Kanye West Slams Bush In Live Telethon

[undergroundrailroad]

Kanye West Slams Bush In Live Telethon

Ryan Burrow - Chicago

During NBC's live broadcast of Concert for Hurricane Relief rapper Kanye West, in what appeared to be an impromptu address, told viewers that National Guardsmen were given the unfair order to shoot at African-Americans on the streets of New Orleans.

In a stumbling, yet defiant statement, West proclaimed that when African-Americans were caught stealing in New Orleans, they were called looters. However when whites were caught, they were just feeding their families.

He was joined by former Saturday Night Live star Mike Myers, who returned to the script, and seemed frustrated by the the rapper's remarks.

West then declared "George Bush doesn't care about black people." Before the rapper could complete his statement, NBC producers cut away.

[Window]

1. Saw it, loved it, thanks for posting.

Peace

[undergroundrailroad]

2. Transcript:

West and Mike Myers had been paired up to appear about halfway through the show. Their assignment: Take turns reading a script describing the breach in the levees around New Orleans.

Myers: The landscape of the city has changed dramatically, tragically and perhaps irreversibly. There is now over 25 feet of water where there was once city streets and
thriving neighborhoods.

(snip)

West: I hate the way they portray us in the media. You see a black family, it says, "They're looting." You see a white family, it says, "They're looking for food." And, you know, it's been five days because most of the people are black. And even for me to complain about it, I would be a hypocrite because I've tried to turn away from the TV because it's too hard to watch. I've even been shopping before even giving a donation, so now I'm calling my business manager right now to see what is the biggest amount I can give, and just to imagine if I was down there, and those are my people down there. So anybody out there that wants to do anything that we can help -- with the way America is set up to help the poor, the black people, the less well-off, as slow as possible. I mean, the Red Cross is doing everything they can. We already realize a lot of people that could help are at war right now, fighting another way -- and they've given them permission to go down and shoot us!

(snip)

Myers: And subtle, but in many ways even more profoundly devastating, is the lasting damage to the survivors' will to rebuild and remain in the area. The destruction of the spirit of the people of southern Louisiana and Mississippi may end up being the most tragic loss of all.

West: George Bush doesn't care about black people!



More....

[bliss_eternal]

3. I penned a nasty letter to NBC about their need to edit his remark

I am officially boycotting them and their sponors.

I still need to go find Kanye's cd. Don't even care if I like it, he deserves my support for having the balls to speak up when so many others won't.

:thumbsup:

[goclark]

4. He was BEAUTIFUL! Simply beautiful!

I can not think of one defining moment on television that was more meaningful to me.

He spoke TRUTH to POWER and he won the day.

[qanda]

5. That made my night

Then today Tom Joyner was on CNN trying to explain why now is not the time for criticism. I guess it's hard to criticize the same people that you depend upon for your access, Mr. Joyner. Because if now is not the time for criticism, I am not sure when the time will be right.