SACRAMENTO, Calif – The buzz on Capitol Hill has everything to do with a tawdry, new right-wing political ad (video) that was both produced and disseminated by a conservative action committee named ‘Turn Right USA.’ In the production, California Democrat Janice Hahn (a white woman) is depicted as an underclad vixen (or stripper) who gives raunchy booty dances to a pair of gun-toting, ignorant, black gangsta rappers.The lyrics go: “Give me that cash ho, so we can shoot up the streets. Give me yo cash bitch so we can buy some more heat. Give me yo cash ho so we can get out the pen. Give me yo cash bitch cause we back in again.”
The ad also shows Hahn giving oral sex.
Ouch!
“This ad does not reflect the values of California’s hardworking women and men,” said Jennifer Crider, deputy executive director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Craig Huey’s silence should send a chilling message to our mothers, sisters and daughters that this kind of outrageous and sexist material is tolerated.”
Many in the African-American community and fellow Democrats have already labeled the unctuous video the most racist, sexist, tactless political ad in U.S. history.
Most sexist? Possibly.
Most racist? Um… not so sure.
Please allow me to expound.
For starters, it would be difficult (if not damn near impossible) for blacks to prove racism in a conception such as this because the perpetrators on display are African-American. Yes, ‘Turn Right USA’ demonstrated poor taste. And yes, the GOP should condemn the video. But the black males who foolishly participated are what concerns me most.
Their pathetic behavior, in a nutshell, sums up the socioeconomic plight of Urban America. Blacks routinely sell-out; rendering our valiant quest for African-American progress to an arduous one at best.
We have officially become crabs in a barrel.
In recent weeks, we’ve held ample discussions via the Mass Appeal blog debating the importance of improving the black image. Because of the senseless remarks spewed by such acclaimed malcontents as rapper Lil Wayne and NFL player Albert Haynesworth, others outside the black race have secured legitimacy in their perilous assault on black women.
For example, ‘Psychology Today’ recently revealed a scientific study indicating black women are less attractive than everyone else. Perhaps predictably, the conspicuous article was removed and an apology was subsequently given. But, hell, the damage has already been done.
Lil Wayne: “My daughter is the first and last dark skin child I’m having. The rest of my baby moms [are] light skinned chicks. I even got an Asian baby moms to make sure I have a daughter with good hair. Too bad we had a son.”
Albert Haynesworth: “I couldn’t tell you the last time I dated a Black girl.”
After reading such ridiculous twaddle, one could make a strong argument Lil Wayne and Haynesworth are indeed the true masterminds behind the ‘Psychology Today’ article.
Although appalled, I’m certainly not surprised ‘Psychology Today’ and ‘Turn Right USA’ threw blacks under the bus. Why? Because our declining reputation, particularly as black men, precedes us.
Yes, I said ‘black men.’
Doesn’t matter if rich or poor.
As brothas, we all look ‘Flavor Flav’ bad.
For instance, black women (generally speaking) have done an impeccable job when it comes to landing gainful employment, raising children and pursuing higher education. Statistically, the ladies have made tremendous strides the past 30 years or so in the meaningful categories of median income, college enrollment, investments, etc.
Conversely, too many brothas have immersed themselves in a self-destructive prison culture that’s proven counterproductive in the key areas of economic growth and building strong family structures.
Rather than pursue a 9 to 5 like everyone else, a vast majority of young black men (with marginal talent) have been hoodwinked into believing it’s more financially feasible to chase a rap career, or land a roster spot with an NBA or NFL franchise.
Yet, we wanna cry ‘foul’ when others, like ‘Turn Right USA,’ commercially exploit us.
As African-Americans, we must understand it’s pure hypocrisy to ask non-black instigators to clean up their houses when we have schools of cockroaches, silverfish and mice roaming around inside ours.
Hypocrisy?
Think about it.
1) Many blacks routinely address and greet each other with the ‘N-Word’ only to holler ‘racism’ when another race utters it.
2) Bishop Eddie Long basically admitted guilt by settling his sexual misconduct lawsuit for a mind-boggling $25 million. Yet, the majority of his congregation at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church showed up the following Sunday morning for early service.
3) Through a false sense of empowerment, single ladies typically claim to want a munificent man with a phat bank account, breath-taking looks and a shiny, new Porsche to boot. But, most of us appear absolutely mystified 60% of American women are single and 70% of black ladies are chilling solo. Word on the street claims consumer purchases of Duracell and Energizer AA batteries have gone up significantly in recent years.
And 4) men have made it known from the ‘get-go’ a woman’s not truly a woman unless she dons a Coke bottle frame accompanied by a Beyonce-quality face; ignoring such important intrinsic values as decency and self-respect.
I guess what I’m trying to say is:
‘If we’re hell-bent on originating characteristics that uniquely define black culture, it’s imperative we adopt a set of moral values that both properly inspire and uplift.’
Otherwise, we're as much to blame as ‘Turn Right USA’ and ‘Psychology Today.’
Wayne Hodges, an MBA from St. Mary University, is the Editor-in-Chief of “Mass Appeal News.” He also serves as a contributing writer to YourBlackWorld.com, he’s a Democrat reporter for the Examiner, and he’s a movie critic and journalist with ILoveBlackMovies.com. Wayne welcomes your comments 24/7 at whodges@massappealnews.com
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