Props to the writer, Safy Hallan Farah,


http://pitchfork.com/thepitch/631-new-blackness-pharrell-kanye-and-jay-z-and-the-spectre-of-white-aspiration/

"During an interview with Oprah last Spring, producer and rapper Pharrell Williams dubbed himself "New Black". In his words: "The New Black doesn't blame other races for our issues. The New Black dreams and realizes that it's not a pigmentation; it's a mentality."...

... The house nigger/field nigger dichotomy, Pharrell’s complexion aside, works because it sounds like Pharrell is happy as hell at other black people’s expense; happy to be up there with Oprah and others, not toiling the proverbial fields. But Pharrell’s happiness and self-proclaimed new black status seems like more of a positive coping strategy than stepping stone to real enlightenment. As we learned from his "Blurred Lines" deposition last year, giving unearned authorial credit to white artists on songs he’s written is status quo; he is not immune from structural racism and white supremacy. ...

I never saw the Oprah interview, was she co-signing this "New Black" bullshit?

I guess Oprah isn't really one to push back hard in interviews anyway, but that whole ideology just sounds silly.

ITS EVERYWHERE!

cant even go to damn brunch w/o somebody mad at me for being white & at brunch!

#blackintifada


does it really matter?

for all my fans who keep my name in their mouth: http://i.imgur.com/v2xNOpS.jpg

Yeah that was a great read. Sometimes, I think people mistake success for wisdom. The fact that Pharell can point to and lament the problems in our community while at the same time co-signing the "Young nigga move that dope" stuff HE HIMSELF is a part of, should dispel any myth that just because you can write a great song, that means you know something about anything else. It's the cognitive dissonance that bothers me so much.

"New black"

cause it sounds like we're shedding old blackness like scam newton's superman celebration?

BTW, folks have been talking about "New Black" and the "New Black Aesthetic" since Du Bois. Everyone wants to think it's different with their generation.



**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

http://blackpeopleonlocalnews.tumblr.com/

I think one difference between the old New Black and the new New Black like Pharell is at least the Old New Black can without irony point to the issues and claim to be separate from it. Pharell actively engages in and profits from the scenarios he is supposedly above. "Hey, don't blame others for your station in society, but here is this negativity and coonery I made especially for you, my people."

"Hey, don't blame others for
>your station in society, but here is this negativity and
>coonery I made especially for you, my people."

>"Hey, don't blame others for your station in society, but here is
>this negativity and coonery I made especially for you, my people."

>I think one difference between the old New Black and the new
>New Black like Pharell is at least the Old New Black can
>without irony point to the issues and claim to be separate
>from it. Pharell actively engages in and profits from the
>scenarios he is supposedly above. "Hey, don't blame others for
>your station in society, but here is this negativity and
>coonery I made especially for you, my people."


~~~~
When you are born, you cry, and the world rejoices. Live so that when you die, you rejoice, and the world cries.
~~~~
You cannot hate people for their own good.

Like the whole "white is right" section when talking about Kanye wanting to have a name next to Steve Jobs legacy wise. Like really he's not looking to be white is right he's looking and always been looking to be not just hiphop innovator but an innovator who can impact the world for better. To act like these people he names (not always white people) he wants his legacy to be able to be in he same conversations as those people and no other rapper ever has ever thought that big. Or even had the ability to think that far because most rappers think like this "rap star, clothing line, movies, own label" and that's it. Cause rhe culture is still so young that nobody has ever thought any bigger other than Ye and Hov. That mentality has nothing to do with being like white people that was just a lazy thought the journalist went off on.
____

TWITTER : Heinz21st

IG : H_N_Z

a name that made people cringe. That's it.

And the part about Kanye was off.

Pharrell got where he is through talent and hard work. But there are 30 other Pharrell wanna be's that were more talented and probably worked harder and didn't have the same luck as he did; born to destitute drug addicted parents, unable to go to a school with a musical program, forced to give up on their musical dreams, etc.

The problem with the 'You gotta forget you're black and work hard!' is that it focuses on 'by your bootstraps' capitalism and gives a shrug towards systememic racism. Its like, getting mad and turning your nose down at a 16 year old(Chris Rocks n&&Ga vs N&&ger argument) who's effectively throwing away his life in gangs/drugs not realizing

1)The environment that put him there
2)Its not easy to just flick a switch and decide "Im gonna go to school and be a genius!" with all those societal factors against you.

Obviously for your own personal victories, YES, you have to fight against those issues, but there's a way of acknowledging the struggle as opposed to placing the onus completely on them. Which is why Cosby's 'Poundcake' speech resonated so hard with people...there was some truth but it wasn't from a good place.

>a name that made people cringe. That's it.
>
>And the part about Kanye was off.

But when it comes to individual motivation, what exactly are we supposed to say, "Don't have dreams because society has you trapped"?

I'd rather have someone tell me, "Yo, you can do this shit regardless of where you come from".

If you take the "new black" label away, the sentiment is the same and it's relevant.

There are people, many people, our people who came up way harder than we did, and have done more.

I don't see him turning his nose down to anyone. I take it as him trying to inspire.

I love Skateboard P. I love that he is a very positive brother. But he is having a bit of a Mitt Romney/George Bush moment because the fact of the matter is, if his High School didn't happen to be next door to Teddy Riley's music studio in Va Beach, the world might have never heard of the Neptunes.

That's how big a role luck plays in our success. He is on that Jayden/Willow Smith thinking that we completely control our destiny's but that is an easy thing to say POST success or being born to fabulously rich and famous parents.


**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

http://blackpeopleonlocalnews.tumblr.com/

In that Oprah interview he specifically speaks on how the people in his life contributed to his success, from both of his grandmothers (whom encouraged him in different ways) to his band teachers who told him that he had something special, even though he himself didn't see it at the time.

He's never denied that he has had help.

But that doesn't change the fact that we still need to be inspired and passionate about the things we desire in life.

If anything he is discouraging a victim mentality. That isn't to NOT acknowledge that fucked up shit goes on. But are you going to let that stop you from believing in yourself and having a dream?

"The New Black dreams and realizes that it's not a pigmentation; it's a mentality."

I didn't see the original interview so maybe this is taken out of context.


**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

http://blackpeopleonlocalnews.tumblr.com/

>"The New Black dreams and realizes that it's not a
>pigmentation; it's a mentality."
>
>I didn't see the original interview so maybe this is taken out
>of context.


Yea that is a REALLY suspect statement there. The new black DREAMS and REALIZES that its not...

So if I dream that pigmentation is not a factor, but it really is a factor holding me back, that's MY fault and I am an Old black?

I HOPE it was taken out of context because if not, it was taken DIRECTLY from Pharell's Ivory tower. And I LOVE his music/discography but his social commentary, not so much.

I see that in two parts.

the "new black":

a) Dreams. (and I don't take it to mean that the "old black" didn't/doesn't.. it's just a statement).

b) realizes that it's not a pigmentation, it's a mentality.

And what I took from "b" is that he's saying that 1) Nobody should be able to tell you that you aren't black enough because of your complexion and 2) your color alone shouldn't dictate your actions.

Mainly because the key point he followed it with was that people shouldn't do things just because they're black. They should do them because it interests them.

The opposite mentality causes people to put limitations on themselves and others because they feel that there are "rules" to being black. But to me he's saying that the "new black" (like I said before a cringe-worthy label) dreams beyond the color-based limitations that society AND other black people have established.

And to me there's nothing wrong with that.

He isn't saying that he isn't black (like Raven Simone) or that he is ABOVE being black, he's saying IS black all day long and he won't place boundaries on his dreams and actions because of it OR spend time trying to prove that he's black enough for other black people.

At least that's what I took from it.

I see. That does put a bit more substance on his take and yes, MORE context in the article would help.

In a nutshell he was speaking about not allowing outside influences determine how you feel about yourself.

A lot of the conversation was about the backlash he received for the women on his album cover not being dark enough.

**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

http://blackpeopleonlocalnews.tumblr.com/

... because what he said reeks of that bullshit bootstrap narrative vs. any real efforts to 'inspire.'

There are factors that make things difficult for us, sure.

Hell, I grew up with a crack-addicted father too.

But you still have to live your life and pursue what you want, even if it means defeating what may appear to be immeasurable odds.

"New Black" label aside, that's the main point.

Example, I have a cousin that got into some trouble after he graduated high school. Didn't grow up in the best area, didn't go to the best high school, didn't get the best grades.

Got arrested, didn't do any time, got probation. This was around 2007/2008, so you know it was difficult to find a job as it is.

But it's 2015 now. And he still hasn't had a job for more than a month since then.

At what point does that become your responsibility??

We're not going to agree so whatever you say works fine for me.

lack of education shows with this sort of thinking

~~~~
When you are born, you cry, and the world rejoices. Live so that when you die, you rejoice, and the world cries.
~~~~
You cannot hate people for their own good.

is sad
straight sad
in grad school taking courses with people who have 10+ years working in agencies that are supposed to HELP PEOPLE

just NOW learning in grad school about redlining and steering. mofos working in housing.

a woman straight up came to class like she just saw Roots like "I HAD NO IDEA!!!!".

changing a law doesn't mean the effects are immediatly reversed

and for people who don't think the above still doesn't exist, the president is in Arizona right now speaking about how they fined/settled fair housing complaints last year to an amount that exceeds the past 23 years COMBINED

i think pharrell and jay are great examples that should be held but to act like skin color isn't still an issue is irresponsible. at least in the way being presented by pharrell.

http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=show_topic&forum=4&topic_id=12624373&mesg_id=12624373&listing_type=search


that class anecdote is scary

>i think pharrell and jay are great examples that should be
>held but to act like skin color isn't still an issue is
>irresponsible. at least in the way being presented by
>pharrell.


Who are your family and friends?

They are failing you.

Thing about Pharrell is you know he prides himself on being worldly. Too busying looking around to see whats going on under his own nose. Step out the limo once in a while dude. Get educated on this. People talk about this on social media regularly...

You know what let me not say that because folks and social media now tailors things so you still don't have to see what you don't want to.

Let me just say i'm surprised he isn't more curious and understanding. Living in a bubble is real on all levels. =(


~~~~
When you are born, you cry, and the world rejoices. Live so that when you die, you rejoice, and the world cries.
~~~~
You cannot hate people for their own good.

>is sad
>straight sad
>in grad school taking courses with people who have 10+ years
>working in agencies that are supposed to HELP PEOPLE
>
>just NOW learning in grad school about redlining and steering.
>mofos working in housing.
>
>a woman straight up came to class like she just saw Roots like
>"I HAD NO IDEA!!!!".
>
>changing a law doesn't mean the effects are immediatly
>reversed
>
>and for people who don't think the above still doesn't exist,
>the president is in Arizona right now speaking about how they
>fined/settled fair housing complaints last year to an amount
>that exceeds the past 23 years COMBINED
>

no time nor can i spare the blood pressure

just gonna keep doing my 9-5 putting low income people in homes they own and let the fools chat on a message board about all the shit they don't know

but ive been on here pretty hard this week. lol it ends tomorrow.

is just so simplistic and ridiculous, it actually proves the point it's trying to undermine.

back but I had trouble finding a few good examples.

**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

http://blackpeopleonlocalnews.tumblr.com/

... Oprah has been guilty of this at times.

... said beautifully what I couldn't.

Too much of music discussion has been race related.

O'Bryan needs to cash in on this asap.

Dr Greg Carr Sets Pharrell Straight on His 'New B…: http://youtu.be/llON7-l5bU0

He said that "New Black" comment in response to the controversy to his album cover.

Here is a link to the Oprah interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=dJ7rZRFNF-o#t=2311

This is basically black women turning against P for not having darker sisters on the album cover.

.
.
.
"America, stop turning our Court Houses of Justice into Dens for Justified Murderers."

This is not really new from P.

The above line is from his first solo album in 2006.

The simplistic view is that if you can envision something, then there is no barrier strong enough to prevent you from attaining it.

The line stuck with me back then, cuz P was trying so hard to be deep on that album (and in interviews), but this was a hidden gem of advice that you could tell HE really believed in.

I think the problem is that this philosophy is too simple to work on a grand scale...I mean racism is *there*, poverty, classism, all types of disparity shouldn't be ignored.

I think I like the fact that HE subscribes to this point of view for HIMSELF and it has driven him to become a megastar. I can respect it.

I don't like that he thinks its so simple that EVERYONE should be doing it.

For those that feel themselves affected by systemic issues (i.e. prison industrial complex, housing discrimination, etc.)

Things that require major systemic changes...

What do you do in the meantime for your own personal life and aspirations?

What's the advice?

which is: Keep grinding, quit bitching.

to speak directly to what you are asking though, you need examples.

like, if you are a young black male that is exposed to violence, a shoddy educational system, and racism at every turn, each problem must be met with a solution.

Cats in the hood escaped violence by staying in the house, for instance, and not running with the knucklehead crowd. The bad schooling is overcome by determination and a refusal to settle, a hunger that results in researching various opportunity to enrich your educational experience. The racism, well, I think you get the idea of what im saying, the gist is accepting an unfortunate situation and making the best out of it until you can overcome it.

it requires determination, discipline, focus, and a fair sprinkling of luck, that's why so few can stick to it.

the secret to weight loss is to eat healthy foods in smaller portions and work out more. simple. so why are so many people fat. cuz its NOT that simple.


i like the overall sentiment, but i think hes doing a disservice by wrapping it in this New Black packaging because you are segregating yourself from whatever you think the Old Black is, when in fact we should be helping each other along

His comments weren't in response to a question of how ALL people can be successful.

They were in response to a mindset that led him to being attacked for not having "dark girls" on his album cover.

Even you yourself have taken one line from one song and have applied it to what you chose.

He wasn't teaching a course or mentoring a teen. It was an interview addressing the controversy.

That's it.

And people have taken ONE line from that discussion and blown it up.

If he were asked the question of success criteria, I'm pretty sure the response would be similar to what you just said.

But that wasn't the question.

at the risk of now being the loud and wrong guy, i didn't actually read the whole article or see the interview.

my statements were based on the assumption that he WAS simplifying the solution for the masses, based on the little bit that i had read.

i like P though, id like to think that he was smart enough to realize the complexities within what hes trying to express.

...