Below is a clip to an article that I wrote in the 3/28 edition of the Durham News about the need for blogs.
http://www.thedurhamnews.com/viewpoints/story/194100.html
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The Rock&Rape of Black Women
The Rock & Rape of Black Women
Min. Paul Scott
"Brown Sugar, how come you taste so good..like a black girl should."
The Rolling Stones
During my morning commute, I usually station surf to pass the time. As much as I like black radio, when I find myself deciphering Lil Wayne lyrics, it's time to turn the dial. Most of the time I'll luck up on an old Earth Wind and Fire jam to put me in a mellow mood, but yesterday, I heard something that made me throw on my breaks in the middle of a busy intersection; an oldies rock station was blasting a song that celebrated the rape of black girls...
Back in '71, Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones released a hit record called "Brown Sugar." The song begins with a lyric about a slave owner getting his thrills off of beating black women and raping them. He goes on to rejoice over how good sex with black women is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4O80NpnpHw&feature=related
I guess the blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice.
Years later, since the black militants didn't snatch him off stage and beat his behind, he felt it safe to record "Some Girls" in which he, after talking about the materialistic attitudes of women of other nationalities, proudly proclaimed that "black girls just want to f*** all night."
The reason why a discussion over old Rock and Roll lyrics is relevant in 2009 is quite simple.
Although we have discussed the misogynistic lyrics of Hip Hop artists , for well over a decade, we have left rockers such as Mick Jagger out of the conversation. We call it disgraceful when a black male rapper makes a record calling a black woman a "ho" but when Lou Reed refers to black women as "colored girls" on "Walk on the Wild Side," we call that a classic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pAE5G5OBzw
Does this mean that sistas shouldn't get upset when rappers see them only as "Ho's ?"
Of course they should.
But The Stones and 'em were dissin' sistas long before the Bad Boys made "Veronica" or Slick Rick first performed "Treat em Like a Prostitute."
Also, as social scientists such as Dr. Amos Wilson and Bobby Wright have taught us, we must trace the historical roots of the pathological behavior exhibited by some black men.
If we are to stop the misogynistic lyrics in Hip Hop, we must admit that the rappers are mimicking white men who have abused black women for hundreds of years with impunity.
The relationship between white men and black women has always been a taboo subject in the African America community.
Many in my generation never dared ask great grandma how she wound up with those green eyes and that buttermilk complexion as we sat around the Sunday dinner table. So, we just wrote it off as having some "Indian" in our family tree and continued grubbin'.
In reality, during slavery and into the early 20th century, many black women were raped by white men while their husbands cowered in corners. This feeling of helplessness resulted in misplaced aggression in black men in which they began to blame black women for being raped. This disorder has now manifested itself in the actions of their great, great grandsons.
While many of the relationships between white men and black women were forced, that was not always the case.
According to historian E. Franklin Frazier, in his book, "Black Bourgeoisie,"
"In giving themselves to their white masters, there were certain concrete advantages to be gained." These advantages ranged from better food and clothing to the possibility that their mulatto children would enjoy special privileges or even be emancipated.
So, maybe some black women actually felt honored that Jagger thought enough of them to shout them out on a record. Perhaps that is why, more recently, there was little fallout when a lost tape (Oh, Foolish Pride) by white rapper, Eminem, on which he disrespected black women, was discovered.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDJDhVkRhtQ
What is most disturbing is that songs such as "Brown Sugar" are still played on the radio, today, without protest, while Hip Hop is under constant scrutiny.
Even though some may say that this is a case of digging up ancient history, there is no statute of limitations on the degradation of black women and Mick Jagger and the rest should be held accountable in the same manner as those wrinkled, old Nazi war criminals.
Most importantly, we, as black men, must fight against the abuse of black women in honor of our ancestors who couldn't.
We must never forget the horrors of that period of our history no matter how it is celebrated in song.
We must always remember, as Styles P once rapped,
"Even though my skin's kinda light that means my ancestors were raped by somebody white."
Min. Paul Scott is founder of the Messianic Afrikan Nation ministry in Durham NC. He can be reached at (919) 972-8305
info@nowarningshotsfired.com
Min. Paul Scott
"Brown Sugar, how come you taste so good..like a black girl should."
The Rolling Stones
During my morning commute, I usually station surf to pass the time. As much as I like black radio, when I find myself deciphering Lil Wayne lyrics, it's time to turn the dial. Most of the time I'll luck up on an old Earth Wind and Fire jam to put me in a mellow mood, but yesterday, I heard something that made me throw on my breaks in the middle of a busy intersection; an oldies rock station was blasting a song that celebrated the rape of black girls...
Back in '71, Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones released a hit record called "Brown Sugar." The song begins with a lyric about a slave owner getting his thrills off of beating black women and raping them. He goes on to rejoice over how good sex with black women is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4O80NpnpHw&feature=related
I guess the blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice.
Years later, since the black militants didn't snatch him off stage and beat his behind, he felt it safe to record "Some Girls" in which he, after talking about the materialistic attitudes of women of other nationalities, proudly proclaimed that "black girls just want to f*** all night."
The reason why a discussion over old Rock and Roll lyrics is relevant in 2009 is quite simple.
Although we have discussed the misogynistic lyrics of Hip Hop artists , for well over a decade, we have left rockers such as Mick Jagger out of the conversation. We call it disgraceful when a black male rapper makes a record calling a black woman a "ho" but when Lou Reed refers to black women as "colored girls" on "Walk on the Wild Side," we call that a classic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pAE5G5OBzw
Does this mean that sistas shouldn't get upset when rappers see them only as "Ho's ?"
Of course they should.
But The Stones and 'em were dissin' sistas long before the Bad Boys made "Veronica" or Slick Rick first performed "Treat em Like a Prostitute."
Also, as social scientists such as Dr. Amos Wilson and Bobby Wright have taught us, we must trace the historical roots of the pathological behavior exhibited by some black men.
If we are to stop the misogynistic lyrics in Hip Hop, we must admit that the rappers are mimicking white men who have abused black women for hundreds of years with impunity.
The relationship between white men and black women has always been a taboo subject in the African America community.
Many in my generation never dared ask great grandma how she wound up with those green eyes and that buttermilk complexion as we sat around the Sunday dinner table. So, we just wrote it off as having some "Indian" in our family tree and continued grubbin'.
In reality, during slavery and into the early 20th century, many black women were raped by white men while their husbands cowered in corners. This feeling of helplessness resulted in misplaced aggression in black men in which they began to blame black women for being raped. This disorder has now manifested itself in the actions of their great, great grandsons.
While many of the relationships between white men and black women were forced, that was not always the case.
According to historian E. Franklin Frazier, in his book, "Black Bourgeoisie,"
"In giving themselves to their white masters, there were certain concrete advantages to be gained." These advantages ranged from better food and clothing to the possibility that their mulatto children would enjoy special privileges or even be emancipated.
So, maybe some black women actually felt honored that Jagger thought enough of them to shout them out on a record. Perhaps that is why, more recently, there was little fallout when a lost tape (Oh, Foolish Pride) by white rapper, Eminem, on which he disrespected black women, was discovered.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDJDhVkRhtQ
What is most disturbing is that songs such as "Brown Sugar" are still played on the radio, today, without protest, while Hip Hop is under constant scrutiny.
Even though some may say that this is a case of digging up ancient history, there is no statute of limitations on the degradation of black women and Mick Jagger and the rest should be held accountable in the same manner as those wrinkled, old Nazi war criminals.
Most importantly, we, as black men, must fight against the abuse of black women in honor of our ancestors who couldn't.
We must never forget the horrors of that period of our history no matter how it is celebrated in song.
We must always remember, as Styles P once rapped,
"Even though my skin's kinda light that means my ancestors were raped by somebody white."
Min. Paul Scott is founder of the Messianic Afrikan Nation ministry in Durham NC. He can be reached at (919) 972-8305
info@nowarningshotsfired.com
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Bougie Bill Comes to Durham
Bougie Bill Comes to Durham:
Clash of the Classes
Paul Scott
Just like many folks of my generation, I grew up watching Bill Cosby.
I remember going to the local black movie theatre to see Cosby and Sidney Poitier in "Uptown Saturday Night" and its sequels. Not to mention the fond memories of my Saturday morning ritual of eatin' Frosted Flakes while being entertained by Fat Albert and his funky back up band The Cosby Kids performing their classic hits "Drugs are for Dummies" and "Don't Go Tellin' a Lie."
And anyone who says that they didn't alter their Thursday night schedule to watch "The Cosby Show" is a big fat liar.
However, in recent years the easy goin' comedian has transformed himself into the Blues Brother's shades wearin' Dr. William Cosby, crusader against bad parents and black boys wearin' their pants saggin', everywhere.
So, I'm not sure which Cosby is coming to the Durham Performing Arts Center, next weekend; the wise crackin' funny man or the stern schoolmaster with the verbal paddle.
My guess is the latter...
White folks will pay a lot of money to have someone save them the trouble of bad mouthin' black folks. Kinda like the record executive who pays rap artists to say the "N" word so he doesn't have to.
It's not that Cosby wasn't right in much of the criticism that he has levied at some black folks over the last couple of years. I ,for one ,can do without seein' another pair of dirty drawers when I go to the mall.
But like so many of his peers in the middle class they leave out the root causes of the pathological actions of African Americans, as well as the role that they have played in keepin' the masses ig'nant.
In 1957, E. Franklin Frazier wrote the controversial book "Black Bourgeoisie" in which he took shots at bougie black folks for their uppity behavior, saying that in trying to keep up with the Johansons, they separated themselves from the brothas and sistas in tha hood.
Coincidentally, Frazier says that in the early 20th century Durham NC was "the capital of the black bourgeoisie."
In Durham, as well as other cities, black folks don't like to talk about the "C" word. Stop anybody on the street and they will talk your ears off about racism but classism is a horse of a different color.
Never mind the fact that you have a division between the grassroots folks and the bougie folks who have their own bougie organizations, attend their own bougie churches and hang out at their own bougie clubs and do what ever the heck it is that bougie folks do.
They even have their own bougie radio talk show that only has bougie people on as guests talkin' about bougie issues.
We just don't like airing our dirty laundry when it comes to issues of class.
While on the surface there appears to be black unity in Durham when it comes to fighting for equal rights in reality, the upper class black folks call the shots and the grassroots activists are used as bargaining chips or attack dogs.
"OK Mr. Charlie, you can either negotiate with us sophisticated, college educated, BMW drivin' folks or you can deal with those fried chicken and collard green eatin' Negroes in the street..."
As Frazier points out in his book, as "radical" as the black bourgeoisie are supposed to be, they shy away from anything that does not lead to integration into white society.
According to Frazier "the black bourgeoisie have shown no interest in the 'liberation' of Negroes except as it affected their own status or acceptance by the white community."
In other words they ain't rockin' the boat for us poor black folks and risk losing their 2009 Cadillac Sevilles.
Herein, lies the problem with Cosby and the middle class cultural critics, they diagnose the sickness but do not have the ability or will to cure the illness.
In Dr. Bobby Wright's book ,"The Psychopathic Racial Personality," he critiques the limited scope of the works of black social scientists like Cosby's homie, Dr. Alvin Poussaint, by writing that he "ignores the widespread genocidal programs directed against Blacks and writes such trivia as 'The Difference Between Sex and Love,' Blacks and Jews an Appeal for Unity,' and 'Why Blacks Kill Blacks."
So, they give white folks the luxury to sleep good at night knowing that if every black kid in America does not live the life of "Theodore Huxtable," they have no one to blame but themselves and their parents.
As big a critic of Hip Hop as Bill Cosby and others pride themselves as being, one can only wonder why he did not fight harder to purchase NBC back in the day or why he and other rich black folks like Oprah Winfrey have not done more to break up the white media monopoly that is ultimately responsible for the messages that are sent over the airwaves to our children?
I guess like Ice Cube said in that classic scene from Boys in the Hood:
"Either they don't know, don't show or don't care what's goin' on in tha hood."
Paul Scott , writes for No Warning Shots Fired.com http://www.nowarningshotsfired.com in Durham NC. He can be reached at (919) 451-8283 or info@nowarningshotsfired.com
Clash of the Classes
Paul Scott
Just like many folks of my generation, I grew up watching Bill Cosby.
I remember going to the local black movie theatre to see Cosby and Sidney Poitier in "Uptown Saturday Night" and its sequels. Not to mention the fond memories of my Saturday morning ritual of eatin' Frosted Flakes while being entertained by Fat Albert and his funky back up band The Cosby Kids performing their classic hits "Drugs are for Dummies" and "Don't Go Tellin' a Lie."
And anyone who says that they didn't alter their Thursday night schedule to watch "The Cosby Show" is a big fat liar.
However, in recent years the easy goin' comedian has transformed himself into the Blues Brother's shades wearin' Dr. William Cosby, crusader against bad parents and black boys wearin' their pants saggin', everywhere.
So, I'm not sure which Cosby is coming to the Durham Performing Arts Center, next weekend; the wise crackin' funny man or the stern schoolmaster with the verbal paddle.
My guess is the latter...
White folks will pay a lot of money to have someone save them the trouble of bad mouthin' black folks. Kinda like the record executive who pays rap artists to say the "N" word so he doesn't have to.
It's not that Cosby wasn't right in much of the criticism that he has levied at some black folks over the last couple of years. I ,for one ,can do without seein' another pair of dirty drawers when I go to the mall.
But like so many of his peers in the middle class they leave out the root causes of the pathological actions of African Americans, as well as the role that they have played in keepin' the masses ig'nant.
In 1957, E. Franklin Frazier wrote the controversial book "Black Bourgeoisie" in which he took shots at bougie black folks for their uppity behavior, saying that in trying to keep up with the Johansons, they separated themselves from the brothas and sistas in tha hood.
Coincidentally, Frazier says that in the early 20th century Durham NC was "the capital of the black bourgeoisie."
In Durham, as well as other cities, black folks don't like to talk about the "C" word. Stop anybody on the street and they will talk your ears off about racism but classism is a horse of a different color.
Never mind the fact that you have a division between the grassroots folks and the bougie folks who have their own bougie organizations, attend their own bougie churches and hang out at their own bougie clubs and do what ever the heck it is that bougie folks do.
They even have their own bougie radio talk show that only has bougie people on as guests talkin' about bougie issues.
We just don't like airing our dirty laundry when it comes to issues of class.
While on the surface there appears to be black unity in Durham when it comes to fighting for equal rights in reality, the upper class black folks call the shots and the grassroots activists are used as bargaining chips or attack dogs.
"OK Mr. Charlie, you can either negotiate with us sophisticated, college educated, BMW drivin' folks or you can deal with those fried chicken and collard green eatin' Negroes in the street..."
As Frazier points out in his book, as "radical" as the black bourgeoisie are supposed to be, they shy away from anything that does not lead to integration into white society.
According to Frazier "the black bourgeoisie have shown no interest in the 'liberation' of Negroes except as it affected their own status or acceptance by the white community."
In other words they ain't rockin' the boat for us poor black folks and risk losing their 2009 Cadillac Sevilles.
Herein, lies the problem with Cosby and the middle class cultural critics, they diagnose the sickness but do not have the ability or will to cure the illness.
In Dr. Bobby Wright's book ,"The Psychopathic Racial Personality," he critiques the limited scope of the works of black social scientists like Cosby's homie, Dr. Alvin Poussaint, by writing that he "ignores the widespread genocidal programs directed against Blacks and writes such trivia as 'The Difference Between Sex and Love,' Blacks and Jews an Appeal for Unity,' and 'Why Blacks Kill Blacks."
So, they give white folks the luxury to sleep good at night knowing that if every black kid in America does not live the life of "Theodore Huxtable," they have no one to blame but themselves and their parents.
As big a critic of Hip Hop as Bill Cosby and others pride themselves as being, one can only wonder why he did not fight harder to purchase NBC back in the day or why he and other rich black folks like Oprah Winfrey have not done more to break up the white media monopoly that is ultimately responsible for the messages that are sent over the airwaves to our children?
I guess like Ice Cube said in that classic scene from Boys in the Hood:
"Either they don't know, don't show or don't care what's goin' on in tha hood."
Paul Scott , writes for No Warning Shots Fired.com http://www.nowarningshotsfired.com in Durham NC. He can be reached at (919) 451-8283 or info@nowarningshotsfired.com
Thursday, March 19, 2009
NWSF Presents: Operation MEDIA Workshop
Operation MEDIA is a workshop conducted by Paul Scott "Hip Hop TRUTH Minista" structured to help community groups and activists develop media stratagies to get their messages out to the world in cost effective ways. He will also discuss ways in which negative media images impact the self esteem of African American children.
Scott has appeared on talk shows across the world including Hannity and Colmes (Fox News), Fox News Live, Nachman (MSNBC), Hot 97 (NY), The Bev. Smith Show, Mancow Morning Show, Mike Medved Show, Russ Parr Morning Show, Mo in the Midday WVON (Chicago), Tom Pope Show (DC) Newstalk 1010 (Toronto) and SAfm (South Africa).
For more information contact (919) 451-8283 info@nowarningshotsfired.com
Scott has appeared on talk shows across the world including Hannity and Colmes (Fox News), Fox News Live, Nachman (MSNBC), Hot 97 (NY), The Bev. Smith Show, Mancow Morning Show, Mike Medved Show, Russ Parr Morning Show, Mo in the Midday WVON (Chicago), Tom Pope Show (DC) Newstalk 1010 (Toronto) and SAfm (South Africa).
For more information contact (919) 451-8283 info@nowarningshotsfired.com
NWSF Presents: The IMANI Workshop
Paul Scott "Hip Hop TRUTH Minista" has been a community activist since 1991. During this period, he has lead various campaigns against things that negatively affect children.
In 1997 he lead a sucessful campaign against Phat Boy Malt Liquor which was a 40 oz that seemed to target the Hip Hop Generation.
During the IMANI (Inspiring Men to Act Against Negative Influences) workshop, Scott will help community organizations and concerned citizens develop strategies to combat negative influences that threaten our youth.
For more information contact : (919) 451-8283 or info@nowarningshotsfired.com
In 1997 he lead a sucessful campaign against Phat Boy Malt Liquor which was a 40 oz that seemed to target the Hip Hop Generation.
During the IMANI (Inspiring Men to Act Against Negative Influences) workshop, Scott will help community organizations and concerned citizens develop strategies to combat negative influences that threaten our youth.
For more information contact : (919) 451-8283 or info@nowarningshotsfired.com
NWSF Flashback 1997
Back in '97 I did an interview with the Straight From the Crate Crew (Mike Nice and Bro Rabb) about violence in my city back when the movement was called "Inspiring Men to Act Against Negative Influences."
The more things change, the more they stay the same....
The clip is included in the article below.
(My interview is the first clip)
http://www.newsobserver.com/105/story/391326.html
The more things change, the more they stay the same....
The clip is included in the article below.
(My interview is the first clip)
http://www.newsobserver.com/105/story/391326.html
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
TRUTH Minista on Critical Times Radio
Below is a link to the interview I did with Critical Times on WMNF in Florida.
To hear my interview, click on the 2/22 archive. I come on at about the 26 minute mark.
http://www.wmnf.org/programs/367
To hear my interview, click on the 2/22 archive. I come on at about the 26 minute mark.
http://www.wmnf.org/programs/367
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