Russell Simmons Rides Against America’s Favorite Dad
Posted by Media Outrage on November 4, 2009
Russell Simmons is just about sick of the older generation ridin’ against hip-hop and making the art form the scapegoat for everything evil and wicked in the world. Peep what Russ had to say on his site Global Grind:
“There are a lot of great entertainers who do great things. Bill Cosby is one of them. He has always used his voice to right what he thought was wrong. However, I believe that too often Mr. Cosby has wrongly placed the blame.
Bill Cosby is an example of someone from the older generation who has consistently blamed the poets and asked suffering community members to bare the full burden of guilt for the struggles that they endure. It is certainly not that he and the rest of the elders don’t care, because they do. In fact, their intentions are pure and good. All the things they say are actually true. What they don’t understand is that the young people who they criticize did not create their own realities. They did not create the crumbling education system that we school them in. They did not create the drug epidemic and drug wars that have resulted in a dysfunctional family structure. They did not create the health care crisis that does not treat them. They did not create the culture of violence that they fall victim to.
While it is true that each one of us can make a change at any moment, it is equally true that at every minute we are all doing the best we can. If you knew better, you would do better. Therefore, those who care and have resources could/should work to create the kind of support systems that could inspire change. From the preacher who lifts our consciousness and asks us to reach for strength to the politicians and philanthropists who put programs in place to support our growth. When the President brought the Cosby attitude to his NAACP speech a few months ago, I was disappointed. It is nice to tell black people to stand up, but isn’t that really Min. Farrakhan’s job? The President’s job is to tell them to walk to the program that he placed on their corner. It is our job to instill the inspiration that gets a young person to walk into the program and not stand on the corner.
We love Cosby and all the older types who judge and blame the poets or culture for the sadness that the poets point to from their realities. From a place of love, I am letting the older generation know that they must admit that young people are less racist, less sexist, less homophobic, less prejudice than their parents and far less than their grandparents. Mr. Cosby, you know that your generation is carrying a lot more dirt, you are all just smart enough to cover it up. Old people are quicker to destroy the planet, abuse the animals and promote wars and then act like young people are violent. Young people are more compassionate, giving, promote gay rights, animal rights, human rights, protect the environment and want to end the wars. When they point out the contradictions that come up and say it on a record and say it LOUD, you can’t believe it! The culture and the poetry is a mirror of the realities that they expressing. Instead of criticizing, let us recognize the faults of adults, because until that happens you all will continue to turn off young people from your message and further alienate them from your generation.
I love Bill Cosby. Who doesn’t? I love him so much that is why I am writing this blog. But this is not just about Mr. Cosby. I know that tomorrow there will be headlines that read “Russell Simmons attacks Bill Cosby.” But let’s be clear, this is a call-out to all the adults who are judging more and listening less to the beautiful, progressive voices that come from our young people…Bill Cosby just happens be on the front line. This is about two generations reconciling…I guess because of my age, you would say that I am stuck on the other side, but I will always recognize that young people can use support instead of judgment. We need to have the hard conversation and both sides need to listen – if you need an office to do it in, my door is always open.
with great love
all things are possible
-Russell Simmons
Mediaoutrage- Russell that was beautiful — you might want to consider writing speeches for another destined-to-fail Jesse Jackson White House run….
November 4, 2009 at 10:11 pm
That was great. He should call those old people out. Just like he said, they are making hip hop seem like its responsible for everything evil and wicked in the world. LOL
November 4, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Very well put… good job Russ!
November 4, 2009 at 11:48 pm
I liked that. Russ really did a great job. I mean, how can music make a person make the choices they make? Same as video games? In my opinion, them same folks pointing fingers are the ones at fault. Like he said, they’re acting like their generation was perfect. Bullshit! All that they claim is wrong in the world had to start somewhere, right?
November 5, 2009 at 12:29 am
I have to give it up for Grandpa- he has very valid points..
November 5, 2009 at 3:17 am
“All that they claim is wrong in the world had to start somewhere, right?”
Exactly. When ppl get older they forget at one point they used to be young and made the same decisions and choices.
November 5, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Very Well Stated Russ!
November 5, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Man… fuck russell’s perverted drug addict ass. I still can’t get over how he’s pimping the poorest of the poor blacks with that rushcard scam! I absolutely cannot stand his lisping ass! I really wish he would just go sit his ass down somewhere! IF U READ THIS RUSS, SOME OF US ARE ON TO YOUR PUNK ASS!
November 5, 2009 at 2:44 pm
LLS@ Yoy50!!!
November 5, 2009 at 2:58 pm
hahahah@yoy50…rushcard scam? lisping ass!? hahahahaha, woooiii mi weak!!!
November 5, 2009 at 3:25 pm
@Ms. E and Ms_Behave: ::takes bow:: Heads to gym to work out and prepares to whoop the lisp straight out his ass!
November 5, 2009 at 3:41 pm
lol @ yoy50… i remember the 1st time i heard russel speak he was on Oprah’s show ‘defending Hiphop’ [how appropriate to this post, lol] anyhoo, i was like, so THAT’s russel, i was like isn’t he over 50 why is he wearing a cap and a sweater? *i will never forget* and that damn pink shirt, lol, to think about it all them mofos had on a sweater [except that church bro'], lol… but, then it was Mr. Simmons turn to speak and i heard *speaking with lisp* “sto, Mizz upraw, u zee, hip hopz aintz the probzlemb, aintz the probzlemb atz all”… i was like WTF?! THIS is MAc daddy Russel? no waaaaaay, and this ole’ fool got all them girls? then i burst out in tears laughing, actually went hysterical, lol, i’m like now i get it *light bulb moment* that ole geezer has been reeling them young cats in with his tongue, ha, cause with it twisting and twirling like a damn tornado, p*ssy has got to be wet, GUARANTEED!! “yez mizz upraw”, hahaha *still laughing*
November 5, 2009 at 4:39 pm
@Ms_Behave “sto, Mizz upraw, u zee, hip hopz aintz the probzlemb, aintz the probzlemb atz all” BAAHAHAHAA! I peed my pants on that one! You typed that so well! LOL! And as far as his tongue skills… well, according to his ex-wife, she said he sucked in bed. It’s just his money (we’ll never rid this society of gold diggers)! And to me, he looks like he’s got hot azz breath! I bet a tick-tack wouldn’t go nowhere near his mouth! I wouldn’t even let that guy toss my salad let along slobber on my kitty!
You’re going to make me do a search on youtube to see if I can find that clip, cuz that WAS funny!
November 5, 2009 at 5:06 pm
@ yoy50… ’she said he sucked in bed’, lol, ’sucked’ is a nice way to put it, ha, can u imagine if he had a ’stutter attack’ while down there, hhahahaha. *speaking with lisp* “kitzmora dooz u like dat, imma, imma, aaaahhhhh *stutter attack*. Kimora: “WTF russell?!, u just bit me!”, Russell: “Imz sarri, iz zust wantz to peaze u, haze a rushcard, goez zhopping baby”, hahaha. For a Vegan russel sure does like eating ‘meat’, lol.
P.S. I’m looking for the interview for u *still laughing*
November 5, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Not riding with you on this one UNCLE RUSS. You pimping black folk and full of it! Words are powerful! Sung to music, words become even more powerful. I do not like HIP HOP and wish we had some classy music like the TEMPS, Supremes and even KING PLEASURE. Look that one up! There I go, there I go, there I go!
November 5, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Some more of you know about the RUSH CARD. Can you spell PIMP! Russell, go sit down somewhere with you old self! You just pimping poor people and poisoning their minds as you line your pockets. Go sit in the corner and do some ZEN or something.
Rev. Run, I like you though…yo aright!
November 5, 2009 at 8:16 pm
“Kimora: “WTF russell?!, u just bit me!”, Russell:” DAMMIT— you made me pee again! LOL! But naw, she was going at him hard after they first divorced– she totally blasted his sorry ass! But really, look at him, he can’t lay no pipe! He’s probably not even a “minute man”, more like a 2 second man!
@Kaylyn: Yes, that rush card scam should be illegal. It ranks right up there with Rent-A-Center. I’m just so surprised that people fell for it. Paying somebody to spend your own damn money! I’m so allergic to dumb people!!!
November 6, 2009 at 12:15 am
@ YOY50 – I peeped your blog and it’s pretty damn DOPE. Gonna be checking it out second only to MO of course.
@ Kaylyn – I agree with you. Russell Simmons is a fucking fame slut. That nigga looks like he takes it up the tailpipe every night! That rush card is some BULLSHIT. As a lyricist though, I have found your statement to be flawed. You like HIP HOP. You just hate the bullshit on the radio now.