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In a stunning act of valor, University of Louisville’s largest black organization, the Association of Black Students (ABS), issued an Executive Order banning the self-proclaimed “college party kings” known as Playboi Entertainment from advertising at any ABS sponsored or co-sponsored events. Delivered via e-mail by ABS President Shauntrice Martin, the decision asked the company for an official apology, mainly due to the group distributing women’s undergarments and other inappropriate paraphernalia at the annual ABS Icebreaker held on campus. “These individuals acted against student government policy and disrespected our campus,” stated the order. “ABS does not condone or endorse their actions and will not tolerate such unprofessional and offensive behavior.”Successful or not, ABS’s decision should turn heads. While fully operational against racist t-shirts, redneck radio stations and white supremacist groups, the black student protest machinery stalls on the ugliest side of hip-hop. Nothing akin to the Spelman College protest against Nelly has occurred in Louisville.And if ABS can mobilize its constituency to at least acknowledge what the ill-mannered party promoters did was wrong, that’s a giant leap. At this moment, however, it is rather fruitless to even call attention to these activities no matter how small or large.For starters, to paraphrase the beginning of Public Enemy’s protest song, “Fight the Power” the best educated, best equipped, and best prepared refuse to fight.They see no reason to culturally regulate their urbanity by aesthetically monitoring its more ignorant parts. Only “haters” and “elitists” do that. And with no bare minimums we have no moral compass to provide even a small resistance or submit a persuasive critique for something more humane.Still, the newly elected ABS president stands firm. “I encourage all ABS members to avoid funding an organization that would so carelessly disrespect black women on this campus,” said Martin. Her implicit call for a boycott is a brave challenge in a culture that breaks all criticisms down to the adage,”anything-that-makes-money-or-entertains-me-goes.” Martin’s campus pulpit as ABS president can only hope to spark a conversation among the black collegiate to expand the artistic values of this once great poetic tapestry.Luckily for Playboi and others, fools reign supreme. Martin’s movement will be limited because, ironically, her female comrades who boast about being strong black women or African queens in glorified neck-roll sessions, seem ultimately satisfied with being nothing more than sluts in the Holy Church of Hip-Hop. If I’m wrong, then please prove it. Even when the most popular urban radio DJ in Louisville was a black female, not one saber was rattled over the role of black women in hip-hop.Maybe it’s easier out here for a pimp than we think. Besides the painless transition from fur coats, Cadillacs and backhand slaps to VIP tickets, music videos and odious soundtracks, they’re still the same amoral procurers who defy all disapproval by calling critics square. It’s bad enough when dozens of “strong black women” frolic to the meat auction or when otherwise voluble “African queens” maintain their silence, but our collective mum on the matter of female indignity is outright shameful.
Phillip Bailey is a senior majoring in Pan-African Studies. E-mail him at opinion@louisvillecardinal.com.
