Bill Maher's hatred & misrepresentation of rap music...

[LalahLand]

I love Bill's show but whenever he brings up rap music and love relationships I get extremely annoyed because his cynical tone many times comes across as racist/sexist/intolerant. Like for instance, on his last show, he quoted some of Nelly's lyrics which I don't think anybody in their right mind takes seriously, then he goes on to imply that rap music defines what black people are by saying that white kids (who listen to rap) are in fact, black. Does this annoy anyone else besides me?

[efhmc]

1. I really don't like rap and find the demeaning of women in many

lyrics to be very harmful. No one will ever be able to convince me that this is healthy. As to the i.d.ing by white kids with or as African-Americans, I really do not understand that. Bill Maher is often sexist and racist in his attitudes and statements. He likes to say that he is joking and that is why he is "politically incorrect". He actually credited Ashcroft for preventing more internal terrorism since 9/11. He did say that he (Ashcroft) was a scary person.

[The Backlash Cometh]

5. What I found funny about Maher's Politically Incorrect show was

that he was a Libertarian going beyond the PC envelope by making racist and sexist comments; so part of what created Maher's success was his irreverance to Liberal values. And yet, there's Liberals on these boards who are ready to embrace him as a possible Democratic Great White Hope.

I just don't get it.

[LalahLand]

9. yes, but I think rap music is more harmful

today then it was when I was growing up. Back then, we realized that rap was just for entertainment. Nowadays, misguided kids who have little or no parental supervision may be more influenced by it. By the way, do you not also think that today's movies and television shows are just as harmful as *some* rap music? The two Colombine killers didn't listen to rap, but somehow they were into sinister devil worshipping type music which is just as bad (some would argue worse).

[Sweetpea]

2. There are many reasons one could find certain aspects of hip hop

offensive. The part that is totally exploited in the media. The ghettoizing of black life. I think he needs to delve further to have a real position and argument about what it is that is bothering him so

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. An awakening...

The only rap that I objected for my daughter was Eminem's music which at some point goes too far for young children, in my parental opinion. And the main reason why I'd go out of my way to censor Eminem was because it got more than its share of air time. But allowing her to listen to rap in general has paid off, because she finally turned to me the other day and said she didn't like how male rappers trash women. I started to go into an entire sociological dissertation, and my husband commented, "She made a major step today, don't ruin the moment."

But I sing out loud to Black Eye Pea's, "Where is the Love" all the time.

[LalahLand]

10. Eminem, in some ways, is a much bigger threat

to white children because he looks and sounds like them and he talks of killing people in every day situations. At least with some of the other rappers, the scenarios are far fetched and most honest people can't relate.

[ikojo]

3. There is some politically inspired rap out there

as I have seen it mentioned on DU. Unfortunately, as with rock music, the political stuff upsets the suits and the powers that be so it is not marketed as widely. That is why I have a Sirius home system..to remove myself from commercial/corporate radio entirely.

One thing that really irritates me about Bill Maher is when he tells people that the 2000 election is history and people just need to get over it. Now I realize he is a disgruntled Republican/libertarian so it's easy for him to get over it. Maybe he doesn't like Bush but would like a more moderate Republican, if one exists. I don't think he would be as forgiving had Gore prevailed in the Supreme Court.

I am sick of his double standard when it comes to Dems versus pugs.

I will not get over the 2000 election anytime soon. If we forget the Supreme Court orchestrated coup d'etat then it is more likely to happen in the future.

[Fight_n_back]

4. In some lands

it is called a "joke".

[Cheswick2.0]

6. Bull Maher has no point

his whole Schtick is being cynical, therefor smarter than everyone else. He isn't even funny. The man has never made me laugh once. I guess if he had been around when I was 17, before I outgrew my "cynical" stage I might find him entertaining.

and yes he is racist and sexist.

[LalahLand]

8. I'm not sure why...

but when I first started watching his show a few years back, I was under the impression that he was a liberal guy who shared a lot of my values. It wasn't until the days when ABC had announced the cancellation of his show that his tone changed dramatically. Was he always a phony, or was I always blind, or did he lose it once he lost his show?

[Cheswick2.0]

11. he might have some liberal ideas, but

mostly he is just against everything. People like that leave me cold. They seem to have nothing to add to the process. He is just another angry white guy on a slight variation of the standard angry white guy rant.
He voted for the libertarian in the election, or so he says.

[ProudGerman]

12. So, from a few comments you seen him make

you think you have enough to say that he hates all nonwhites, and women?

I've seen him have various nonwhites and women on his show, and his interaction with them gave me no inclination of racism or sexism. When his show was on ABC during Clintons last term, he had Arianna Huffington on many times. They almost never agreed, as she would roast Clinton at every opportunity, and he would say she was being ridiculous when she brought up Monica. But he also agreed with her sometimes, usually on fiscal discussions. Not once did I ever get the impression that he disagreed with Arianna because she was a "stupid woman".

The only thing I've ever heard him say that is remotely sexist is that woman should not be in the military. But that's because he thinks that the only qualities needed for a military operation is brute strenght and a readiness to kill your fellow man. I disagree with him on that, as I feel that's idiotic. I feel a woman can do anything in the military...as long as she can perform at the exact same level that is expected of the men.

As for racism, I have no clue where that charge comes from.

[jmm]

13. Damn, how come I never get invited to the meeting

where all the black leaders and spokespersons are picked? I was foolish enough to think that African Americans aren't some monolithic group and have a wide variety of opinions and views. Now, thanks to Bill Maher, I know that rappers such as Nelly who have been accepted by the mostly white owned and controlled media outlets speak for all black people and that there is a way to act black.

[NightTrain]

14. As long as African-Americans have been making music...

...there have been self-righteous know-nothings attacking it. This goes back at least as far as the advent of jazz and the blues in the early 20th century. I wouldn't let it bother me.