Is Chancellor Martin a hypocrite?

[Bornthrilla]

I tried to tell you guys last year that I wasn't impressed with his decision to denounce the homecoming concert because it would set a precedent that was impossible to maintain.

Sure enough, exactly one year after he tried to distance the school from Gucci Mane because of the rappers' lyrics and criminal history, now one of the headliners of the 2010 A&T Homecoming Concert is none other than Rick Ross ... the rapper who talks about selling dope in 100 percent of his rhymes and even took his stage name from the legendary cocaine trafficker Freeway Ricky Ross.

Basically, Martin comes off looking like a complete hypocrite in this situation ... just as I predicted he would.

How can you condemn Gucci Mane and not any other popular rapper that's out now, especially Rick Ross?

Where is the consistency?

[bluehaze]

I was in agreement with you last year. I don't think he is a hypocrite, but I do feel he didn't think his decision through and it does show something about how his policies can be shaped by "outside" forces...

[Freeze]

Yeah that's a bad look. Such is the state of hip hop though. All of the mainstream hip hop artist that are popular (with a few exceptions) either glorify the drug culture in their lyrics or are extremely misogynistic. When he decided to play the censorship card, I'm sure he didn't think that he would have to go through this year after year. Now enter Mr. Big Meech, Larry Hoover, and he is back in the same situation. Wonder how he will handle this?

It's getting really difficult to defend some of this stuff as I get older, but I can imagine the uproar we would have had as students if Fort or Rennick would have tried to stop Biggie from coming to the yard.

[Deleted]

I noticed on the Homecoming Event's list, the Fashion Show and the Homecoming Concert have an Explicit Content Warning.

[DOOMS]

I disagree with the title of the thread.

It should read "Chancellor Martin is a hypocrite."

Nothing wrong with being a hypocrite in this situation. Gotta make money at the end of the day, and now that he's had a year to ruminate he's decided to change his mind.

[Bornthrilla]

www.ncat.edu/events/fall09/Homecoming_Concert_Update.pdf

TO: North Carolina A&T State University Family
FROM: Chancellor Harold L. Martin, Sr.
DATE: October 5, 2009
RE: Issues Related to Student Homecoming Concert

“The Greatest Homecoming on Earth” is fast approaching and has brought with it a series of
unintended consequences. Our student leaders and our administration, with the best of
intentions, have made decisions that place the university in a position that is inconsistent with
its values and principles. The headliners booked for our student concert have generated
dissonance among our student leaders and our constituents. This dissonance has provoked
internal discussion and policy reviews which are both necessary and welcomed and which
will undoubtedly make us better as a university community.

While we have benefited from this internal review, we find ourselves with limited options.
We must respect the rights of our partners; honor our legal obligations; while remaining
steadfast to our principles. We have agreed with the promoter to remove the name of North
Carolina A&T State University from the event. While this does not absolve us of our
connection to the event, it allows us, within our limited options, to take a moral stand while
we simultaneously honor our legal obligations.

N.C. A&T State University does not wish to assign blame but seeks to move forward in a
constructive manner. We will work with all parties involved to make sure “The Greatest
Homecoming on Earth” is successful and meaningful for students, faculty, staff, alumni and
supporters. Please be assured that we will benefit from this experience as we plan for the
future.

We are committed to improving the oversight and control of these events in the future and
creating a situation that protects the academic freedom and rights of our students.
We are in need of your understanding and patience as we manage through a very difficult set
of circumstances.

[Bornthrilla]

I guess Rick Ross' subject matter is more consistent with A&T's values and principles.

"Whipping work ... Hallelujah!"

[Freeze]

Sept 8, 2010 8:49:09 GMT -5 DOOMS said:

I disagree with the title of the thread.

It should read "Chancellor Martin is a hypocrite."

Nothing wrong with being a hypocrite in this situation. Gotta make money at the end of the day, and now that he's had a year to ruminate he's decided to change his mind.

I see your point. I respect the man who is able to (after reflection and new information) change his mind as much as I respect the man who sticks to his guns.

Although I'm not sure if this is a case of him reevaluating his position or that the uproar that a handful of students made last year is not heard on the yard this year so therefore he doesn't feel the need to address it.

But make no mistake about it, Rick Ross (content wise) is just as bad as Gucci Mane.

[captaggie]

This thread assumes that Dr. Martin knows who Rick Ross is. IMO, bad assumption.

Now, after last year's issue, why would the students essential bring in the same type of performer (content wise)? Do they have a responsibility to uphold A&T's values and principles?

[bluehaze]

Sept 8, 2010 13:58:29 GMT -5 captaggie said:

This thread assumes that Dr. Martin knows who Rick Ross is. IMO, bad assumption.

Now, after last year's issue, why would the students essential bring in the same type of performer (content wise)? Do they have a responsibility to uphold A&T's values and principles?

They have the exact same responsibility that every other SGA Board has had over the years. Bring in Acts that are popular and that the students want to see...

[captaggie]

So, the SGA's responsibility to "entertain" supersedes maintaining the school's values and principles.

[Freeze]

Sept 8, 2010 13:58:29 GMT -5 captaggie said:

This thread assumes that Dr. Martin knows who Rick Ross is. IMO, bad assumption.

Now, after last year's issue, why would the students essential bring in the same type of performer (content wise)? Do they have a responsibility to uphold A&T's values and principles?

I don't think anyone assumed that...hell I'm pretty sure he doesn't know who he is. I'm also sure he didn't have a clue who Gucci Mane was last year. That's why I said he responded last year to a few students who were concerned about Gucci's image and lyrics and if that same body of students don't raise a fuss this year then he probably wont respond.

Lets face it, every generation has had to deal with the previous generation criticizing their music and even suggesting that it helped to unravel the moral fiber of the black community. Jazz, Funk, hip hop...you name it. The major difference with hip hop (and particularly the current state and form) is that more than any other genre, it is blatantly glamorizing a degenerate lifestyle.

Miles and Coltrane didn't glamorize drug culture in the content of their music...but they definitely abused it. Same goes for P-Funk, Sly, etc...
We have to somehow begin to have relevant and intelligent discussions about how the message in the music is doing much more than reflecting the ills of our communities, its glorifying them.

Having said that, I actually agree with Thrilla. You set yourself up on a slippery slope when you begin censoring the popular culture of the present generation and suggesting who they should listen to and bring to campus. Among many things college is supposed to represent, intellectual freedom and the ability of young adults to make their own decisions is definitely one of them. If Martin gets wind of who and what Ross represents and glorifies, then it will certainly place him in a precarious situation given his action during last years homecoming.

[bluehaze]

Sept 8, 2010 15:54:25 GMT -5 captaggie said:

So, the SGA's responsibility to "entertain" supersedes maintaining the school's values and principles.

For a "Concert" during the "World's Greatest Homecoming", yeah it does ;D

No different that Biggie, Tupac and R. Kelly almost twenty years ago...

[faithfulaggie]

During the summer emails were sent out to students and we were able to vote on who we wanted to come to everything dealing with homecoming (gospel show, concert, comedy show etc.).

[DOOMS]

Part of the problem is that what passes for entertainment nowadays sucks.