In response the e-mail Dr. Coates sent out about OutKast’s Grammy
performance, I sent the following message to CBS. I urge you to take
action by going to www.CBS.com, clicking on Feedback, located at the
bottom of the screen, and sending your own message. Take care. …by any
means necessary, Kamau Ashanti.
Dear CBS,
I recently received an e-mail (parts of which appear below) that
discussed the racist (and from what I gather sexist) nature of a
performance, given by OutKast, at the Grammy Awards that you aired.
Personally, I did not watch the show because I have seen what I consider
to be stereotypical material (both sexist and racist) presented on the
show in the past. Thus, this incident does not surprise me, but it does
outrage me! When I get the chance, I watch your shows Face the Nation,
48 hours, 60 minutes, and 60 minutes II because they are often
informative and thought provoking. However, when you run shows that
permit racist and sexist ideals to be transmitted through the airwaves, I
seriously question your integrity and consider not watching any of your
programs at all. Due to the recent responses of the half-time
performance given by Janet and Justin, I believe it is just a matter of
time before most Americans start to feel as I do and start to stand up
for what is right. As a critically conscious viewer I am asking you to
take measures to make sure you abolish any racist, sexist, classist, and/
or homophobic messages that your programming transmits. Please respond
in order to let me know what actions you are taking to abolish such
content. Thank you. Sincerely, Darryn Roberts.
*Parts of the abovementioned e-mail:
OutKast Grammy Performance Offends American Indians
Indian Country Today, News Report, Compiled by Peter Micek, Feb 09, 2004
The Grammy Awards Sunday night included a racist performance that has
some readers appalled, according to letters to the editor of national
newspaper Indian Country Today.
Rap group OutKast, who won a Grammy Award for album of the year,
performed their hit song Hey Yawhile dressed as Indians from outer space.
There is no doubt this was an attempt to spoof Native peoples the
background set was a tipi and an introductory voice over mentioned that
the Natives are getting restless,'" Boyd says. If you saw it and do not
like it, I urge you to take action and let CBS know what you think.
Forwarded Message:
> To: [log in to unmask]
> From: Rodney Coates <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: OutKast Grammy Performance Offends American Indians
> Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2004 17:21:18 -0500
> -----
> OutKast Grammy Performance Offends American Indians
> Indian Country Today, News Report,
> Compiled by Peter Micek, Feb 09, 2004
>
> The Grammy Awards Sunday night included a racist
> performance that has some readers appalled,
> according to letters to the editor of national
> newspaper Indian Country Today.
>
> Rap group OutKast, who won a Grammy Award for album
> of the year, performed their hit song Hey Yawhile
> dressed as Indians from outer space.
>
> I love that song,writes Roxanne Chinook, a Native
> American from Bellingham, Wash., but I was
> disappointed to view that mockery of our culture.
>
> The newspaper, owned and operated by New Yorks Oneida
> nation, posted multiple letters Monday on its Website.
>
>
> In a letter titled, OutKast offends with
> stereotypical performance,reader Christopher Backs
> of Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., says it reminds him of the
> fake Indiansin bogus Hollywood production numbers
> in the 1940s big-band era.
>
> Just because it was a black performer, not white,
> Backs writes, should not let them off the hook.
>
> Reader Zoltan Grossman remarks, I wonder how [Outkast
> member Andre 3000] would feel if Eminen performed a
> rap in blackface.
>
> Two letters urge readers to complain to CBS, which
> broadcasted the awards show.
>
> In an attempt to avoid a controversial stunt like
> Janet Jacksons at the Super Bowl last weekend, also
> broadcast on CBS, the network used a 5-minute tape
> delay at the Grammys.
>
> I wonder why CBS apologized for Janet Jackson showing
> skin at the Super Bowl,Grossman writes, but not
> OutKast stereotyping people at the Grammys.
>
> Whoever draws the line of discretion for Grammy
> performances (remember Janet Jackson was uninvited
> because of her breast!),writes Colleen Boyd of
> Wesleyan University, really dropped the ball on this
> one.
>
> She decries the cartoonishcostumes of the dancers,
> who were nearly nude.
>
> Boyd links the anti-Indian toneof their show, held
> in Los Angeles, to Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneggers
> political reputation as an Indian fighter.
>
> There is no doubt this was an attempt to spoof Native
> peoples the background set was a tipi and an
> introductory voice over mentioned that the Natives
> are getting restless,'" Boyd says. If you saw it and
> do not like it, I urge you to take action and let CBS
> know what you think.
>
> Despite being glad OutKast won the award for best
> album, reader Chinook echoes Boyds criticism, saying
> she didnt enjoy the performance because of its
> similarity to old 30s musicalsand the
> stereotypical characters in old, Hiawatha,Bugs
> Bunny-type cartoons."
>
>
>
> rodneyc..
>
> If we are to combat the insanity of our world, we need to explore
love,
> self, and each other. Join me in this exploration
>
> When love reigns supreme, then we will see the beauty of our
existence!
>
> Please check out my new series: The Art of Love at the following url:
>
>
>
http://communities.msn.com/TheArtofLovefortheEmotionallyImpaired/_whatsnew
m> sn
> w
>
> More Generally: My poetry can be found at:
>
> http://gw.cas.muohio.edu/umoja/www.ulbobo.com/umoja/index.html
http://gw.cas.muohio.edu/umoja/www.ulbobo.com/umoja/index.html
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