EDITORIAL: Today's Popular Artists Of Color Are Setting The Culture Back To The Minstrel Show

Is This How We Will Remember The Most Popular Artists Of The 21st Century?

Until about a month ago, I considered Jay Z and Russell Simmons two very well thought out standard bearers of culture that is important to me.

Then I heard about Jay-Z's "diss record" Nickels and Dimes.

Out of all the evil going on in the world (not to mention the stop and frisk police procedure in his native New York) Jay Z chooses to vent on Harry Belafonte.

At the time of his life when he had Jay Z's acclaim, Mr. Belafonte was risking his career, his life and writing checks to promote human rights and civil rights.

To the best of my knowledge Mr. Belafonte didn't wait for hot button issues, didn't make his fame by trying to take down other artists or "dating the hottest chick" in the game. Mr. Belafonte also never hid behind "I'm just an artist" or any of the other excuses that today's artists and athletes bark when they have put out something that sets Black People back decades.

I am realistic and I understand that today is not the same day as Mr. Belafonte's. However no matter the situation. What has Jay Z done for anyone not named Carter that would give him the right to attempt to reduce Mr. Belafonte to a Lil Wayne status? At 44 isn't Jay Z old enough to understand that rappers not named Eminem would not be allowed to fly first class or use the front entrance to venues they played in if not for Harry Belafonte?

Jay Z did what no other person was able to do with his diss record , which is make me not a Jay Z supporter.

It may be Jay Z's opinion that Mr. Belafonte is a "boy" and needs to respect "youngans."

It is my opinion that Belafonte's generation of artists have left a body of work in and out of the studio that is still helping people of color despite Jay's attempts to tear it all down and set us all back.

Now I had resigned myself not to really publicly discuss The Jay-Z/Belafonte thing. However, when it happened I did say on facebook that it would start a chain reaction.

Sure enough. Russell Simmon's is involved with a video that depicts 

Harriet Tubman making a sex tape.

Again this is not a young rapper on the street trying to get some fame.

Russell Simmons is 55 years old and has the resources to educate a whole generation on how to become neighborhood moguls and icons. I understand the easiest thing to do is instruct someone else on what to do with their time and money. I sit in the chair as people tell me how to live as well.

However, at some point. You have to have people around you that can tell you to pump the breaks. Sometimes you have to hold up on doing everything and anything for another dollar.

I understand that before the end of the month, I may make a misstep. 

So I am writing this in love for Jay and Russell.

We actually live in a world where young ladies feel that making a sex tape is a quick way to fame and fortune with out needing any talent. I could understand asking the question..."What If Harriet Tubman wanted to be a porn star?" (I actually think that would have been a great poem.) However, when asked about the video Mr. Simmons defense was that it was funny.

If the popular artists of color today in their prime are any kind of leaders at all? Where are they leading us? There are plenty of great artists under the radar, however where are the popular artists of color that are leading us to freedom?

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