As I'm wont to do when compelled by either laziness or a lack of alternatives, I was listening to the Tavis Smiley show on NPR today. His guest was America's most beloved black academic, Cornel West, who most of us know not from his serious works such as Race Matters and Keeping Faith, but from his large afro and his portrayal of Counselor West in Matrices Reloaded and Revolutions. The topic of their discussion was the Jacksons and their respective scandals.

West's point, based on the three minutes of the interview I heard, was that America's reaction to seeing Janet's tit on the tube must be contextualized racially. West supposed that, were it Madonna's tit and Nelly that unveiled it, we'd be railing against rappers and their devious, white-woman sullying ways. As it was, Janet is black and so she was taken to the wood shed, while Justin, honky that he is, got off scott free.

Now, let's set aside that his supposition is bad because everyone who cares has already seen Madonna's cans, and that America couldn't think less of her than it already does. And let's also set aside that Timberlake is of highly questionable sexuality. That Jackson's nipple was adorned with jewelry seems to me a strong indicator that she intended for it to be seen. I'm sure that Justin was aware of the decision, and that he may have even encouraged Ms. Jackson, but I feel confident that racism does not color my judgment that Janet's blame should be greatest. The tit belongs to her. Were it Madonna's tit, I'd feel the same.

But the great rhetorical thing about West's assertion is that it's impossible to disprove. We accept it because he's Counselor West, and no one likes a racist.

Now if you really want to hear the truth, I'd like more boobs on TV, not fewer, so I don't blame anyone at all. However, were West to have chosen to use Hillary Duff in his example rather than Madonna, I'd blame Nelly. In fact, I'd want charges pressed.

The part of the interview I really wish I'd heard is where West contextualizes Michael's problems racially. In West's world, no one transcends race. In mine, no one transcends race except Michael. And I don't mean that in a good way. I mean it in the same way that you don't care about the gender of the pit bull mauling you.

Analogcabin @ 2:03 PM
Permalink |