A GROWING CHORUS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERS CALL ON THE SHADY RAPPER TO ADDRESS THE BLACK COMMUNITY AND STOP HIDING BEHIND PRESS RELEASES

BENZINO: “SENATOR TRENT LOTT WAS MAN ENOUGH TO APPEAR ON BET – WHY NOT EMINEM?”

-- The Source Invites Eminem to Participate In Roundtable Discussion of Racism in Hip-Hop --



New York, NY – December 11, 2003 – The Source Magazine today blasted Eminem for his second so-called apology where he again tries to dismiss his racist rantings as the result of youthful ignorance. The Source has incontrovertibly proved that Eminem’s racist and offensive tracks were recorded in 1993 when he was 21, not 16 as he again tries to claim. The actual Maxell tape that Eminem recorded direct-to-tape on is model XL II – 90, lot # J1920322. The Maxell Corporation of America’s Technical Support Unit has confirmed that this tape was assembled October 19, 1992.

Eminem’s second apology comes as a growing chorus of African-American leaders call on the rapper to take responsibility for his words and to address the black community. Malik Zulu Shabazz, National Chairman of the New Black Panther Party and former member of the Zulu Nation, said of Eminem’s second media statement, “I think that’s a garbage excuse…I think that’s weak…1993 wasn’t that long ago…The fact of the matter is that it actually sheds more light on who he really is…he’s really playing a game now with Black people to get some Black money or credibility in a Black industry by really ripping us off…He’s like Elvis Presley…he has talent but has exploited his whiteness in the hip-hop industry to garner himself millions and deceive the Black following…this is good that this has come out so that Black people can really see the true Eminem.”

Grammy nominee Nikki Giovanni said, “I’m not a fan of Eminem and it was a profound disappointment. What’s the purpose of this boy who’s making a living off of a Black art form being deliberately insulting? He had to know that this was not acceptable and what he didn’t expect is that somebody would say something to him. Eminem and the white boys who want to do rap have to grow up. You are just not allowed to be a bigot.”

“Eminem certainly needs to apologize – not just offer the excuse of his youth to deny the racist beliefs that abound,” said Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Professor – U Penn, Author. “Even if he was just ‘blowing off steam’ as an angry kid, why resort to racist lyrics to denigrate his former girlfriend? His explanation fails to acknowledge the hurtful body of beliefs that have prevailed in this country for centuries, beliefs that he appropriated and circulated through his lyrics. Further, he has refused to admit that such poisonous beliefs are a threat to the very music he loves, and also, to the people who have been responsible for creating the culture he has benefited from, making him wealthy by his own admission.”

“I feel that there is a huge double standard when it comes to mainstream media holding people that are not of color accountable for their actions,” said Crazy Legs of the RockSteady Crew. “If this would have been someone of color, careers would have been lost by now. What Eminem has done is something that has to be taken seriously.”

The Inc. CEO Irv Gotti said, “I love Black women, I got a mother and five sisters, so I been around Black women all my life so I’m a defender of Black women…The thing that bothers me more than the actual tape was his comment…his comment was I was dating an African-American female at the time and it went bad and I was stupid for doing that and everything.”

Ray Benzino said, “Eminem has to stop hiding behind press releases and address the Black community. Trent Lott was man enough to appear on BET – Why not Eminem?”

Dave Mays said, “We invite Eminem to come to The Source for a roundtable discussion on racism and the Hip-Hop community…”




Pretty long i know, but read it. And dont move this to Hiphop Discussion ..