Posts Tagged ‘Foxy Brown’

"Bye Bye Mo'Kelly...See you in '11

Some people wondered, “Who cares?”  Others mused about the seeming disparate jail sentences between Clifford “T.I.” Harris and other celebrities such as Paris Hilton or Lindsay Lohan.  If you didn’t find yourself in the previous two groups, you may see yourself in the third, heaping praises on the justice system for putting away T.I. for another 11 months for his recent probation violation in Hollywood.

As a condition of his parole earlier this year, the rapper was ordered not to commit “another” federal, state or local crime while on supervised release, or to illegally possess a controlled substance. He was also instructed to take a minimum three drug tests after release from prison on federal weapons charges and participate in a drug and alcohol treatment program.  In other words, act like a responsible, adult citizen.  That’s not saying anything of the obvious, not consorting with other felons along the way.

He failed miserably on all counts, each and every one in a matter of months.

Whichever response you might have had to the sentencing of T.I., not enough attention has been paid to the underlying lessons for young people to learn and apply to their own lives.  Let’s go back and revisit the three groups and find where each misses the mark.

Group #1 – “Who Cares?”

Likely anyone who calls him/herself a fan of hip-hop generally or T.I. specifically cares deeply that he is headed back to jail.  His wife Tiny (who has yet to be sentenced) cares, his family cares.  He is still somebody’s son, somebody’s father and unfortunately, somebody’s (perish the thought) role model.  Somebody out there looks up to T.I. for either his music, his acting or some combination of both.  His arrest matters and we should “care.”  The reasons as to why and to what degree are debatable; but we should most definitely “care.”  Or maybe a more accurate word to be used is “matters.”

The sentencing of T.I. matters for a myriad of reasons, most of them related to his scope of influence.  There are too many impressionable young people who’ve yet to understand that drug arrests (plural), federal weapons arrests and violations of parole/probation are unacceptable, especially within our African-American community.  If we are to admire T.I. for his talent, then we must equally decry the criminal behavior and instruct our children accordingly as to the difference.  His skills as a rapper or actor in no way diminish or mitigate the severity of his crimes.

Group #2 – “Lindsay and Paris got it easier”

Most of the subscribers to this line of thought are likely fans of T.I. and not interested in a factual discussion of the truth.  Although you would find few who would disagree that both Lindsay and Paris have managed to skirt long sentences for their multiple infractions, these women are not good apples to compare to T.I.’s orange.  Without delineating every piece of minutia which separates the cases, let’s keep it simple.  T.I. was on probation for a federal weapons charge.  He avoided a heftier sentence than his original 10-month stint, provided he adhered to his probation requirements, as previously outlined.

He didn’t.

If/when Lindsay and Paris are brought up on federal weapons charges as opposed to possession of a controlled substance or DUIs, then and only then should we begin asking the question whether justice was unfairly served.  T.I. upon his gun-running arrest in 2007 was already a convicted felon (drug charges in 1998) and could not lawfully own a gun.  Harris was found guilty of providing $12,000 to purchase machine guns.  This goes back to “who cares”…machine guns are only for the purpose of murder.  We need to “care” about this fact, it “matters.”

Purchasing machine guns illicitly and illegally in bulk is only to help ensure that future murders are unsolved.  If there is no arrest, T.I. is likely complicit and co-conspirator in the future murder of many people.  Machine guns only have one use, especially the illegal ones.  And let’s not forget that “We” usually kill people who look like “Us.”  T.I. going to jail on gun-running charges saved lives.

Let’s not confuse the issue here.

Clifford Harris spent ONLY 10 months in jail for an exceptionally serious offense.  Do not compare the prison plight of Harris to Lindsay Lohan or Paris Hilton, as they aren’t comparable.  In addition, many people in group #2 have wrongly attributed this latest sentence of Harris to the drug possession charges solely, omitting the gross federal probation violations.  T.I. is not spending 11 months in jail merely for felony drug possession and it is ignorant to suggest as much.

Let’s turn this on its head.  If T.I. only serves a total of 21 months for gun-running and felony possession of multiple controlled substances while violating his probation in the time between…he is getting off easy, “Paris Hilton-esque” easy.  It’s his 3^rd felony on record.  If he did all of his dirty work in California he would be doing 25-life right now…period, end of discussion.

Group #3 – Happy T.I. is in jail

Mo’Kelly probably would be most closely aligned with this group.  Mo’Kelly isn’t “happy” he’s in jail but is pleased to see that egregious criminal behavior is not being rewarded.  The only way that young people and/or the hip-hop community begin to understand that jail is not a rite of passage for Black men or a badge of honor for rappers, is for prison to be shown in its truest light.

Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan are irrelevant in the African-American community.  They aren’t role models, they aren’t admired and aren’t disproportionately influencing young people in my community.  Conversely, T.I. is relevant and influential.  His behavior “matters” greatly.

Prison,  it is the destroyer of lives, careers, families and more importantly, futures.  T.I. potentially losing everything due to his many criminal decisions does more to help young people than if T.I. moved on with another ineffectual sentence.  Lindsay and Paris, in or out of jail do nothing to move the African-American youth meter.

Going to prison doesn’t increase one’s life options, it destroys them.  Depending on the state, felons likely never vote again in life.  You won’t have a vote on future mandatory sentence minimums or laws like the aforementioned “3-strikes” law here in California.  You won’t be able to vote on whether crack sentences will ever align with cocaine ones instead of simply living out the disparity of 100-1.  Prison means abrogating the right to have a say in what happens if you find yourself before a judge in the future.

Prison means likely never having future access to the majority of the jobs available to most Americans.  Prison increases the odds ten-fold against being able to provide for a family.  Prison increases the likelihood of future police harassment.  Prison destroys lives of the imprisoned as well as the families dependent upon them.  We in the African-American community need to begin to act like we know this to be true.

BET should never again air a Reality TV show surrounding Lil Kim on her way to jail.  Prison is never to be celebrated. 

Jet magazine should never again devote its cover to the occasion of Foxy Brown’s release from jail for any other person for that matter.

Responsible Black media outlets (yes, all four of you) should not ever be caught “promoting” the “news” of Lil Wayne releasing a new album…from jail.

If and when “We” stop positioning jail as something akin to college, or something “cool,” then maybe we’ll understand the seriousness of T.I.’s aberrant and criminal behavior.  It’s this wanton ignorance which time and time again, sanitizes the idea of jail to the point that it is not a meaningful deterrent for our young people.

Clifford T.I. Harris is going to jail and deservedly so.  Amen, hallelujah and two big thumbs up.  We can’t do anything to change that and neither should we try.

Our empathy, our emphasis and most importantly our efforts should be focused around using this moment to tell the truth about the prison industrial complex and how Black males must do everything legally within their power to avoid ever becoming caught up in it.

The Mo’Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant; published at The Huffington Post and www.eurweb.com. It is meant to inform, infuse and incite meaningful discourse…as well as entertain. For more Mo’Kelly, http://mrmokelly.com. Mr. Mo’Kelly can be reached at mrmokelly@gmail.com.

In 1955, Jet magazine sent a team of reporters to rural Mississippi to cover the events and evolving story surrounding the murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till. Till allegedly made the “mistake” of whistling at a White woman and was abducted, beaten, his eye gouged out, shot in the head and thrown into the Tallahatchie River with a 75-pound cotton gin fan tied to his neck with barbed wire.

His body lay in the river for three days before it was retrieved by two fishermen. Such coverage by Jet is credited as the seminal moment in galvanizing the Civil Rights Movement across the nation. The infamous “casket photo” of Till’s disfigured corpse published in Jet served as the flare that helped illuminate the whole of the Jim Crow night sky for all of America to see. It unified us as African-Americans from coast to coast in no uncertain terms; while also serving notice to White America that the country would never be the same.

Jet has always been the pint-sized companion piece and little brother if you will to the more-heralded and lauded Ebony magazine; melding coverage of both Black history and contemporary popular fare. Part political, part pop culture…all proud though in its presentation.

That is to say, Jet magazine (Johnson Publishing) set its own standard to uphold. It was not “Mo’Kelly’s” standard, it was not the “White media’s” standard, or even BET’s standard.

It was Johnson Publishing’s standard.

In Johnson Publishing’s efforts to record the most poignant moments in the history of Black America, it continually reinforced and reminded everyone why John H. Johnson borrowed $500.00 against his mother’s furniture to start the company, now the largest African-American company of its kind anywhere.

ANYWHERE.

Granted, over the years Jet has been at times “cheesy” while also waxing nostalgic in its presentation. Nevertheless, Jet never dipped below the horizon of African-American respectability. Yes, the magazine did not become full color until 1999 and yes, little has changed in its overall presentation for many decades…likely threatening its continuing relevancy and marketability. And yes, even today the ‘news’ it reports is still 2-weeks late in nature and the last page is still reserved for listing the Black folks appearing on TV in the coming week.

And of course…

“Page 43.”

Every Black man who claims to be “knowledgeable” about Black History knows that “Page 43” is reserved for the Jet “Beauty of the Week.” The sun rises in the east, sets in the west, water is wet and Page 43 is reserved for the Jet “Beauty of the Week.”

Some things just “are” and will always be.

Yes, Jet is/was all of these things but it never sold its soul. At the minimum it remained true to its original vision and maintained the Johnson Publishing standard.

Until now…

That said, and all jokes aside; I was dumbfounded, awestruck and most importantly saddened to find that rapper Foxy Brown is the cover story for the May 19th issue of Jet.

This is the same Foxy Brown who…

· January 1997 – Received a 30-day suspended sentence, $500 fine and 80 hours of community service after spitting on two hotel workers due to a “clothing iron dispute.”

· March 2000 – Charged with driving without a license

· July 2002 – Arrested for altercation with police in Jamaica

· August 2004 – Arrested for altercation with two manicurists

· December 2005 – Handcuffed to bench for disrespecting judge in hearing regarding manicurists incident

· February 2007 – Arrested for spitting on a store employee and throwing hair glue at him.

· March 2007 – Pleaded guilty for probation violation of leaving state of New York without permission.

· August 2007 – Turned herself into authorities on felony assault charges for allegedly hitting neighbor with a Blackberry PDA.

· September 2007 – Sentenced to one year at Rikers for probation violation.

Even more disturbing and disgusting is the fact that the cover story is pegged around how Brown “survives jail” and asking “what’s next” for the rapper. And oh yeah, (conveniently enough,) Brown “happens” to also be releasing a new CD and developing a reality TV show.

An often-arrested rapper just out of jail, releasing a CD is ”newsworthy?”

No, it is patently offensive, appalling and inexplicable. Shame on you Johnson Publishing.

As African-Americans continue to deal with the painful realities of how the prison mentality has permeated the minds of our children, stealing away more than a generation’s worth; Jet magazine has chosen to “feature” Foxy Brown, solely for the purpose of promoting her CD and lauding her emergence from jail.

The editorial decision is patently offensive, appalling and inexplicable.

Shame on you Johnson Publishing.

As we as African-Americans constantly battle with the images and ideas that run counterintuitive to the best
of Black America, highlighting the latest jail stint of a rapper and helping her to sell more music of Black self-degradation are simply inexcusable actions.

Although it is the month of May and African-Americans are graduating college throughout the country, making meaningful contributions other than “surviving jail,” Jet magazine has chosen instead to play Pomp and Circumstance in celebration of the “graduation” of Foxy Brown from Rikers.

Shame on you Johnson Publishing.

Conversely, the recent acknowledgment of venerable actor Laurence Fishburne’s critically acclaimed one-man Broadway play as Thurgood Marshall received a one-page write up on page SIXTY-ONE of its May 5th issue.

An Oscar-nominated African-American actor portraying one of the most integral and heralded figures in civil rights history…a page 61 afterthought.

An often-arrested African-American felon rapper pushing another uncivil, disrespectful and derogatory CD…

COVER STORY.

From Emmett Till to Foxy Brown. Who is Mo’Kelly to argue with “progress” like that?

Shame on you Johnson Publishing.

There is no way in the world John H. Johnson borrowed $500.00 against his mother’s furniture for the “opportunity” and “privilege” to showcase our people just out of jail with complete and utter contempt for respect and righteous behavior.

In 1955 we enjoyed a community built upon standards and a refusal to accept such foolishness. How we’ve managed to “progress” to the point of celebrating stupidity while profiting through its promotion is beyond comprehension.

Promoting the release of Foxy Brown from jail and her new record sends the wrong message that “surviving jail,” is either noteworthy or admirable in nature.

It is neither.

Such promotion only reinforces the stranglehold that prison has on our communities. Whereas Johnson Publishing can not control how Foxy Brown’s record company seeks to promote its product, Johnson Publishing has ample control over how it promotes itself and the inherent social costs incurred.

Shame on you Johnson Publishing. If John H. Johnson (and Emmett Till) could see you now.

(Note: The Mo’Kelly Report requested an interview from Johnson Publishing President, Linda Johnson-Rice and/or any other executive who could further explain the editorial decision of the Foxy Brown cover story. Johnson Publishing was informed in writing of the impending date of The Mo’Kelly Report editorial and the wish to include their official response. Johnson Publishing neither responded to the interview requests nor offered any statement in response. A copy of the official request can be found HERE.)

The Mo’Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant; published weekly at www.eurweb.com. It is meant to inform, infuse and incite meaningful discourse…as well as entertain. The Mo’Kelly Report is syndicated by Newstex and Blogburst. For more Mo’Kelly, http://www.MrMoKelly.com.

Subscribe in a reader or by email

Morris W. O’Kelly can be reached at Mo@MrMoKelly.com and he welcomes all commentary.

May 9, 2008

Linda Johnson Rice
Johnson Publishing
820 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605

Good afternoon Ms. Johnson-Rice,

I’m writing you today out of concern for the editorial decision to have rapper Foxy Brown appear on the cover of the May 19th Jet magazine. As a fellow media professional, I understand clearly that it is common for record companies to construct media strategies which best showcase their artists and display them to the widest swath of audience available. I also understand the role of print media to offer timely, relevant stories which best appeal to the intended readership.

But more importantly…

I understand the reason(s) that Ebony and Jet magazines were created…and that did not include featuring felons on the cover, simply because the felon in question has a CD or new project in which to promote.

The release of Foxy Brown from jail, although “newsworthy” to some, sends the wrong message that “surviving jail,” when featured on a magazine cover is either noteworthy or admirable in nature.

It is neither.

Such promotion only reinforces the stranglehold that prison has on our communities. Whereas Johnson Publishing can not control how Foxy Brown’s record company seeks to promote its product, Johnson Publishing has ample control over how it promotes itself and the inherent social costs incurred.

The Mo’Kelly Report would like to record an interview with you prior to Monday 5.12.08 by phone in regards to this editorial decision and its implications; in advance of the weekly editorial column on EURWEB.com.

Feel free to reach me with the contact information contained below. I await your response.

Respectfully,

Morris W. O’Kelly
The Mo’Kelly Report

Mo@MrMoKelly.com
www.mokellyreport.blogspot.com
www.eurweb.com

cc: Jeanine Collins

The Mo’Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant; published weekly at www.eurweb.com. It is meant to inform, infuse and incite meaningful discourse…as well as entertain. The Mo’Kelly Report is syndicated by Newstex and Blogburst. For more Mo’Kelly, http://www.MrMoKelly.com.

Subscribe in a reader or by email

Morris W. O’Kelly can be reached at Mo@MrMoKelly.com and he welcomes all commentary.

May 9, 2008

Linda Johnson Rice
Johnson Publishing
820 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605

Good afternoon Ms. Johnson-Rice,

I’m writing you today out of concern for the editorial decision to have rapper Foxy Brown appear on the cover of the May 19th Jet magazine. As a fellow media professional, I understand clearly that it is common for record companies to construct media strategies which best showcase their artists and display them to the widest swath of audience available. I also understand the role of print media to offer timely, relevant stories which best appeal to the intended readership.

But more importantly…

I understand the reason(s) that Ebony and Jet magazines were created…and that did not include featuring felons on the cover, simply because the felon in question has a CD or new project in which to promote.

The release of Foxy Brown from jail, although “newsworthy” to some, sends the wrong message that “surviving jail,” when featured on a magazine cover is either noteworthy or admirable in nature.

It is neither.

Such promotion only reinforces the stranglehold that prison has on our communities. Whereas Johnson Publishing can not control how Foxy Brown’s record company seeks to promote its product, Johnson Publishing has ample control over how it promotes itself and the inherent social costs incurred.

The Mo’Kelly Report would like to record an interview with you prior to Monday 5.12.08 by phone in regards to this editorial decision and its implications; in advance of the weekly editorial column on EURWEB.com.

Feel free to reach me with the contact information contained below. I await your response.

Respectfully,

Morris W. O’Kelly
The Mo’Kelly Report

mokellyreport@sbcglobal.net
www.mokellyreport.blogspot.com
www.eurweb.com

cc: Jeanine Collins

The Mo’Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant; published weekly at www.eurweb.com. It is meant to inform, infuse and incite meaningful discourse…as well as entertain. The Mo’Kelly Report is syndicated by Newstex and Blogburst. For more Mo’Kelly, http://www.mokellyreport.blogspot.com.

Subscribe in a reader or by email

Morris W. O’Kelly can be reached at mokellyreport@sbcglobal.net and he welcomes all commentary.

How in the hell do you go to jail as a non-story and come out as the Jet cover story? Talk about sending young people the WRONG message…

Tighten up your game Johnson Publishing!

The magazine asks…”What’s next” (after jail)?

How about parole and probation…? That’s usually the sequence.

How about sitting a reading a book for a change? How about church?! A little time in communion with the Lord is not too shabby either. But NOT a magazine cover giving “props” for “surviving” jail.

THAT RIGHT THERE is proof positive how the prison mentality both plagues and punishes our community. You don’t REWARD someone for coming out of jail. You don’t give reality TV shows to people (coincidentally another female hip-hopper) on their way TO jail either. Mind you, it’s MAY…young African-Americans are GRADUATING COLLEGE all over the nation…but instead, Jet chose to feature a “graduate” of Rikers…

OH THAT’S RIGHT…SHE HAS A CD DROPPING!

Man, if John H. Johnson were alive today…

The Mo’Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant; published weekly at www.eurweb.com. It is meant to inform, infuse and incite meaningful discourse…as well as entertain. The Mo’Kelly Report is syndicated by Newstex and Blogburst. For more Mo’Kelly, http://www.MrMoKelly.com.

Subscribe in a reader or by email

Morris W. O’Kelly can be reached at Mo@MrMoKelly.com and he welcomes all commentary.