We’ve heard our share of the colorism argument between black people debating if light skin is the right skin and if dark-skinned individuals are treated differently.
Now, rapper J. Cole is weighing in and addressing the historic divide that continues in our society. The debate isn’t new, but his comments about our current president raised some eyebrows.
I can’t say it for sure but I just think we’re still in America. We’re still Black Americans. Those mental chains are still in us. That brainwashing that tells us that light skin is better, it’s subconsciously in us, whether we know it or not… still pursuing light skin women. There are some women out there that are like, “I don’t even like light skin men” and that’s fine. But Barack Obama would not be President if he were dark skin. You know what I mean? That’s just the truth. I might not be as successful as I am now if I was dark skin. I’m not saying that for sure, I’m still as talented as I am and Obama is still as smart as he is, but it’s just a sad truth.
He went on to say that he can only “naturally assume it’s probably easier for a light skin male rapper than it might be for a dark skin male rapper.”
J. Cole has made a conscious effort to confront that paradigm, especially in music videos where light-skinned models are often featured instead of a model of a darker shade.
During the interview with BET while he was promoting a video game that is using his music, he also addressed his use of the word “faggot” in his album, Born Sinner.
The line was to engage the conversation of homophobia in Black culture and in hip-hop. I thought it was going to be a way more interesting conversation that came from it. Of course I made the statement, but I thought from that it would spawn better conversations like, “Why are we so homophobic?” Much more than I think any other culture, I don’t want to just compare it to white people, but in terms of jokes that you make — everything’s got to be “pause” or “no homo.” You cant even play basketball without someone saying, “pause.” I’m not innocent of it. I am part of that same culture – but why? That line was supposed to be offensive and confusing, but I was hoping to have more conversations about it.
Interesting. J. Cole is right in mentioning two issues in society – colorism and homophobia. But do you agree with him? Discuss…
SOURCE: HuffPost
