Imagine my surprise when I read this (and read it word for word) column by local rapper and developer Kamikaze over at the Jackson Free Press titled "Don't be a jerk":
"We have become a society that applauds bad behavior. We have become a nation that shuns decorum and champions those who break rank with tact. We have become a country that no longer respects authority, title or office. We live among people who have lost respect for their fellow man. We no longer have the ability or desire to disagree without being disagreeable. Some say they breathe the breath of patriots but encourage their children to not respect the office of president.
We elect lawmakers who teach our kids that adults can and will act like children when they don't get their way. Shouting, yelling, threatening, lying, stealing, cheating have become the rule and not the exception. It disgusts me. It further disgusts me that people have tolerance for it or make excuses for it.....
In the past week, America has witnessed several instances of rudeness. No matter what color, what creed, what religion, or tax bracket you are in, we (at least I) expect every human being to least conduct themselves as if they have some modicum of home-training. Its not a "black" thing as some folks have tried to pin it. Not an "artist" thing. Not an "athlete" thing. Whether or not someone else would have been treated differently is irrelevant. You don't put out a fire by starting another one as a distraction. Wrong is wrong, and being uncouth is being uncouth....
The bottom line is this. We have to start rewarding, showcasing and reporting good, proper behavior. We have become a nation where some men( and women) have no honor. We have to do better. We have to set a better example for our kids. How? By letting them know that you do "not" mistake rudeness, brazen, callous, uncouth or tacky behavior for genius, nonconformity, rebellion, activism or uniqueness. Just because you're loud doesn't mean you're "saying" anything. It just means you're an ass.
And that's the truth ... sho-nuff" Rest of column
Surprised? Why would I be surprised by a well-written column in which Kamikaze makes some very good points (although Serena needs to win a grand slam first before she can lay claim to being the greatest of all-time)? I am surprised because I seem to remember some things Kaze said a long time ago about President Bush. A long time ago if you can describe 2007 as such. Does anyone remember this (Taken from Kaze's Myspace page):
"Sunday, September 09, 2007
KAMIKAZE IN TROUBLE FOR BUSH BASHING...AGAIN
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hip-hop artist and activist Kamikaze of Jackson, MS, was suspended indefinitely from the Kim Wade Show on Jackson's WJNT-Talk radio (1180 AM) for anti-Bush comments. Following a month-long tour of the Czech Republic, Kamikaze was set to return as Wade's co-host, but was informed just moments before going on the air. The reprimand, which stemmed from one angry listener, was based on comments Kamikaze made in his blog.
In it, Kamikaze blasted President Bush's foreign policies and encouraged fans to scream "f**k George Bush" during his shows.
Incidentally, this is not the first time that Kamikaze has come under fire for his anti-Bush commentary. In October, he was temporarily banned from Millsaps College in Jackson during an on-campus concert. http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments/php?id=10963_0_4_0_C
As a rebuttal, Kamikaze has recorded a new song, "Take Me Away (Mr. President)" that will serve as an open letter to the Commander-In-Chief. The song will be posted Friday and available for downloading at www.myspace.com/mrshonuff601
Says Kamikaze, "Freedom of speech no longer exists in this country. I just toured a country that used to be under communist rule and they appreciated hearing someone speak out against a government...against a president", Kamikaze says. "I don't know if im being singled out but its unfortunate that the station caved to some random callers who disagreed with my viewpoints, but as I remember it that's what this country was founded on. If somebody hadn't spoke out against the government centuries ago, we'd still be ruled by a king and under British rule!"
In fact, one comment on Kaze's Myspace stated: "SHOOT GEORGE BUSH! I hate that bastard! Posted by stone@hip-hop.cz on Saturday, September 15, 2007 - 8:41 AM " Myspace comment
Mr. Kaze did not repudiate nor delete the comment threatening the President on his Myspace page. Here is what Kaze said in his original column that got him kicked off the air:
"As many know, I simply must give my George Bush speech at my shows. I feel it is my duty. Turns out, folks here are none too enamored with Bush, either. Imagine a club full of eager hip-hop-goers screaming “f**k George Bush” and me leading the chant. Sean Hannity would call for my head as a traitor; Bill O’Reilly would call for my music to be banned and my WJNT co-host Kim Wade would call me a “looney on the left.” Column, Blog
Seems as though when Obama wasn't President, Mr. Kamikaze had no problem being "uncouth" or "an ass". Its hard to take Kamikaze seriously when he calls for more decorum as he didn't exactly repudiate his past behavior. If Kamikaze wants to lecture the rest of us on how to criticize the President and act in public, perhaps he should look in the mirror first, read his own columns, apologize for his behavior, and then lead by example. And that is the truth, sho-nuff.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
A Tale of Two Kaze's
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28 comments:
Nice PR piece Kaze, but clean up your own act first. You, too, are a role model to some.
"It's hard to take Kamikazee seriously..."
That sums it up.
Newsflash: People who didn't take Kamikaze seriously before they read the column don't after reading it; people who did take Kamikaze seriously before reading the column still do. Film at 11.
As one who bashed Bush for most of his presidency, often vocally, I have only myself to blame for not being able to get indignant when President Obama gets bashed himself. At best I have to stay silent, or speak out against rudeness only in general terms.
As always, almost all of us will be polite when we are together with one other person, or a handful. Only when we are at a distance do we fail to constrain the inner demons. I don't see that ever changing, but we've made it this far.
Hello Pot. Meet Kettle.
What exactly has Kaze developed? Can you point to any completed projects?
2:27, then why the need to comment? Guess he bothers you enough to feel the need to chime in.
Actually it is quite easy to not take Kamikaze seriously because there is little serious to consider in his schtick. He uses the race card as a weapon and fits in well with the short on expertise/long on advice crowd at the JFP. Do as Kaze says, not as he does. That is all.
Generally, I think America is full of two generations of narcissistic citizens. It's all about what I want; I want it now; I will have it or throw a temper fit. It's in schools, in the home, in the media, and especially in the world of crime. Woe unto those of us who bought into the "self esteem" programs and taught them both at home and at school. We are reaping the results.
to 6:48, who does not know how to use commas, do you know him???? kaze using the race card??? wtf???? you are a gd douche. and idiot to boot.
You don't have to know him to know he's a racist.
He's not a racist. However, if he is going to preach about civility in politics and society than he should own up to some of his own stunts.
Sounds like 8:12PM is missing that modicum of home-training Kaze expects every human being to at least conduct themselves with.
I still don't read JFP unless I am looking to see what bands are in town. This example by Kaze??? Is why. Thank you for reaffirming my decision.
Kamikaze was wrong to crudely bash Bush back then and he's right now. His remarks WOULD be more credible if he owned up to the error of his ways.
The right was correct in protesting his past behavior at the time and apparently succeeded.
Surely the argument today isn't that just because the left behaved badly in the past, it gives the right license to behave as badly? That two wrongs make a right?
Isn't it just as hypocritical if we don't object now to what we objected to then?
We have the right in this country to make fools of ourselves in public. That doesn't mean we have to encourage or approve foolish behavior.
I also wish we'd go back to the days when politics and religions was not discussed in purely social group settings. Life was so much more pleasant. Now there's no escape anywhere from the arguing or anger.
I liked it when we thought manners meant one had class , we tried to be respectful and considerate of others and understood pleasantness requires self-discipline.
If we are to be the party of " values", shouldn't we have some?
Obviously I'm not condoning boorish behavior, just pointing out some blatant hypocrisy in someone who tries to tell the rest of us how to behave. I suspect this has something more to do with Obama being President than Kaze suddenly becoming concerned about manners in society.
8:31, will you be providing your sermon each day at this time?
Kamikaze? A hypocrite?!? I am SHOCKED!!! ;-)
Thanks for pointing this out. I gave up on reading his jackassery years ago.
Jackassery? More like moonbattery.
Thanks, 8:31. An 18th C. proto-blogger said he attended sessions of Parliament because he "liked to hear the wild asses bray." I prefer a less noisy, and less noisome, conversation.
Brad Franklin wrote: Just because you're loud doesn't mean you're "saying" anything.
Note to Brad: Thanks for confirming what was already common knowledge regarding your blather.
Does Kaze have a 'real' job or any 'real' accomplishments?
He has no decorum. This is the same guy who wears jeans, sneakers, and a blue tooth in his ear to important meetings. Of course these are meetings that no one can understand why he was even invited (or sent to fill in for his "boss").
Michael- When you find out, please let us know.
Kaze is a legend in his own mind. They collect the type at the JFP.
I'm not bothered by Glenn Beck, Limbaugh, or anyone else bashing the President. I DID think it was poor form for Joe Wilson to shout out during a Presidential address to a Joint Session of Congress. If Rep. Wilson wants to call the President a liar, let him call a press conference after the speech.
Rude is still rude, but even then there is a time and place for it. Joe Wilson missed that day of class...
We live in a society where even the President has skeletons in his closet... "I didn't inhale" ... "I did not have sexual relations with that woman" ... "weapons of mass destruction..."
What a pathetic wag to loop Bush into your example. Seems like Joe Wilson isn't the only one to have missed some classes.
Apparently what is obvious to some isn't obvious to all or stating the obvious and sermonizing would be unnecessary.
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