NAACP Chooses Poorly With R. Kelly

Image awards stain a fragile reputation

Published on January 18, 2004 By Poi Dog In Current Events

At first I thought I was the only one wondering if there was something amiss with the NAACP and their 'image awards'. Besides their obvious choices for popularity votes in the music industry, it came to light that R. Kelly was one of the recipients. Now, before I get to the obvious implications of this, I have to restress that to be a NON African-American, and to criticize something as sacred as the NAACP is to commit 'humanitarian suicide'. Well, after really reading into this, I'm tired of keeping my mouth shut. The NAACP made a horribly poor choice in R. Kelly. Not that I'm really biased, or even really care about the image awards. I don't even care about the MTV awards, or Blockbuster awards, and I don't remember many Pulitzer winners, or Nobel winners. But I will remember that R. Kelly was nominated by the NAACP.

In case you don't remember, or don't even know who R. Kelly is, he is the African-American celebrity who was brought up on charges in two states for possession of child pornography, and was filmed having sexual relations with a minor.

And he is a choice of one of the largest, most important associations in this country. The NAACP has a distinguished history, and they were founded on the fragility of image. And they choose R. Kelly? What is wrong with this picture? Who is next, Mike Tyson? He's a rags-to-riches champion boxer, never mind his transgressions. And what is worse to me, I read an editorial (sorry, don't have the link) that was from a local representative of the NAACP, defending their nomination of R. Kelly, because they felt "R. Kelly was a victim of discrimination in a white-dominated industry, and deserves this image award." What?? The last time I checked the lineup of top billboard hits, I saw people like Beyonce Knowles, Alicia Keys, 50 Cent, etc, etc. And then you have the latin artists, and then throw in a couple of people like Brittany Spears and Justin Timberlake, who both have a decidedly r&b/hip hop influence. Maybe I'm not seeing behind-the-scenes, and the true profiteers, but the fact remains that the comment was cheap, and, quite frankly, infuriating.

And so I polled my coworkers, who are of ALL backgrounds and origins, and every single one thought the nomination was ridiculous, including one staunch devotee and volunteer of the NAACP (even though she is one of many volunteers, who all may have a different opinion). There seems to be no logic behind the selection. The way I see it, R. Kelly is being rewarded for his behavior. Even if he is innocent of the child pornography charges, there has been no official resolution, and therefore is still questionable. Is the NAACP suddenly able to predict the future? I know they can't refute the videotape, so what gives? I'm not aware of any particular deed that makes R. Kelly worthy of representing such a revolutionary institution, and if I were a member, I would be humiliated. It is true that to achieve the celebritydom that R. Kelly has, one must possess many talents. But to represent an organization that prides itself on overcoming adversity and odds, it is the person who helps to advance those that he or she may represent. Or am I wrong? The NAACP is not MTV.

I'm not a member of the NAACP, and I'm not a fan of R. Kelly, but I do know that there is a vast population of people who are far better suited to receive the image award. If there aren't, then our nation is in a huge heap of trouble.

Comments

AR-15

on Jan 18, 2004

The NAACP just want to force feed a sex offending African American to a reluctant nation, particularly to a disgusted white American populace. We the people are sick and tired of disgraceful behavior from stars of stage and screen. I couldn’t care less if R Kelly was colored green, his behavior is the problem, not his race, I am sick of the National association for the annihilation of Caucasian people coming to the aid of poor downtrodden millionaires of stage and screen that they feel they must defend as victims of “racism.”

anon to protect the innocent

on Jan 29, 2004

Agreed, until R. Kelly is tried, he should not be up for an "Image Award". It appears that the NAACP puts race before the exploitation of children. As far as I'm concerned, there is a complete void of responsible black leadership these days, in the many years since Dr. King's tragic loss. Until they stop defining "civil rights" as the right to discriminate against white people (affirmative action), and address the self-inflicated wounds in the black community: black-on-black crime, drugs, litter, disrespect for education, and glorifying gansta behavior, their race will not progress.

OccultPizza

on Jan 29, 2004

Hmmm where do I begin ~chuckles~

The NAACP use to be a good thing. But alas all things become corrupt and bothersome. I have lived in ghettos and know exactly what goes on. There are many whites that live in the ghettos too. My father joined the military at the age of 16, but we were poor for many many years. I am not sure if there is a need for the NAACP anymore. I understand there is still prejudicism and fear of the black man. When I go to sleep at night I don't usually hate or fear any race. It just seems too me that if I created a white organization to protect the whities I would be branded as a bigot ~chuckles~ I know racism exists because I live 30 miles away from Idaho ~chuckles~ Actually, Idaho ran them bigots off. What I am saying is I have friends of various races and too me they are just people who love and care about their families too. My father got us out of the ghetto and they can get themselves out of the ghetto too!

I have no ideal why anyone would vote for R. Kelly let alone endorse him. He is merely the lessor of two evils at this point. My candidate realizes that primaries and caucuses are not the be all end all of the game. You won't see my candidate on TV hardly ever because he is a good guy ~grins~ if that is possible in congress ~chuckles~ and would throw a wrench into the "New World Order". Kelly and Dean are players and fit into the "New World Order". Those who do not play will not get equal airtime guaranteed :0) or they will be assasinated.

Mira

on Jan 29, 2004

Not to rain on this parade ... but check your facts a bit. First off, R Kelly is not the "recipient" of any award at all. His album (Chocolate Factory) is NOMINATED for best album. By all accounts, it's a pretty decent album.

Poi Dog

on Jan 31, 2004

Mira - I see how that came across misconstrued. But a nomination is an award, just look at the back of your favorite videos when they say 'nominated for 6 Academy Awards'. It makes it seem better, doesn't it? And R. Kelly was the artist of the album, hence he would be the award recipient, would he not? And frankly it doesn't matter if he was the biggest thing since Elvis Presley, the man still should not be rewarded with this type of publicity, especially not by the NAACP. To me it appears very low-class, and does not 'advance' what they proport themselves to stand for. And no, you didn't rain on my parade, and thank you for clarifying my errors. But one last thing: the NAACP made a press release on their nomination of R. Kelly, and mentioned nothing of his album.

new-age nomad

on Jan 31, 2004

I agree with you.... Trinitie

AR-15

on Jan 31, 2004

Shakedown artist, street thug Al Sharpton addresses the National Association for the Annihilation of Caucasian People.

averjoe

on Feb 01, 2004

I have never seen so many racist postings to a blog entry that itself borders on being racist but it is all good. It is good to know what one is really thinking than having an illusion of racial harmony in America. There is a lot of racism in America that is carried out mainly by white America. I will just like to make a few comments about this blog entry and the replies.
1. First let me inform you that race based on physical characteristics is a cultural structure. It is not scientific.
2. The reason there is a NAACP and not a similiar organization for white people is because whites were not oppressed, enslaved, and reduced to the status of property.
3. Many African-Americans do not know what cultural group they came from therefore you have umbrella groups that cover all black Americans. Whites in general know that they are English, Dutch, Italian, German etc. and form clubs and groups accordingly. There is no need for a National Association for the advancement of white people.
4. There are black, white, and asian members of the NAACP. Anyone can become a member. It is not just for black people.
5. I would not put R. Kelly up for an image award but the man is innocent until proven guilty in the United States.
6. See can you notice the contradictions in AR-15's reply. It's funny.

AR-15

on Feb 01, 2004

I am sick and tired of being called a racist for being sick and tired of the race card, OJ was not a murderer, Michael Jackson and R Kelly are not child molesters. The National association for the annihilation of Caucasian people have extolled from high atop their mountain an edict, they have issued a fatwa, declaring that whites be sanctioned for the unclean hands of a slave owning past. Jackson and Sharpton rush to defend multi millionaire African American stars of stage and screen such as R Kelly and others, exposing the realities of their agenda to gain publicity, and more notoriety, as they advance the ideology that keeps their bellies fattened.

Poi Dog

on Feb 05, 2004

averjoe - I'm just wondering why you consider the blog entry to be bordering on racist. A few questions on your points:

1. When did cultural vs. scientific become an issue here? It's an issue of morality, not race, and had nothing to do with the differentiation of society and logic.
2. I'm sure the readers understand the existence of the NAACP, however, the real question should be: "Has the NAACP overextended themselves and their limitations as society progresses?" We know the benefits of the NAACP, but they have grown by over a thousand percent in an age when the need for such an organization has started to finally diminish. (Not saying they aren't important or needed).
3. You are blanketing blacks and whites by saying that one knows their history, while the other doesn't, presumedly because many were enslaved. It is important to identify with a cultural history and indentity, but there is no way you can say because someone is white they know their history and that separates them from 'blacks'. There are blacks with Moroccan, Ethiopian, and Trinidadian blood, just as there are whites with Russian, Polish, Irish, and Spanish blood. What is the difference? We are one, as humans, with diversity to each person that transcends anything you or I have ever read about history.
4. Yes, I am fully aware that the NAACP encompasses more than just 'black' people. I'm only trying to figure out who you are arguing against.
5. R. Kelly is guilty already of his 'video'. That alone makes him unworthy of any type of social elevation, regardless of race, poplularity, or affiliations.
6. Everybody's opinion makes for an educated world. AR-15's comments have merit, as do yours, and you shouldn't turn a critic's reply into humor if that wasn't the intention. That is a speedbump to progressive conversation. Instead, I believe that we should take the positives out of a comment, and expound upon them, or argue our point to written statements that may find disagreement. As always, thanks for your comments.

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