Why are Black People Really Upset with Don Lemon?
Since Don Lemon's most recent "No Talking Points" segment aired, I've read several articles by field experts, thought leaders, and "respectable" journalists ripping the man to shreds. Lemon sites comments made by Bill O'Reilly about the root cause of African American disparities, agrees with him, and adds his own 2 cents.
Today, I read this article Dr. R. L'Heureux Lewis-McCoy that appeared on Ebony.com Titled "Why Don Lemon Was Wrong". Here's a snippet:
"For decades now, people have tried to shame Black youth into pulling up their pants. It’s been done legislatively by criminalizing sagging, it’s been done socially by creating public and social media campaigns, and it’s been done by homophobic fear mongering. All of these approaches are not only wrong headed, they are also ineffective. If all young people pulled up their pants tomorrow, there will still be a need to address disproportionate contact with the police, crumbling public school infrastructure, as well as a host of public health issues. Pulling up pants will do one thing; make people who don’t like seeing underwear more comfortable, nothing else."
Ooookkaaayyyyy. It's clear that Mr. L'Heureux completely missed the point. Good try though. I love how he focuses on how Don was wrong about the origin of sagging pants, and how if young men pulled up their pants that wouldn't solve any of the other variety of issues facing young black men and African American families as a whole. Maybe what Don was trying to say translates into something more like "Carry yourself in a respectful manner, so that other's will respect you". Just a thought. Or perhaps my man Don meant "Act like you have some home training," like any black person's grandmother has told them dozens of times.
I find it extremely interesting how WE, US, Blacks, African Americans couldn't wait to mutilate Don Lemon's comments, when really stated some very real, and very valid BASIC habits that need to be broken before we as a people can ascend. If you're upset that Lemon referenced and agreed with comments made by Bill O'Reilly who has a history of making racially controversial statements that's one thing. Don't let that discredit the facts. Take off the blinders, let go of the tunnel vision, and take a good 360 degree spin around the black community. We treat ourselves like we don't respect ourselves. Don Lemon probably should have added "don't tattoo your face". Something you would think no one should have to say, but due to the deterioration of the African American family ( Yes, I quoted Bill O'Reilly too), these BASIC principles and lessons are are not given any attention to youth as they grow up. Rappers, and the Benz driving dope boy on the block have more influence over black youth decisions in the "hood" than their parent's or school. When's the last time you listened to a Chief Keef lyric, or had a conversation with a neighborhood dope boy Dr. Lewis-McCoy? I guarantee you both of them are sagging their pants. This is who they emulate as role models. If this is not a reason to tell a young black man to pull up his pants, I don't know what is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCASEL9mUxM
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