From: Bob Davis (earthjuice_at_prodigy.net)
Date: 2004-02-21 20:51:49
I was asked to comment on this situation earlier today and this is what I wrote...
-----------------------------------
Some people are saying that this story isn't about race.
However the reality is that this issue is all about race.
It isn't so much about disrespecting black folks.
It's more about black folks being comfortable in their own ignorance.
It's all about the mass media knowing that modern day Black folks don't give a damn about
their own cultural legacy and are unwilling to take a stand about what is right and what is
wrong.
We have come to expect to be disrespected as a given.
We have come to expect to be manipulated as a given.
However in my opinion we should NEVER have an expectation to be "comfortable" with any of
this!
In some ways it feels much more like 1924 than it does 2004.
In 1924 there were many black people who were "comfortable" about the state of their
condition.
In 2004 there are also many black people who are "comfortable" about the state of their
condition.
Yes in my mind this issue of Justin Timberlake hosting a TV show that is supposed to be a
celebration of one of the best known black institutions created in the history of the United
States is totally a story about race.
However it isn't really about the race of Justin Timberlake...
It's a part of a continuing and sad story about a race of people who were once proud of their
past, used it as a mechanism to inspire their children for the future, who have now become
"comfortable" in watching their history, music, culture and identity being hijacked by
profiteers disguised as TV producers.
20 years from now, when the history of this period of time is written my sincere hope is that
when black children read about it, they will hang their heads in shame and ask their
parents...
"what did YOU do to try and prevent this from happening..."
(and that is my $0.02)
_________
Bob Davis
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