Posted on 08/23/2006 9:48:55 PM PDT by Tim Long
Many young blacks are falling under the spell of the "gangster mentality" and are preventing themselves from making a positive impact in society. This was the message that the Rev. Al Sharpton gave at a annual conference of the National Association of Black Journalists.
Sharpton faulted Hollywood and the record industry, accusing both of making "gangsterism" seem cool and acceptable. "We have got to get out of this gangster mentality, acting as if gangsterism and blackness are synonymous," he said. "I think that challenge has to be given to Hollywood and the record industry."
"I think we've allowed a whole generation of young people to feel that if they're focused, they're not black enough," Sharpton continued. "If they speak well and act well, they're acting white, and there's nothing more racist than that."
For some time now I've been befuddled by the perverse nature of popular music. I can't understand how this garbage is being sold to our nation's youth without any sign of protest. The whole concept of parental concern seems to have vanished from the social structure.
One day, I was flipping through the channels and I ran across a rap video being aired by MTV. I was amazed by how the video was a perfect ad for materialism. The video had everything: mansions, drugs, fancy cars, people waving cash, diamond necklaces, hot honeys shaking their bodies, and plenty of boastful lyrics about why it's good to be a pagan.
Al Sharpton's speech on "gangsterism" highlights the magnitude of how immoral popular music has become. In the early 1980s, the major concern was the demonic tones of certain types of music. Groups like Back Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden were only popular with a small portion of the population and most kids who listened to them had no idea what terms like 666, Armageddon and Antichrist represented. Today, rap music dominates the musical landscape, and its message of pure hedonism leaves nothing to the imagination.
Truly amazing is how silent the pulpits in America have remained on this subject. Last November, I wrote an article on rapper 50 Cent. I could not find a single major ministry with anything negative to say about a man who is leading millions down a path towards destruction. I came up equally empty-handed about the objections raised by Sharpton.
The preachers of today have adapted a practice of shying away from condemning sin in all but the most general terms. The lack of moral watchdogs has helped create a false impression that our moral health is better than it truly is.
In a twisted way, it is almost humorous that I would have to cite Al Sharpton as a man of reason on this issue. Many of Sharpton's personal beliefs are in direct conflict with traditional Christian values. It is like having a well-known porn star lecturing the public on the sanctity of marriage.
Just recently, Sharpton announced that he is a supporter of equal rights for gays and lesbians, including their right to marry. He has even taken it upon himself to head a grassroots movement to eliminate “homophobia’ within the black Church.
Most critics of Sharpton point to his blatant profiteering from being a “’race baiter.” They also point to the shameful Tawana Brawley hoax and the fact that he inserts himself into instances of racial tension in order to increase his own popularity.
I have no idea why Sharpton would now take the moral high road on the issue of "gangsterism." After all, this situation took several years to reach this critical point. The news stories that covered his speech suggested that his motivation may be related to his considering another run for the presidency in 2008.
The total lack of concern over the corrupt nature of popular music is an indication of that we are eventually headed towards judgment. The certainty of judgment is the reason all true believers need to condemn this type of filth. Jesus is not going to ask us if we felt vexed in our spirit about the evil transpiring around us. The Lord will be wanting to know if we did anything about the problem.
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad" (2 Cor. 5:10).
Yeah, well if Reverend Al had concern for the AA community, he be spending time trying to fix black marriage - before trying to extend the failing institution to gays.
I will give Sharpton credit for being spot on with his remarks.
Gangsterism is not just a black thing either. I live in a upper middle class neighborhood full of spoiled white kids driving nice cars who dress like they are 50 cent and blare their obscene music as loud as they can. It is really sad because I worked in the projects for many years and there is nothing good that comes from the gangster lifestyle.
The trend that irks me most is the kids who wear pants 4 sizes too big (otherwise known as jailhouse style). I wish I could take some of these little spoiled wannabe's into jail for a night so they could see just how un-cool it really is.
ping
Wow, when Bill Cosby says it, he's deranged and villified.
When "Reverend" Al says it, it's taken seriously.
Proof positive that Darwin was wrong.
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