Beyonce "Roboho" or Sharpton "Mediawhore"?

Bootilicious Diva Beyonce Knowles finds herself, or better put, her wardrobe in somewhat of a controversy; the starlet's recent BET Awards performance has sparked some media attention due to supposed racist comments made about her performance outfit. Editors on TMZ.com called the robocop outfit a roboho costume. Now, Al Sharpton has come to her defense claiming the comments were racist and derogatory to women. Although I can to a certain degree concur with Sharton's sentiments, I do not believe the writers at TMZ were making a conscious effort to demean women, or Miss Knowles herself. According to Sharton,"Calling any woman a "ho" is demeaning and abusive and it should not be tolerated on any level. It is intolerable to think that TMZ.com would find humor in calling Beyonce -- someone who symbolizes the strength, dignity and uplifting of Black women [are you serious!] -- a "Roboho," and they should be denounced by the entire community for glorifying the continued oppression of women with this derogatory term. Racism in America is perpetuated by ignorance and hate and using one's airwaves or media entity to promote it is a blatant setback to civil rights and the advancement of equality."

Of course, I can agree; there are derogatory words in our society that are used with malicious intent to harm and degrade people in our society, whether the intended group is apart of a minority culture is irrelevant to some degree. Yes, Mr. Sharpton racism in America is perpetuated by ignorance and hate, but educating people about racism and it's pervasive effects on a progressive society, such as the United States [ or at least I'd like to think so] is the key, not censorship. I would like to think you are interested in seeing an America that is motivated to love and respect differences in our culture as apart of the social fabric that holds us together. Nonetheless, when you live in a democracy, a place in which free-speech is protected as a right in the Constitution, you have to have the impediment to protect it. Mr. Sharpton I don't believe you do. As a social activist, I believe it is your duty to call attention to crisis in our society that really seek to demean women, men, children, anyone. If you truly believe in equality for all Americans then stop pandering to a false belief that every word out of someones mouth should tow some political line. Yes, I do believe people whom have a voice in mainstream media have a responsibility to speak with intelligence and respect, but let's be honest; free speech is often hateful; it's a part of what makes our nation great. You and I both have the right to express our opinions. But, when you degrade or disrespect people, you will have to pay the consequences for your actions. Yes, call attention to the way women are portrayed in the media. Inform people about the double standard performing artist face in a male driven industry. Let's get to the root of the problem; don't gloss over the real issues by using a comment made about an outfit to advance your own agenda, whatever that may be [you're sort of all over the place Mr. Sharpton]. Why do women in the pop music industry especially, feel the need to sell their bodies as a way to sell their music? Why do we accept Rap artist calling women "hos" and "bitches' and don't speak out against the blatant misogyny embedded within the music? Women are not objects, but when artist such as Beyonce and Britney parade around in their own videos as if they are; how can you condemn someone for calling them a name that seems to represent the behavior? Maybe this is where you should begin. Finally, Mr. Sharton you do not seem to know a lot about Ms. Knowles career in the music industry, which speaks to the disingenuous nature of your remarks. Check out her past two albums, Dangerously in Love and B-Day. On the first album, the song entitled 'Naughty Girl,' Beyonce boast about being some guy's naughty girl. On her second disc, she has a song called 'Freakum Dress.' Now, what self-respecting, strong, dignified, and uplifting Black woman lauds about being freaky in bed and wearing her freakum dress to clubs? Hm mm....I don't know many. Yes, Beyonce is very popular and I'm sure many young girls admire and look up to her. But, she is not necessarily, given the many sexualized images she invokes, the woman you claim you're defending. Similarly, I am not saying women cannot be sexy and dignified; I do believe together they are hard to project.