Taking Attendance

This past Saturday, BET held a live 3-hour voter registration special called “Stand Up, Sign Up, Be Heard” The special was hosted by Toure and Queen Latifah. Other than Latifah, only a small handful of artists showed up including Brandy, Jim Jones and Mary Mary. During this critical time in American history - no doubt it is a critical time for African Americans - only 5 or 6 artists took time to use their talent and celebrity to mobilize and energize the Hip Hop generation to Vote on November 4.

The BET audience is made up of young people that support the Hip-Hop industry. These young people watch videos, buy albums, download ring tones, buy-out concerts and rock urban gear. These young people keep artist paid so they can live in “the burbs” and drive nice cars. Unfortunately, the artists were not available to encourage our youth to stand and be a part of the process. As a matter of fact, the artists weren’t even available to make their position on voting known.

The thing that disturbs me as a part of the hip-hop generation, is many of these same unavailable artists, were available to testify at a congressional hearing in September 2007 to defend their right to call us “niggas,” “bitches” and “hoes” in their music. These same artists have used their albums, radio and television interviews to attack those who have been consistent in standing for justice on our behalf.

Meanwhile, in your hood, Rev. Al Sharpton is on the front line of issues most prevalent to the hip-hop generation. From Sean Bell (23 years old); to the Rutgers Women’s Basketball (teenagers); from the Jena Six (teenagers); to Genarlow Wilson in Georgia (17 years old), Sharpton is the most visible and dependable leader on behalf of hip-hop generation youth who are in desperate need of help. Help that almost none of today’s artist even attempt to provide. Where can these victims contact you in critical times? Should they call the record companies?

Rev. Sharpton made it a priority to attend the BET voter registration special, calling us to meet our greatest potential. He attended this forum during the same week that he was able to pressure Georgia authorities to stay the execution of Troy Anthony Davis, while traveling across the country registering voters and energizing American voter turn-out.

It has been said by these unavailable artists that folks have the right to disagree, and that is absolutely correct. In that same spirit, I am exercising my right to correct and check my fellow hip-hoppers about their lack of responsibility and the lack of respect they have for those who show up for us every single time there is a crisis. I challenge the Lil Wayne’s and David Banners of the world to cut the slave chains from record executives who have them poverty pimping, rather than poverty uplifting!

-Tamika Mallory
National Director of the Decency Initiative