east-lake.net

Good post, Moen. Some quick observations on the blog comments:

1 – the first poster apparently thinks racism, stereotyping, and rampant generalization is acceptable as long as it is presented in humorous terms, and reveals her naked ignorance for all to see with her blunt declaration that hip hop is “not music.” By whose definition?

2 – the second poster appears to be pulling numbers out of the air — always a good way to make a compelling argument.

3 – the final poster, while certainly entitled to laugh at what he perceives to be “whiggers,” shows his racist manner of thinking by asserting that white people should act like themselves, and not like black people. Under this line of reasoning a person’s sense of “self” is limited by their color, and one should never act like persons of another color. Accordingly, a black person should not wear their hat straight, pull up their pants, or use words like “cool” or “hey” because that would be acting like a white person.

In sum these people depress me.

I seriously can’t believe some of the shit they say on there. I haven’t listened to it since I heard this conversation on the morning show: Concerning someone that was Hmong that was recently jailed for a crime with a high bail, let’s say $20,000… Tom Bernard replied: “That’s a whole lotta egg rolls.” The worst part about it is that the reason I turned on KQRS that day was because I heard about how racist it was getting and wanted to hear for myself.

We all know that Tom Bernard is big idiot

You misspelled bigot.

–

I’m a classic rock fan (Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, Steppenwolf, etc, etc, etc). When I moved here in November of 2002 I was surfing through the endless crap channels that are available here and stopped on one that was certainly what I was looking for — KQRS.

I must have been listening in the afternoon the first day because I know it was on for my entire commute and at least part of the next day. Unfortunately for KQRS and their advertisers, I stopped listening soon after. Tom Bernard was ranting and raving about how there were too many Hmongs here and that they should go back to “where they belong.”

In addition, Tom Bernard has talked about Africans and the Hmong as if they were subhuman all while having his cohorts laugh hysterically in the background. One of his sidekicks, the African American, should be hanged by his community for selling out to KQ and the Tom Bernard loving public by supporting everything he does with a chuckle. Sadly, many people here in the Twin Cities not only listen to this fool but they wholeheartedly agree with him.

That was my introduction to “Minnesota nice”. Thanks!

I’m not all about “political correctness” but I’m all about being a somewhat decent human and that’s exactly what Tom Bernard is not.

Barnard may be an idiot or bigot but the fact of the matter is that the show is tops in this market and that sets more people off because of what he says. I have listened to KQ since I was about 10, so over 34 years and have enjoyed the show. I agree that he is off base on some things, but for the most part he is reading what is on the wire verbatim. We are all entitled to our opinion except when it is against what we believe. That is our right. Back to the original issue, the concert. It does celebrate hip-hop in the Twin Cities, but I bet there will be gun-play also. Not 9 times….

Ouch…. Thanks

Man, if we wanna talk about problems at concerts… Let’s not forget that some awful tragedies at traditionally WHITE events.
Off the top of my head:
Altamont ‘69
Woodstock ‘99
Pearl Jam at Roskilde ‘00
Darrell Abbott gunned down ‘04
Any number of G n R shows

Please. There are as many negative associations with a particular type of music as a person wants to make. It’s a matter of convenience. I am proud of the fact that Minneapolis has a pretty positive impact with hip-hop, particularly with Rhymesayers.

As for Barnyard, yes he is an arrogant blowhard. But he’s an entertainer. I doubt that he believes everything he says. He knows it gets a rise out of the public, and that translates into ratings. Not exactly a complicated formula. This of course does not excuse the fact that he is completely irresposible behind a mic. “Tops in the market” is not carte blanche or a pulpit for bigotry. The responses of the Morning Show faithful are sad.

Well said, J-me.

But he’s an entertainer. I doubt that he believes everything he says.

Honestly, I’d rather that he did believe everything he said. Someone who is just using bigotry for money without a real belief is a bigger piece of shit than a true bigot.

Bingo.

I will try and keep this short, how is KQ racist for making fun of the YO concert? What are all rappers black? If I’m not mistaken isnt the most successful rapper in the world white? So how is that racist? Am I racist for not like basketball and the NBA becuase its largely an African American sport? Nevermind the fact a white guy was the MVP a couple years ago. Tommy wasnt making fun of it because of the color of the performers skin, it was because rap sucks, and the names some of these performers pick out for themselves, are just ridiculous, I bet half arent their real names, most rappers make up names for themselves, and if their stupid names, why not ridicule them? I think its stereotyping for the author here to assume all rappers are black, which is basically what there doing by saying its the most blatently racist thing they have ever done. And oh yeah, who cares, KQRS Morning Show continues and always will be number 1 in the ratings, so I doubt Tommy and and crew care about what you nay sayers think. They must be doing something right, and no its not just rednecks who listen to KQRS, you cant be the biggest show in the ratings and cater to just one audience, everyone with a sense of humor and isnt so politically correct likes the show. So all of you on here are saying you’ve never said anything offensive in your lifes? Ok your all saints on here I guess.

how can the author of this be married when the date hasnt occured yet?

Kent — thanks for keeping that short.

First, don’t be naive. The fact that some major figures in hip hop and basketball culture (I assume you’re referring to Eminem and Steve Nash) are white does not change the general character of these institutions. Hip hop and basketball are areas dominated by African Americans. That strong link means that when you take a swipe at hip hop or basketball there is an undeniable racial undercurrent, despite the presence of a white minority. Sorry, but no free political cover for the KQ Morning Crew on those grounds.

Second, I really don’t care what Tommy’s motivations were. He may think that rap sucks, but the way to express that view is to come out and say it instead of making harmful, inaccurate, and uninformed sweeping generalizations about rap as a whole. You are undoubtedly correct that many rappers’ names are not their given names, and that’s fair game. But it’s one thing to suggest that a rapper has a stupid name, and another to suggest that he (or one of his fans) is going to shoot someone. I’m sure you can appreciate the distinction.

Third, I wouldn’t make assumptions about the author when you clearly don’t know him from Adam. The author grew up listening to underground hip hop in Minneapolis, and is very knowledgeable about the modern day Minneapolis hip hop scene. That said, the author is well aware of the diversity in hip hop today, and is not stereotyping in anyway. The author likely asserted that KQ’s comments were “the most racist thing” they have ever done for the reasons I explained above.

Fourth, popularity is not an infallible guage of correctness. Just because KQ is number one in the ratings does not mean that its views and statements are beyond reproach. What they are doing that is “right” — in your opinion — is appealling to people’s intellectual laziness by filling in the blanks about different cultures/people with demeaning stereotype and humor. Whether Tommy et al. care about what I think is irrelevant. What matter is that when he crosses the line as he did here, the community needs to speak out. This is more about making sure that we don’t allow narrow-minded idiots like these erode our community standards than anything.

Finally, just because one takes issue with KQ’s comments doesn’t make him/her a humorless prig. (Nice generalization by the way — reading your comments I am reminded of the Bush Administration’s attitude that anyone critical of the war was not a patriot.) It is possible to have a sense of humor, not be too uptight, and not be morally bankrupt either. No one here is saying they are perfect, but their blemishes don’t preclude them from being critical of what they feel to be wrong. Clearly you embrace the same line of thinking, otherwise you wouldn’t have posted.

In sum, Kent, KQ’s popularity does not give it carte blanche to be racist, its listners and supporters do not hold a monopoly on humor and “easy-going” attitude, and its critics do not have to be canonized in order to raise their voices. Your blind assertions to the contrary lead me to say this: “can I interest you in some grape Kool-Aid?”

First off the Kool Aid comment was made famous by Bill Oreilly on the Oreilly factor, try some originality, although it was funny. When someone takes a swipe at basketball and rap there is an racial undercurrent? Ok I dont understand that, basically to me that means your making fun of blacks and are racist if you dont like them. I hate rap cause its annoying, I could care less the color of the skin, someone could be green for all I care, if they were a rapper I wouldnt like them. I dont like basketball because its a pansy sport with no contact, everytime you touch someone its a foul, theres no contact like in hockey and only people who are too afraid to get hit in hockey play basketball. Has nothing to do with theirskin. So is a black person racist against whites for not liking NHL, with Jerome Iginla as one of the leagues best players, or PGA, with we all know Mr. Woods the best player, there is no racial undercurrent. Tommy was predicting shootings, he never said a black man would do the shootings and never said it would be someone associated with one of the groups, but as a CJ major at Metro State I can tell you statistics show overwhelming number of shootings at rap and hip hop concerts (dont quite understand the difference.) I spent hours studying Criminal statistics in my classes, so its a fair assumption in my viewpoint. And the author to me and I’ve showed what he wrote to everyone where I work (yes some of them are African American and like rap) and they said that the author was accusing KQ of being racist for not liking rap. Unless your reading something different from me. No popularity isnt, anyone can agree on that, but you missed my point. KQRS is in it to make money, in the midwest only some radio show in Chicago ranks ahead of them and there in the top 10 in the nation as far as listeners, and I’ve heard rumors they might go national. If KQ just reported the news without any spice or rauchiness, along with offensensive stuff like the YO concert they wouldnt make money and might have to shut down, and people would loose their jobs, not just the DJ’s, (and its not like DJ’s make tons of money, Tommy probably makes the same as any average joe) but people in the back, script supervisors etc would be unemployed, and I think we can both agree with Bush’s bad handling of the economy thats the last thing we need.

Kent-

Wow. Not even talking about your sometimes incoherent and generally naïve statements about racism, saying that the “Kool Aid comment was made famous by Bill Oreilly on the Oreilly factor,” stating that “Tommy probably makes the same as any average joe” and regarding tying physical contact in sports to level of “pansy”-ness: You don’t know what you’re talking about by a long shot. In fact, you stated the opposite in almost all of those, although I understand the third statement could be subjective.

Speaking as well of the “hours” of studying criminal statistics, you should compare the crime statistics of the Yo! festival compared with other music festivals in the midwest.

Are you kidding me with this? I honestly don’t know where to start.
I do appreciate Kent’s contribution to the web site, and am glad that he sticks around to make me laugh.
I’ll just focus on the last part there, and again ask “are you effing kidding me?”

If KQ just reported the news without any spice or rauchiness, along with offensensive stuff like the YO concert they wouldnt make money and might have to shut down, and people would loose their jobs, not just the DJ’s, (and its not like DJ’s make tons of money, Tommy probably makes the same as any average joe) but people in the back, script supervisors etc would be unemployed, and I think we can both agree with Bush’s bad handling of the economy thats the last thing we need.

Tommy makes TONS of dough. Let’s not be naive here. You don’t become number the market and make “avg joe” money. He’s not even a DJ, for crying out loud. Not to mention what he pulls in from voiceover work all over the country.
If people are making money off of stereotyping, bigotry, irresponsible babbling, etc., is that really the kind of vocation we want to be supporting? Unfortunately, the market decideds if shows like the KQ morning show are viable or not.
What is this connection with Bush and the economy?

1. I don’t watch the O’Reilly Factor, so I think my originality is intact.

2. There is a difference between criticizing a sport or musical genre on its merits, and criticizing it on the stereotypical characteristics of its participants.

3. Your critique of basketball provides a good example. It’s fair to say that in you don’t like basketball as a game because of the lack of contact and frequency of fouls. But you stray into unbased generalizations when you say basketball players are those who are too afraid to get hit in hockey. At what position would you play Yao Ming on a hockey team, may I ask?

4. A black person is not racist against whites if they don’t like the substance of a sport like golf or hockey. But they are if they start making damaging generalizations about golf or hockey players in the manner illustrated above.

5. I don’t think it matters that Bernard failed to identify the race of the person(s) he believed would do the shooting. And the statistics about shootings at rap concerts are meaningless as well. As the author pointed out, a little bit of research would have revealed that this was not the average rap concert, and there would be no problems. Having studied statistics so thoroughlly, I’m sure you know that they don’t always tell the full story.

6. Apparently I am reading something different from you because the author did not base his comments on KQ’s “dislike” of rap. He based his comments on KQ’s inappropriate and off-base characterization of all rap and hip hop concerts as being violent and dangerous. Whether KQ likes rap or not is immaterial.

7. Defending capitalism in the name of racism is about as repugnant as it gets. I don’t care if KQ is in it to make money or not. Couldn’t one also make money by pimping out their 13 year old daughter? Just because there’s a buck to be made doesn’t mean it should be allowed.

8. I think it goes a little far to predict that KQ would shut down and jobs would be lost if KQ were prevented from making commentary such as that disputed here. There is middle ground. KQ can still have “spice” and be “raunchy” and keep its high ratings without being unacceptably offensive. It isn’t an all or nothing game.

I would play Yao Ming at defense in hockey, he would be a bruiser, and would get in lots of fights and move people from in front of the net to set up the scorers just like Boogard does for the Wild. Yes I’ve heard of paragraph breaks, but I’m bloggin on a website, I dont care about proper grammer. The connection with Bush and the economy is that if the KQ Morning Show doesnt be offensive and raunchy no one will listen, ratings will drop, and the show might get cancelled, and everyone working behind the scenes, the script supervisor, technicians and everybody involved will lose their job and be unemployed and more unemployed people means the economy that Bush has done a bad job managing will only get worse. I have compared them, I have a very good GPA and rap concerts in the midwest overwhelmingly are more violent. I also compare movies with Hip Hop influences (e.g. ATL) and movies that are normal and their is a lot more violence. You rap supporters out there shouldnt blame KQ, but blame All the mainstream garbage rap artists (Kayne West, 50 Cent, Lil Wayne, Eminem) and etc plus MTV for trying to sell this kind of rap as being the cool thing to follow and also B96 for only playing these rap artists. All of those people are the ones who distort peoples view of rap, maybe all rap isnt crap, but hearing those shitty gang bagning no talent thugs, (well besides eminem, who is no different than any other white guy thinking hes ghetto) makes me not want to listen to that garbage. So you can see how the average person would think what Tommy and I do of rap music, because who would research something they dont like, why waste your time, I hate basketball I’m not going to go research who the all time leading scorer is, same with I’m not going to go try and listen to a music genre I cant stand.

Good take on Yao as a defensemen. I have my doubts about his mobility compared to Boogaard, though.

One thing about grammar and breaking up paragraphs is that it helps to illustrate a point a little more effectively/coherently.

No one is asking anyone to like hip-hop for F’s sake. We’re all bent outta shape over sweeping, igonarant, baseless, generalizations; about things that we really don’t know too much about.

Kent — I am beginning to think of you as the proverbial pig in the mud, but I’ll counter one more time.

1. Comparing Yao Ming to Boogaard is one of the most inane things I have heard in a long time. Did you ever see the “game” Manute Bol played for charity? My guess is that Yao would not be the enforcer you somehow imagine.

2. Your comparison of different concerts and movies, while no doubt interesting, still misses the point: you can’t categorize something based solely on statistics.

3. The criticism of KQ does not excuse the obvious problems with mainstream rap that you refer to. To say one thing is not necessarily to say another. I’m sure that many of us ripping on KQ also find fault with mainstream rap for glorifying violence, drugs, and treatment of women.

4. Your inclusion of Kanye West in that list demonstrates a glaring lack of familiarity with the genre, as well as a prime example of the effects of stereotyping. Because KW is a mainstream rap artist, you assume he is like the 50 Cent and others, when in reality is one of the more politically conscious artists performing today.

5. Your exclusion of Eminem on the grounds that he’s white and therefore not really a thug, but only trying to be one, is unsettling to say the least. Apparently only black rappers can be real thugs and gang bangers — nice.

6. Your aversion to rap music based on whether you enjoy listening to it or not is understandable. No one ever said it was racist to dislike the music.

7. Dislike for something doesn’t excuse one from doing a modicum of research before taking to the airwaves (or blogs) to rip on it. If you don’t like something and you don’t know anything about it then just shut up. Otherwise you risk becoming what “Tommy” is: an ignorant, uninformed blowhard.

Igonorant? Oops.

Horse.
Dead.
Stop kicking.

**comments deleted by author.