Slavery was a choice

[Terrywoodenpic]

It is a pity people are unable to think about what Kayes actually said and its implications, rather than the spin and umbridge that has been put on it.
He was not blaming people for being slaves, but was pointing out how completely they were subjugated mind and body, To the Extent that they were no even able to think about rebelling.
Change did not happen, anywhere in the world, until a majority of the oppressors had a change of heart.
Or in the case of the Usa the civil war enforced a change, but it never changed the minds in much of the slave states. That is even now an ongoing process.

 

[Kangaroo Feathers]

And if my grandma had balls, she would be my grandpa.

Whether someone would be in a different position does not change the moral responsibility, the history, or the lessons learned.

The problem with a person asserting such things is not whether or not such an argument could be made. The problem is in why a person makes such an argument.

Quite. Basically "well if things were different, they wouldn't be the same!"

 

[Kangaroo Feathers]

It is a pity people are unable to think about what Kayes actually said and its implications, rather than the spin and umbridge that has been put on it.
He was not blaming people for being slaves, but was pointing out how completely they were subjugated mind and body, To the Extent that they were no even able to think about rebelling.
Change did not happen, anywhere in the world, until a majority of the oppressors had a change of heart.
Or in the case of the Usa the civil war enforced a change, but it never changed the minds in much of the slave states. That is even now an ongoing process.

I'll concede he has an actual point, however the phrasing as it was initially put was, let's say, clumsy and unfortunate. That said, I never like contrived outrage, either.

 

[sayak83]

Kanye West appeared on TMZ headquarters and said the following:

"When you hear about slavery for 400 years...400 years? Sounds like choice."

He then went on to say:

"You were there for 400 years and it's for all of y'all. It's like we're mentally imprisoned."

Van on TMZ confronted him by saying the following:

"While you are making music and being an artist and living the life that you've earned by being a genius, the rest of us in society have to deal with these threats to our lives," Lathan said. "We have to deal with the marginalization that's come from the 400 years of slavery that you said for our people was a choice."

Lathan added, "Frankly, I'm disappointed, I'm appalled, and brother, I am unbelievably hurt by the fact that you have morphed into something to me, that's not real."

Kanye cleans up his remarks by saying the following after a barrage of social media backlash:

"[T]o make myself clear. Of course I know that slaves did not get shackled and put on a boat by free will. My point is for us to have stayed in that position even though the numbers were on our side means that we were mentally enslaved."

Kanye went on to add:

"[T]he reason why I brought up the 400 years point is because we can't be mentally imprisoned for another 400 years. We need free thought now. Even the statement was an example of free thought. It was just an idea. [O]nce again I am being attacked for presenting new ideas."

See:Kanye West just said 400 years of slavery was a choice - CNN

My comment:

Kanye's opinion at least contextually comes from a position of celebrity privilege who is not subject to the extent that some of us in the inner city are, to the marginalization we experience daily. Just the other day I used a payphone (my cell died and I needed to make an emergency call) to make a phone call this being at night, had a spot light on me and asked me if I was on parole or probation. Of course this leads me to say neither and inform the cop I was making an emergency call. Judging by their behavior they were looking for someone so they're trying to identify me. Now, I didn't have to answer their question and could have went on my way but this is but a small example some of us black non-celebrities go through that Kanye does not understand. The problem with Kanye's remarks is the context he used which made him sound like a fool.

The fact that Kanye couldn't acknowledge the impact of subsequent systemic racism in society even as a black man, is the prime example of someone who (he himself coming from the hood as Van on TMZ pointed out) has disassociated himself with the common black experience. Sure, there is mental slavery, and yes people must begin to alleviate themselves from the mental complex of victimhood, however perpetual systemic racism which still exists in society makes the issue a cyclical effect which Kanye doesn't understand. Of course living in a house of luxury away from the dregs of society and not having any compassion will make you think like this....And doing pain pills which Kanye admitted to.

Next up...getting genocided is a choice....by some stupid celebrity.

 

[sayak83]

His comment is indicative of the level of ignorance in today's society. Often times people's perceptions of Africa are based on Christian donation videos depicting people in extreme poverty in Africa.

Further, Africa's problem was and continues to be Western exploitation. Slavery is a part of that same exploitation. Who knows how well-developed Africa would be if Africa was not systematically exploited from the 15th to the middle of 20th century.

 

[sandy whitelinger]

Excuse me?

You had this well reasoned and articulate post...and then you ***** slapped him in the end.

 

[sandy whitelinger]

I'm surprised to see such a post, but I live with a lot of people with African ancestry, who have a free apartment, free meals at the Dorothy Day, free food stamps, free cell phone with internet access, free gift cards for Walmart, free bus cards, free bus tokens, free money from the government, free health care where everything and the medications come free, free taxi rides to doctors appointments, free case managers helping them with paperwork and transportation , and they don't have to do any work for it , none of which they would have in most places in Africa.

You really spout this crap in public. My hillbilly racicist neighbors would love you.

 

[Jumi]

Next up...getting genocided is a choice....by some stupid celebrity.

I hear the same kind of argument quite often to be honest. In my country it's used to say that it was better that we were crusaded multiple times and had our lands taken control of by the more civilized peoples and that we became Christian instead of staying savages.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

You had this well reasoned and articulate post...and then you ***** slapped him in the end.

The ending was really a tongue in cheek but sorry to disappoint you.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

It is a pity people are unable to think about what Kayes actually said and its implications, rather than the spin and umbridge that has been put on it.
He was not blaming people for being slaves, but was pointing out how completely they were subjugated mind and body, To the Extent that they were no even able to think about rebelling.
Change did not happen, anywhere in the world, until a majority of the oppressors had a change of heart.
Or in the case of the Usa the civil war enforced a change, but it never changed the minds in much of the slave states. That is even now an ongoing process.

Apparently your post was not very thought out. Kanye lacks any historical understanding of slavery much less African Diaspora just like you. There were rebellions in Central America, Haiti, etc........Are you familiar with the Middle Passage? Do you know how many slaves were packed on ships for months? Many died. The voyage alone being taken from your family and being packed on a boat for months and having people vomit and crap on you while you marinate in that stuff? Then imagine being whipped for not understanding a foreign language. Then image trying to leave and being shot or hung or castrated. Then imagine being considered 3/4 of a human. Then imagine even after you are freed from bondage you still live in a system of separation because still has a system where you cannot succeed. No, I do not think your post was well thought out. Blacks as a whole are playing catch up, but if you're lucky you get a shot at a great job or have a popular talent that earns you millions. But at the end of the day blacks are still marginalized but Kanye does not see that because he is a celebrity so no, there is no spin this is facts which you failed to see.

 

[Jumi]

Further, Africa's problem was and continues to be Western exploitation. Slavery is a part of that same exploitation. Who knows how well-developed Africa would be if Africa was not systematically exploited from the 15th to the middle of 20th century.

Just today read about how Macron wants to share the French burden in Africa with other EU countries and make a unified EU army. I'm glad at least my country seems to have balls to stay out of this even though we're under EU flag.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

I'll concede he has an actual point, however the phrasing as it was initially put was, let's say, clumsy and unfortunate. That said, I never like contrived outrage, either.

Kanye has no point. He made an ill-advised illogical comment based on the pretense that blacks are continuing the mental slavery since 400 years without actually leaving his ivory tower to actually see what is going on. This is a man who makes hundreds of dollars of clothes. Same individual that also said "Bush Hates black people" during the hurricane flooding in the south. Kanye is simply an idiot.

 

[Kangaroo Feathers]

Kanye has no point. He made an ill-advised illogical comment based on the pretense that blacks are continuing the mental slavery since 400 years without actually leaving his ivory tower to actually see what is going on. This is a man who makes hundreds of dollars of clothes. Same individual that also said "Bush Hates black people" during the hurricane flooding in the south. Kanye is simply an idiot.

I didn't say he wasn't an idiot.

 

[LuisDantas]

Keep in mind that Kanye has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

I don't agree with what was said but this could be coming from one of his swings...

Just saying... We can spare some sympathy for anyone with mental disorders. If he comes back later and apologizes then I see the issue as mute.

That may be a good reason to have sympathy for him. It is not, however, a good reason to leave what he said unchallenged.

 

[sandy whitelinger]

You ARE in a better position because of slavery. Unless you'd rather be swatting the fly's from your face in a mud hut in Kenya?

You know you said that stupidity outloud.

 

[sandy whitelinger]

It is a pity people are unable to think about what Kayes actually said and its implications, rather than the spin and umbridge that has been put on it.
He was not blaming people for being slaves, but was pointing out how completely they were subjugated mind and body, To the Extent that they were no even able to think about rebelling.
Change did not happen, anywhere in the world, until a majority of the oppressors had a change of heart.
Or in the case of the Usa the civil war enforced a change, but it never changed the minds in much of the slave states. That is even now an ongoing process.

Perhaps if we as Americans looked at the descendents of slaves as the offspring of people who suffered to drive the American economic system as the children of heroes of humanity then then the inhumanity could lessen.

Veterans have suffered to make our country strong and we honor that. How about we honor the sacrifice of a century of people who helped build our nation?

 

[Satans_Serrated_Edge]

Not surprised the two people that liked your post would agree with you.

Why wouldn't they? Would you rather be living in abject poverty in Africa? Do you believe that would be better?

 

[Satans_Serrated_Edge]

You know you said that stupidity outloud.

If you think it's 'stupidity', then provide a counterpoint. Stupidity to me would be, well, your post. An emotional kneejerk free of any semblance of intelligent rejoinder. 85% of Africa lives in abject poverty far worse than any American ghetto. No welfare or foodstamps to fall back on there...

If not for slavery, Africa is where most American blacks of today would be. You can feel how you want to feel about it, but it's still the truth.

 

[YmirGF]

Keep in mind that Kanye has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

I don't agree with what was said but this could be coming from one of his swings...

Just saying... We can spare some sympathy for anyone with mental disorders. If he comes back later and apologizes then I see the issue as mute.

I get that @suncowiam but does he have any history of doing just that? I've never heard him, not that I follow him at all, walk back something he said begging forgiveness. Has he done so in the past?

 

[Spiderman]

What in the great hell? I see a lot of whites on meth that get free healthcare, welfare, benefits, privilege, etc and your point?

I'm saying there are a lot of people that I live with and have lived with throughout my life, who are benefiting from the fact that their ancestors were brought over here as slaves.

Thanks to their ancestors being brought over here as slaves, they live in America instead of Africa.

The people I'm referring to do not work. Yet they get free healthcare, free taxi rides to medical appointments, free bus tokens, free bus cards, free Walmart gift cards, free cell phone with internet access, lots of opportunities for grants and financial assistance with college if they choose that route, free meals at the Dorothy day, and food stamps, and Government money.

They absolutely are benefiting from their ancestors being brought over here as slaves. How can you say any differently? I'm not going to deny what's obvious!

Is slavery extremely evil? Of course it is! Many people of European descent laid down their lives and shed their blood to end slavery.

But I'm still not going to deny that there's a lot of people, whose ancestors were slaves, who are currently benefiting from the changes in geography that resulted from slavery. That's obvious!