T.I. says Raven Simone has a point about not being labelled African American

[Streetcar]

I love how some of you dudes will look for an excuse to give someone a pass for physically threatening a woman. That's some hoe ass shyt from both of you. I don't care how bitter she is, he had no right to physically threaten her.

It should be noted that he didn't threaten her because of Iggy, Banks came for his wife.

 

[jadillac]

This guy is trying to fit in too much.

nikka is trying way too hard to appear non threatening to mainstream and intellectual when we all know its bull shyt. At one point this nikka was one of my favorite rappers in HS.

but who do you suppose gave us the label of "African-American"? It would likely be someone who had the power to carry thru the procedures with which to classify it officially. Which was likely white ppl. We had no control over anything.

So why should we have to accept a label placed upon us? Our ancestors were here hundreds of years before many ppl who are simply "Americans"

You dont have to live under labels and it doesn't make you any less "black"

 

[Streetcar]

these black entertainers kill me....they put on glasses and speak intelligently on for white america...but sell poison to their own ppl.....

They really don't. They seem to lack proper education most of the time. It's not even what they're saying it's how they say it.

 

[Big Blue]

It should be noted that he didn't threaten her because of Iggy, Banks came for his wife.

Context is key.

Yea okay, he's still a hoe ass nikka for threatening a woman with violence and you're a hoe ass nikka for defending his hoe ass actions.

His actions? Typing on a keyboard. How vulgar.

 

[Streetcar]

but who do you suppose gave us the label of "African-American"? It would likely be someone who had the power to carry thru the procedures with which to classify it officially. Which was likely white ppl. We had no control over anything.

So why should we have to accept a label placed upon us? Our ancestors were here hundreds of years before many ppl who are simply "Americans"

You dont have to live under labels and it doesn't make you any less "black"

American is a label.

 

[big bun]

The powers that be are trying to take our identity and source of pride away from us and Raven Simone and Clifford are encouraging it. Sad. We used to be black and proud. Not so much now apparently.

 

[Born2BKing]

Did ya'll even watch the video? good lord at the hate in you nikkas hearts

 

[jadillac]

American is a label.

you're very correct.

But "Black" is also a label.

My skin isn't black, my hair is black, but my skin is brown. As I'm assuming yours is too.

Like it or not, black is just another label created hundreds/thousands of years ago by ignorant humans who had no other way to classify or divide each other. An animal can be black or white in appearance, but not a human.

To me it's like, Know that the world considers you black and will stereotype you into that, but in your own mind don't let that define you in terms of what you are allowed like/dislike and what you feel you are allowd to accomplish & do.

 

[Will Ross]

They're the majority in their countries, like white people are the majority in American. It's just a description. Do you honestly find it offensive ?

I have no issue with the word but I can see someone argument with the word.

 

[Streetcar]

you're very correct.

But "Black" is also a label.

My skin isn't black, my hair is black, but my skin is brown. As I'm assuming yours is too.

Like it or not, black is just another label created hundreds/thousands of years ago by ignorant humans who had no other way to classify or divide each other. An animal can be black or white in appearance, but not a human.

To me it's like, Know that the world considers you black and will stereotype you into that, but in your own mind don't let that define you in terms of what you are allowed like/dislike and the way you experience being a human.

That wasn't the point. I was talking about Raven and how she is abandoning one label in replacement of another under the guise of not labeling herself at all.

No, you're not literally black. It's usually understand that black refers to peoples of African descent. You can absolutely refer to yourself, and be proud of being black (or African) while not letting it completely define you. The two are not mutually exclusive

 

[El Bombi]

you're very correct.

But "Black" is also a label.

My skin isn't black, my hair is black, but my skin is brown. As I'm assuming yours is too.

Like it or not, black is just another label created hundreds/thousands of years ago by ignorant humans who had no other way to classify or divide each other. An animal can be black or white in appearance, but not a human.

To me it's like, Know that the world considers you black and will stereotype you into that, but in your own mind don't let that define you in terms of what you are allowed like/dislike and what you feel you are allowd to accomplish & do.

 

[jadillac]

That wasn't the point. I was talking about Raven and how she is abandoning one label in replacement of another under the guise of not labeling herself at all.

No, you're not literally black. It's usually understand that black refers to peoples of African descent. You can absolutely refer to yourself, and be proud of being black (or African) while not letting it completely define you. The two are not mutually exclusive

I got you. But I think I understand her point as well.

I think her point is not being "sub-labeled" or being separated/excluded so to speak. It's like saying, "well, you're not really american b/c you're African-American" I dont think it means denying your African ancestry/heritage as some ppl are taking it as. A 3rd generation white person who's family immigrated to america 100 years ago can be labeled "american", but my black ancestors were brought here 600-700 years ago, but I'm still not regular "American"

Hell, even Native Americans can't just be "Americans" And they were here from jump

 

[Thegospel]

That's all I want to see in any thread about this chump. fukk him

 

[I love Latina women]

birds of a feather flock together

 

[*L*E*G*A*C*Y*]

The issue a lot of people take with Raven Simone's comments is that she doesn't seem to acknowledge or embrace her heritage or her people's struggle.

It's true that white Americans don't have to identify the way black Americans do. We typically don't say "Irish American" or "Italian American" these days.
But they don't have the same stigma nor continue to face the same challenges that African Americans still face.

Exactly my g. By her saying that...she's basically doing a disservice to all of the black people that were beaten, mistreaten, disenfranchised, and killed for trying to be acknowledged as citizens in this country. That basically fought for the freedoms we have today...As if their struggle isn't worth mentioning or her heritage is somehow "wrong" as deemed so in a predominantly Euro centric society that positions white as "right".

I'll say this. I'm African and West Indian. I was born in this country. And I'll always identify as black, african, and west Indian before I identify as American. I have no allegiance to a country that was built off of the enslavement and dehumanization of my people and dammit...I would die for my people to live if I had to.

Just cause I came from relative privilege doesn't mean I don't know anything about the struggle..I've been living it. Just cause you're rich or famous doesn't mean you've magically transcended blackness and all of societies' impositions towards it. I'll always acknowledge that and never forget that...