Open this link using Internet Explorer. Then find the link to a video clip; you’ll see it directly before the bullet for “5:47.”
Yep, Kanye went there.
Now, go here and listen to the interview.
Yep, Clarence Ray Nagin went there.
Look, I don’t care how annoying you might think Kanye is (he gets on my nerves) or if you hate his music as much as Bol. Really, I don’t care if you agree with what he says here. What I’m touched by is his sincerity, the nerve it took to do this, and the way you can tell he was simultaneously overwhelmed by what he’d seen and what he was about to do.
And Bush apologists need remember this–in Jeb’s first run for the governorship of Florida, he was asked what he would do for black Floridians as governor. His answer was, “probably nothing.” Can’t hold Jeb’s views against the Dub, but it’s hard to think their views deviate that far from each other’s.
Wow, Kanye. Wow.
And the Mayor…compared to this, Giuliani had a walk in the park.
30 thoughts on “Two Gangstas.”
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Now, watch how Ray Nagin will be vilified while Rudy was America’s son.
Yeah, I knew I liked Kanye for a reason – felt like he had to say something and he said it, consequences be damned.
But if you keep watching the video for a bit, after you get through some horribly ironic river boat music (completely grates against the mood) there’s an even more potent and sincere plea.
After Kanye they ran a piece from some of the young children stranded in the area, all of them black (like 98% of the refugees). And a seven?, eight? year old describes the conditions in the best way I’ve heard yet. Seriously, watch it.
Yeah, I knew I liked Kanye for a reason – felt like he had to say something and he said it, consequences be damned.
But if you keep watching the video for a bit, after you get through some horribly ironic river boat music (completely grates against the mood) there’s an even more potent and sincere plea.
After Kanye they ran a piece from some of the young children stranded in the area, all of them black (like 98% of the refugees). And a seven?, eight? year old describes the conditions in the best way I’ve heard yet. Seriously, watch it.
I know Kanye’s going to get slammed- “not appropriate at that time”, “made it all about him”…..but dammit, when exactly is it an appropriate time…seeing children floating facedown in water, no water, no food…if you DON’T say something, I seriously question what the hell is wrong with you.
‘Ye looked like it was going to eat him up if he didn’t say something, and I have to respect him for that- he might have been scared, but he pointed out the emperor has no clothes….well, actually, his subjects have no clothes. Or food. Or water.
Him saying George Bush doesn’t care about black people is like saying water is wet….it’s only a surprise to folks who are used to being dry.
And Nagin- you know it’s desperate times when a pol stops parsing and says “Get your asses together” to the Governor AND the President.
I know Kanye’s going to get slammed- “not appropriate at that time”, “made it all about him”…..but dammit, when exactly is it an appropriate time…seeing children floating facedown in water, no water, no food…if you DON’T say something, I seriously question what the hell is wrong with you.
‘Ye looked like it was going to eat him up if he didn’t say something, and I have to respect him for that- he might have been scared, but he pointed out the emperor has no clothes….well, actually, his subjects have no clothes. Or food. Or water.
Him saying George Bush doesn’t care about black people is like saying water is wet….it’s only a surprise to folks who are used to being dry.
And Nagin- you know it’s desperate times when a pol stops parsing and says “Get your asses together” to the Governor AND the President.
I’m glad Kanye spoke out. He spoke the truth. Coming from the UK, I’m shocked and disgusted at the way the US government has reacted to this tragedy. It’s a digrace.
I’m glad Kanye spoke out. He spoke the truth. Coming from the UK, I’m shocked and disgusted at the way the US government has reacted to this tragedy. It’s a digrace.
Ballsy.
I have long praised and pounded Kanye for being both ruthlessly introspective and relentlessly self-promoting. When I heard what he did, I assumed it was another example of the latter. When i SAW what he did, it was one of his finest moments of the former.
What you saw was one of the most instantaneous moments of improvisation known to live TV.
I only wonder what he was SUPPOSED to say, cause clearly that may have driven him to what he DID say.
Ill back him until the cows come home.
OR until he says something stupid, whichever comes first.
Watch your back Kanye..the right is gunning for you.
Ballsy.
I have long praised and pounded Kanye for being both ruthlessly introspective and relentlessly self-promoting. When I heard what he did, I assumed it was another example of the latter. When i SAW what he did, it was one of his finest moments of the former.
What you saw was one of the most instantaneous moments of improvisation known to live TV.
I only wonder what he was SUPPOSED to say, cause clearly that may have driven him to what he DID say.
Ill back him until the cows come home.
OR until he says something stupid, whichever comes first.
Watch your back Kanye..the right is gunning for you.
Yeah man…Kanye sounded so scared, enraged, sad, and angry all at the same time. Those are the feelings a real human being should have at this time. I’m so happy for him feeling free enough to say what he said. The right will be gunning for him but fuck it. It’s in times like these when you gotta keep it extra real. The Fox News headline this morning was “Stop playing the blame game”. It’s a damn shame how co-opted our media has become…or always was?
I’m usually quiet when I disagree, but being a resident of New Orleans, I feel like this is a time when I should talk. Sorry, people, I disagree that “Bush doesn’t give a damn about black people” is the real issue here. I have no comment on whether or not that statement is true, but still, it is not the issue. The President of the US is responsible for 50 states and countless cities. He simply can’t understand them all in detail. I think the main reason why the relief efforts were botched so badly is because they were not prepared to deal with the security issue promptly. And that significantly dampened the rescue efforts. To anyone who resided in that city, the violence and crime that ensued after the storm/flooding is no surprise. The crime rate was already astronomical in N.O. Of course it would only get worse as people become more and more desperate to survive. (And I’m talking about weapon violence, not looting… by all means, I feel that anyone stranded their has the right to take all the food and water they can get their hands on. Although I question those who plan to “dine” on TVs or Nikes.) It is clearly the duty of the mayor and the governor to PROACTIVELY call for the intervention of the National Guard and active military (and many more than the handfuls of NG that they actually did have standing by as the storm approached). Only local and state politicians can be expected to truly understand the unique community that is New Orleans. If the feds have not been properly informed by the local government of what it is the country is dealing with, the feds certainly cannot judge what the appropriate strategy should be. My honest opinion on why people often blame the president… most people do not know the structure of government in the US beyond the president and congress. In fact, a huge number of Americans don’t even know the Vice President’s name. That means many people have know clue who the mayor and governor are or what their responsibilities are. The only name they know to blame is George Bush.
Speak up when you disagree. Life’s more fun that way, especially when you raise legitimate questions.
Anyway, I think the reason Bush is so easy to blame is because he’s a smug sumbitch and a blithering fool. That all screams out blame me.
It isn’t all his fault, but he’s got a lot of ‘splainin to do about choices he and his made that precede the hurricane by years. Lots of other people–from Edwin Edwards to Marc Morial to countless other government officials of the past–might need to get on the podium before him. We could probably field a full 47-man NFL roster with all the fuckups that share some responsibility in this.
Kanye was being himself. It counts. It counts big-time.
Damn shame it takes something biblically catastrophic to make him being himself less grating.
Kanye was being himself. It counts. It counts big-time.
Damn shame it takes something biblically catastrophic to make him being himself less grating.
Hi Bomani, I found your blog through Negrophile, and now I’m a fan. You are right, those two men threw it down and spoke their hearts at a time when people needed to hear the truth.
Hi Bomani, I found your blog through Negrophile, and now I’m a fan. You are right, those two men threw it down and spoke their hearts at a time when people needed to hear the truth.
I’d been hearing about this for what seems like a week now. I finally got around to see to the Kanye West clip and listen to the Nagin interview. I can’t even be mad at ’em. I love to hear people get so passionate that they get wreckless. Forget who you’re talking to. Forget being politically correct. Say what you mean, straight no chaser, and curse, dammit. My new principal hates me for these exact same reasons, but my passions come from a place just as pure as these folks– the welfare of the students I teach doesn’t hinge on how nicely I tell Dr. Agnew that I HATE all this paperwork (I hope she Googles her name often, LOL), and getting the job done in New Orleans won’t happen if the mayor shucks and jives until Massa Bush decides it’s time to go down and bail out the colored folk. “Tell ’em why you mad, son!” For everyone (especially black women) that says we can’t get black men to stand up for anything, put this in your pipe and smoke it.
I’d been hearing about this for what seems like a week now. I finally got around to see to the Kanye West clip and listen to the Nagin interview. I can’t even be mad at ’em. I love to hear people get so passionate that they get wreckless. Forget who you’re talking to. Forget being politically correct. Say what you mean, straight no chaser, and curse, dammit. My new principal hates me for these exact same reasons, but my passions come from a place just as pure as these folks– the welfare of the students I teach doesn’t hinge on how nicely I tell Dr. Agnew that I HATE all this paperwork (I hope she Googles her name often, LOL), and getting the job done in New Orleans won’t happen if the mayor shucks and jives until Massa Bush decides it’s time to go down and bail out the colored folk. “Tell ’em why you mad, son!” For everyone (especially black women) that says we can’t get black men to stand up for anything, put this in your pipe and smoke it.
Thanks for giving us this forum to discuss the REAL issues in this tragedy. I have cried daily as I watch our brothers and sisters suffer in NO.
Why is the right wing trying to avoid blame in this situation? Why has a Black General been put in charge of managing this hopeless situation after it has monumentally f’ed up?
Why did Condenegro Rice even waste her time leaving the US Open to come to a hopeless situation to coon for Massa Bush?
This is a situation that needs a military solution. Bush was scared to set foot in NO until Friday. How in the hell do you expect the least of our brothers to be protected when they can’t even protect the president?
It’s reassuring to know that the citizens of Iraq are protected. Maybe New Orleans will know that same freedom within the next five years or so.
Man, show some respect. It’s Coondoleezza. Yes, I proofread that.
Anyway, no problem opening the forum. Damn shame I can’t do more, really. But for real about Rice, she lost me when she said she didn’t think racism could be a cause for the slow-footed responses. I’m starting to wonder if she’s that stupid and naive or thinks that we are.
Thanks for giving us this forum to discuss the REAL issues in this tragedy. I have cried daily as I watch our brothers and sisters suffer in NO.
Why is the right wing trying to avoid blame in this situation? Why has a Black General been put in charge of managing this hopeless situation after it has monumentally f’ed up?
Why did Condenegro Rice even waste her time leaving the US Open to come to a hopeless situation to coon for Massa Bush?
This is a situation that needs a military solution. Bush was scared to set foot in NO until Friday. How in the hell do you expect the least of our brothers to be protected when they can’t even protect the president?
It’s reassuring to know that the citizens of Iraq are protected. Maybe New Orleans will know that same freedom within the next five years or so.
Man, show some respect. It’s Coondoleezza. Yes, I proofread that.
Anyway, no problem opening the forum. Damn shame I can’t do more, really. But for real about Rice, she lost me when she said she didn’t think racism could be a cause for the slow-footed responses. I’m starting to wonder if she’s that stupid and naive or thinks that we are.
big grip, can’t speak to the rest of it, but General Honore was supposedly put in charge because he has a connection to NO. I believe he grew up there, but don’t quote me on that.
And if you heard Nagin’s interview, he vouches for Honore. If he got it done, he got it done. Funny, but when Nagin described him as “some John Wayne dude,” I assumed he was white. Look at me bein all presumptuous…
big grip, can’t speak to the rest of it, but General Honore was supposedly put in charge because he has a connection to NO. I believe he grew up there, but don’t quote me on that.
And if you heard Nagin’s interview, he vouches for Honore. If he got it done, he got it done. Funny, but when Nagin described him as “some John Wayne dude,” I assumed he was white. Look at me bein all presumptuous…
I know I’m late getting to this post but I have something to say so I figure I’ll just add on to the end here… Maybe someone will read it.
I admire Kanye for the first time in my life. I respect what he said and I believe he meant it. I believe he feels it. I simply believe him. I don’t feel like I’ll listen to track seven and hear him contradicting himself. And I dig it.
I do not believe this hurricane is comparable to the “events of September 11”. Giuliani dealt with 2 buildings, immediate assistance, a full and mobile police force, working power lines and telephone equipment, etc. Nagin had NOTHING. Even the public servants were unable to help as they wished. And guess what, our president – who at least addressed the nation on 9/11 had jack shit to say until he “ended his vacation early” some two days later…
You cannot vilify Nagin. He has nothing to work with. We’d rather be traipsing off to fight a war that doesn’t even concern us and setting up democracies in other countries than fixing our own problems and teaching our own citizens what democracy is. We’d rather cut our education budgets and increase our military budgets than protect our citizens.
If citizens want to blame Bush, by all means, do. He’s not coming up off the millions of family dollars to donate funds to the victims of hurricane Katrina. He’s not giving up any of the bedrooms in the white house or anywhere else (including the ranch in Texas) so people can stay there.
He’s being the coward and bitch he always has been. It’s a shame that a natural disaster of this magnitude was necessary for people to recognize that the man they voted into office is unfit for the job. Oh well.
I’ve just filled my shot glass with Vodka. Here’s to the next three years.
I know I’m late getting to this post but I have something to say so I figure I’ll just add on to the end here… Maybe someone will read it.
I admire Kanye for the first time in my life. I respect what he said and I believe he meant it. I believe he feels it. I simply believe him. I don’t feel like I’ll listen to track seven and hear him contradicting himself. And I dig it.
I do not believe this hurricane is comparable to the “events of September 11”. Giuliani dealt with 2 buildings, immediate assistance, a full and mobile police force, working power lines and telephone equipment, etc. Nagin had NOTHING. Even the public servants were unable to help as they wished. And guess what, our president – who at least addressed the nation on 9/11 had jack shit to say until he “ended his vacation early” some two days later…
You cannot vilify Nagin. He has nothing to work with. We’d rather be traipsing off to fight a war that doesn’t even concern us and setting up democracies in other countries than fixing our own problems and teaching our own citizens what democracy is. We’d rather cut our education budgets and increase our military budgets than protect our citizens.
If citizens want to blame Bush, by all means, do. He’s not coming up off the millions of family dollars to donate funds to the victims of hurricane Katrina. He’s not giving up any of the bedrooms in the white house or anywhere else (including the ranch in Texas) so people can stay there.
He’s being the coward and bitch he always has been. It’s a shame that a natural disaster of this magnitude was necessary for people to recognize that the man they voted into office is unfit for the job. Oh well.
I’ve just filled my shot glass with Vodka. Here’s to the next three years.
Bomani,
Hey man, I discovered your post soon after I posted my own thoughts on this topic. If you don’t mind, I linked my post to yours. We are on opposing ends of the topic, but I too enjoy differing opinions. Thats the beauty of the blogosphere.
Brotha Buck
Small problem, brother. I didn’t give my take on what Kanye said.
Sign the petition against NBC’s violation of Kanye’s First Amendment rights.
Sign the petition against NBC’s violation of Kanye’s First Amendment rights.
The link is here:
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/FreeKanye
The link is here:
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/FreeKanye
His answer was, “probably nothing.” Can’t hold Jeb’s views against the Dub, but it’s hard to think their views deviate that far from each other’s.
Q: What did Lawton do for them?
A: Nothing.
NBC can not violate anyone’s first amendment. You might want to review it. You can say anything you want, but you have no “right” for it to be broadcast.