10:03 AM, April 17, 2007

MsJayy said…
Yep - she took the safe route. Someone else lamented the lack of advertisement, that it was a “covert attempt to keep us ignorant & unaware”.

I don’t think it ran that deep. I think Oprah/staff was blindsided by the intensity of the debate & had to hustle to pull this together. Maybe that’s why it’s “only” Russell & Common. Maybe.

I’m gonna miss today’s episode but I’m hoping a friend of mine tapes it.

10:08 AM, April 17, 2007

Shai said…
I missed Oprah. Russell? Run would have been better. I am surprised she did not use Will Smith as her “safe” rapper. SMH.

I am tired in more than one way. What can be done?

10:19 AM, April 17, 2007

MsJayy said…
Run? Ha! Still would’ve missed the mark. LOL Will’s too big to just drop in on a show that I truly think was pulled together almost last minute.

Yeah, I get the “tireds” too (more on that in a later post) but me being tired doesn’t get me (or us) anywhere. I’m still pondering what I can do myself.

10:24 AM, April 17, 2007

chele said…
Oprah safe? Say it ain’t so.

This whole I.mus issue comes down to money. Advertisers were pulling out so something had to be done. I don’t think O should be talking to any rappers (BTW, Russell isn’t even a rapper), she should have a conversation with the record execs who dictate who will be signed, what will be released, etc.

Regarding us and our dirty laundry … I agree with you … it doesn’t matter how the mess was made, let’s just clean it up.

10:56 AM, April 17, 2007

MsJayy said…
Sorry Chele but “safe” is what registered on my meter. And you’re right - tthe I.mus situation is money-driven - like I said corporate America playing Dr. Frankenstein. Maybe she’ll have execs on too, I just didn’t see that.

I’m hoping to hear or see someone else talk about what comes next after her two part show. Is it “just” a show and then she’s on to the next hot topic or are we gonna get in the trenches and tough it out? Time will tell.

11:01 AM, April 17, 2007

CreoleInDC said…
I saw both shows and I’m still thinking on em. I agree with your assumption of her being safe as that’s what I thought when I saw Common’s gorgemousness on the promos.

I think Oprah is ready to do some good and I agree that in the past she’s been EXTREMELY safe but I think she’s about to make some changes. Or at least I hope so.

Oh…and no…we can’t afford to be tired. I think that’s how we got here in the first place. We had to fight so hard for so long that we just got tired and wanted to be “safe.” We took our families to the burbs and sat back smugly and watched those we silently thought we were better than “kill themselves off.” We separated. Where before it was a villiage…it has now become enclaves of lucidity.

I don’t know what to do. I know I can’t afford it…but I, too, am tired.

9:53 PM, April 17, 2007

MsJayy said…
Hey Ladybug! I only caught the first half of the second show today but it seemed promising.

As I was mulling it over this evening, I realized that perhaps Lady O being “safe” is as it’s supposed to be. She isn’t supposed to be on that brigade though she is in the fight. Not sure if that makes sense.

I try to remind myself that “tired” much like “being safe” is largely an illusion and I need to keep pushing. Some days are easier than others but then, such is life.

The struggle(s) continue. And so do I.

10:05 PM, April 17, 2007

Thoughts of a Southern gal said…
**applauding** Excellent post.

But have you thought about maybe those “other” rappers didn’t want to appear on the show? I haven’t heard one word from them except Snoop Dogg and he could have kept his ignorant comments. The same way Nelly backed down from talking to the ladies of Spelman, I think those rappers are backing down now.

The panel(Russell Simmons and Kevin Lyles) seemed to point the finger but not acknowledge that they made millions off exploiting the problem. I’m so tired of the uneducated and empoverished poet excuse as Russell continuously spewed from his ignorant mouth. What do songs about rims, bling, and bikini clad women in hot tubs and sliding down polls have to do with speaking on poverty? He claims they are poets. Didn’t know The Ying Yang Twins were poets. And Common disappointed me. He had a rare opportunity to show people that positive rap can be done in a way that appeals to the mass. Instead he rode the wave with the IDIOTS sitting on stage with him.

I’m not buying Simmons and Liles excuse of dire societal ills makes rappers call women hoes logic. Our situation was dire in the 60s, 70s but you had Marvin Gaye and others singing about love and uplifting our people.

And about the videos, as long as they find women who are willing to be in these videos, there will never be a solution.

Sorry for the long post(blame CreoleinDC, found you from her post!), but that Oprah episode pissed me off!

8:58 AM, April 20, 2007

MsJayy said…
Thanks for sharing your thoughts (and trust me, I blame Creole for a whole lotta thangs. LOL).

I’m sure some of those rappers didn’t want to appear anymore than Oprah wanted them there. But again, if you’re going to try to change the community, you can’t just talk to one side of the street. And there were several who made it known they didn’t like the fact that Oprah didn’t have them on her show (as if she had to).

I didn’t see the entire episode but I don’t know that I had a lot of expectations of anyone who appeared, even from Ms. Oprah herself. I think it does something to at least advance the conversation. Now the real work, the real conversations need to come about. At least we have some idea of who we’re dealing with & how they think…and who’s NOT dealing with us.

I’m just waiting to see where this goes. Are we blowing smoke or are we really seeking change?

B~R~E~A~T~H~E! Don’t wear yourself out just yet Sis, we haven’t even taken the battlefield yet.

Peace!

9:13 AM, April 20, 2007

CreoleInDC said…
Trying to figure out why I always gotta be da bad guy. Sheesh! Heffalump!

12:42 PM, April 20, 2007

MsJayy said…
Prolly cause a’ dat bat & flashlight thang. And now I KNOW we kinfolk - I thought I was the only person who called people Heffalump! ROFL

12:51 PM, April 20, 2007