| A cross section of articles and interviews about the | | | | we must demand that they be answered. |
| Imus snafu has produced pretty much only similar | | | | Here is a list of questions that should be asked of |
| results. Everyone is agreeing that he went too far and | | | | every citizen, network chief and corporation in |
| that if he should be made to pay, then maybe Hip Hop | | | | America. It may not be a comprehensive list but it |
| should ante up as well. Is maybe strong enough? | | | | should do for starters. |
| Among the fairest and most balanced offerings on the | | | | If profanity has become art, hasn't art become |
| Imus incident hails from journalist Ellis Cose in | | | | profaned? |
| Newsweek for the week of April 23, 2007 in an article | | | | Does America and especially African Americans |
| entitled "What Will We Learn." Another offering well | | | | know the difference between a mere activist and a |
| worth the read is "Imus' Safety Net Failed" penned by | | | | real leader? |
| the World Net Daily columnist Barbara Simpson, April | | | | Are Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton activists or |
| 16, 2007. | | | | leaders? |
| TV interviews are too numerous to cite even though | | | | Would Jackson and Sharpton be willing to march |
| not much variation is offered. It seems like a replay of | | | | around network offices, media outlets and corporate |
| the same interview and it goes like this. Imus had a | | | | sponsors who gain from Hip Hop? |
| right to say what he wants, networks and corporate | | | | Do Christians believe that the gospel and gospel music, |
| supporters have the right to bounce him and why | | | | traditional or contemporary, can really stand by |
| doesn't somebody call Rap and Hip Hop out on the | | | | themselves to produce the desired effect? If so why |
| carpet. | | | | have some groups borrowed from the Rap genre to |
| Naturally when a race card pops up Jesse Jackson | | | | present their message? |
| and Al Sharpton are sure to pop up as well. Jackson is | | | | Would the networks be willing to tone down the crap |
| seen marching with a tiny placard about Rainbow | | | | in rap just to give it a slap (no rap intended) in the next |
| Coalition and Sharpton is filmed as the magnanimous | | | | Hip Hop presentation? Would they be willing to cancel |
| mediator of the Imus apology, just what we might | | | | the next Hip Hop presentation? |
| expect, nothing new in this picture. | | | | Are African American women any less insulted by the |
| Not far behind these familiar scenes another recurring | | | | rappers than they have been by Imus? Would they be |
| but worn out and highly questionable outcome is the | | | | willing to let their voices and their "Hell hath no fury like |
| monotonous drone of the interviewers trying to | | | | a woman's scorn" be heard on the same? |
| assuage Rappers with talk about their connection to | | | | Have parents listened to what is being piped into their |
| art. A lot of sycophantic gushing can't hide the fact | | | | children's brains and what is bombarding their sight daily |
| that untold millions of people believe that calling Hip Hop | | | | by Hip Hopsters and are they willing to pull the plug if |
| "art" is like comparing Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa | | | | necessary? Do you know the definition of difficult? |
| to Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup can. | | | | Has anyone at all noticed that the Imus incident clearly |
| Pop cultures' fling can produce bling but it takes | | | | says that freedom of speech does have |
| something a little more classic to add something | | | | responsibilities connected to it? |
| significant to a nation's culture, something that will | | | | Would rappers be willing to ponder the question of |
| endure through the ages. | | | | why only rap music gets a bad rap? Why haven't |
| Others have aptly pointed out something already well | | | | other music genres that African Americans have |
| known namely, that it is the big green money machine | | | | contributed to or wholly created been spoken against? |
| that drives Hip Hop. Millions of bucks will also be lost by | | | | Like Mississippi Delta Blues, Black Gospel and Choir |
| the networks and sponsors as a result of giving Imus | | | | music, Rhythm and Blues, Jazz, Dixieland, etc. etc. etc? |
| the boot. So that question serves only to raise yet | | | | Why doesn't anyone question that these genres are |
| another question. Why did the networks and | | | | actually art? |
| corporations suddenly go moral on such a lopsided | | | | Would Rappers be willing to ponder this great |
| scale? | | | | proverb? In the multitude of words there wanteth not |
| A few voices have been heard that dare to call Hip | | | | sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. Proverbs 10:19 |
| Hop artists and sponsors to respond. Among them has | | | | Would the rest of us be willing to ponder these |
| been African American poet Maya Anjelou. In her | | | | important words from the Saviour of the world? "But I |
| customary dignified and refined manner Maya | | | | say unto you, That every idle word that men shall |
| gracefully lambasted the rappers in an interview on | | | | speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of |
| CNN. Are there any other voices out there like this | | | | judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and |
| one? We are waiting. | | | | by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Matthew |
| Raising a plethora of new questions seems to be the | | | | 12:36-37 |
| main product of the entire controversy. These | | | | Rev Bresciani is a Christian author and a columnist for |
| questions are useful only if we are willing to hunker | | | | several online sites and magazines. His articles are |
| down and search for the answers and beyond that | | | | now read in every country in the world. |