https://townhall.com/tipsheet/leahbarkoukis/2018/10/11/cnn-segment-calls-kanye-token-negro-attention-whore-and-what-happens-when-negroes-dont-read-n2527459
After a very long history of Kayne's erratic behavior, he quickly drew hate when one day he randomly posted a picture of him wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat. What followed was a 3 month spree of tweets claiming his love for everyone, including the president, and in a "shocking" move, Kayne was invited to the White House. Kayne accepted and proceeded to talk about important topics such as Trump being "the Superman version of a president" and "the epitome of Dragon Energy" which I could not translate for the life of me. Clearly this was a move made by President Trump to get a rise from the Media, and he succeeded. During a late night segment on CNN, Don Lemon and his panelists were quick to criticize Kayne on his visit to the white house. Calling him a "token n***o" and "what happens with n***os don't read". This has caused controversy with double standards for democrats and has also further lowered CNN's ratings.
Do you think CNN went too far?
Do you think Trumps meeting was a publicity stunt?
Do you support Kayne and his decision to "stray from the pack"?
I don't support Kanye's recent decisions. An an icon of the African American community, seeing Kanye support Trump despite his denigrating attitude and policies towards African Americans feels like betrayal. I understand the concept behind Kanye's behavior: he wants to promote uncensored authenticity and freedom of expression, but I don't think supporting our rude and insensitive president is the right way to do it. Trump is of course loving Kanye's support, manipulating him to make it seem as if he has the support of black people. Its truly sad to see another white president take advantage of Kanye's mental instability for his own personal benefit. While CNN's commentary may have been harsh, I think Don Lemon called it how it is, and if Kanye really wants everyone to say what they think, then he shouldn't have a problem with being called out.
ReplyDeleteTo start, could you please specify for the the "denigrating attitude and policies towards African Americans" that trump has exhibited? Second, I don't understand how this is really betrayal in any sense, he's standing up for what he believes in, that what's African Americans have been fighting for for the past 200 years. And third, if you watched the segment, you would have seen that it wasn't Don Lemon who made the sentiments. And finally, I'm not sure that using a racial slur on national television is harsh... it's much worse.
DeleteI don't know what to think about Kanye's decisions about Trump. He is getting a lot of media attention from his support which could be utilized to gain more money as more people are interested in a person who is controversial and has more media attention. But, on the other hand, the one thing we all know is that Kanye is a huge advocate of free speech. Also, I am not sure if Trump is racist, and I am definitely going to look into it more but so far there have been few actions that I think can give him such a terrible description, even if I do not agree with many of Trump's policies I do not think anyone has a right to be calling him racist either without evidence (if you do have evidence please let me know and I say this genuinely). I respect Kanye for his idea of standing for what he believes but on the other hand I would like to know if Kanye truly agrees with Trump's policies or if he wants media attention or if he is mentally unstable or a combination. Lastly, I think there is a lot of hatred and anger going around the media on both the liberal and conservative side. Regardless, I don't think it is right for CNN to be making these terrible claims about Kanye, but it is their right to state their opinion and I do not know enough to say if I agree with them...
ReplyDeleteI think that Kanye West is making a fool of himself and that's what it should be treated as, by both the media and the president. By speaking incoherently about his support for the president, he does not add anything to the political discourse of the US. And, by the president inviting him to the White House, he is creating a dangerous precedent that people who voice their opinions as West has are worthy of being heard by the person in the highest office of the US.
ReplyDeleteTo address the comments by the CNN commentator, it is in no way okay for someone to use racial slurs to describe someone. Yes, they could say that West is uninformed and that he is setting a bad example, but by trying to attack him by using a racial slur against him, it not only discredits the commentators opinion but also set a bad example that people who support the opposition to you are so bad that you may call them racial slurs.
There is no good coming out of this story, from the president, West, the commentator on CNN, or the media reporting on West's comments. I hope that the political discourse in the US will improve from this, but I am not hopeful.
I do not support Kanye's initiative to "stray from the pack" because quite frankly, he is portraying a very contradictory and conflicting image of himself to the American public, as well as the media. Trump, on the other hand, is definitely taking advantage of Kanye's interest and support for him, which allows him to draw huge media and publicity attention. While Kanye is allowed and encouraged to express his advocacy for freedom of expression, I completely agree with Stefan in that the meetings between Kanye and the President do not add any new or relevant information to American politics. Trump is simply taking advantage of Kanye's strong opinions to push his own agenda. It seems that he thinks he will gain support through having Kanye as an ally, but the two simply seem foolish and immature in that they are trying to gain attention from the media.
ReplyDeleteAs to the comments of the CNN commentator, I believe that it is never acceptable to describe anybody using racial slurs. This simply escalates the conflict to a new level that is unnecessary, inappropriate, and offensive. While CNN has every right to report the story, the commentator takes it too far by personally attacking Kanye and creating a very hostile example for the rest of the American public to follow.
I believe that CNN went way too far with their statements. Even with a controversial issue, that doesn’t justify anyone using the n-word on television, especially when it is being used to criticize. As a widely watched news channel, CNN should have handled their words with more professionality and thought.
ReplyDeleteI want to start by saying I have never been a huge fan of Kanye, so my opinion will be a little biased, but that’s how things work. I disagree with the way Kanye is “straying from the pack” because, just as others have already commented, it’s contradictory to how he acts. Kanye’s method of showing his support is fine, I believe and support anyone to express their own opinions and political standings, but the way he is using his celebrity status and the way he is talking about certain controversial issues doesn’t settle well with me. Both the president and Kanye are using each other for media coverage and publicity which only adds to the superficial feel of their alliance.
In this case, CNN definitely went too far by calling Kanye that word. While I disagree with how he is attempting to "stray from the pack," his actions in no way justify such a racist comment. To answer the second question, I think that both Trump and Kanye used this meeting as a publicity stunt. While I agree that everyone has the right to their opinions, and can speak openly about support for politicians, Kanye's "support" for Trump appears to be (and this may seem harsh) a desperate plea to gain attention by any means possible. By taking it to extremes, such as wearing a MAGA hat to the meeting itself, it seems like the only reason for this interaction is to gain more publicity for both sides rather than due to real support.
ReplyDeleteCNN did go too far. It is never okay to say that word, especially on any form of media. I guess there is some grey area with African Americans saying it, but it should never be said on ANY type of media. There will definitively be backlash and justly so.
ReplyDeleteThis meeting is definitely a publicity stunt for both Kanye and Trump. Trump will use this meeting to show that African American people like him while Kanye is using it to show his differences. I don't know if this will actually help either of their causes. I think most African Americans almost feel betrayed by this controversy.
I am fine with people straying fro the pack, however, I don't support how Kanye is doing it. He is supporting someone I don't respect at all and someone who has repeatedly disrespected Kanye's own race. During the Charlottesville riots, Trump said that there were "fine people" on both sides. One of those sides being Neo-Nazis while when NFL players peacefully protested during the National Anthem, Trump said that they were disrespecting their country when they were trying to comment on racism. Trump has time and time again disrespected so many people. I honestly don't understand why Kanye wants to support Trump.
I do think CNN went too far, but at the same time I don't feel right calling them out for it. I feel like letting the ramifications manifest themselves in ratings drops and lowered credibility is a more powerful way to send a message. It is their right to speak about Kanye how they want, just the same as it is our right to punish them for it utilizing our own speech. I think the meeting was obviously utilized for publicity or it would have taken place in private. I don't know if it was orchestrated like that, but it was certainly carried out as such. It is Kanye's right to stray away from the pack, and I support anyone's decision to do so as long as the discourse they provide is at least respectful. I have not seen Kanye transgress or attack anyone in his speech, he only enumerates his own ideas and his gratitude for the President. I do not see this as inflammatory, and anyone who believes he should be punished for it is simply wrong to think that way. Reaching such a conclusion also further proves his point about citizens being manipulated or kept down by systemic forces.
ReplyDelete^ Albert Liu
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that Kanye feels open to expressing his opinion, although I personally believe that endorsing the same president as the KKK might not be in his best interest. Don Lemon, on the other hand, should be more careful. He called Kanye a "Token n***o", implying he didn't belong there; as well as "what happens when n***os don't read". I don't think either constitutes a strong generalization on black people in general, so it's not firing worthy, but is still not appropriate for a newscast. As for whether it's a publicity stunt, yes.
CNN definitely overstepped its boundaries. It shouldn't be acceptable under any circumstance for someone to publicly degrade a figure using racial slurs. Sellers' criticism of Kanye goes to show how the black community, in particular, is suffering from groupthink; they discourage individuals from disagreeing with the consensus. It is contradictory for the black community to bully Kanye, while they support a controversial figure like Kaepernick, as they are both simply exercising their right to freedom of speech. Although I don't necessarily agree with Kanye's statements, I don't criticize his decision to "stray from the pack."
ReplyDeleteFree speech is granted by the First Amendment. However, there is a difference in the way Kanye and CNN are using it. Kanye is simply voicing his opinion, not harming anyone in the process. Everyone has the right to their own opinions, and some, not all, of the stuff he says makes sense. People are focusing too much on the "publicity stunt" aspect of his meeting with Trump and they aren't listening to the words being said. On the contrary, CNN is using their right of free speech to disrespect Kanye in the worst way. They are a reputable news source who are losing their respect from both conservatives and liberals. I support Kanye's ability to stray from the pack. I think the public should focus more on the validity of his words, and not simply on who he is and the publicity he wants. He is using the platform he has to get his opinions out. Can't blame him for that.
ReplyDeleteFirst, agreeing with some of the opinions stated above, I think that CNN wen too far in their coverage of this situation. Racial slurs are never okay in order to describe a situation especially when the situation is very minor and clearly only taking place for the publicity of it. Moreover, CNN went to far in even analyzing the situation. Sure, the situation occurred and that should be stated, but on the other hand, CNN has no need to go in depth on Kanye’s decision to agree to the visit. In other words, CNN is giving Trump exactly what he wants by covering the entire invitation process and Kanye’ s agreement to go to the White House. To address the next question, I believe that Trump’s meetings were a publicity stunt in order to gain support for all of Kanye’s supporters. Thus, Trump really has nothing to gain out of this visit except for the recognition to inviting a fool to the White House. Moreover, Trump most likely predicted that Kanye would praise him for the invitation leading to more cause to invite Kanye. Finally, I don’t support Kanye and his decision to “stray from the pack” because he is negatively impacting people’s impression of him leading to more contradictory publicity and attention on him. Overall, I believe that although CNN went too far, the situation is very minuscule in the grand scheme of things and this political climate.
ReplyDeleteI think that when they called Kanye West that name they were crossing the line. I understand why they believe the reason for Kanye's visit to the White House was as a token, but that doesn't mean that is the real truth. President Trump could have gained some attention in the media with anything. Potentially, President Trump could've gained voters with this meeting, but not everyone who listen to Kanye West will follow him politically
ReplyDeleteI think that CNN is definitely in the wrong for their offensive comments. It does not matter what the situation is, it is never acceptable to use offensive racial slurs on national television for the whole country to see. Trumps meeting was definitely a publicity stunt. I do not mean to judge or belittle Kanye but an entertainer is not the best source of political information. Kanye is allowed to exercise freedom of speech and opinion so it is not really relevant if anyone supports that.
ReplyDeleteI think that CNN definitely went too far with their offensive comments. It is extremely inappropriate for anyone to use that word. Trumps meeting with Kanye had to be a publicity stunt and he succeeded in doing do. Kanye is an icon that many look up to him and Trump took advantage of this. Like any other citizen, Kanye is allowed to have his own opinion; however, I do not really think his opinions and his association with politics at the moment are benefiting his public image, especially with his African American supporters.
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