1991, Rev. Jesse Jackson asked the question “is hip hop music educating or eroding young minds.”
1992, the Parents Music Resource Center was instrumental in applying public pressure and forcing rapper Ice-T to recall his album and remove the song “Cop Killer” from it. Various law enforcement organizations pledged to also boycott Time Warner the parent company and distributor for its role in releasing the music.
1995, the Anti-Defamation League applied pressure on Michael Jackson regarding the anti-semitic lyrics originally contained in the song “They Don’t Care About Us.” Jackson publicly apologized and then re-recorded/reissued the song sans the lyrics which contained the k-word.
The National Congress for Black Women received great coverage and acclaim in many arenas for the fight of C. Delores Tucker against misogyny in hip hop. In fact, their website claims the following:
“We lead the assault against Gangsta Rap and misogynistic lyrics that are directed towards African American youth and women and threaten the moral foundation of the family.”
2003, Minister Louis Farrakhan challenged the hip hop community to be responsible in their lyrical imagery.
2007, Rev. Al Sharpton led a rally/march in front of the record label offices decrying the worst lyrical offerings of hip hop.
2011, Tavis Smiley argued on Real Time with Bill Maher that “If you think that the way we treat women in this country, with patriarchy still alive and well, sexism still alive and well, is determinative or demonstrative of how well our democracy runs, I think you don’t understand how maltreated women are still in this society.” In 2012, Smiley convened another one of his many and varied townhall forums, one particularly focused around women and poverty, arguing this country has rendered both invisible.
I use all of that as a precursor in the controversy over the date rape lyrics of rapper Rick Ross in his latest song.
“Put Molly all in her champagne, she ain’t even know it. I took her home and I enjoyed that, she ain’t even know it.”
The term ‘molly’ refers to a pure form of the drug MDMA.
Although the drug culture, misogyny and violence have long been featured in hip hop, date rape signals uncharted territory.
I’ve given you the history, now it’s time for roll call in 2013.
Sadly, The National Congress for Black Women which fancies itself as leading “the assault against Gangsta Rap and misogynistic lyrics that are directed towards African American youth and women and threaten the moral foundation of the family” ISN’T leading this fight and as of yet have not joined in the battle. I’m not saying I’m in the lead. I am saying though as I look left and right, the NCBW isn’t anywhere to be found…yet.
NCBW, where are you now?
Parents Music Resource Center, where are you now?
Rev. Jesse Jackson…where are you and the Rainbow Push Coalition right about now?
Rev. Al Sharpton, you have a larger platform and audience than ever before, thanks to MSNBC. It begs the question…where are you now?
Minister Louis Farrakhan also in 2011 said Rihanna was “filthy” but as of yet has had nothing to say in 2013 about Rick Ross and date rape. Minister Louis Farrakhan, where are you and the Nation of Islam now, or should I make the leap that violence against women is of lesser importance than the nature of stage performances BY women?
Tavis Smiley, where are you or have you moved on to the next pet issue now?
The National Organization for Women has long implored all of America to take rape seriously. Where are you NOW…now?
Students are leading the way, boycotting his performances and that’s the first order of business. Rick Ross’ major concert date on April 12 at the Nassau Coliseum should be the next focal point in demonstrating that date rape has no place in our music or in our society. Supporting Rick Ross, Maybach Music Group, and its partners for Rick Ross projects (Warner Bros. and Def Jam) is supporting date rape and there’s no way to circumvent this fact.
Every radio station which plays this song is supporting date rape and must be held accountable.
For all those who are quick to suggest that this is a First Amendment issue, let me head you off at the pass. This is not about whether Ross has a right to rap about date rape. This is about whether we as a community will support it through purchase of concert tickets, radio airplay or iTunes downloads. Rick Ross has the right to be an idiot and express himself as such in his music. Conversely, we also have the right to not allow it in our homes, or in our lives.
I’m beginning to think Steubenville, OH taught America absolutely nothing at all. Speak up, speak out. Silence is complicity. Date rape has no place in our music or our society.
The Mo’Kelly Report is a syndicated politics and entertainment journal. Visit https://mrmokelly.com for the latest from Mr. Mo’Kelly. Tune into The Mo’Kelly Show Saturdays from 6-8pm PDT on KFI AM640 and XM 166 Saturdays and Sundays from 8pm-9pm PST. Contact Mo’Kelly at [email protected].
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5 responses to “Speak Up, Speak Out Against Rick Ross and Date Rape”
Bro. Mo’Kelly,
As a follower of the Hon. Min. Louis Farrakhan, I wish to respectfully correct you. Your statement “Minister Louis Farrakhan, where are you and the Nation of Islam now, or should I make the leap that violence against women is of lesser importance than the nature of stage performances BY women”. That is HUGELY insulting! As to the question of “where are you and the NOI now”, the Minister and the NOI are IN THE STREETS among the people.
http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/Perspectives_1/article_9064.shtml
And when the Minister is not himself personally in the streets, he’s speaking to college students, nationally and internationally. He was most recently speaking to our young people at Tuskegee University:
http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/National_News_2/article_9705.shtml
http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/National_News_2/article_9495.shtml
Min. Farrakhan and the NOI have a LONG history of teaching, protecting & serving our community. The Minister has done countless lectures condemning the abuse of the woman (not to mention his many ministers across the country). From men only meetings (upto and including the Million Man March) to women only meetings, he’s ALWAYS discussed the value, protection and upliftment of ALL women.
http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/Minister_Louis_Farrakhan_9/article_8491.shtml
http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/National_News_2/article_8147.shtml
http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/National_News_2/Project_ProtectHER_initiative_teaches_proper_prote_3015.shtml
Brother, it’s CARELESS & IRRESPONSIBLE to suggest that simply because Min. Farrakhan has not YET spoken on this SPECIFIC issue of Rick Ross & date rape, therefore the NOI’s concern about the violence against women is somehow of “lesser importance”. You may disagree with our theology, you may disagree with some of the Minister’s statements over the years, but please don’t question his or our love, respect & desire to elevate the woman. We have been taught, where there are no decent women, there are no decent men. When you teach a man you teach an individual, but when you teach a woman, you teach a nation. Why? Because she gives birth to our nations. Protection & elevation of the woman is PRIMARY in our development as a people & a nation.
Peace.
Please show me the link to Min. Farrakhan’s statement on Rick Ross. You’ve sent me various links over the years. Please show me Min. Farrakhan’s condemnation of Rick Ross’ date rape lyrics. Because everyone I listed has a “history” of supporting women or questioning the imagery in hip hop, etc.
But according to your links…Min Farrakhan has more recently bashed Rihanna than condemned hip hop.
This is the most egregious example in hip hop. There shouldn’t have been any delay.
Still waiting…
Brother, as I stated in my first post, he hasn’t made a statement to my knowledge (yet). But I want to correct you on something else…he didn’t “bash” Rihanna. Please read the Minister’s words in context:
http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/Entertainment_News_5/article_7637.shtml
But still, my issue with you is your statement “…should I make the leap that violence agaist women is of lesser importance than the nature of stage performances BY women?”. No you shouldn’t. Brother, I stand WITH you in condemning the words of our brother Rick Ross. Unfortunately, our music has gotten more vulgar and more profane/disrespectful (eg. Lil’ Wayne & his Emmett Till “lyric”). However, to question our concern toward the abuse of women because a condemnation didn’t come quick enough for your taste, is not cool either.
Peace.
My concern with Minister Farrakhan and his lack of haste in regard to this issue and his criticism of Rihanna are connected in this way. Minister Farrakhan has NOT been vocal to any large degree with the failings of hip hop and has gone to great lengths to embrace artists such as Snoop and others which sends (to me) the wrong message.
There is nothing wrong with embracing the person but condemning the behavior is also in order. I am asking for the proportionate response(s) to these issues in a timely fashion.
I asked the question “should I make the leap,” the subsequent action or answer by Minister Farrakhan will answer that question. I stand behind the notion that condemnation, should ALWAYS be quick and decisive. We’d want it in response to slurs against our president from a particular party. This too is no different. This story most likely will be out of the news cycle in a week and has been circulating since March 26 if not before.
The facts are what they are.
Something tells me there will be no comment forthcoming from Minister Farrakhan.