Pharrell's Views On Race Sends Twitter Into An Uproar

[Poitier]

We move forward, when we acknowledge our dffeerences and can live toghwther. Not, when we all amalgamate into some hypothecial grey race

Cosmopolitanism

 

[Prince Akeem]

There is a serious disconnect between black celebs and the average black person...There is also the fact that some black celebs know better but choose to play it safe and throw black people under the bus.

 

[Rekkapryde]

Nothing is wrong with what he said about being yourself. I don't think anyone disagrees with that. I also don't disagree with him saying to use your blackness to take advantage of situations. When those situations present itself, I sure do.

But this "new black" shyt is what I'm and about. While you may not choose to blame "others" for our issues, you can't deny that many of those issues exist because of the "others", especially at a socioeconomic level.

Everyone has a nikka wake up call every now and then.

 

[Rekkapryde]

It's easy to do that when you're an immensely popular and wealthy pop producer.

This post racial society don't reach down to the poor and middle class black folk.

Its always affluent minorities talmbout "Race don't matter."

We move forward, when we acknowledge our dffeerences and can live toghwther. Not, when we all amalgamate into some hypothecial grey race

 

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

I understand what he means. Racism will always exist but I've learned to see past that shyt so it doesn't affect me.

Of course it helps if you have money. For example, cop pulls me over on some profiling shyt? No problem, all my docs are in order. But if your don't have insurance and your registration is expired, that's an invitation for them to fukk with you. I'm sure Pharrell doesn't have to deal with stuff like that.

We do need to stop playing the victim though. Expecting people to look down on us. That's fakkit shyt. Literally. fakkits always feel like "the world is against them" because they're gay when in reality, most people don't give a fukk.

People can look at my skin and think whatever they want. Thoughts never hurt anybody. Unless I take those thoughts to heart and reduce myself to their image of me. No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

 

[151_Pr00f]

Nothing is wrong with what he said about being yourself. I don't think anyone disagrees with that. I also don't disagree with him saying to use your blackness to take advantage of situations. When those situations present itself, I sure do.

But this "new black" shyt is what I'm and about. While you may not choose to blame "others" for our issues, you can't deny that many of those issues exist because of the "others", especially at a socioeconomic level.

Everyone has a nikka wake up call every now and then.

Wasn't Oprah not too long ago denied looking at a bag at a luxury store because she "couldn't afford it" ..... that's why I'm confused as to why she wouldn't check him on his opinion. Like a post had alluded to earlier maybe the denial is a psychological coping mechanism to avoid the pain of the ever present reality that race is still a factor in how we are treated in society.

 

[Cory MBA]

Focused on being me while getting pulled over for a profile check as we speak........

Officer asks where I'm going.......

I say home

Officer asks where have I been

I say work

Officer asks me to step out of the car with my hands present

I'm still focused on being me, trying to stay cool....(I've done nothing wrong)

Officer is still focused on ME because of his own interests......

Would I be going through this if I was a 20 year old white college girl.......?????


If not, how can you tell me not to be focused on color when obviously, the powers that be are driven by it

:sadtorejoice:

 

[MR. Conclusion]

Pharrel's statement was clumsy, but I sort of see what he was trying to say. However...

the problem (as some of you have pointed out) is that it totally shyts on all our ancestors caught up in the holocaust.

And his point was (rightfully so) lost on most because once you say some dumb shyt like "new black" you lost me.

Too much blood was shed, infants used as bait for alligators, brothers "cannon-balled" (sick evil shyt), black wives raped, for me to be a new anything.

And yes, I truly believe in pursuing my individual interests, regardless of where it may lead me in life, but that doesn't mean I can't acknowledge that there are different rules for us in the U.S.G. than everyone else.

If only Trayvon focused on himself.......

 

[Serious]

fukk It I'm going to reply to this in a lengthy essay format, when I get back

 

[NERO]

I think he is really trying to say that we shouldn't let racism in the abstract affect our self confidence and predominate our psychology. Racism is real but allowing our attention to be occupied by an such a boogie man will prevent us from getting shyt done and prevent us from rising up from under the boot of white oppression. It's time to stop talking about it and started to BE about it.

Now, I don't entirely agree with his pie in the sky ideas but one thing is clear. Racism is not excuse for a lack of achievement. No matter if you are getting pulled over for no reason other than being black or followed around in high end stores or facing housing discrimination, there is a way to persevere and continue to achieve in the face of all that. That abuse should really just be fuel for the fire for us to establish out OWN businesses and communities. I never expect fair treatment from whites or other ethnic groups. As long as they keep their hands off me and their tentacles out of my back accounts, I look at it as a game.

 

[Suicide King]

I think he is really trying to say that we shouldn't let racism in the abstract affect our self confidence and predominate our psychology. Racism is real but allowing our attention to be occupied by an such a boogie man will prevent us from getting shyt done and prevent us from rising up from under the boot of white oppression. It's time to stop talking about it and started to BE about it.

Now, I don't entirely agree with his pie in the sky ideas but one thing is clear. Racism is not excuse for a lack of achievement. No matter if you are getting pulled over for no reason other than being black or followed around in high end stores or facing housing discrimination, there is a way to persevere and continue to achieve in the face of all that. That abuse should really just be fuel for the fire for us to establish out OWN businesses and communities. I never expect fair treatment from whites or other ethnic groups. As long as they keep their hands off me and their tentacles out of my back accounts, I look at it as a game.

Hard to look at it as a game when the consequences are real. Ask Zimmerman.

The people on the other side are dead serious and not messing around at all. I rather treat it as war than a game.

 

[MR. Conclusion]

I think he is really trying to say that we shouldn't let racism in the abstract affect our self confidence and predominate our psychology. Racism is real but allowing our attention to be occupied by an such a boogie man will prevent us from getting shyt done and prevent us from rising up from under the boot of white oppression. It's time to stop talking about it and started to BE about it.

Now, I don't entirely agree with his pie in the sky ideas but one thing is clear. Racism is not excuse for a lack of achievement. No matter if you are getting pulled over for no reason other than being black or followed around in high end stores or facing housing discrimination, there is a way to persevere and continue to achieve in the face of all that. That abuse should really just be fuel for the fire for us to establish out OWN businesses and communities. I never expect fair treatment from whites or other ethnic groups. As long as they keep their hands off me and their tentacles out of my back accounts, I look at it as a game.

Yeah that's most likely what he tried to communicate. But the bolded part is wrong.

Prejudice is not an excuse for a lack of achievement. Racism is. Racism means systematic. Think Black Wallstreet. Racism definitely stopped achievement in that example.

Really other then the "new black" statement both Pharrell and his detractors are right. We need both schools of thought to keep us focused on what we can do, while staying aware of those that plot against us. Offense. Defense.

 

[NERO]

Hard to look at it as a game when the consequences are real. Ask Zimmerman.

The people on the other side are dead serious and not messing around at all. I rather treat it as war than a game.

When I say "game" I mean I refuse to walk around in fear of them despite being outnumbered and outgunned. I just make a mental note, laugh to myself and move on. I refuse to allow them to hold me hostage psychologically. I respect your idea though. It is a war but not just Black vs White. Its us vs everybody and we must remain sound of mind and strong of body in order to succeed.

 

[theworldismine13]

I think he is really trying to say that we shouldn't let racism in the abstract affect our self confidence and predominate our psychology. Racism is real but allowing our attention to be occupied by an such a boogie man will prevent us from getting shyt done and prevent us from rising up from under the boot of white oppression. It's time to stop talking about it and started to BE about it.

Now, I don't entirely agree with his pie in the sky ideas but one thing is clear. Racism is not excuse for a lack of achievement. No matter if you are getting pulled over for no reason other than being black or followed around in high end stores or facing housing discrimination, there is a way to persevere and continue to achieve in the face of all that. That abuse should really just be fuel for the fire for us to establish out OWN businesses and communities. I never expect fair treatment from whites or other ethnic groups. As long as they keep their hands off me and their tentacles out of my back accounts, I look at it as a game.

exactly

 

[Schmoove]