Hip Hop Summit Action Network responds to criticism
APRIL 13, 2007 - NEW YORK, N.Y. - The following is a statement from Russell Simmons, Chairman, and Dr. Benjamin Chavis, President of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network:
“Hip-hop is a worldwide cultural phenomena that transcends race and doesn’t engage in racial slurs. Don Imus’ racially-motivated diatribe toward the Rutger’s women’s basketball team was in no way connected to hip-hop culture. As Chairman and President of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN), respectively, we are concerned by the false comparisons some in the media are making between Don Imus and hip-hop. We want to clarify what we feel very strongly is an obvious difference between the two.
HSAN believes in freedom of artistic expression. We also believe, with that freedom, comes responsibility. Don Imus is not a hip-hop artist or a poet. Hip-hop artists rap about what they see, hear and feel around them, their experience of the world. Like the artists throughout history, their messages are a mirror of what is right and wrong with society. Sometimes their observations or the way in which they choose to express their art may be uncomfortable for some to hear, but our job is not to silence or censor that expression. Our job is to be an inclusive voice for the hip-hop community and to help create an environment that encourages the positive growth of hip-hop. Language can be a powerful tool. That is why ones intention, when using the power of language, should be made clear. Comparing Don Imus’ language with hip-hop artists’ poetic expression is misguided and inaccurate and feeds into a mindset that can be a catalyst for unwarranted, rampant censorship.” (source)
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I had the unforuntate experience of watching oprah’s Town Hall last night. How is Hip hop being blamed for Don Imus’s racist comments?
Comment by Saudia | April 17, 2007
You know, I actually saw it as well. It did not seem to me that hip hop was totally being blamed for this negative trend. In fact, several panelists went out of their way to make that clear. I think that for the hip hop industry to claim that they are above ANY criticism in light of this Imus mess is very disingenuous. Plus, I do not buy into the “many of these rappers rap about what they see on a daily basis” line. Many of these folks are millionaires and have long been away from the hood they glamorize in their videos. Bottom line, much of hip hop today is nothing more than a modern-day minstrel show with a nice beat. Anyway, the show today should also be pretty interesting, but based on this press release (above), I think we all know what direction Simmons is going to take.
I 100% do agree with the fact that censoring rap artists OR firing executives is not going to make a difference to a country that loves this type of entertainment. Exhibit A. The porn industry
Comment by Duane | April 17, 2007
Yeah but then did you watch day 2. Hip Hop and entertainment in general is a reflection of society not the other way around.
Comment by Saudia | April 20, 2007
I sure did and I have it recorded.
My wife and I kinda got into it a little bit over what you are saying here. But in the end we both agreed that while hip hop is a reflection of society to a certain extent, it certainly has the means to sanction itself when it knows that it is glamorizing stereotypes. Another point my wife brought us is let’s not forget that folks like Russell Simmons is making MILLIONS of of this “poetic expression of ‘desparation’”. In other words, he is helping to perpetuate the stereotypes for his own benefit FIRST. I don’t care how he dresses it. He is a capitalist who is blaming society for his riches.
HUH????
When Akon was seen on film recently grinding a 14 year old girl, the crowd went wild–in excitement. He is just one of many in hip hop who does this kind of stuff yet find safety under the unbrella of “cultural poetic expression”.
Man, listen Simmon’s hands are tied in the game so he is going to be loyal to his interests. If he really wanted to make a statement, he should have annouced that he was dropping out of the game altogether to address these issues on a full time basis, since he is so concerned about it. He’s digging a hole to fill a hole in his argument.
Comment by Duane | April 20, 2007
1st and foremost as he pointed out he has not signed an act in 10 years. But this is not about him. Chavis made a valid point. “… you clean up hip hop but have not cleaned up the community then how long will it be before you are talking about this same subject again…” Let us address the Akon or R. Kelly kiddie thing for a minute. Let us look at the females involved. When are we going to stop being the victims? Who taught this child that it was okay to grind on a boy yet along a grown ass man in the first place? Who taught this 14 year old that letting a man piss on you is a part of sex? Women have got to take back their power and accept responsibility for the part that they play in this situation. If women were not out being groupies and hoes and acting like bitches then who would the men have to talk about. When I was in the world of dating I didn’t do disrespect. You didn’t get to call me late at night. We didn’t sit in my apartment for you to suck up my air conditioning. We as women want to put the blame on Russell Simmons and Kevin Lyles when we should be putting the blame on our selves for accepting the status quo. The second thing we need to look at is that we have generation of men that came of age when fathers were not present. Who taught these young men how to treat women? If we must lay blame then let us start at the foundation. The blame must be laid solely at the feet of the civil rights generation. They failed us (the children) They marched in the streets and we sat at home. Men of that generation left their families. They left women to raise boys into men. How can a cat teach a dog to bark? But that is just my opinion!!!!!!!
Comment by Saudia | April 20, 2007