I have received tons of flack about my video message to the Thugs and Thugettes. Many of the negative responses have thus far been strawman arguments and or the person speaking out against me simply doesn't want a black person speaking out about the negative aspects of our community because of what the "white man" may think.
I think this position is damaging and keeps those negative aspects of the black community to continue to propagate. We should call it as we see it and then develop strategies as to what can we do to curb the negative imagery of blacks in the media. Of course the crux of the debate is whether or not "gansta rap", and the "thug mentality" is negative at all. Some would argue that this is a simply a small portion of black America and it's effects are overall negligible.
However, as the video below reveals. This acceptance of purposeful ignorance has long term negative effects on black self-image. We must begin by calling them out and reminding them of what our black American tradition is really about. We can create a culture that's positive and inspirational. We do not need to hold on to negative imagery. This isn't the rock n' roll analogy as some would assert. The majority has always had the ability to bend and break the rules as they see fit. Blacks are still trying to catch up. Yet we wish to pretend that we are now at a stage where we can change the rules of language and social behavior in our favor. And, even if we could, why choose a colloquial jargon that takes us back and not forward? Speaking and acting like ignorant thugs only reminds "dem racist white folk" that we are just as savage and ignorant as they thought we were.
"Stop acting like slaves." - Charlie Checkum'