so Harry Belafonte Condemns Jay-z and beyonce Vol. Bruce Springsteen is black to him

[solarius49]

The none bolded part is of merit though. They fought hard to give us a better world so that we wouldn't have to fight as hard, and now that's come to fruition (sorta), that somehow turned to resentment.

Can you blame them?

Not entirely, but what did they expect?

They expected people to progess, to stop getting pregnant at a young age, to stop killing each other at such a high rate, to educate ourselves, and use that education to get out and be effective at the polls. You HONESTLY cant see why our elders wouldnt have a problem with things going on in our community?

 

[futuremd]

I think that's part of Belafonte's point, though. That is, that Black entertainers of this era are too safe. They don't stand for anything except money. This hasn't always been the case...

Oh really? 

The starving artist mantra is so played out.


I love how only the big and most popular artists get called out on their...popularity.

Belafonte loses favor in my eyes because he just shoots at the people at the top instead of asking for more from everyone across the board.


If I was Jay-Z listening to this, I'd shun him completely. How are you going to attack me only because I'm on top? I don't see you coming at other dudes who are coming up, do you? 

Why not just say what he really wants to say. He has a problem with modern rap/hip-hop. 

People really and truly stay throwing shots at "the throne" so to speak. 

"Starving artist mantra?" Once again, where do you get this from?
 

You made the argument that "real artists don't care about money" 

And if you know anything about Harry Belafonte, you would know that he does demand more of everyone at all levels. From families, to communities, to community leaders, to social institutions, to elected officials, to entertainers. This short article doesn't encapsulate his entire perspective with regards to every single person or group of people...

I know a great deal about belafonte and his contributions to political movements and social advocacy, but thats not my fault that he didn't use the interview space to fully flesh out his ideas. 

I missed the rule where Ja Rule and T-Pain had an obligation to helping kids read or Tim Tebow having an obligation to make sure women have access to birth control. 

I want help from people who want to help me. I don't want people who feel forced to do what they weren't doing anyways. 

 

[futuremd]

IMO dudes like Jay do have a onus to be a strong voice for their people...he became rich influencing millions of brothers and sisters into iniquity, now that hes rich, famous and comfortable the least he can do is try to negate some of that impact in the same forceful manner.

Why is that?

Even a son doesn't have a REAL obligation to his mother. 

People do what they will do regardless. Jay-Z is no stranger to what he could be doing. 

So now you want to force him to do what hes already not doing? AND be genuine about it? 

I want people who WANT to help me. I don't want to be helped by people who are forced to do so. 

 

[-Red-]

And you think that this is how you discuss gay marriage? In these terms?

I know not everyone likes Pepperoni, but I will oppose those who shoot down pepperoni? 

What? 

You're just babbling at this point. "What?" indeed...

 

[futuremd]

To much is given, much is expected....

Key word. 

EXPECTED.

Not OBLIGATED. 

I EXPECT my future kids to respect me, but if they ultimately do not, then I can not do much more than that. 

 

[Mark Antony]

The none bolded part is of merit though. They fought hard to give us a better world so that we wouldn't have to fight as hard, and now that's come to fruition (sorta), that somehow turned to resentment.

Can you blame them?

Not entirely, but what did they expect?

They expected people to progess, to stop getting pregnant at a young age, to stop killing each other at such a high rate, to educate ourselves, and use that education to get out and be effective at the polls. You HONESTLY cant see why our elders wouldnt have a problem with things going on in our community?

Where did I say that? but when you help create a comfortable environment, people are gonna act as if they're comfortable and do things like exploit hundreds of young women using them as purely sexual objects. Not saying be quiet about things that need to be addressed at all.

 

[goldenchild9]

Ice Cube is a very successful entrepreneur but he has always spoken out on behalf of his people. Even in his movies he shows positive Black images.

Jay just doesn't have that spirit. If someone is holding money over his head and they tell him to bark, he will bark. If they tell him to be quite, he's silent.

 

[goldenchild9]

Why is that?

Even a son doesn't have a REAL obligation to his mother. 

People do what they will do regardless. Jay-Z is no stranger to what he could be doing. 

So now you want to force him to do what hes already not doing? AND be genuine about it? 

I want people who WANT to help me. I don't want to be helped by people who are forced to do so. 

LOL OK....

 

[rko2004]

Do you agree with President Obama wanting the upper class in this country to pay more taxes?

Yes, but what does this have to do with anything?

Plenty. Its asking those with more to help the system and ease the strain on those with less.

Jay has more, so why is it a bad thing that Harry expects of more of him?

 

[-Red-]

"Starving artist mantra?" Once again, where do you get this from?

 

You made the argument that "real artists don't care about money" 

And if you know anything about Harry Belafonte, you would know that he does demand more of everyone at all levels. From families, to communities, to community leaders, to social institutions, to elected officials, to entertainers. This short article doesn't encapsulate his entire perspective with regards to every single person or group of people...

I know a great deal about belafonte and his contributions to political movements and social advocacy, but thats not my fault that he didn't use the interview space to fully flesh out his ideas. 

I missed the rule where Ja Rule and T-Pain had an obligation to helping kids read or Tim Tebow having an obligation to make sure women have access to birth control. 




I want help from people who want to help me. I don't want people who feel forced to do what they weren't doing anyways. 

Where did I say anything at all about "real artists don't care about money?" PLEASE stop fabricating statements and then attributing them to me. Thanks.

So Belafonte should "fully flesh out" his entire perspective on how every single person or group of people can be working toward social change in every interview he gives? So that you can't simple ignore what you claim you already know about him because he didn't say it this time?

 

[blakep267]

Fallacy. 

You just want him to use that power and influence how YOU want it used. You don't care about what Jay-Z wants, you're only concerned about yourself.

If Jay-Z wants to help you, you'll know it. 

Im not concerned about myself at all. For example, I dont live in an area that has a high crime rate and the school districts are fine where Im from, but I still have seen the effects poor education, violent crimes etc has had on certain areas. Making money is all fine and good, but imo there are more important things than money. Do you think if Jay started a national campaign to ex. reduce inner city violence or any number of things, people wouldnt listen.

But as I stated earlier, if thats not in them, I cant blame them. Some people dont think about those things

edit: I remember Rihanna a little while back saying that she isnt a role model and then go on to pretty much be a ratchet chick. Now its in her right to act a fool imo, but I just dont understand how you could reject being a role model when you could influence so many young people in a positive light

 

[solarius49]

Why is that?

Even a son doesn't have a REAL obligation to his mother. 

People do what they will do regardless. Jay-Z is no stranger to what he could be doing. 

So now you want to force him to do what hes already not doing? AND be genuine about it? 

I want people who WANT to help me. I don't want to be helped by people who are forced to do so. 

LOL OK....

aaaaaaaaaaaaand this just got ridiculous.

This dude putty just plays devils advocate just for the sake of doing it

 

[futuremd]

The none bolded part is of merit though. They fought hard to give us a better world so that we wouldn't have to fight as hard, and now that's come to fruition (sorta), that somehow turned to resentment.

Can you blame them?

Not entirely, but what did they expect?

They expected people to progess, to stop getting pregnant at a young age, to stop killing each other at such a high rate, to educate ourselves, and use that education to get out and be effective at the polls. You HONESTLY cant see why our elders wouldnt have a problem with things going on in our community?

Where did I say that? but when you help create a comfortable environment, people are gonna act as if they're comfortable and do things like exploit hundreds of young women using them as purely sexual objects. Not saying be quiet about things that need to be addressed at all.

Agreed.

 I don't think Belafonte should "be quiet" but I do think that you can't just talk crap about the biggest artist in a genre while simultaneously not expressing those who are setting examples you agree with. Otherwise, you'll just be seen as someone with a specific vendetta against one person instead of actually trying to make progress yourself. 

 

[futuremd]

"Starving artist mantra?" Once again, where do you get this from?

 

You made the argument that "real artists don't care about money" 

And if you know anything about Harry Belafonte, you would know that he does demand more of everyone at all levels. From families, to communities, to community leaders, to social institutions, to elected officials, to entertainers. This short article doesn't encapsulate his entire perspective with regards to every single person or group of people...

I know a great deal about belafonte and his contributions to political movements and social advocacy, but thats not my fault that he didn't use the interview space to fully flesh out his ideas. 

I missed the rule where Ja Rule and T-Pain had an obligation to helping kids read or Tim Tebow having an obligation to make sure women have access to birth control. 




I want help from people who want to help me. I don't want people who feel forced to do what they weren't doing anyways. 

Where did I say anything at all about "real artists don't care about money?" PLEASE stop fabricating statements and then attributing them to me. Thanks.
 

Son. you said that! Page 1. 

http://niketalk.com/t/503198/so-har...uce-springsteen-is-black-to-him#post_16133706

So Belafonte should "fully flesh out" his entire perspective on how every single person or group of people can be working toward social change in every interview he gives? So that you can't simple ignore what you claim you already know about him because he didn't say it this time?

I'm not responsible for linking arguments across a span of time for you. 

He said exactly what he thought he needed to say, and he gets judged on that. 

 

[futuremd]

Why is that?

Even a son doesn't have a REAL obligation to his mother. 

People do what they will do regardless. Jay-Z is no stranger to what he could be doing. 

So now you want to force him to do what hes already not doing? AND be genuine about it? 

I want people who WANT to help me. I don't want to be helped by people who are forced to do so. 

LOL OK....

What obligation does a son have to his mother in and of what he feels compelled to do so emotionally? 

 

[rko2004]

"Starving artist mantra?" Once again, where do you get this from?

You made the argument that "real artists don't care about money"

I may be tripping but where did he say anything about "Real artists"?

Son. you said that! Page 1.

http://niketalk.com/t/503198/so-har...uce-springsteen-is-black-to-him#post_16133706

I'm not piling on but I still didn't see it.

 

[goldenchild9]

What obligation does a son have to his mother in and of what he feels compelled to do so emotionally? 

 

[futuremd]

Fallacy. 

You just want him to use that power and influence how YOU want it used. You don't care about what Jay-Z wants, you're only concerned about yourself.

If Jay-Z wants to help you, you'll know it. 

Im not concerned about myself at all. For example, I dont live in an area that has a high crime rate and the school districts are fine where Im from, but I still have seen the effects poor education, violent crimes etc has had on certain areas. Making money is all fine and good, but imo there are more important things than money. Do you think if Jay started a national campaign to ex. reduce inner city violence or any number of things, people wouldnt listen.

So why hasn't he?

Because he hasn't! Thats why. 

Thats like asking: "why didn't apple come out with the iphone in 2008?"

BECAUSE THEY DIDNT. 

If Jay doesn't get the idea to want to do that, then OH WELL. 

Don't lose sleep over Jay-Z. Move on and embrace those that make an impact you agree with. 

But as I stated earlier, if thats not in them, I cant blame them. Some people dont think about those things

Bingo. 

Would it be cool? Sure. But other than that, are you going to get mad they don't get the idea that they can do something even though they don't? 

edit: I remember Rihanna a little while back saying that she isnt a role model and then go on to pretty much be a ratchet chick. Now its in her right to act a fool imo, but I just dont understand how you could reject being a role model when you could influence so many young people in a positive light

Why obligation does Rihanna have to do any of that?

You don't need to understand anything other than that is how she chooses to spend her money and time. 

Do I think shes in the wrong? No. She can live her life how she wants to. 

Would I like it if she did something more "positive?" Sure. But I won't lose sleep over someone who doesn't feel intrinsically compelled to do so.

Then again, how come no one speaks about people who ARE doing these things? 

 

[hankmoody]

Y'all gotta understand that Harry Belafonte came up in an era in which many of the most popular and successful Black entertainers were social activists. Many of these people were actual leaders (something sorely lacking in the hip-hop world and entertainment world in general today) who played a tremendous role in the social changes that were taking place in the 1960s and 1970s. This included musicians (James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Funkadelic, Parliament, etc.), athletes (Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, Jackie Robinson, Bill Russell, etc.), and actors (Belafonte, Ossie Davis, Sidney Poitier, etc.). These were entertainers BUT they were also social activists. Do y'all not feel that it's a regression that essentially no such Black figures exist in music, sports, or acting today??
For those saying that Jay-Z probably contributes to charity privately, y'all are missing the bigger point. Belafonte is not talking about he wishes Black entertainers would contribute more to charity privately. He's talking about people being public leaders in addressing social issues and using their power to help stimulate social change...

I can always count on you for a great post. Preach man, preach. 

If I'm okay with a progressive politician criticizing someone like casino czar Sheldon Adelson for supporting an agenda that only benefits rich white men, I'm definitely okay with a Harry Belafonte criticizing Jay-Z for lacking the will to speak out for his community. Inaction can be held under the same microscope as action. 

 

[futuremd]

What obligation does a son have to his mother in and of what he feels compelled to do so emotionally? 

Cute.

Answer the question:

What obligation does a son have to his mother in and of what he feels compelled to do so emotionally? 

You already know the answer, but you don't want to admit it.

A son can grow up and be a complete, unappreciative terror. If he doesn't feel like loving his mother, then he just doesn't. You're not obligated to do anything that you don't feel compelled to do . 

Again, I don't want anyone's support who doesn't feel like doing so on their own. 

 

[-Red-]

"Starving artist mantra?" Once again, where do you get this from?


 

You made the argument that "real artists don't care about money" 

And if you know anything about Harry Belafonte, you would know that he does demand more of everyone at all levels. From families, to communities, to community leaders, to social institutions, to elected officials, to entertainers. This short article doesn't encapsulate his entire perspective with regards to every single person or group of people...

I know a great deal about belafonte and his contributions to political movements and social advocacy, but thats not my fault that he didn't use the interview space to fully flesh out his ideas. 


I missed the rule where Ja Rule and T-Pain had an obligation to helping kids read or Tim Tebow having an obligation to make sure women have access to birth control. 





I want help from people who want to help me. I don't want people who feel forced to do what they weren't doing anyways. 

Where did I say anything at all about "real artists don't care about money?" PLEASE stop fabricating statements and then attributing them to me. Thanks.

 

Son. you said that! Page 1. 

So Belafonte should "fully flesh out" his entire perspective on how every single person or group of people can be working toward social change in every interview he gives? So that you can't simple ignore what you claim you already know about him because he didn't say it this time?

I'm not responsible for linking arguments across a span of time for you. 

He said exactly what he thought he needed to say, and he gets judged on that. 

No, I did not say that. Or anything like that. Please provide evidence or desist from making false statements about me. Thanks.

Also, I never asked you to "link arguments across a span of time for me," nor did you do so in any way. I made the connection to Belafonte's larger perspective for you. Which you then claimed that you knew but apparently willfully chose to ignore because he didn't state his entire perspective on social change in this particular interview. Then you claim that you don't have to make connections for me. You're a funny guy

 

[-Red-]

Where did I say anything at all about "real artists don't care about money?" PLEASE stop fabricating statements and then attributing them to me. Thanks.

 

Son. you said that! Page 1. 

http://niketalk.com/t/503198/so-har...uce-springsteen-is-black-to-him#post_16133706

So Belafonte should "fully flesh out" his entire perspective on how every single person or group of people can be working toward social change in every interview he gives? So that you can't simple ignore what you claim you already know about him because he didn't say it this time?

I'm not responsible for linking arguments across a span of time for you. 

He said exactly what he thought he needed to say, and he gets judged on that. 

You posted a link to a post of mine that doesn't support what you claim I said. Please move along. Thanks.

 

[futuremd]

"Starving artist mantra?" Once again, where do you get this from?


 

You made the argument that "real artists don't care about money" 

And if you know anything about Harry Belafonte, you would know that he does demand more of everyone at all levels. From families, to communities, to community leaders, to social institutions, to elected officials, to entertainers. This short article doesn't encapsulate his entire perspective with regards to every single person or group of people...

I know a great deal about belafonte and his contributions to political movements and social advocacy, but thats not my fault that he didn't use the interview space to fully flesh out his ideas. 


I missed the rule where Ja Rule and T-Pain had an obligation to helping kids read or Tim Tebow having an obligation to make sure women have access to birth control. 





I want help from people who want to help me. I don't want people who feel forced to do what they weren't doing anyways. 

Where did I say anything at all about "real artists don't care about money?" PLEASE stop fabricating statements and then attributing them to me. Thanks.

 

Son. you said that! Page 1. 

So Belafonte should "fully flesh out" his entire perspective on how every single person or group of people can be working toward social change in every interview he gives? So that you can't simple ignore what you claim you already know about him because he didn't say it this time?

I'm not responsible for linking arguments across a span of time for you. 

He said exactly what he thought he needed to say, and he gets judged on that. 

No, I did not say that. Or anything like that. Please provide evidence or desist from making false statements about me. Thanks.

Also, I never asked you to "link arguments across a span of time for me," nor did you do so in any way. I made the connection to Belafonte's larger perspective for you. Which you then claimed that you knew but apparently willfully chose to ignore because he didn't state his entire perspective on social change in this particular interview. Then you claim that you don't have to make connections for me. You're a funny guy

Belafonte chose to speak only about Jay-Z and Beyonce.

Period.

He didn't mention anyone else that he agreed with. He also didn't mention the stuff Jay-Z and Beyonce HAVE done either.

Belafonte went for the top and you all fell for it.

Is Jay-Z really the artist you want to say doesnt have a track record of positive social movements? 

Really?

Belafonte got ya'll's short-term memory acting up. 

Jay-Z? Really? Not socially active?

Is he Lupe or Kweli? Not at all...but to say that he "doesn't use his voice" is a complete and utter lie.

I can't think of a more popular "pro-black" artist than jay-z right now

Lets be real here. Belafonte would never be satisfied. There is no shortage of events that Jay-Z has done.

Now why isn't he going at Wayne? Why isn't he going at Eminem? Dr. Dre? Diddy?

Belafonte doesn't know anything about the rap world. Thats the problem. He skimmed through the catalogue and picked a popular name to go at.

He just wanted to stir the pot. He wasn't trying to make any actual advances. THATS the problem here. 

Belafonte would move the goal-posts no matter wat. 

If he really wanted change, he would HOLD UP EXAMPLES OF WHAT HE CURRENTLY LIKES. 

Providing examples of what you want others to follow does better than shooting holes in the ones that you disagree with. 

Where does this argument leave us? Belafonte doesn't like Jay-Z or Beyonce. Ok...now what? Who do we follow? Who do we look to? 

Belafonte doesn't have solutions other than to complain. 

 

[goldenchild9]

In the pursuit to dominate every conversation....you come off so simple minded sometimes.

Do I really need to waste my time typing out an explanation that a toddler knows inherently...just so you can twist my words and go off on a tangent?

I'll pass on that.

 

[blakep267]

So why hasn't he?



Because he hasn't! Thats why. 

Thats like asking: "why didn't apple come out with the iphone in 2008?"

BECAUSE THEY DIDNT. 

If Jay doesn't get the idea to want to do that, then OH WELL. 

Don't lose sleep over Jay-Z. Move on and embrace those that make an impact you agree with. 



Bingo. 

Would it be cool? Sure. But other than that, are you going to get mad they don't get the idea that they can do something even though they don't? 


Why obligation does Rihanna have to do any of that?

You don't need to understand anything other than that is how she chooses to spend her money and time. 

Do I think shes in the wrong? No. She can live her life how she wants to. 

Would I like it if she did something more "positive?" Sure. But I won't lose sleep over someone who doesn't feel intrinsically compelled to do so.

Then again, how come no one speaks about people who ARE doing these things? 

im not losing sleep over it, but also I dont mind Harry belafonte calling them out