Bush Making Big Return To White House
Annette Insdorf: The Central Park Five Premieres in Cannes
At the risk of augmenting album sales for a performer I don't personally support, I call your attention to Eminem's latest track attack on Mariah Carey and her husband Nick Cannon's confrontational response. This back and forth is a little more interesting than the standard diss and diss back, because Cannon calls out the racial dynamic of Eminem's sexually derogatory attacks on Mariah Carey in a track called 'Bagpipes From Baghdad' from Eminem's forthcoming album, 'Relapse.'
Here's just an excerpt of what Cannon had to say to Eminem, calling him "Slim Lamey," via a Friday blog post, which seems to have been taken down:
Maybe I'm going too far, but I thought we moved beyond the days where white men could spew vulgar obscenities at our beautiful queens and get away with it. What's next?
Source: Rap-Up.com
Cannon continues:
Are we going to let this trash say something horrible about our lovely first lady, Mrs. Michelle Obama? Or would Marshall have talked sideways out of his neck like this about Oprah Winfrey? This act of racist bigotry cannot go unnoticed. Calling my wife a "c-word" and a "whore" is way worse than anything Don Imus could have ever said. So trust, repercussions will be served.Cannon raises an interesting point. Given that Eminem has used racist, derogatory language to describe black people, and black women in particular, in previous lyrics, why do so many black people lap up what he lays down?
Reading the comment threads surrounding this drama, I am surprised by the number of women and black people defending Eminem when Asher Roth just got excoriated for joking about "nappy headed hoes."
And rightly so, I might add.
Please explain it to me. Why does the black community continue to support Eminem despite his racist lyrics?
Mariah Carey Pictures
NEW YORK - APRIL 26: Singer/actress Mariah Carey attends the premiere of 'Tennessee' during the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival on April 26, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon, right, wait before the junior welterweight title boxing match between British boxer Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao, of the Philippines, Saturday, May 2, 2009, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
AP
LAS VEGAS - MAY 02: Singer Mariah Carey and husband Nick Cannon look on during the Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines and Ricky Hatton of England junior welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena May 2, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LAS VEGAS - MAY 02: Singer Mariah Carey looks on during the Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines and Ricky Hatton of England junior welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena May 2, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - APRIL 02: Sol Kerzner poses for a portrait at his new One&Only Cape Town resort on April 2, 2009 in Cape Town, South Africa. Today is the Grand Opening of Sol Kerzner's first hotel in his home country since 1992. The 130 room property is One&Only's first Urban resort and sits in the fashionable Waterfront district. Celebrities from all over the world including Mariah Carey, Clint Eastwood, Matt Damon, Morgan Freeman, Thandie Newton, Marisa Tomei will attend the event. Gordon Ramsay will be launching his first restaurant in Africa at the resort, Maze and Robert De Niro will be opening Nobu. Nelson Mandela will be attending an intimate luncheon at Maze on Friday to celebrate his long-standing relationship with Mr. Kerzner. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SANTA MONICA, CA - FEBRUARY 21: Singer Mariah Carey arrives at the 24th Annual Film Independent's Spirit Awards held at Santa Monica Beach on February 21, 2009 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SANTA MONICA, CA - FEBRUARY 21: Singer Mariah Carey arrives at the 24th Annual Film Independent's Spirit Awards held at Santa Monica Beach on February 21, 2009 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Getty Images
WASHINGTON - JANUARY 20: Mariah Carey performs during the the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball on January 20, 2009 in Washington, DC. President Barack Obama is hosting ten Inaugural Balls this evening. Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States today, becoming the first African-American to be elected President. (Photo by Max Whittaker/Getty Images)
Getty Images
WASHINGTON - JANUARY 20: Mariah Carey performs during the the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball on January 20, 2009 in Washington, DC. President Barack Obama is hosting ten Inaugural Balls this evening. Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States today, becoming the first African-American to be elected President. (Photo by Max Whittaker/Getty Images)
Getty Images
WASHINGTON - JANUARY 20: Singer Mariah Carey performs at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center on January 20, 2009 in Washington, DC. Obama became the first African-American to be elected to the office of President in the history of the United States. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Comments: (639)
Add a comment
By: Soldier on 8/05/2009 3:39PM
Last time I looked Mariah Carey isn't black! Nobody cares about Nick Cannon and nobody ever did!
Eminem is using freedom of speech and if you don't like it that is to bad. Maybe I don't like your comments about Eminem but you still got to be heard so shut it!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Vic on 11/01/2009 3:32PM
I would love to know what was racist about this song. All that Cannon pointed to was his use of the terms "c*nt" and "whore", neither of which are race specific in any way. It's a very sad response because the only thing that Cannons reply accomplishes is reaffirming the stereotype that many black people already carry that they always play the race card. While this is obviously not usually the case it does seem to be what Cannon does here. He has no idea what to say back so with his back against the wall, knowing that he has to step up and defend his woman he calls out in distress that a white man is making fun of a black (arguably) woman and of course the only possible motivation behind it is race...! this is just sad and a very poor step for Nick Cannon.
Instead of showcasing the immaturity of Eminem, he sheds a negative light on the African American population by playing the race card when it is completely unwarranted, I think even Al Sharpton would say it was a bit of a stretch lol.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Samantha on 11/08/2009 11:00PM
That's bull shit! cunt and bitch are not racist terms! everyone needs to stop giving into the lame ass excuse of "well that's racist" and i don't care what anyone says no one in this country is still suffering from the oppression of slaves how ever many years ago. you are where you are due to your own damn mistakes and if you want equality then live with it! i'll call a white woman a bitch or a cunt just as i would a black woman, if she deserved it. Shut that bitchin up!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Catie on 11/10/2009 8:19PM
WOW.. Just.. Wow. I absolutely love Eminem, and I have heard just about every song he's written, and I have not heard him bash anyone because of their race. Never has he said "I don't like her cuz she's black/white" or anything along those lines. And, yes, I have listened to the lyrics word-by-word, and even looked up the lyrics. And, personally, I agree with natosha.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: McKinney on 12/25/2009 10:31PM
As a black woman I find his comments inflaming and insulting. Just because we have black men ignorant enough to disrespect their own, doesn't mean we grant general permission to disrespect black woman. How long does a black women need to feel disrespected. I'm more than disturbed that we are debating about the right to be defended by a decent man. I applaud Nick Cannon for having the common sense to speak-up on racism at any level, and then disrespect for black woman, and last of all for his one flesh. Anyone who can't understand that, is really lost when in comes to human relationships. I'm disgusted as a black woman that this type of behavior is debated over. It's just dead wrong.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: mog on 4/03/2010 1:40PM
So why is it horrible if it's racist towards Mariah Carey, but not horrible if it's sexist towards Mariah Carey?
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: me on 12/20/2010 9:35AM
Mariah may be mixed, but we all know a drop of black in you makes you black. That being said, Em is talented, but lets see how talented you are really!? Lets see if your talented enough to NOT insult the same people that you are trying to sell to. Lets see if your talented enough to not insult the people that you have learned your craft from?! This guy sais that if a black artist can insult the people and women of his race then a white one can too?!!! Bro that is exactly WHY Em feels its okay! Because our men have made it okay to degrade insult and lash out at us! You shouldnt either! Thats the real point! Thats why our young black girls feel less than and then start to behave like their less than. Because you have told them they are less than over and over again! Now you dont just say it with your actions and words and promoting of artist who send out that message, but you have invited an outsider to join you in sending this message! smh! To the dude who sais we try to win arguments when we say racism... honey,there is no argument! When you degrade someone and harrass them based on their race... its called racism! You would like to say its over, and there may be some ignorant people of ANY race who agree with you. The simple fact though that we are having this discussion WINS this "argument" in favor of everyone who is being real with themselves knowing it is not over! Hey here is something new, how about you not degrade women of any race!? How about you remember your nieces and daughters and such will be dancing to the same music but I guess if you dont have a problem with that then you have bigger issues than this huh? sigh, brothers...men, be the type of man that any woman could love... Be a real man who can show his talent or skill or art without being a bully. Then again, maybe you just arent that type of man... too bad for you huh?
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: me on 12/20/2010 9:40AM
(did this go through already?) Mariah may be mixed, but we all know a drop of black in you makes you black. That being said, Em is talented, but lets see how talented you are really!? Lets see if your talented enough to NOT insult the same people that you are trying to sell to. Lets see if your talented enough to not insult the people that you have learned your craft from?! This guy sais that if a black artist can insult the people and women of his race then a white one can too?!!! Bro that is exactly WHY Em feels its okay! Because our men have made it okay to degrade insult and lash out at us! You shouldnt either! Thats the real point! Thats why our young black girls feel less than and then start to behave like their less than. Because you have told them they are less than over and over again! Now you dont just say it with your actions and words and promoting of artist who send out that message, but you have invited an outsider to join you in sending this message! smh! To the dude who sais we try to win arguments when we say racism... honey,there is no argument! When you degrade someone and harrass them based on their race... its called racism! You would like to say its over, and there may be some ignorant people of ANY race who agree with you. The simple fact though that we are having this discussion WINS this "argument" in favor of everyone who is being real with themselves knowing it is not over! Hey here is something new, how about you not degrade women of any race!? How about you remember your nieces and daughters and such will be dancing to the same music but I guess if you dont have a problem with that then you have bigger issues than this huh? sigh, brothers...men, be the type of man that any woman could love... Be a real man who can show his talent or skill or art without being a bully. Then again, maybe you just arent that type of man... too bad for you huh? oh and Sam, obviously you arent black, or not an educated black person anyway, the breakdown of the black family... yeah started way back in slavery when black men were taken out of their homes and sold like property. The women had to learn how to run the household (thus, strong black women, some feel too strong but is that our fault?) Children got used to seeing homes run by women and thought that was the way it ought to be. The men lost their place in the household. Boys dont know how to be a man since they havent been raised by one (thus hanging on the corners clueless). Young girls not knowing how a man should really treat them since they didnt have their daddies showing that example to them via their home (thus they accept the crap they are handed in the street from our lost corner soldiers). You see love, you have no idea! Now the further we get away from that time, and with proper training and education, for some (Pres. Obama) that scenario has changed. Thank goodness we now have the potential to get better, or is it the rest of the world is finally getting just as broken down as we are? Either way it most certainly is attributed to slavery! Only people in denial and who hate to admit the truth (perhaps they feel a lil guilty? Maybe they have heard some stories from the elders in their family that they dont want to acknoweledge?) are only fooling themselves. The rest of us educated black people, those who have had the stories passed to us and those of us who live these broken lives and have to pick up the pieces... we know the truth! WAKE UP!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: me on 12/20/2010 9:44AM
i cant believe i have tried to post this so many times i dont know if it will ever go through smh. that rediculously long comment from "me" well thats mine too fyi, now, oh and Sam, obviously you arent black, or not an educated black person anyway, the breakdown of the black family... yeah started way back in slavery when black men were taken out of their homes and sold like property. The women had to learn how to run the household (thus, strong black women, some feel too strong but is that our fault?) Children got used to seeing homes run by women and thought that was the way it ought to be. The men lost their place in the household. Boys dont know how to be a man since they havent been raised by one (thus hanging on the corners clueless). Young girls not knowing how a man should really treat them since they didnt have their daddies showing that example to them via their home (thus they accept the crap they are handed in the street from our lost corner soldiers). You see love, you have no idea! Now the further we get away from that time, and with proper training and education, for some (Pres. Obama) that scenario has changed. Thank goodness we now have the potential to get better, or is it the rest of the world is finally getting just as broken down as we are? Either way it most certainly is attributed to slavery! Only people in denial and who hate to admit the truth (perhaps they feel a lil guilty? Maybe they have heard some stories from the elders in their family that they dont want to acknoweledge?) are only fooling themselves. The rest of us educated black people, those who have had the stories passed to us and those of us who live these broken lives and have to pick up the pieces... we know the truth! WAKE UP!
Reply to this Comment | Report This