“My fight against terrorism, to me, the biggest terrorist is Obama in the United States of America. I’m trying to fight the terrorism that’s actually causing the other forms of terrorism. You know, the root cause of terrorism is the stuff the U.S. government allows to happen. The foreign policies that we have in place in different countries that inspire people to become terrorists.”
A few weeks ago I heard some background chatter in the media about a rapper named Lupe Fiasco, who apparently made the above statement. I didn’t think too much about it at the time. The brother was just stating the obvious as far as I was concerned… plus Black people in America, no matter how enlightened they are or are becoming about the “Obama Bamboozle”… most will still vote for him in 2012. The decades of conditioning is too deep and set. He’s got black skin and he’s a Democrat, ergo…
Then I heard more background chatter that FOXNews commentator and host Bill O’Reilly invited Lupe on his show and challenged him on his above remarks. I read some commentaries afterwards from those who were surprised that a conservative Republican like O’Reilly would come to the defense of Obama. It didn’t surprise me at all… Obama is their “nigga”, both literally and figuratively. He represents the third term of George Bush. I find it ironic that during the 2008 Presidential Campaign, he referred to Hilary Clinton as “Bush-light”, while he in fact has become Bush III.
Still I paid little attention to the supposed con-troversy until I read this commentary at Black Agenda Report: “Hip-Hop and The Weakness of Liberalism”.
“Lupe’s remarks only seem controversial or rare because liberals and the Obamatons have made radical critique seem irresponsible or nonexistent.”
I must admit that Hip-Hop has held no real interest for me in years, but according to this article, Lupe is one of a new breed of “conscious” rappers, so he peaked my interest. I went to Youtube and watched a few of his videos, as well as read a number of his interviews and articles about him.
“I don’t vote. I don’t get involved in the political process… Cause it’s meaningless to be honest”
“Even if you agree with it, you should criticize power.”
I downloaded his lastest CD, LASERS and it has made its way into my latest regular listening rotation (along with Jill Scott’s The Light of the Sun and Ziggy Marley’s Wild and Free). I love the raw energy and edge of his music. His lyrical style is clever and deep.
“I’ma part of the problem, my problem is I’m peaceful… And I believe in the people.”
The more I read about him and listen to his music, the more I understand why his record company postponed the release of his latest CD for a couple years. He doesn’t promote the glorifying of murder… especially of other Black men, the disrespecting and demonizing of Black women, the juvenile bragging about stereotypical Black male sexual prowess nor the worshipping of materialism. And of-course, he sees Obama the media creation, for who he really is and speaks to that truth.
afrospear.wordpress.com 
I downloaded his lastest CD, LASERS and it has made its way into my latest regular listening rotation …The more I read about him and listen to his music, the more I understand why his record company postponed the release of his latest CD for a couple years.
BIG fan of Lupe. What I find hilarious is that this version of LASERS is actually a watered-down version of the original album, which no major record label will ever release. For those who are just getting to know Lupe, if you go to YouTube and search his songs “Switch”, “Conflict Diamonds”, and “Resurrection”, you’ll see the real Lupe Fiasco.
Thanks “K”! I’ll certainly check out those songs.
Blessings!
BANG!!! Asa, you’re right on it, once again. Exposing how corporate Hip Hop is being pushed. I love the view you take in this post and your research on Lupe.
Check out this perspective below.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/a-queen-by-all-means/2011/06/29/bet-awards-recap-music-spells–thuggin-love–niggas
Frankly, there exists few major ideological differences between Democrats and Repubicans.
If all of a sudden black people shift in large numbers and vote Republican, I doubt we would see any major change in policies.
One of the biggest political flaw blacks make is not organizing effectively.
Black people offer up their collective vote on a silver platter to the Democrats and then ask no questions.
We are supposed to vote as individuals and not as a collective.
The regular black organizations like the NAACP, etc, have lost their punch , sting and effectiveness, and on the other hand, too many black people are still living in the past.
New leadership and new organizations with serious agendas and a furious brand of energy are required to let the local and national politicians know they need to shape up, stay on their toes and be accountable to black people with acts and not empty, pretty words, or their political career could be really very short.This is not a popularity contest.
Many of the politicians who represent black people are not good either. I consider many of them to be corrupt;they remind me of politicians in the developing world.
The US foreigh policy has always been horrible. This is why this country is hated around the world.
I hope no one has forgotten Ronald Reagan, a Republican, who invaded Grenada because they were building an airport there; and George Bush, another Republican, who invaded Panama because acording to him, General Noriega was an international drug trafficker.
Anyone who sits in the White House ends up with the mad man disease, believing they have some type of legal jurisdiction to render justice and order worldwide. This is old news now.
But the problem is not the political party. The problem is not even Obama. The problem is a lack of organization by black people.
Even latinos who have just arrived on the political scene are well organized with clear agendas.Latinos have chapters and chapters of organizations all over this country.
They use their media(radio stations, and stupid Telemundo and Univision) to politicize, educate, agitate and bring vital information to the latino community.
It would be nice if some of them would go back home , copy this activist movement or style and effect some kind of change there.
I can name a few Latin American countries, that in my opinion, are failed states just because the people are not really well organized and the power of the governments are ineffective, lacking far reach, scopes and dynamism in countries with large population.
I see the same situation here with the black community in the United States.
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It is so sad that the only place serious conversations take place is on some of these blogs.
Saludos…
Ana, I feel your point deeply. And this one is so true and sticks in my craw the most lately…”It is so sad that the only place serious conversations take place is on some of these blogs.” Not because it mostly happening on the blogs but the audience is only read by a certain minority of us.
And to add to the sadness, getting black people of all nations to come to the internet and get this information and enlightment is nearly impossible.
Peace!
In the words of W.E.B. DuBois: “The two parties have combined against us to nullify our power by a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ of non-recognition, no matter how we vote … May God write us down as asses if ever again we are found putting our trust in either the Republican or the Democratic Parties.”
DuBois is right we need to get off of others shoulders and stand on our own two feet. Educate one another and make life on earth heaven versus being eager to die. We thank Lupe also for enlightening us and others with his “Conflict Diamonds” remix and “All Black Everything” on L.A.S.E.R.S. His lyrics educate – even the video featuring Trey Songz shows every character in a positive melanated light.
Enlightening article! Although Lupe should have used more precise and articulate language, his point is valid. Unfortunately, the election of Barack Obama has ushered in a new era of black UNconsciousness and pacification. Any black leader or public figure who criticizes Obama’s policies instantly becomes persona non grata.
I am gratified hip hop has someone using the brain matter once more. I vehamently disagree with the brother’s opinion tho. I am not a sleepwalking Obama cheerleader but let us examine his inheritance.
A country bankrupted by the far right spurging of budget surplus – they have lost touched with reality, however they still out hustle progressives.
Two wars
Economic meltdown/recession/depression.
And the most hostile congress since the Civil War (according to Jimmy Carter)
And us – folks that want to elect a messiah/Santa Claus – we elect folks and send them in battle against well armed and financed aversaries…and then we complain as if that is action.
A president can not pass laws… out of all the criticism from West/Tavis, I have yet to hear an agenda proposal that can realistically pass this congress. For more visit me at harveysglobalpolitics.blogspot.com.
I like the blog, healthy informed conversation is the start…let’s stay engaged!