Saturday, January 18, 2014

Honoring The Freedom To Twerk!


Some real ignorant stuff!

Once again, us Black folk get outraged over some ignorant Blacks mocking slain civil rights leader.

Obviously the promoters didn't see the flyer as a problem. No right minded Black person wants to joke about a tragic event! But seriously, you got to let the freedom of speech ring. They have the right to be offensive. They have the right to mock Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

But as they do, they better prepare for the consequences.

This is an example of the dumb stuff you may associate with those in the hip-hop community.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Estate and many Black leaders are outraged over some hip-hop flyers photoshopping the civil rights leader to the body of entertainer/rapper The Game.

It's suppose to be the Mid-Michigan Teen Parties promotional event for radio promoter Dee Miller and Jasmine Harris. This controversy comes a week before we celebrate the national holiday.

Officially Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday is January 15th. He would have been 85 years old if he was alive today. But since its celebrated on the third Monday of January, many civil rights leaders and President Barack Obama will acknowledge his legacy. They will talk about how "US BLACK FOLK" came so far and we need to continue to make a difference in America.

I understand that for every march, to every celebration breakfast, and those days off from government work, I see that no one is understanding the legacy of the slain leader.

He fought for equal rights for African Americans. I mean it's funny that I didn't live in the 1950s and 1960s.

But my parents did. They understood the purpose of Dr. King. He died trying to bring peace and silent protest against an injustice here in America.

I've realized that the freedom of speech allows some people to make a mockery of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., but however the outrage meter is cranked up way too high when "US BLACK FOLK" want to promote our ignorance.

I mean how funny is it that if this wasn't shared around the internet, you wouldn't hear the likes of Rev. Perm and the greedy Kings.

Did you know that the three surviving children of Dr. Martin and Coretta Scott King are feuding with one another over money?


But need not worry, the event that was planned in Flint, Michigan was canceled. Due to the outcry by local residents, the promoters have decided to make this event a discussion on the legacy of Dr. King.

King's likeness and message have been misused to promote parties before, and a graphic designer took heat over his flyer for a Miami strip club in 2012. But this time, it drew the ire of Dr. Bernice King, daughter of the Civil Rights leader. She spoke out this week, telling Atlanta's local Fox affiliate the imagery for the Michigan party was "appalling."

"For me, as his daughter, it's like, 'wow,' I lost a father who sacrificed everything for them to live a much more dignified and respectful life, and for it to come to this makes me sad," King said.

According to WJRT-TV in Flint, "appalling" is the exact same word Vic McEwen, Social Network owner, used when he saw the flyers. He promptly voided his contract with the hosts and returned their deposit, which he could do because of a clause saying promotional materials with the venue's name are subject to his approval.

Instead, he's hosting a free community event Sunday afternoon to honor King, particularly to bring awareness of his legacy to the young people of Flint. According to MLive, local boxer Anthony Dirrell and former Michigan State University football player William Cooper will be attending to talk to teens and sign autographs.

“As an African-American man who owns a business, I have a lot of responsibility,” McEwen said, according to the New York Daily News. “This is about his legacy. Dr. King has done way too much for this country, or me, or anyone, to allow this to go on.”

The new event also happens to have a much more appropriate flyer.

On the Social Network's Facebook page, fan Terri Williams said she was glad they had chosen to cancel the party.

"Please know that I stand proudly and supportive behind your decision and hope that profit never supersedes respect for these party promoters," she said. "They can twerk if they choose to, but leave the deceased civil rights Nobel Peace Prize legacy to rest respectfully in peace."

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