By Juste J
Gay marriage is all over the news. President Obama is has come out in support of gay marriage much to the delight of gays and the evangelical Christian republicans who want him to lose the November election. But that is a story for later, what I want to talk about is that Jay-Z has also come out and stated publicly his support for gay marriage; clap for him because a rapper of significance has finally taken a stand on an issue other than record sales and rapper beefs.
Jay-Z and most rappers have all too often remained silent on the major cultural issues of the day. I’m talking here of the big money earners in rap music, the top the dogs, the ones in Forbes lists, the kings of rap. Kanye, Wayne, Diddy, Snoop, 50, Em and others that I’ve failed to name, when are they gonna talk openly about issues that affect our communities because for Negroes in America, gay marriage is not the most pressing issue of the day (ok I really don’t expect it of Em and I have to give 50 credit for trying to feed the hungry but I digress). When will someone step to podium and say, I support affirmative action? Or step to the stage and announce that they support a woman’s right to choose? When will I hear one of these rappers come out against mandatory drug sentencing or say something publicly in support of immigration and immigrants? How about the voting rights of minorities that are being attacked and destroyed fam, how do you feel about that? Where is the press conference telling us of your support for the affordable health care act, the law that President Obama signed that is under attack? Speak up fam, I can’t fucking hear you.
Just to be clear this isn’t about negroe issues vs gay issues, this is about what rappers choose to publicly take a stand on. I remember rock the vote by Diddy but you mean to tell me that there is nothing else going on in our society that is important enough for tee shirts and petitions? How about the stop and frisk situation in NYC fam, where do you stand on this tho’? You have rappers on TV talking bout baby mommas, sports and all the material shit that makes them happy but none of you can take the time to speak on how its better and cheaper to educate someone rather than keep them in poverty and prison? That’s not pressing enough of a thing to concern you?
Rappers I beg you, I’m pleading with you, take a fucking stand b. Don’t be ashamed to go out on a fucking limb and say what needs to be said. There are people who look up to you (and that’s a whole other issue) and if they see that you care about something beyond money, sex and drugs then you might prompt them to get involved to try and change the landscape. How you rappers don’t understand this or give a fuck is beyond me. Silent contributions and behind the scene efforts are not enough, not in this day and age. Even the Dixie Chicks took a stand b, they took a public stand against what they believed to be a wrong. The Dixie Chicks had more balls than you, wow.
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