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Don't Belive the Hype

© KRS-One

I was sent this by KRS's people in response to an article that appeared in the New York Daily News about the Foxy Brown/Lil Kim shooting. Read it, then post your comments. I'll check back in a day or two to post mine and respond to yours.

"DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE"

Last week, the leaders of Hiphop Kulture extended an invitation for the Daily News to attend a press conference wherein Hiphop Appreciation Week (May 14th thru 21st, 2001) was being announced. Their refusal to attend clearly stated a lack of interest to be informed of the positive steps being taken by the leaders of Hiphop Kulture. Hiphop Appreciation Week has been established by Hiphop Kulture as a time for Hiphop unity and self-reflection.

Why was this call for unity disregarded? One week later, in the February 27th, 2001 issue of the Daily News, a cover story headline reads: "Foxy vs. Lil' Kim - DIVA DIS SPARKS RAP WAR." In addition to that, a chronology from 1995 - 2000 was printed on page 3 entitled "Hip Hype & Rival Rap," only listing acts of confrontation in Rap music. Given the blatant defamation of Hiphop's kultural character, it is obvious that the Daily News has positioned itself as part of the problem and not of the solution.

Speaking in New York City in 1906, Mark Twain once said "There are only two forces that can carry light to all corners of the globe - the sun in the heavens and the Associated Press." But what happens when the press fails to illuminate the light of truth to its readers? What happens to a nation when its daily news becomes imbalanced and one-sided? What happens when journalists who are sworn to objectivity and accuracy, deteriorate into blood-seeking storytellers? The answer can be found in Nazi Germany where the sacredness of the printed word deteriorated into propaganda and the criminalization of an entire sect of people.

It would not have been such a big deal, however, the Daily News' refusal to attend the press conference raises suspicion as to their intent. It seems a political position has been taken by the Daily News, as it pertains to Rap, Hiphop and Black youth in general. A story should have been printed about Hiphop Appreciation Week being the precise strategy needed to prevent these kinds of disputes in the future.

Is responsible journalism being practiced? Has the Daily News joined in a conspiracy to criminalize black youth for the purpose of feeding our children to the prison system? Or what? What is really at stake, is the minds of our children, and that of the public at large.

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