Here are some of the emails we received concerning our segment on sexually explicit imagery in Hip Hop videos.

R&B has gotten out of control and we as a people - African Americans - need to take a stand and say what we are not willing to tolerate. I don't want to be viewed as a sex object or something that can be traded back and forth between men. I hope Essence is successful in getting folks to see how harmful these "innocent" lyrics can be. There are so many young girls out on our streets who immolate these people and truly believe that bling bling is something to strive for . . . the be all end all of life. They don't value education and have no sense of self respect.

Black artist are role models whether they want to be or not - they have to accept that fact. We need to hold them to a higher level and they need to understand that "making a living" should not include exploiting young women. You can be both positive and hip. We need to support positive R&B that does not promote negative images and ideas of "making it big".
T.W. in Brooklyn

The videos are on television because the audience is requesting them. The images in the video are not made-up. The images of half-naked women parading around and approaching men to ask for money are based on real-life experiences that happen all the time in the club. So, the problem of women debasing themselves is not addressed in this campaign. The music and the video are based on reality, they are not creating the reality. So, addressing the videos and music is really missing the point. The problem is the fact that some Black women feel their worth is based on soliciting attention from men and using that attention for their financial gain. How does she think she can address the real problem?
T.D.

If this is a typical campaign, then you will turn this project into
a "another reason to hate Black men" campaign.

If this is NOT a typical campaign, then you will show some
courage and launch a frontal attack on the role of whites
(who have the real power) in the hip hop industry-- the owners of
the largest distributors and radio stations --and how they have
forced this kind of hip-hop on the world while crushing or
practically banning positive rap and hip-hop.

Deal with the REAL power in hip-hop, or this will be just
another "hate Black men" campaign and Black men will
rightfully ignore you.

Also, your campaign seems to already contain its own
stereotypes: stop the nonsense that claims "all" black
men see Black women in a "certain way" (sexually).

Get rid of the stereotypes and spotlight the real power in
hip-hop and we will have your back. Come with the same old
stereotypes-- and we will close our ears to your movement.

It's that simple.
N.O.

Can we stop calling people like 50 Cent, Ozzy, Bionce, etc, etc.. "artists"?

Let's leave that title for people like Miles Davis, Picasso, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Mozart....you get the point.

Art should never be equated to albums sold.
M.D.

Posted by leboheme at 03:06 PM