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Roy Innis Alarmed by Quote of Kanye West in December 2006 Issue of Essence Magazine
New York, NY
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Video Clip: Click to Watch
Hip Hop and Rap Cultures Have Contributed to a Backward Slide for Black America
Roy Innis, National Chairman of CORE, is alarmed and concerned about a quote by Kanye West in the December 2006 issue of Essence Magazine. In the issue, West is quoted as saying, "If it wasn't for race mixing there'd be no video girls. Me and most of our friends like mutts a lot. Yeah, in the hood they call 'em mutts".
Although Mr. Innis was struck by the reference to mixed-raced women as "mutts", he was even more alarmed that Kanye's statement might be an indication that Black America is slipping back into the self-contempt and self-hatred that he addressed in the l960's and l970's. This slide he attributes largely to rap and hip-hop cultures.
In a statement given on November 15, 2006. Mr. Innis states, " I was one of the pioneers of the concept of Black is Beautiful. That we must be proud of our African ancestry. Unfortunately, the demon of self-depreciation has been the most difficult demon for Black Americans of all complexions to expell. Darker skinned Blacks like Kanye West have had an even harder time accepting Blackness in themselves and in others. I wonder how much we have gained psychologically, since the bad old days of the 60's, in our appreciation of our Blackness".
Roy Innis, National Chairman of CORE, is alarmed and concerned about a quote by Kanye West in the December 2006 issue of Essence Magazine. In the issue, West is quoted as saying, "If it wasn't for race mixing there'd be no video girls. Me and most of our friends like mutts a lot. Yeah, in the hood they call 'em mutts".
Although Mr. Innis was struck by the reference to mixed-raced women as "mutts", he was even more alarmed that Kanye's statement might be an indication that Black America is slipping back into the self-contempt and self-hatred that he addressed in the l960's and l970's. This slide he attributes largely to rap and hip-hop cultures.
In a statement given on November 15, 2006. Mr. Innis states, " I was one of the pioneers of the concept of Black is Beautiful. That we must be proud of our African ancestry. Unfortunately, the demon of self-depreciation has been the most difficult demon for Black Americans of all complexions to expell. Darker skinned Blacks like Kanye West have had an even harder time accepting Blackness in themselves and in others. I wonder how much we have gained psychologically, since the bad old days of the 60's, in our appreciation of our Blackness".
Corinne Innis
Publicist
Congress of Racial Equality -- CORE
New York, NY
212-598-4000
