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44 The political race is no more than a popularity contest, with millions of dollars spent to create a perfect image. * - Laura Guerry, student Truth, not flash and spin should be guide By Laura Guerry Guest Writer dictatorluura@gmuil.com This past Saturday, I woke up at 6am and braved the expected storms to hear Senator Barack Obama speak at GA Tech’s Yellow Jacket Park. I, like the estimated twenty-thousand other people who attended (which is grossly over estimated), was eager to hear something new from a politician. Browsing through his second book, I began to think that this man could bring something different to the White House. It isn’t simply My take: Imus is backlash for rap degradation By Jonathan Ashby Guest Writer 1 think we all know what transpired last week on April 4,2007. The overly controversial comments of Don Imus’s references to the Rutgers University women’s basketball team as “nappy-headed hos”. I also remember Imus making reference to the girls as some “rough girls” and highlighting their “tattoos”. I have sat back and listened to everyone’s assessment of the situation and opinions on what should have happened or how the situation should have been dealt with. Well first and foremost he has been fired and publicly scrutinized, but I am not writing to focus only on Imus because I feel he has suffered enough. He had his radio position stripped, a position he has had for years, but we all know he was really fired because all of his advertising pulled out, therefore making it an easy business decision. I think Imus has become everyone’s focal point to blame for a problem that has been evident in my eyes for years and let’s not forget about his crew who are just as guilty of degradation and sexism. Imus is just a small part of the problem, but a The West Georgian is now accepting applications for the Editor-in-Chief position for 2007-2008. To apply, pick up application from the Mass Communications Office, Humanities Bldg. Rm. 152. because he would be the first racial minority to occupy the Oval Office, although I certainly don’t think it would hurt. I am in agreement with many Americans that something needs to give, and we want a change in our politics. Out with the tradition of ignoring ordinary citizen issues, and in with a fresh approach to honestly address societal concerns with a critical eye of current policies. With an energetic 45- minute speech. Senator Obama called for national unity to fight for pressing issues. For Obama, these issues include the need for universal healthcare. good start. I also think about the radio industry that is egregious towards women. Name one woman radio host with a Don Imus following or status. Furthermore, the fact that Imus has made a career of dissing women and minorities highlights a bigger picture for me. I immediately think about who could be listening to Imus every morning for amusement as he degrades African Americans, handicapped people, homosexuals, Japanese, Jews, and Native Americans! I think it highlights that money is power and there are a lot of racists still in our backyard. Years of controversial comments and nothing is done because he has power and friendships that help keep someone in power. I continue to hear, “well if we are going after Imus, then why not hip hop artists or Gangster Rappers.” Well wake up call, people have been going after rappers for years now, but it can never pick up enough traction because that industry is a worldwide cultural phenomena that transcends race. Trust me people are going after rap, but it does not get the support it needs and the media back doesn’t back it. I know that rap setting a solid plan for our future in Iraq and developing more policies that cater to the lower and middle classes. In discussing the Iraq war, Obama made it clear he did not support going in with no plan and had spoken out against the war. I find this interesting since Obama was not eligible to vote against the Joint Resolution 114 in 2002. To those in the crowd who did not know this, they must surely have gotten the impression that he did indeed vote nay, but wasn’t yet a senator. Sadly, try as I might, I realized that Senator Obama isn’t much does not send all the right messages and does degrade our women, but is it fair that the media has changed the whole blame on Rap or Hip-Hop? No it is not fair at all, it involves more than Gangster Rap. What about “Punk Rock,” “Heavy Metal,” “Rock,” “Marilyn Manson followers,” and the infamous “Howard Stem?” What about all these different genres of music and people who do not have anything positive associated with them. Do these types of music and people send the right messages or uplift women? I don’t think so, but all I continue to hear on the news is “blame Hip-Hop!“ That is completely unfair, if you are going to blame Hip- Hop, blame “Punk Rock,” “Heavy Metal” and all types of music and people that do not send the right messages. It seems like every time in our society you say ban “rap” you get this huge following as if it is the only reason why our women continue to be degraded. For example, think about “Girls Gone Wild,” a million dollar industry fueled by putting white women on camera acting like fools, but that’s okay, right? The producer of Girls Gone Wild makes 29 million dollars a year. Opinion different from other politicians in regard to how he plays the political game. The speeches and press conferences are plagued with half-truths and omitted information that the public should know to make an informed decision. Many say to break the cycle and speak completely honest on issues would be political suicide. I disagree, because I think the American people are longing for someone different. Someone who can lead the people to a better tomorrow not by keeping them out of the informational loop, but guiding them to a well I am tired of people only blaming rap! What about Marilyn Manson, the devil worshiper who has millions of followers, who slit their wrists, and lose their virginity to his music! I want someone to tell me something that is positive about Mr. Manson. I don’t ever hear mainstream media blame “White America” for anything when it comes to sexism or racism. Another example would be Howard Stem; here is a guy who is just as famous and controversial as Don Imus, but has remained on air for years. I have to admit the FCC has been on him for years, but that means nothing to him or the station funding Howard Stem because the huge fines are next to nothing when you calculate how much money he makes his company. For years now he has brought many women on the show to showcase their body parts, talk CAMPUS EVENTS Wednesday, April 18 • Charles Beard Lecture & Reception: How to Become an Information Center of Excellence, Richard Meyer, Library Conference Room, 2 pm. Wednesday, April 18 • UWG Theatre: Crumbs from the Table of Joy, TCPA, through 4/21, 7:30 p.m. Also on 4/22, 2:30 p.m. Tickets: adults, $10; seniors, $7; UWG students, free Thursday, April 19 • Spring Fling 007 Style, Love Valley and patio, 5-9 pm Thursday, April 19 • Norman Rockwell dedication, Rooms 4 and sof the Education Center, 3-4 fan Thursday, April 19 • UWG Film Society Screening, “Hustle and Flow”, TLC room 12(X). 7pm. Thursday, April 5 • Blood drive, UCC, 9:30 am - 2:30 pm Friday, April 20 • Poetry Gala, see Sharron (sedwards@westga.edu; 678-839-6512) in TLC 2255 today to RSVP! Tickets are caily $lO for students. (They are $35 for everyone else.) The event will be catered and includes an open bar for those over 21. educated opinion based on accurate facts. Fact has become intricately tied to opinion rather than evidential support. The political race is no more than a popularity contest, with millions of dollars spent to create a perfect image. Do Americans really want a perfect image? I absolutely do not want the perfect image from any politician I vote for. Perfect is impossible and to achieve that illusion, many things must be ignored, covered up and shaped to fit the agenda of winning the election. It is this tradition that needs to be broken. about sex, and their wacky careers. All he wanted to see was their body parts. He has no morals and is also degrading women, but does he get the blame? No, good old Hip-Hop does though! That man and his cast are deplorable, and stand for nothing that helps put our society in a good light. In sum, all I want is fairness. If you are going Disclaimer The opinions in this section do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of West Georgia, the staff of the West Georgian or the Mass Communications department. It Give me a politician who speaks as honestly as possible, admits their own shortcomings and explains to me why I should vote for them despite their imperfections as a human being. No one is perfect and those that admit it get a better response than those who try to hide it. I have a message for Senator Obama, should he really want to get my vote- tell the whole story. I make rash decisions sometimes out of frustration, now give me a flaw of yours so I know you’re different from all the others. to blame Hip-Hop, be fair at the same time and blame all the other forms of music and avenues that do not uplift our women or put then in a good light! All Don Imus’s need to be and will eventually be fired. Don Imus has highlighted a problem that everyone knew existed, but just ignored because the money is too good!