Confession: I’ve been listening to “Black Skinhead” and “Blood on the Leaves” when I work out. “Blood on the Leaves” is especially good for workouts. But I’ve always loved Kanye, and I’ve always been a quiet Kanye West apologist. I haven’t listened to all of Yeezus yet – I just download songs I hear on the radio or whatever. I guess Yeezus seems to be one of Kanye’s “angriest” and most racially charged albums, although you could probably say that many of his albums are pretty racially charged. Where was I going with this? Oh, right. Kanye has decided that this is the moment to try to co-opt the Confederate flag for his own (poorly thought out) purposes. The Confederate flag – used by mostly white Southerners as a symbol of slavery, the “good old days” of the Antebellum south, and general southern pride – is being used on Kanye’s Yeezus merchandise and he’s even been wearing it around LA – go here to see a photo.
He caused controversy with his song “New Slaves” about modern-day racism and now Kanye West is prompting talk again – the rapper was seen wearing a jacket emblazoned with the Confederate flag on Saturday.
The star, who got engaged to Kim Kardashian at the end of October, has been criticized for featuring the flag on merchandise for his Yeezus tour.
The gear includes T-shirts featuring the flag along with a skull and the words “I ain’t comin’ down.”
But in an interview with Los Angeles radio station 97.1 AMP on Monday, West, 36, explained the reasoning behind using the flag – which was adopted by the Southern states during the American Civil War but has come to represent a symbol of racism and hate to many.
“React how you want,” he said. “Any energy is good energy. You know the Confederate flag represented slavery in a way – that’s my abstract take on what I know about it. So I made the song ‘New Slaves.’ So I took the Confederate flag and made it my flag. It’s my flag. Now what are you going to do?”
Part of me thinks this is actually rather ingenious of Kanye, trying to force discussion of an issue about our American symbols and what they really stand for. I know a lot of Southerners who consider the Confederate flag a simple symbol of southern pride, an acknowledgement of history, etc. But I know a lot of Southerners who use the flag as a tool of racism, of the Old South, of longing for the old days of Jim Crow and secessionist leanings. I’ve lived in Virginia most of my life, and the only place I see Confederate flags these days are on stupid bumper stickers on old pickup trucks, although I once saw some rednecks hot-rodding their pick truck on the fourth of July one year, with one redneck waving an absolutely enormous Confederate flag from the flat-bed. Because nothing says American independence like a symbol of Southern secession? So, Kanye does have some kind of point about the racism. But mostly I just think he’s stirring the pot just to be “controversial”.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
So over him.
oh please… it’s just cheap attention whoring, miley cyrus like
I can’t bring myself to care, because it’s not like anything he does really catches on in the fashion world. He’s looking more and more hysterical and lame.
But I am deeply disturbed by his inability to articulate what he means, and his misuse of common words. If you want to be taken seriously, educate yourself.
his “inability to articulate what he means” is due to his not knowing what he means. Poor guy is just not very bright, and it works for him :).
Any energy is good energy? That is simply not true in my book. So I guess he is 100% Kardashian now with that little gem, in fact I see that coming out PMK’s mouth. I mean I already have little to no respect for this guy and now this is just one more thing that makes him less tolerable. Yukky Yezzus is what I see. This guy just gets more toxic by the day.
Any energy, channeled well, can be beneficial, I suppose is what he meant. I don’t disagree. Anger can be a good fuel. Nuclear power can be good. In the right doses, toxic chemotherapy drugs can do good. Etc.
Urgh..
The word “clever” and Kanye should never be used in a sentence together.
Yes. Yes. Yes. I like this better than taking the N-word.
He’s not “genius”, he’s trolling.
His “abstract take on it”? He might want to really research this stuff carefully before putting it out there. A lot of people see the Confederate flag as a symbol of racism, as well as slavery.
I mean, maybe he’s doing it in the same way as blacks using the N-word with each other and making it “their own”, but imo the N-word and other symbols of racism and hatred should simply be banished from society. I don’t want to see them on t-shirts and promoted on billboards or whatever to sell a product. I feel like it’s a disservice to all those who suffered in slavery, racism and lost their lives fighting for civil rights, including the chance for Kanye to have the career and wealth he has today!
You know sometimes I think about that movie 12 Years a Slave and wonder how different the thinking of some of these people today (Chris Brown, Kanye, etc.) would be if they suddenly found themselves kidnapped and sold as a slave back in that time (through some time machine magic), and had to live that horror for a period of time. Would it change their thinking? Would it change their understanding of the realities of what those symbols meant? It would be interesting to see if they would come back thinking any differently.
Sadly, you wouldn’t need a time machine if you wanted Kanye or Chris Brown to see what slavery is first hand – it still exists. You’re onto a good point, though. If Kanye spent time with people who were slaves and able to escape from it, or he spent time with an organization that helps identify and free slaves, would he have the same opinion?
I was thinking the same thing. Slavery still exists in many forms such as child labor and forced prostitution, all over the world, including the US. That isn’t said to minimize what happened to blacks in America, but I think it would give more meaning to his outcry if he was trying to stop what’s happening today. Of course, he’s not a very informed, intelligent, articulate or thoughtful person, so I won’t hold my breath.
GoodNamesAllTaken
Actual slavery- as in, buying men and forcing them to do work until they collapse and/or die- still exists in the world. It makes up at least 50% of human trafficking. Hell, you can find it in places like Abu Dhabi; those hotels and malls weren’t built by honest means.
@Nono, I didn’t realize that it was 50%. The whole thing is horrifying and people don’t seem to know or care. I wish Kayne would address the present as well as the past.
Don’t forget about the Southeast Asian “maids” as well.
Bluhare
Or “mail-order brides”, who, while they wait for citizenship, allow themselves to be mistreated because of threats of divorce. Or undocumented immigrants who allow themselves mistreated because they have no legal recourse. If we were to list all injustices, we’d be here a while …
@ Goodnamesalltaken
Not so fun fact : Human (mostly sex) trafficking is the 3rd most profitable industry only behind narcotics and weapon trade, billions of dollars a year, with the United States being the #1 destination point. Many of the people taken are put through a most dehumanizing, torturous “breaking” period, forcibly given drugs, things no human should ever be able to imagine enduring. When they are no longer able to be sold they are churned out on to the streets, addicted and infected with few ways to survive.
As we all *should* know, slavery in any form is no joke. It’s beyond horrific, and some of those people I’ve worked with are so far gone death seems like a blessing. I get Kanye wants to spark discussion, whatever, by adopting a symbol, but IMO his so – called energy could really do a lot for refugees or agencies that help victims of present day slavery by shedding light on that.
But no. Forget the child prostitutes in southeast Asia and eastern Europe. Forget the disgusting people in the states who get away with it. Forget the forced child labor. Forget the child soldiers.
He’s making a statement! He’s fighting back! He’s angry! He’s selling records with controversy!
With all his money and influence, this is how he uses it. F****** POS.
I think it’s great you care so much about the victims of the sex trade, but I don’t think it helps your cause to be angry at people that don’t care as much as you, I think it hurts it, because if you want people to start caring about things they don’t understand or experience, then you’ll help more by setting a better example.
Actually, I disagree with most of the posts above and think some are kind of offensive, even if that wasn’t the intent. I don’t think Kanye and Chris Brown need to know what it’s like to be slaves again to make them better people, I think people need to stop linking black people to slavery, and stop labeling and li nking totally different people together mainly because they’re black, and every other illusion of judgement we use to judge any person of any race or background, except when we personally know somebody.
I just assumed that he did not understand the word abstract. It’s one of those artsy words he thinks he should use, but he uses it improperly.
I think it’s a little dodgy. American history has a lot of very disturbing, disgusting moments in it. Unfortunately, there are still people out there who do use the flag as a symbol. Only they know what their intentions are. I would run fast away from anything that has represented oppression, hate and ignorance.
Exactly. Let’s also all keep in mind that this douchewaffle doesn’t live in the states where usage of this hateful thing still prevails.
How…gracious of him to stick his nose in.
LOVE IT.
also the album is fantastic front to back.
“You know the Confederate flag represented slavery in a way – that’s my abstract take on what I know about it.” What he knows about it? Maybe you should do some research before opening your mouth. I’m going to throw the race card out there with this comment, but if this was a white person doing this there would be all kinds of people calling them out on it. Doesn’t make it right to use this on your clothing, Kanye. Sad that you believe any publicity, good or bad, is what you want. I would hope that all people are outraged by the use of the confederate flag, no matter who uses it.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who had a problem with this. “What I know about it”????. So you’re admitting you’re ignorant about an important segment of history, but you still think it’s okay to toss around racially divisive symbols. Nice. And yet, people STILL insist on lauding him as some sort of genius.
My “abstract” take on it? I don’t understand how it is abstract. I think K is one of those people who collects impressive words, but has no real sense of what they mean or what context they fit in.
as a black woman I don’t like it. of course I’m not a Kanye support, never purchase his music, been to his concert or wear his “fashions”. I also don’t use the n word as a term of endearment.
When people were jumping down Julianna Hough throat and stating doesn’t she have any black friends. If she had friends like the Kanyes who put the confederate flag in their clothing, Russell Simmons who has a satire using Harriet Tubman in a porno video, the ones who use the n word so much you’d think that was there name…of course they wouldn’t have a problem with what she does. Just look how some demean their own culture. I’m not trying to throw shade on JH, just using that as an example.
Clever. He’s subliminally luring red necks into buying his album because they relate to the symbolism of the flag – regardless of content.
Thats what he means by “any energy” – as in any connection to racism… makes him a dollar.
I don’t know…I kind of love it. He’s reclaiming something that has historically been a racist symbol and making it his own. I think it’s brilliant.
I kind of agree. I am not a fan of his public persona at all, and have only heard the music he did on SNL, but claiming that symbol for his own, I kind of think is his symbol for “f@#k all you bigots”…. That’s how I’m taking it.
So I took the Confederate flag and made it my flag. It’s my flag. NOW what are you going to do? – Kanye
ojulia123, I love it too! I can imagine Southerners everywhere angrily tearing down their Rebel Flag off the pride of place over the fireplace mantle ’cause “Damn, Now Kanye’s ruined it, y’all!
For the many young whites that emblazon the flag on their attire, wave it at rock concerts, or football games, and other sporting events, it’s just a hip, in-crowd, stitch of cloth that’s little more than a chic fun and games display. Now, how are the Sons of the Confederacy gonna show their pride in their great Southern Heritage? Why Kanye gone and done spoil their fun?
My take on it also. I like it. Maybe some people in the area where I live will take the confederate flag down and put up drapes instead. Thanks Ye!
I don’t think Kanye has THAT much power. I don’t think what he’s doing with the confederate flag with affect bigots who use it. I do think Kanye has the right to use the flag on his clothing if he so chooses. I see what he’s trying to do, he wants to make it his own and change the connotation…but Kanye needs to realize he doesn’t have that kind of power…no one does. This is something that is deeply inbedded into some people’s mindset…selling his clothing on his tour won’t change that. IMO.
@IDK – I agree with you. Something that has been around as a symbol as long as the confederate flag, won’t be changed simply bc Kanye West decided to use it to stir sh!t about his image/merchandise. I do see where the thought may have come from, but if he truly believes that *he alone* can cause everyone who’s used it for hundreds of years to suddenly *stop* just bc of *him*, it just further shows his incredible arrogance, & mistaken belief of supreme influence.
Now, if *Obama* had decided to ‘take the flag as his own’, THAT may have had a much bigger impact. But with Kanye, it’s the same as any random Jewish celebrity trying to ‘take back’ the swastika… It would take much more to do so than one celeb. (& yes, I realize the swastika wasn’t *always* associated w/hatred & evil, but it is now).
well, he cannot make it his own. This symbol is a bitter reminder of humiliated and tragic position of many people. It’s not smth made up, it’s not a symbol of idea, but a historical truth. What Kanye has to do with it? nothing. He doesnt even know history, I bet.
The guy is nothing short of delusional with his ambitions and self-aggrandizing.
I highly doubt that by putting a few confederate flags on his poorly-designed clothes, that he’s going to suddenly erase the cultural and historical significance of the confederate flag.
I suppose there’s no harm in dreaming big though.
Yep, I agree. But why wouldn’t he think he can change the meaning? He named his daughter a direction and said that it has a different meaning than it does in reality. This guy is no genius at anything but throwing mud on the wall to see what sticks. And I am sure he loves the fact that people will make their own meanings up to cover up for him. It’s all very sad. He is such a phony in all his words and deeds.
“I don’t think Kanye has THAT much power.” – idk
He doesn’t. However, if the Rebel Flag becomes a widespread fad with black Americans due to Kanye’s fashion forerunning, then I think we could see a sizable dip in the waiving of the Stars and Bars. It’s time to take down the Southern Cross.
@Dawn:
Kanye’s naming his daughter North has deeper connotation than just a direction. In the years before and during the U.S. Civil War of the 1860s, escaped slaves fled northward, hiding by day and moving furtively at night. Often their only guide was Polaris, the North Star, which they found by tracing the handle of the Big Dipper constellation, or Drinking Gourd. – http://www.voanews.com/content/escaped-slaves-followed-the-north-star-to-freedom-in-northern-states-and-canada-84249287/162640.html
@Sloane- But his reason for naming North North had nothing to do with that. Kim said they were naming her North because it had to do with “their love” and that it couldn’t go any higher than North. And because of that I still say you cannot change the meaning of north just because you want to make it something else. I think you should get a job with Kanye West explaining what he meant to say but is unable to articulate it in a way that others truly can understand him. He needs someone other than himself that’s for sure!
@Dawn: lol! Jeez, working PR for Kanye would be more WAY more hours than I’m willing to put in.
Who really knows for sure why they named their daughter ‘North’? It could be because they just liked the letter ‘N’ better than ‘K’. Seriously though, I wouldn’t be surprised if the North Star was involved in their naming process, and they didn’t want to publicize their real reasons for naming their baby girl ‘North’.
@Sloane – honestly I really don’t think Kanye has that much power, even amoung those who love his music. He has been spotted wearing kilts and leather jogging pants (lol), but that didn’t make thousands of people follow his fashion. I think Kanye just likes being “controversial”…but his delivery is awful and instead of being taken seriously, people just laugh at him. Sad but true.
I don’t think it means anything beyond “Look at how I’m going to make money,” but I do like what he did. Ya, it is clever. I’m surprised someone else hasn’t done it yet.
“I’m surprised someone else hasn’t done it yet.”
Ludacris and Lil’ Jon did it first, actually, way before Kanye.
http://cdn.hiphopwired.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Lil-John-Confederate-Flag-Crop.jpg
Additionally, Luda’s explanation in ’05 was much more articulate and thoughtful than Kanye’s:
In response to the Confederate Flag being worn by Chris “Ludacris” Bridges on the VIBE Awards.
“The discussions that have been sparked after my performance of “Georgia” at the 2005 VIBE Awards is my exact reason for wearing a depiction of the Confederate Flag. This flag represents the oppression that we as African Americans have endured for years; this is a symbol of segregation and the racism that reigned not only throughout the South but throughout the entire United States. I wore it to represent where we came from, to remind people that Ray Charles’ original “Georgia” was written because of that racism. At the end of the performance, I removed and stomped on the flag to reveal my version of the flag; a flag comprised of black, red and green. Those are the colors of Africa. It is a representation and my interpretation of where we were and where we need to go. Racism is just as prevelant now and if we are not constantly mindful of our history and take charge of it; history is destined to repeat itself because of ignorance. In order to move forward, we must never forget where we were.
I hope people continue to question and challenge authority, media and themselves because questioning and challenging can only lead to enlightenment.”
Thanks, TOK. See, I knew someone smarter had to have done it first. I’ve always liked Ludacris, despite his laissez-faire attitude to collaborations. 😛
Sorry…had a whole rant, but thought better of wading into this one. Not the right time or place.
Wish I could delete my comment completely…
Ditto. It’s so misused, even casually, here in the south. By all means, let’s make it a symbol for something else for a change!
Still has Nana’s faux-lace pink jacket on. She really wants that back, ‘Ye!
Please. The only people to whom this would be clever are the ones who blindly buy into his self professed “genius”. Any energy is NOT always good energy unless what we was trying to say was that the attention is going to get a lot of dumb people buying his overpriced clothes.
Stick to music, Kanye. Every time you open your mouth otherwise, you confirm that you’re nothing but a loudmouthed moron.
I could almost like him, if he hadn’t made the choice of Kardashian. He shredded the flag’s sometimes argued “independent” symbolism to bits, by saying it represented slavery, point blank. It’s not an original idea, but re-branding it in the modern age, and selling it with this message does take some control away from it as it stood before.
Kanye is trolling. The end.
No to all you guys who “love it”. you can’t have it both ways. If a white artist did this people would lose their sh*t. It’s not acceptable and a cheap shot for attention. If a Jewish artist put a Nazi flag oh their album cover would we be calling it daring and provocative? He is a simple minded attention seeking celebrity like all the rest with his “common tale of woe”.
That is false equivalency. Some people argue that the confederate flag represents southern culture and has nothing to do with slavery. No one in their right mind argues that the Nazi symbolism represents innocent German culture, as an excuse to wear it.
That is false equivalency. – Kiddo
Bingo!
Agreed. The confederate flag is a symbol of the south. People actual do wear it with pride still down south too.
White artist do it all the time…they are called country singers. Sheryl Crow has worn the flag on her pants and I don’t remember any uproar about it. I don’t agree with Kanye selling the clothes but have no problem with him “trolling” by wearing them.
Also I agree with Kiddo 🙂
But I will add that Mel Brooks did use Nazi symbolism to hilarious effect. It took the sting out of it by making absolute mockery of it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Producers_%28musical%29
It’s springtime for Hitler in Germany…
C.S. Lewis wrote that the worst thing you can do to Satan is to laugh at him. While I’m not religious, I feel that it’s a valid point–to laugh at that which is intended as harmful, oppressive, or mean-spirited goes a long way toward making it less threatening.
No, it’s not the same thing, and yes, you can have it both ways. Just as, eg, only women can reclaim the word slut and transform its meaning, only the oppressed group can reclaim a word or symbol imposed by their oppressors. If someone from the oppressor class uses a word or symbol associated with violence against another group, they are perpetuating that violence, they can’t “reclaim” it, because it was theirs to begin with. That’s the point.
Kanye, I need you to answer an important question for me: If you think it’s a statement to put the Confederate flag on your merch, are you and Kim going to go all the way and start showing up to events in the General Lee? Are you gonna make Jay-Z the Luke to your Bo and really *drive* the point home? Who is Boss Hogg in this equation?
(real talk – as a Southern girl, this just makes me shake my head. I can’t see any actual intelligence behind it other than an attention grab, which, congrats. It worked).
Is just gonna be delicious when the “but it’s just Southern pride” brigade gets a wind of this epic trollage and starts slipping and saying HE can’t use it cause N-words…. I see you Ye’ i see you
ah-uh.
“Any energy is good energy.”
Any attention is good attention. Look at me! Look at me!
There. Fixed it for ya, Kanye.
Let’s be serious people Kanye doesn’t care about black or white as long as they spend their green $$$.
Yeah, Joy, you have a good point, but rubbing the ‘Southern Brigade’s’ nose in their Confederate flag is a fine idea.
Lol that’s why I kinda digg it
Giggle. I like it. This is going to make some heads explode.
1. Kanye is just doing this for the attention and to boost sales.
2. The Confederate flag is a part of Kanye’s heritage and he has every right to use it however he sees fit.
3. That being said, I wish he wouldn’t…but maybe that’s just my discomfort with the Confederate flag and all it stands for.
4. One benefit: this must be driving the people who proudly display the Confederate flag nuts! 🙂
WORD on every point.
This!!
I love the use of the confederate flag on his album. I do find him revolutionary in his art.
Ya, no. Kanye is not as smart Kanye thinks he is. He is just as try hard as all the Mileys in the world. He tries to come off as intellectual, but he’s not. He reminds me of Lady Gaga, saying lots of words and not actually saying anything.
Just waiting for a Jewish guy to wear the swastika and claim he’s “taking it back” and “making it his own”. Offensive symbols are offensive for a reason, I don’t think it matters who is wearing it. His defense for wearing it is an offense. Kanye, what the hell are you talking about/trying to say?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Producers_%28musical%29
I feel as though it’s just one of those ‘take it back’ empowerment things. Unless he doesn’t know much about history. Totally possible given his stance on reading.
He is trolling racists by doing this! It’s pretty clear to me. Ha ha, well, played sir…well played, indeed.
It reminds me of the stupid fighting between a few women I’ve known, where one lady names her kid “Maddy” or whatever and then her frenemy turns around and names her dog the same thing! Like a big “F-U, what are you going to do about it?” Ha ha. Kanye is cat-fighting with the racists.
He also wore a skirt once, so….
@Holden – I thought that was supposed to be a kilt? I don’t know, though. I certainly wouldn’t put anything passed him, seeing as he’s worn a full head/face mask (sans eyeholes) covered in gemstones for his last few performances, so who he f*ck ever knows *what* he’s thinking.
I think this is very similar to how black people have reclaimed a certain word and made it their own. When white people say it, it’s offensive and wrong. But if a black person says it to another black person (or uses it in lyrics), it’s often a term of affection and belonging. They took an historicallly degrading and horrible word and now they own it – which is awesome in my opinion.
As for the Jewish people, look what they’ve done with the concentration camps that weren’t destroyed. They’ve been turned into permanent memorials. The swastika is no longer a symbol of power but a symbol of hate. [I’m not saying that what Kanye is doing is as important, but several of you have brought up the Holocaust.]
So I stand by what I said before: I think this is a brilliant move and I hope he’s successful with it.
@OJulia123 – This is a little O/T, but is connected to points mentioned throughout this story, apologies for the super long post! I debated on whether or not to make this comment, since I don’t want to ‘stir the pot’ or be misunderstood. I brin this up with the utmost respect.
I’m always conflicted in regards to the ‘N-word’… As you said, when a ‘white’ person says it, it’s insulting, hateful & racist… But when a ‘black’ person says it, its a tern of endearment, brother/sisterhood, & empowerment. I *do* understand the idea of it, taking something used against the African American race, away from those who used it to be hateful.
But isnt the ‘point’ of “equality” that we’re all the same, no matter *what* color our skin is? Is it really striving to make that goal happen (as it still has a ways to go), by creating ‘rules’ for what someone can say, based solely on the color of their skin? Just for the sake of explanation, i’m white as chalk, Mom’s side from Georgia, Dad’s from West Virginia (back woods), & all grew up dirt poor. My great grandparents (Mom’s side) even worked the fields (before & after slavey was abolished) & were close friends with a number of black families, even when that was ‘unheard of’ by society. So I was very lucky to be raised to respect all people, no matter what color. But don’t misunderstand, I *know* there was a huge difference in being black & white back then especially, & a huge difference in experiencing slavery & not, no matter how ‘low’ on the ladder my family was in society.
I personally don’t like (& have no reason to ever use) the N-word at all.. I just think it’s contradictory to start ‘segregating’ words & who can use them, as it contributes to putting importance on one’s skin color/appearance. (Plus, since the propriety & meaning inferred is almost always based totally on skin color, how do those of ‘mixed-races’ fall on the scale? No matter what they looked like, if they had an African American parent or grandparent, would they not inherit the ‘right’ to use the word as well? But if they didn’t have the right ‘look’, would be judged horribly. I’m not trolling, I swear. This issue just *always* leaves me conflicted.
“I just think it’s contradictory to start ‘segregating’ words & who can use them, as it contributes to putting importance on one’s skin color/appearance”
Hey Hakura *waves*-
It’s a very complex issue and most black people would agree that it’s not a word they use often, and many of them don’t use it at all. I think a lot of white folk have this idea that black people are running around saying “whattup, my n-word?” every second of the day. It’s just not the case. I thought this was a well-articulated explanation:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cassandra-jackson/paula-deen-the-nword-and-_b_3534932.html
For me personally, I have no real opinion on the matter of black people using the n-word in reference to each other.
To me, it’s none of my business. I haven’t walked in their shoes and I respect their right to use (or NOT use) the word how and when they want.
I really appreciate your input. I wish I knew more people like you IRL – we could have some great discussions!
@ojulia123 – Aw! Thank you, I’m so glad I didn’t come across all ‘troll-like’ or whining bc I can’t say a certain word. I wish I knew you (& TOKitten) IRL too! I love to have discussions about controversial topics (okay, & that random guy that lives down the street, with the *killer* abs ;).
@TOKitten – Hey Kitten! *waves back* 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to reply, & for the link! That link… Wow. I mean, I don’t think if myself as being ignorant of what differences are made between black/white (Maybe bc I live in Baltimore), but that article mentioned so much I never really thought about.
I was more than a little shocked, when the writer was sort of ‘asking’ about certain racist actions/thoughts that are wide spread. I mean, on 1 hand, I was very happy to be able to say that I’d never once done or thought any of them. But on the other, how hideous is it that so many DO these things in their daily lives, & don’t stop to realize that it’s racism… Ugh. Actually made me nauseous.
The part about the *actual* infrequency of use of the ‘N-word’ *did* surprise me (& I hate that, having to admit ignorance). I mean, I hear it often when down in the city, but otherwise, I never heard it in school or from adults I’d encounter. It really always seemed to be mid-teens, early 20’s… & like the writer said, is likely Influenced by hip hop lyrics.
I really appreciate the link. I do have to look at it in a slightly different way than I did, even though I still wish *any* words that were ever hateful would be forgotten for good. 🙂
Is this the same man who hates publicity? Wow! All he’s done lately is make himself so available to the press? Go figure…
I think it is COMPLETELY stupid for him to think he is making this flag his own. If someone drives by you next week with a big confederate flag on their car, are you going to think “there goes a guy who loves Kanye”? Or are you going to think about its history in the South?
Kanye is a pop culture icon of our times no doubt…but he is not so powerful that he can erase decades of national history.
IMO, this is just a lazy and overly used tactic to get attention.
This guy has some real problems.
I’m not in the “Kayne is Genius” camp, but I think his stirring the pot is hilarious. I live in South Carolina, where controversy over the stars and bars is alive and well. Wonder what the “It’s Heritage not Hate” crowd thinks of this???
@Vera – Now *that* WILL be fun to watch! xD I forsee Twitter rants & YouTube videos from some ‘down home good-ol’boy types, very soon, if not already.
I’m…kind of all for this. I’m a middle class white girl and I’ve lived in Atlanta my whole life. For a long time growing up I never saw anything I would classify as overtly racist. My schools were always very multi-ethnic and no one ever got bullied over something like race. Because of that I really felt like the ‘heritage not hatred’ idea had merit. Another big part of this came from being in a high school where the guys who had the confederate flag on their trucks were the exact same guys who would give you a ride home when you were drunk and never try anything. They were the only type of good ol’boy I ever had any contact with.
Recently however I’ve seen another side of this issue. My sister went to Georgia Southern for college and while attending a party with this same type of ‘gentleman good ol’boy’ we saw these guys have way too much to drink and start talking about how if they ever had a daughter who had sex with a black man they would shoot them both. And how black women were the grossest thing they could ever imagine. It was horrifying, and for me, completely unexpected.
It proved to me that people aren’t being over sensitive on this issue, that there is still very damaging racism in the US, even among educated young people living in an extremely diverse city who seemingly get along fine with people of all colors and creeds. The answer to this problem is not to push it down and hide it better. Taking the flags off, or getting rid of the words just make it that much easier for people to hide this part of themselves. It also makes them feet tat they are being slighted, and their feelings seem more justified.
Co-oping this image will rile these people up, it may help to expose their true colors and force them to deal with the fall out of others seeing that they really are.
Like I said, I’m all for it.
@KatC – I just came back to the comments onthis story since I’d left a message, but I’m really glad I did. Your story is definitely one more reason my mind has been changed regarding his actions, even if I think it IS just his attempt to stir the pot. You proved to me that there’s another, completely legitimately positive reason to do so. Thanks for sharing your personal experiences, they made a difference to my thinking. =)