Janice L

RainbowPUSH Atlanta

Atlanta News & Announcements

Statement of Janice L. Mathis and Rainbow PUSH
on BET Awards

I watched the BET awards last night the same way I watch cartoons - on a
couple of different levels. You know, the Jetson’s are cute and funny
while at the same time they present a biting commentary on man vs.
machine. On one level, it was great fun analyzing the hair, makeup and
costumes with my 22-year-old fashion maven. Latifah’s make-up was
bizarre, Debra Lee’s new hairdo was cute, T.I’s pants weren’t just
sagging…they were around his knees. Jennifer Holliday and Jennifer
Hudson are roughly the same size. Holliday’s glam black ball gown did
her justice, while Jennifer’s too-small white mini made her look
frightful. The comparison made for a great teaching moment, which come
too few and far between with adult offspring.

Then, there was the nascent culture critic in me. Beyonce’s Performance
was a smash – the lighting, the costumes, the robotic opening, were just
pure fantasy entertainment. Kelly Rowland sounded as if her mike had
been turned off, while the two Jennifers (Hudson and Holliday) reminded
us with their rendition of “I’m Telling You” that this Extravaganza was
really about music after all.

Finally, I watched as the activist lawyer looking for clues about the
way the Hip-Hop community might respond to recent (and old) criticism
that it promotes violence, misogyny and materialism. Parenting matters.
While Beyonce’s father could be interrogated in several jurisdictions
for pimping his own daughter, Diana Ross was glorious as she hugged her
assembled rainbow of offspring and insisted on delivering a message,
“you don’t have to shake it all down to have a great career in music.
You can behave like ladies and gents. I will be giving Diva lessons
when this is over.” The pained look on Beyonce’s face when the camera
panned to her during Diana’s motherly advice said it all.

Luda’ apparently thought Diana was picking on him and retorted coldly
during his acceptance speech that that “people should raise their own
children” and stop criticizing Hip-hop for “not having any content.” As
my grandmother would say, ‘a hit dog will holler.’ I can’t speak for
everyone over forty, but I think Ludacris is talented and intelligent.
He was wonderful in “Crash” and I hope more acting roles go his way.
I don’t want to censor Ludacris or any other artist. It is sufficient
for him to THINK about his art and his craft. If he thinks about it, he
will realize that he was on stage accepting an award for his conscious
music, not for inviting young women to come “stand by this money.” If
he THINKS about it, Ludacris will realize that it is ludicrous to be so
insecure about his masculinity as to think he has to purchase female
attention. The winners cleaned up in more ways than one. Atlantan
Ceelo Green’s group Gnarls Barkley beat out 3 Six Mafia and Pretty Ricky
for Best Group. Could we be turning a corner where good guys finish
first? Let’s keep the conversation going.

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