It's been a bad week for young singing stars (in my opinion) Keri Hilson and Beyonce. Hilson went on the Chelsea Handler show (mistake no. 1 - ok, just playin') and said "I'm not Black, I'm Caramel". Beyonce posed in blackface for a European Vogue magazine demonstrating (in her words) her level of support and love for Nigerian musician/activist Fela Kuti.
Not to mention that CNN reported that both Beyonce and Mariah Carey played private concerts for Khadafi's son.
Ok - so here is were some grace and Dr. Angelou's quote about "When you know better, you do better" comes in. Yes, I thought it was incredibly stupid and insensitive (not even GOING there about the concerts for hire) of both Hilson and Beyonce. Hilson has a song out right now about being pretty, she is a mediocre vocalist at best and we all know TONS of family members, friends, babysitters and cashiers at Whole Foods who can sing CIRCLES around her ass. BUT - no record deals for them coz they are not pretty or caramel. Same thing for Beyonce - when she was little, she was home schooled and practiced for HOURS, groomed to be a singing star. No one took her to Amiri Baraka lectures or museums or made 60 Minutes must see Sunday TV since 1975. ( I could not name all the Sylvers but I sure as hell could tell you who Andy Rooney and Mike Wallace were). Mama and Papa Knowles probably didn't school her about racism, colorism and classism but I bet she knows how to write a contract rider and identify the best lighting and sound in a room.
Yes, Hilson and Beyonce are both grown. Yes, they have a diverse fan base. Yes, they both said/did really stupid things this week. Yes, people should hold them accountable. We also should educate BOTH of them and explain to them the madness and ignorance of what they did.
We had a birthday dinner for my girlfriend this week and I said that it was extremely possible that Beyonce had NO clue about the historical significance of blackface. She may know nothing about minstrels, Al Jolson, all of the sad, ugly history. My girlfriend said "How the f...could she not know about Amos and Andy on the radio and the ignorance of that" and I said "Easy. That's the kind of stuff your parents and grandparents equip you with...or not". Same thing with Hilson...if she was brought up all of her life being told she was a pretty, caramel child...how can you expect anything more of her.
I'm not giving either of them a pass just offering up that sometime before we cuss people out about being stupid...we gotta take a step back to find out why they are stupid...or how they got stupid.
My hub was sure that our child knew what blackface was....so he asked him. Child thought blackface was a rapper. He had NO clue. So - we definitely have some education to do as well. Because heaven forbid - I see my child posed in a magazine or on Facebook at some frat party in blackface....or worse...telling some reporter that he is caramel or cablinasian.
When we know better...we do better.
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