Kanye West

Update: Slate's Jacob Weisberg weighs in on the issue. Money quote:

"Had the residents of New Orleans been white Republicans in a state that mattered politically, instead of poor blacks in city that didn't, Bush's response surely would have been different. Compare what happened when hurricanes Charley and Frances hit Florida in 2004. Though the damage from those storms was negligible in relation to Katrina's, the reaction from the White House was instinctive, rapid, and generous to the point of profligacy. Bush visited hurricane victims four times in six weeks and delivered relief checks personally. Michael Brown of FEMA, now widely regarded as an incompetent political hack, was so responsive that local officials praised the agency's performance.

The kind of constituency politics that results in a big life-preserver for whites in Florida and a tiny one for blacks in Louisiana may not be racist by design or intent. But the inevitable result is clear racial discrimination. It won't change when Republicans care more about blacks. It will change when they have more reason to care."

Original Post 9/4: Major props to the brutha for speaking his mind. (Video link here.) And I'm sorry, but anyone who doesn't think race has anything to do with the way things have gone down in New Orleans is really beyond help. Like my man Big Sexy said: "Do you think folks woulda been left out like that if this had happened in Vermont?" A complete and utter disgrace.

Comments

[MelvinJones]

I agree that the whole thing is not being taken seriously enough by the government, but the only person I have heard saying that some of them are not looting but trying to survive was the New Orleans mayor, who is a black man himself. I find it hard to believe that the black mayor hates black people. If New Orleans was 100% white, and they were down there shooting at rescue helicopters and shooting each other over drug deals (as the mayor says, which is an aspect I did not think about before and he made a great point), then I cannot see the rescue effort going too differently. I hate Bush just as much as the next guy, but I think Kanye West took it a few steps too far. Just my opinion, though, who knows, it's all hypothetical.

[MelvinJones]

Ok I was reading some stuff, and yeah it appears that this whole situation is being handled with as much care as Leon Lett handles a football with. I still don't think it is because many of the people are black. But who knows.

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/columns/pressingissues_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001054581

[MM]

I love Kanye. He knows how to speak Truth! We all know that if the majority of the now homeless people in New Orleans were white, well this scenario would look nothing like the way it does. The government has shown nothing but contempt for the black citizens of New Orleans. Kanye was right on the money. Tell it, Kanye!

[Jackie]

Nice work on the Lett reference, Mr. Jones. Very unfortunately, as you surely know, the stakes here are about a gazillion times higher.

And that article you linked to provides a very nice snapshot of the utter neglect this adminstration has shown for the black and poor that are suffering so in New Orleans. As I said, disgraceful.

[Bluehorseshoe]

Problem I have with the whole racial argument is a) I think the Hurricaine itself was pretty colourblind and b) I find it hard to believe there was a knowing decision to make the emergency response "B grade" for black people. Especially when a large number of Black Democrats from the areas were involved in the emergency planning initially. I think in this instance, complete incompetence in relation to the rescue effort is colurblind also. I dont think it's a valid or sustainable argument to suggest there are people with white pillowcases on their heads running FEMA.

What I would buy is the argument that racism and years of poverty lead to a situation where the most vulnerable people in this situation were black. But that's a bigger and different issue than saying the rescue response was sub-standard because poor black people dont matter.

[Dolen]

I find it interesting that people have so much faith in the motives of those in power, and so little faith in the disempowered. We are quick to believe the lies of those young men in Aruba who blamed the two black security guards for the disappearance of Natalee Holloway. We are quick to believe that our local community leader could never be a child molester. We are quick to believe that centuries of xenophobic immigration legislation must have been reasonably enacted by the federal government. We are also quick to believe that those black folks in N.O. were criminals doing more looting for profit than for essential survival supplies.

Bluehorseshoe, I'm envious of your optimism. I wish I could say with certainty that this response was "colorblind." I wish I could say with certainty that our response to the Rwandan genocide was "colorblind." I wish I could say with certainty that if these hurricane survivors had been wealthy whites there would *still* be people stranded in their homes after a week.

I really really wish I could say those things...

[Nominal Me]

Look, when 80% of a city is underwater, looting is taking place, rescue helicopters are getting shot at, and the place is a swamp in the first place...race has nothing to do with it. The situation is impossible out there, and like 9/11 it's science-fiction-movie-impossible-to-believe-bad.

There was just a few people who studied the weather and the geography of New Orleans and they were the only ones thinking about it.

Add to this that areas in Mississippi and Alabama that were demolished -- including white rural areas -- without media attention and rescue reseources. You can pretty much ignore the "race" accusations.

[Scottie]

Pretty uppity for a guy who somehow manages to be amazed by hanging out in an abominable shopping mall.

Think race didn't play the lead role in this tragedy? Guess again. Do you need a hint? Eh? Look around. There's your hint.

[Shoes]

Great point Nominal. How many people know the eye of the storm and the worst damage did not occur in New Orleans? The Mayor of NO is a disgrace for not removing all the citizens before the storm. Now others have to get everyone out before they can do what they need to. FEMA is set up to assist the local agencies after a disaster. Not to do the work themselves. Unfortunately, over 200 NO police have already abandoned their responsibilities. While the federal response could be better, the short comings certainly aren't racially motivated.

[briandtw]

Shoes, he ordered the city evacuated prior to the storm. The people who didn't evacuate were either too poor, too stubborn or too misguided. But that's not his fault. Unless you think he should have been driving the buses or flying the helicopters to get the people out of Dodge.

The city, state and parish authorities aren't blameless, but blaming the mayor for not making sure everyone was evacuated is just as stupid as saying God wanted the hurricane to hit New Orleans because of abortion.

[Frank]

Don't be lured in, brian. Blame-The-Mayor is the idiotic right's spin to this tragedy, as the fallout is making Dear Leader and his gang of incompetent boobs look even more befuddled than ever. The idea is to blame it on the guy who had 200 school buses available to ferry the destitute, the elderly and the sick to some magical refugee camp that doesn't exist.

But it's not like the Department of Homeland Security has jurisdiction and primary authority for natural disaster response written into its charter. Oh wait...

[Brian O'Nolan]

If you don't think the Right will be spinning the blame on the:

1)Black mayor of New Orleans
2)Black guy running with a TV.
3)Black rapper.

as the days go on, you haven't been paying attention for the past two decades.

[Shoes]

I can't wait until Hilary is in charge of everything. Then those who rely totally on the government for their existance and support can do all the finger pointing they want. What has happened to the first line of defense in a natural disaster? The NO Police Dept. has fallen apart. Is that Bush's fault? Where were the LA Natl Guard? Does Bush deploy them? There is plenty of blame if you want to go that route. I think we should just focus on helping the people with money and support. One thing you can always count on is the left playing the race game with everything!

I initially thought the anemic response was primarily motivated by the fact that the most afected were poor and black and lived in a blue (read black) state. However after reading that Michael Brown, the politically appointed directorof FEMA, was only 4 years ago the Commissioner of the International Arabian Horse Assn and later came to FEMA as its GC (thus giving him less than 4 years experience in emergency management), I am now firmly of the opinion that utter incompetence played a much bigger role in the quality of the response than did race. I was pretty shocked to hear Mr Brown admit on national television thathe did not know until thursday that there were people housed in the Convention center. Notwithstanding this, we all know that he's doing a "heck of a job".....

In the coming days lets see how much the media will shift focus to the death of Rhenquist and the ascent of John Roberts to divert scruitiny from this tragedy......

I'm looking forward to the Michael Moore or Spike Lee documentary.

[Nominal Me]

Hey Scottie, that shopping mall was impressive. Wait till I post my skee ball scores from a video game place today.

There is a difference between race and economic status. I'll buy economics being a factor in this, because poorer people had less options in getting out and are less likely to follow authorities instructions to evacuate. Believe it or not, many of the poor people neglected outside of New Orleans (and in harder hit areas) are...white.

That is not to say that there was an intentional, or unintentional, ignorance of their situation due to their poverty. The landmass of New Orleans and surrounding areas on a good day keeps changing because it is swampland. When something like this happens, the geography of the area makes it all but impossible to do something about it right away.

That's not race, but geography.

From what I read, Biloxi, MS is completely destroyed. They got hit dead-on. Yet the TV coverage is on New Orleans because of the population density and other problems (like looting) make it more flashy.

Again, that's not race. It may not be good, but it's not due to race.

[Shoes]

MS was hit much harder but all I see from there is a governor with his sleeves rolled up working with the people. The LA governor has been crying her eyes out with a thousand dollar suit on! Compare the Mayor of NYC after 9/11 to the mayor of NO now. That will tell you all you need to know about leadership.

When before Americans in America have ever before been called refugees?? Doent there almost have to be at least one other country invlved??? Aren't they simply evacuees??

[bv]

When before Americans in America have ever before been called refugees?? Doent there almost have to be at least one other country invlved??? Aren't they simply evacuees??

[Nominal Me]

From Merriam-Webster online:

ref·u·gee
Pronunciation: "re-fyu-'jE, 're-fyu-"
Function: noun
Etymology: French réfugié, past participle of (se) réfugier to take refuge, from Latin refugium
: one that flees; especially : a person who flees to a foreign country or power to escape danger or persecution

It's an inapropriate use of the word. The people are not escaping a country or power.

[john pike]

when else have refugees been properly called refugees? How about "always":

And Hurricane Charley:
Associated Press, August 27, 2004 Friday, "Charlie Refugees Stay in Temporary Campers"

And Hurricane Frances:
Hurricane Frances menaces Florida; refugees head to NC

And Hurricane Ivan:
South Texas Welcomes Hurricane Refugees As Thousands Flee Ivan

Associated Press, September 16, 2004, Thursday, "Arkansas overflowing with Ivan refugees"

Guys, get a grip (or a clue).

[bv]

I think the clue is in the definition. Thanks for the research though....some guys really know how to party on Labor Day

[Nominal Me]

The writers of these articles should buy a dictionary.

[Frank]

It's lovely that the discusison of a topic so serious and tragic develops into a semantic debate.

I certainly hope the woman that Tom Petty sang about was a true refugee, otherwise Nominal, BV and the rest of the dictionary police are gonna be pissed.

[briandtw]

I also love what pussies Republicans are these days. Criticize their sacred cow for letting hundreds of Americans needlessly die while he golfs and strums the guitar and they reflexively blame other public officials.

I guess we've come a long way from "The Buck Stops Here" to "My Pet Goat".

[Nominal Me]

This topic Frank, Kanye West's allegations, is ludicrious. It's worth debasing.

[Billy]

Jackie,
Ordinarily, I think you do a pretty spot on job with commentary. But this time I am very very disappointed.

[Bluehorseshoe]

I believe that Hurricane Katrina itself was racist...attacking all those Black people in the south and Totally letting the rich , retired Jews in Florida off with a little rain. You can tell, as it is sooooo white when seen from a satellite photograph. Plus Katrina is such as WASP name.

[Frank]

Billy's comment might as well have said "Jackie - I normally value your opinions. Except when I disagree with them."

And I wasn't aware that the topic of institutional racism, even if only perceived or alleged, is now, at this point in this country's history, considered "ludicrous". I guess we can close the book on that dark chapter.

[MM]

I just love those who are of the belief: racism is so passe! Utterly laughable, incredible naive, and hard to take anything they have to say seriously.

The language used to describe the displaced, majority black population of New Orleans, is only one indication of how race plays out in this very sad drama.

Get real!

Wake up, folks!

[Nominal Me]

There's only so many times people can cry wolf Frank. Kanye West did in this case.

[Billy]

Coz and Jackie,
I can't believe you are honestly supporting the actions of Kanye West. This was a natural disaster of epic proportions. There were monumental failures at every level of authority. This has been acknowledged. I'm sure exactly what Bush said was, "You know, guys, there's just a bunch of blacks and poor folks down there. We can just wait until Thursday to send anyone in. Yeah, lets do that." You guys just lost much credibility for this.

[jerloma]

Being a rich white guy from Texas with a bit of a good old boy feel about him; I think there's about an 80% chance that Bush doesn't like black people.

I also think there would have been a greater federal response if the victims were a different demographic.

I also think that if Kanye West is trying to get political and use his position to influence race relations in a positive way...calling the president a racist on national TV is not the way to go about it.

[Brian O'Nolan]

Kanye West's charge was: "George Bush does not care about black people."

I invite anyone to refute this charge not with indignance, but with specific facts that don't include a mention Condi Rice.

[Bluehorseshoe]

Brian, the first error (or maybe not from your perspective) in logic you just made is asking your opponent to refute a negative proposition. Same as asking him when he stopped beating his wife. You have already decided he hates black people. If you are interested in un-biased answer,why dont you couch it "Prove GWB cares about black people"

Problem is throwing around baseless charges of racism in the public arena only devalues the seriousness of it. Like crying Wolf, eventually society becomes immune to it and then when it really does happen, no-one beleives it.

[Brian O'Nolan]

Okay, I'll play:

Prove George W. Bush cares about black people.

[Jackie]

Howard Dean:

"We must ... come to terms with the ugly truth that skin color, age and economics played a deadly role in who survived and who did not....People are poor in different parts of the country. They are not refugees. They are Americans."

And no, the point is not that because Howard Dean said it, it must be true -- and it is worthwhile to note that his statement is a much more generalized than West's -- however, his statement does go to further highlight the extreme ignorance of the position that even thinking race is somehown an issue here is "ludicrous." That's just flat-out Dumb.

In any event, the one thing that Dean does get at more clearly than West, which I actually think is the fairer indictment if we're talking the prez, is the whole "poor & black" deal.

[Bluehorseshoe]

If you said GWB does not care about poor people per se I think there could be an argument made for that. And if you said the US has a history of racisim that has disenfranchised the african american population again, there is an argument there too. But to say GWB is indifferent to them BECAUSE of thier skin colour is an entirely different , and unsustainable argument.

[Khan-Yeezy]

George Bush Does Not Care About Black People.

[Brian O'Nolan]

Since you told me to phrase it this way, promising me an unbiased response, BHS, I will, again:

Prove George W. Bush cares about black people.

[MelvinJones]

Uh, ok, I'll call George Bush up right now and ask him if he cares about black people. Exactly how do you answer that question?

[MelvinJones]

I'n not saying that racism does not exist...I just think the race card is played too often.

[Khan-Yeezy]

George Bush Doesn't Care about black people

and from what he told me he secretly doesnt like mexicans either....

[Nominal Me]

Maybe Kanye West has Tourettes Syndrome?

[George Bush]

Mexicans can vote?

[Bluehorseshoe]

Hey I understand why the Dems would make the accusation - it's gonna hang out there as a meme, pervading the blogoshpere and hurt the GoP, especially as they moved thier % of the African American vote significantly in 2004 (albeit from a low base). In fact its quite Rovian in it's effectiveness...But even Jesse Jackson is backing away from it now and talking about incompetence.

[Coop]

Curiously, Kanye West never mentioned Bill Clinton didn't care about black people. Or poor people. Or old people.

http://www.northmiami.us/project/wikipedia/index.php/Chicago_Heat_Wave_of_1995

[Coop]

Sorry, link got cut off:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Heat_Wave_of_1995

[Cherie]

Let's be for real, Kanye West has the biggest balls out of anyone out right now. He spoke what was true and should be praised for it. It makes me sick to think that Black people have been stripped of their freedom, and dignity for centuries and because we were let out of slavery everybody wants to act like everything is a okay. It's time to address the elephant standing in the middle of the damn room. Hurricane Katrina only brought light to what was in the dark, Bush does not care about Black people and we are always going to be second rate citizens in his mind. I ashamed and appauled at the lack of compassion these people are recieving its about four months later and they are being kicked out of hotels, and they are running out of food and money. They are basically being told you got your few months of sympathy now we need something new to cry about.

[Bob]

I think that is a load of crap. Even if George bush doesn't like black people (which I think is rediculous) everyone in New Orleans is still an American and his job is to do what is best for America. The warning was put out in New Orleans to EVACUATE, not to sit around on your ass and hope to wait it out. People tend to forget that New Orleans, although predominantly black, is filled with all different types of people so I am not criticizing African Americans I am talking about the population of New Orleans as a whole. I think that it was amazing how poeple were being helped and cared for after they were shipped out of the city. Everyone complained that they were still stuck there and then when they were able to leave they found something else to complain about. I think what Kanye West said about president Bush was beyond disrespectful. Im sorry if you aren't happy with our president but he won the election which means that you have to deal with it for four years whether you like it or not. And instead of arguing about what is wrong with the government why don't people take matters into their own hand and help out. Most people think that they problem is to big and they can't handle it so they pick on the president when he is one of the biggest contributors to the relief effort. Could he have done something different. Yes. Could he have habdled the situation in a more proactive manner. Absolutely. But does he deserves all of this flack about not caring for black people when he working so hard to help them out?!? NO It is disgraceful how spoiled Americans are and how people don't appreciate what the government does. Other countries laugh at our petty nature and it is embarassing if you ask me. I am glad that the damage Hurrincan Katrina is beginning to disappear. And even though I know things will never be the same I appreciate everyone who is doing anything to make things better... iclusing President Bush

[Royalty Free Beats For One Dollar]

Royalty Free Beats For One Dollar

At

http://upbeat.tk