Madonna, Britney Spears, would have had their nipple exposed and a black man pulled it off lets say Usher, it would have been World War III. The blame would have been on the man. Even if it was a white man who exposed the nipple of Britney or Madonna it would be called a easy made mistake, wardrobe malfunction, and they would say leave it in the past. But now since Janet Jackson did it, 3 years ago, she is suffering for it from MTv. Then again, why would she be wearing a nipple ring if she didn't plan on having it exposed or is that her personal choice to do so, either way it was 3 years ago. Hell sexual acts happen live all the time, The lesbian kiss beween Britney Spears, Madonna, and Xtina, and all the booty-licious girls who shake they ass in performances on numerous awards shows and superbown especially. America acts as if they never saw a sexual act on television before when in actuality the media is revolved around sex. Its The same reason why Mariah Carey was supposed to open up at the Grammys but Madonna said if she doesn't open she won't perform, they switched them. Its all about race, whether people want to deny it or forget about it, racism is alive and very well can be pointed out clearly in different situations.
"...and to still claim that MTV is being racist is to completely ignore all of the positive things (events, programming, advertising for OTHER black artists) MTV has done for the black community. MTV has shown plenty of love to the black community in the past."
You're kidding right? You must be terribly young.
MTV REFUSED to play Black artists back in the day - can you comprehend that? Yes it was a while back, but to think that this happened in the 80's, and not back in the early 1900's or something is just ridiculous.
So don't pull that B.S. You're not Black (you can tell by what you wrote) so don't comment on Black perspective. Only after you have walked a mile in one of our shoes can you then even begin to think about throwing your 2 cents in.
"Diana's voice was a lot smoother than Fantasia. Fantasia always over sang and I believe she's overrated."
LMAO!!!
You have to be white. You've got to be fucking kidding me. "Diana's voice was a lot smoother than Fantasia's."
Fuck outta here with that senseless bullshit. You must be fucking tone deaf.
J, I think you fail to remember Britney was, in fact, blacklisted from ClearChannel radio which makes up a great majority of radio worldwide. I don't think it was for doing something on stage, but she was blacklisted at one point. During the era of her Britney album. Her songs were rarely played. She got blacklisted during the time I'm A Slave 4 U came out.. after that, her singles weren't played on the radio. Atleast here in Los Angeles. I remember rarely, if EVER, hearing Britney on the radio at that time.
I don't understand how people are so apppauled with how people act. Yeah, it may not be morally right sometimes, but its a great business tactic. They're great business people just lookin' out for their careers. Justin did what he did for a reason. Look at him now: he's got a lot of airplay on tv and radio and he's got a highly anticipated album that looks like it will do very well.
"You have to be white. You've got to be fucking kidding me."
I'm actually neither white nor black. Either way, my ethnicity has nothing to do with what I said. People come on here talkin' about how MTV is racist this, and racist that, and so-and-so then they turn around and say "Oh, you don't like Fantasia? You MUST not be black, you must be WHITE." Right, cause that makes sense. Typical hypocrtites.
I stand by my statement. Fantasia is overrated.. she usually screamed and threw in her "yeah yeah yeahs". I'll admit, using her single motherhood for the sympathy vote was smart. Atleast she didn't make it all cheesy like Nikki McKibbin season 1 having her son come out and give her a flower. Then again, Nikki had no talent what-so-ever, so she had to go balls out with that one. Worked for her.. she made it to top 3. Unrightfully so... the finale should have been Tamyra and Kelly. Justin was whack too.
Oh, don't be shocked. You read correctly! I actually DO like Tamyra. Oh my! And I'm NOT black. Crazy, huh?
I think it is because she did not do what they wanted her to do. She did not say she was sorry. So they are mad and are making her pay for it.
"I'm actually neither white nor black."
*GASP*
*SHOCK*
Like I didn't see that one coming.
Plain & simple, you have no idea what a good vocalist is if you have such words for Fantasia.
I bet you think Patti Labelle, Aretha Franklin, and Stevie Wonder aren't all that great either.
Again I'll say...
Fuck outta here with that bullshit. Everybody's a fucking genius record exec online. Pathetic.
"I bet you think Patti Labelle, Aretha Franklin, and Stevie Wonder aren't all that great either."
Actually, no. I think those three are great. It's really only Fantasia that I don't think is that great. And that's hilarious how you compare those three to Fantasia. As if her "talent" comes even close to perforers of their caliber. It's cute.
"As if her "talent" comes even close to perforers of their caliber."
It's not.
But neither is your wit compared to mine.
I really like your blog and enjoy reading you around but I think that you're a little paranoid over this whole racism issue. I don't think she's not getting any play because she's black. Madonna is white yet radio stations BARELY play any of he songs which caused some of them to flop in the U.S , hung up is the only single of hers to crack the top 50 from confessions and thats only because it sold well. so It's not about skin color..it's about what you say (in madonna's case she was against bush) and what you do.
actually Janet is getting alot of airplay at MTV BASE and on MTV EUROPE. so i'm not sure about mtv cutting her off internationally.
never knew Javine was made for Girls Aloud! i loved javine's matirial. she opened for beyonce in 2003 and her songs were pretty good.
as for madonna, i disagree. I think her music is still fresh and she's making hit after hit after so many years not because of sex and shocks, but because of true talent and creativity.
so please, don't pull the race card so fast.
Britney was blacklisted?! Woah, I never heard about that. *lol* Could it have been because of her "Slave 4 U" video? I know around the "Britney" era though was when she began to decline REALLY badly. I think that was her only album not to score a #1 single in the UK. Her film wasn't doing too hot neither.
I personally think that the US don't play much of Madonna's music because her music has gone in a very techno / pop direction and I've heard (apparently) that that style of music isn't as popular and as "chartable" in the US as it is in the UK.
I think also many people in the US may have gone off her somewhat because of the way she's pretty much deferred to the UK. Home fans don't like that. Craig David lost many fans because of how he went Stateside for the longest time and neglected his UK fans some-what.
As for MTV: Somebody rightly pointed out that MTV Base DO still play Janet's music. Every so often, I'll flick through and Base is playing "Call on me" - which is something. I'm not too sure about standard MTV - but do they even play music videos anymore!!! *lol*
Janet not only is a female, but she's a BLACK female - so in certain situations she doesn't stand a chance! Having a willy means getting more lee-way. Being white and having a willy is like collecting a Star in Super Mario bros! *lol* Justin is always gonna get let off the hook for shit he does because:
[a] He has a willy.
[b] It's a white willy.
*lol*
It was standard MTV. I haven't watched Base in quite a while. Just needing to add that I don't despise Justin AT ALL. I'm not saying he shouldn't have apologised but he should've done more to stick up for Janet. I notice how his granny is always speaking up for him in the press! And let's not forget how he started crying and called his mummy when he was getting PUNKED by Ashton! I guess it was to be expected I suppose.
"You're kidding right? You must be terribly young.
MTV REFUSED to play Black artists back in the day - can you comprehend that? Yes it was a while back, but to think that this happened in the 80's, and not back in the early 1900's or something is just ridiculous.
So don't pull that B.S. You're not Black (you can tell by what you wrote) so don't comment on Black perspective. Only after you have walked a mile in one of our shoes can you then even begin to think about throwing your 2 cents in."
HAHA--I'm sorry, but this is just ridiculous. So, because of what I wrote--an intelligent post that wasn't siding with Janet's skank ass, I must be white? Don't get it twisted: I'm black as tar, and YOU just showed your ignorant ass with that one. Face it, honey, there isn’t such a thing as the “black perspective”. As a race, black people have INDIVIDUALLY gone through different experiences and have different lifestyles, and we’re ALL different people, so to claim that ALL of our opinions are similar enough to form one unified perspective on all issues is, frankly, dim-witted.
And frankly, I really couldn’t care less what MTV did back in the day. The network itself is barely over twenty years old, so it’s not as though it has much of a history anyway. Though the start of the network is debatable, there’s no denying that MTV supported rap artists, and black pop artists like Michael Jackson AND JANET JACKSON. Heck, MTV gave her more coverage than BET, and that’s about to be proved by her pathetic sales due to lack of MTV’s support. MTV has done countless documentaries following black issues, and has had shows dedicated to what many consider to be “black” music (Yo! MTV Raps).
Face it: if it weren’t for MTV, Janet wouldn’t be NEARLY the icon she is now. Oh, wait a minute? Didn’t they HONOR her a few years back by making her an MTV Icon? Nice way to pay them back, Janet.
Hey, 5:06 PM, Anonymous said…
Stop using MS Word to type out what you write.
That is all.
(I just destroyed your Uncle Tom, 12 year old ass with one sentence.)
Hmmm, actually...I'm not using MS Word at all. You get the same result when you try to type with a keyboard in Turkish settings.
Here, let me change to English, and see if you have something to say other than a pointless "rebuttal" that has nothing to do with my post. You have to do better than that.
I guess you just have nothing to say, so you rely on your foolish assumptions about who YOU think I must be. Because, I dare say, I MUST be a 12 year old Uncle Tom if I don't agree with you. How could I ever argue with that logic...
You're not smart, and I'll just leave it at that.
The fact is, what we have here is a pathetic state for the differing conscience of black people. It's sad when people are actually AFRAID of our race...it's sad that people are so quick to shout racist that other races are afraid to even criticize a black person for fear of being labeled an intolerant bigot.
That's exactly what is happening with Janet. What Janet did that halftime show was wrong. Yes, we're all aware that Justin is just as guilty, but we're talking about Janet now. What she did was wrong, done without the consent of MTV, and the stunt not only cost MTV a very important endorsement deal and a hefty fine (for MTV AND its many affiliates), but it most likely cost many unknowing people their jobs. To make matters worse, not only does she issue a completely bullshit "apology" citing anything but her own fault, she then turns around and pokes fun at the event on SNL. Oh, and a song from her then-upcoming album is mysteriously leaked on the internet to many cries of "pure coincidence!" Clearly, she tried to capitalize off of something MTV took quite seriously (and why not? the FCC was heavily on their asses for that stunt). Or, it could be my mistake and people wear huge, chunky pieces of nipple jewelry ALL the time and perform in bras that can rip away cleanly and with ease.
So, Janet does this, it costs MTV dearly, and when they blacklist her (rightfully), suddenly every cries "RACIST NETWORK". Never mind all of the documentaries and awards MTV has given her. Forget all of the publicity she's received from MTV. And just turn a blind eye to the fact that MTV wore out every video from Janet's All For You album. Oh yeah, and lets not mention that fact that MTV pretty much ESTABLISHED her pop career. Oh No! Fuck all of that! MTV is blacklisting someone who happens to be black! CLEARLY it's racism!
It's really sad when things have to come to that.
"You're not smart, and I'll just leave it at that."
Oh please. I graduated high school at 12.
Now who's making assumptions.
You're not black. Don't try to lie. If you are, you're a fucking disgrace to your race. Go hang with the white folks, won't be long 'til they call you nigger.
"it's sad that people are so quick to shout racist that other races are afraid to even criticize a black person for fear of being labeled an intolerant bigot."
Oh my gosh, this has to be the most out of touch statement I have ever read. You truly need to get out into the world more often. Whites are certainly NOT afraid to criticize blacks any longer - that shit died out years ago. If you'd like, I will give you some links to check out for yourself.
Maybe it will open your eyes Tom - I mean... anonymous.
LOL--Oh wow...
Here we have a discussion about Janet Jackson. And suddenly it turns into a mob claiming that I must not be black.
This is certainly an intelligent discussion.
To the first person:
If you graduated high school at 12, you sure don't act like it. I'm not making assumptions, I based what I said off of the fact that everything you said about my *physical* appearance was gathered from words on a screen.
To the second person:
Not even worth the comment.
To the third person:
I couldn't care less about what links you can dig up, because I'm sure that I can dig up just as many proving my point. So this is moot.
I'm speaking on real world observations. Try it for yourself, it's really easy for me because I live on a college campus that is made up of mostly white students. So yes, I have a lot of friends that are white, and I have gone to a lot of parties with white people and have entered into many discussions with them. So go on, if you have access to this type of environment give it a shot. I can almost gaurantee you that, if you or any other black person is in the conversation, just about every statement a white person makes about a black person ("Oh wait, is it ok if I say black? I'm not trying to offend you...Do you prefer African American? I'm sorry if I offended you or anything.."). Will be prefaced with something like "Oh, I'm not racist," or "Is it ok if I say this?"
It happens all the time, and i'm not the only one who notices it. Forget what happens in the news or on tv. In real life, many white people are afraid to get into discussions with black people about anything involving black people. Why? For fear of unknowingly saying something that they had no idea was offensive, and often times isn't. It's like they have to walk on eggshells because black people themselves are so quick to play the "race" card, especially in issues where race has nothing to do with it.
Like it or not, but thems be the breaks.
"I'm speaking on real world observations."
So now it all becomes evident.
Your attitude is one of many blacks that overvalue a college education from the perspective of those whom they deem less educated.
You are probably the first in your family to go to college, am I correct?
You spout off about your secondary education experience at a predominately white college, and call this your "experience," so it must be correct, right?
Well, you are preaching to the wrong choir - I grew up in an all white community and am one of many generations of college graduates - I did not just happen to live the experience for however long you have been enrolled in that particular college that you refer to.
Did I meet many racists in that "all white" community in which I lived? Quite the opposite, the truth is that I met hardly any. But, that was the education and the wealth of that particular community - the "real world" (as you like to call it, you will soon see that college is nothing like the "real world") is far different.
I too thought just as you did. My experience as a black (mixed race) was positive amongst whites. So what does that tell you? Compare my living an entire lifetime in the environment that you are now just experiencing, and it would be foolish of you to attempt to begin to tell me how "it is."
Your story is a joke to me. It is like my attempting to tell Rosa Parks (before she passed) about the civil rights movement. I only have knowledge of what I have read and the prejudice that the decades of fighting for equality can bring - a watered down version of what she experienced - she had actually lived through it.
You see, you have assumed far too much.
I am not worried about trying to change your perspective, because you are obviously younger than I and therefore have a limited world experience. I am well traveled. Actions will eventually prove my point to you in this instance. It will simply take time.
So please, do not attempt to tell me "how it really is." You clearly have a long way to go. But if I may give you some advice:
As time passes and those whom you are around grow and realize their place in this society, their "politeness" will be removed. Also, it is clear that the people with whom you associate have issues. Out of all of the [white] friends that I have had in my life (approximately 90% of all of my friendships), possibly only one or two reacted to me the way the majority of your white friends (or possibly acquaintances) have reacted towards you, and other blacks, on a regular basis (or so it seems). That is a clear indication that you have not yet begun to live what I speak as truth.
The day will come when my words will become true to you. And for that, I am sorry, because it is far from a pleasant experience.
Goodbye
DAM!!!!!!!! COLLEGE GIRL GOT SCHOOLED!!! LMAO
Heh...
Ah, funny how my arguments themselves are never addressed, but everytime I say something, someone else finds it appropriate to attack my character.
No, I am not the first in my family to go to college, I come from a long line of college graduates. I don't care what your level of education is compared to mine, that has nothing to do with the conversation.
You assume that just because I'm in college that I am out of touch with the real world. Another foolish assumption. Whoever you are, I work two jobs in that "real world" to put myself through school and take care of my personal expenses. Two "real" jobs. So if you think I'm just some kid sitting in a dorm and thinking this is real life, you're quite wrong. That may have been the case when you were in college, but apparently that was long ago.
Go ahead and write me off however you want, but you're right about one thing. Your being a lot older me may have a lot to do with differing perspectives. I'll give you that much.
However, I can flip your argument against you. See, the times? the be a'changing, whoever you are.
It's nice to hear that you had white friends in college (I know too many black people in college who purposely won't go near them, and that's not any healthier). I'm sorry that, apparently, you post-college experience with white people wasn't a very friendly one. But, to expect future generations to live with the same fears and anxieties is counter-productive.
I'm not saying racism doesn't exist. It does, and black people should be educated to know how to recognize it, and how to maturely handle it. What I have a problem with is this fear we place in the grand concept of racism, a fear that I feel is mostly unfounded. I'm not going to graduate from college and go into the "real world" and suddenly change my views on white people who have been friendly, and I don't think my white friends would do the same. No, I don't expect every white person I come across to be just as friendly and open as the people I've met in college, there are some pretty ignorant people out there on both fronts. But, the world has to progress and change; it's the time. That won't happen if we continue to carry the fears of our past generations with us.
I'm pretty sure I'll encounter racism in my lifetime, but I'm not going to let that turn into a wariness for an entire race. You take the incident for what it is and move on. That's the only way things will change.
Crying racist everytime something bad happens to a black person is not going to bring about progress. It slows us down. Heck, it's almost to the point where nobody else takes it serious, anymore. There use to be a time when claiming someone was racist made headline news...nowadays it usually only makes an SNL skit. It's going to take trust, and faith that not every white person is waiting to stab you in the back for this change to happen. Because fostering this belief in young black people that in time, they'll come to realize that white people don't like them will only nuture an epidemic of reverse racism. And that won't help anyone.
So, I'm sorry your experience with white people wasn't all that great in your later years. But understand that I'm not going to let that affect me. And I'm DAMN SURE not going to side with Janet when she knows she should have kept that tittie to herself.
Oh, and sorry for all the typos. It's 2:30am, and I'm pretty damn tired as I write this
THEY PLAY JANET ON "VH1 SOUL" non-stop
I meant to put "MTV Hits" channel I have comcast digital and they are always playing her video on there.
*singing "Heal the World"...
Does MTV even play music videos anymore except the one hour dedicated to TRL?
Post a Comment