Rap disrespect of black icons raises concerns

disrespect 3Indeed, Minaj issued a statement expressing disbelief at the uproar and apologizing to Malcolm’s family “if the meaning of the photo was misconstrued.” Wayne wrote to the Till family to “acknowledge your hurt, as well as the letter you sent to me via your attorneys.” Simmons was the only one to say, “I am sincerely sorry.”

The apologies did not change much for Pierre Bennu, a filmmaker and artist who said Malcolm X’s life was dedicated to advocating for the humanity of black people, while Minaj’s song was simply dehumanizing.

When he saw Minaj’s manipulation, Bennu said, “I felt punched in the gut.”

The episode inspired him to post a mash-up video (http://bit.ly/1fpoFYB) laying Minaj’s song over the infamous 1941 Walter Lantz cartoon “Scrub Me Mama With A Boogie Beat,” which depicts a town of lazy black people hypnotized by a seductive washerwoman.

Various mainstream rap artists seem reluctant to defend Minaj and Wayne; The Associated Press sought out five, but none returned calls for comment.

Jasiri X, a rapper whose music focuses on black empowerment and current events, said many of today’s mainstream rappers use images of revolutionary black icons to promote an anti-establishment image.

“All the while, they’re being funded and pushed by major corporations,” he said.

“I see Nicki and other artists, whether Kanye or Jay-Z, adopting these revolutionary images or using a clip or saying their name, but never practice the principles which these revolutionaries gave their lives for,” Jasiri said.

It was not always so.

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