West In Left Field?
Kanye West has gone from renowned new rap artist to outspoken activist in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. After going off script at a hurricane relief telethon and alleging President Bush was a racist, West appeared on TV show Ellen on Friday and said, "They have been trying to sweep us (African-Americans) under the kitchen sink and it was so in people's faces and so on TV... that they couldn't even hide it any more.” Many community leaders have agreed that West is voicing frustrations felt by a large number of African Americans today, but most failed to whole-heartedly stand behind West’s statements. Most important, although West is flexing his celebrity to get points across, many African American community leaders wonder why the media is focusing on a rappers statements when there are African American senators who have very eloquently mentioned how economic disparity helped to shape the Katrina disaster. West, who toured with singer Usher Raymond, may have been shocked to hear that Raymond felt it was wrong for West to point fingers and assign blame at George Bush. "I wasn't mad at Kanye's statement - that's his opinion - but it's obviously not the opportunity or the time to poke fun or appoint blame,” Raymond said.
Evil Will See Itself; Emotional Rollercoaster
This weekend brought about mixed emotions as I quietly watched from the sidelines a friend leave town for a new city, while a youngster reminded me of myself – well, personality wise – and how I may have looked to others 10 years ago. All this to say, that sometimes it takes several simultaneous events to show you the many changes that you’re undergoing on your road to realizing you. First, I find I’m much more reclusive and introverted and am often reminded by close friends that I’m not sharing everything that’s going on in my life – a habit I considered a no-no several years ago. Second, I resent having to share in long goodbyes and will avoid them; even if it means I don’t see you off. Third, try as I may to go against the prevailing NYC attitude, it turns out it really “is what it is.” All said, I’m coming in to myself and the realization that I love life, even if that means I live a somewhat detached one. As I watched this youngster – through a looking glass at my prior self - and interacted with him, he mentioned that he can see how he will be just like me when he gets older. I was flattered, but also wondered whether he was seeing the me that is sometimes a front for others. I’ve come to realize that others sometimes perceive me as the sharp-tongued entertainment or comic relief when in fact I am much more sensitive and private than I give way to. I don’t think I have the answers to everything, but it felt good knowing that we have an impact on others and that regardless of how hot-headed, selfish or self-assured I may appear, I’m still learning me. The journey is still as interesting as it was 10 years ago.
On Blast
What is your greatest personality asset? If you thought it wouldn’t compromise how folks perceive you, what would you want them to know about the real you?
Keep passin’ the open windows…
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