Mr. Banner and friends (from his oh-so-explicit video "Play")
Rapper, actor and philanthropist David Banner told students gathered at South Carolina State University's Martin Luther King Jr. Auditorium that black people should not accept media portrayals of African-Americans.
In the midst of Black History Month, Banner, the graduate of two historically black colleges and universities, stunned an audience of more than 300 African-Americans with the accusation: "African-Americans don't love themselves."
"Black people have accepted what the media have portrayed them to be," Banner said. "We have to work to repaint the picture of black folks."
In a question-and-answer session, Banner challenged black women in attendance to explain why they perm and straighten their hair.
In response came the defense that "hair perming" is equated with being able to get a decent job as a professional and not being viewed as a threat by bosses who are usually of a different race.
"This is what I mean when I say black people don't love themselves," Banner said. "Perming your hair is a clear example of 'black-on-black crime' and media control. Black-on-black crime is not just a black person committing a violent act against another black person." (Source)
OK Mr. Banner, I see where you're comin from... but, um, really now. When's the last time you featured a non-permed, weaved or otherwise non-nappy headed black chick in one of your videos?
::Crickets::
EXACTLY. Kindly STFU and sit the eff down, sir.
