Civil Rights Supporter Applauds Local Music Video
This week, Rev. Jesse Jackson spoke to reporters off-camera about local indie pop band, Headlights and their impact on music culture. Rev. Jackson made most mention about the video for their newest single “Cherry Tulips.” The new black and white, vintage-style video features local radio DJ Todd Hunter and local musician Mike Ingram dressing in “blackface” style make-up as they dance with the band performing behind them.
“This is truly something excellent,” Rev. Jackson said, “I think their music speaks to all people.”
Other public figures have not been so accepting of the new video. Many artists such as Trick Daddy and Yung Buck have come out in opposition of the single. Rap singer Trick Daddy, whose album, Born a Thug Die a Thug comes out this summer has stated the following on his homepage:
“[This music video] ain’t done sh*t to promote black awareness…for real though, it just further stereotypes the black race all around. F*ck Jesse Jackson!”
A spokesman for Headlights has released the following statement:
“We did not intend our video to be offensive towards blacks, nor did we want it to be defensive of blacks either. We believe in equal rights for all and special privileges for none.”
Story is developing.
7 comments
djward
I’m all for satire, but is this bit of work really a good idea? I suppose there’s a good chance that I’m missing the inside joke here (and I’m fully aware this is fake), but as a casual observer I’m feeling uncomfortable for the good people of Headlights and others mentioned in this article. Upon a first reading, putting others in blackface and making statements on race on their behalf seems rather risque. I can appreciate some of the humor here, particularly the Trick Daddy quote, but the serious presentation of the article upon first reading makes me nervous.
Perhaps all that’s missing is “Posted to Music/ The C-U Sizzler!”, as is usually done, instead of just “Posted to Music”. If I had seen it was CU Sizzler immediately, that would have changed my mindset while reading it.
Admittedly, it gets funnier upon re-reading it. But, I’m just saying…
djward
ahhhh, and now, just after I posted my first comment, I see that it HAS been changed to say “The C-U Sizzler” at the top. that’s a bit better.
Jason Patterson
I’m gonna have to go with DJ here, but i dont think it got any funnier when i read it again. racial comedy is only good or funny when theres a serious meaning or point behind it. Whats the point of this? What is funny about it?
This is pointless racial humor that just reminds me of the lame and distasteful comedy of Carlos Mencia.
Thanks djward, for catching that.
At SP.com, we are serious about our satire — and that said, apologize for the half hour lapse where the correct sub-category wasn’t attributed to the post.
Enjoy!
SP Editors
Pat
Listen, Headlights,
You’re cool. Sure, your albums have been hit and miss, but the stand out tracks really stand out, you know. But what in the wide, wide world of sports is going on here? I’m not as offended as I am confused by your motives. If there’s a political message here, I seem to have missed it, and you have too. It is supposed to be neither “offensive toward blacks nor defensive”?! (Hire a PR man, seriously.)
OK, so if you’re not trying to be political, what are you trying to be? Could the answer be “attention-getting”? “Controversy-creating”? You can’t use blackface un-politically. Even when Sarah Silverman tastelessly used blackface on her TV show, she made some attempt at a political remark, ironically exclaiming, “Now I look just like the beautiful Queen Latifah!” You guys, however, have nothing to say - and therefore are using blackface for its old intention: laughs at the expense of the black community.
Whatever your intentions, the result is dehumanizing. What a sadly misguided, almost pathetic attempt at getting attention - and from such a talented band! I’m with Trick Daddy here, this seems like a vapid and shamelessly anti-historical video.
Pat
Oh shit, as a relative newcomer to smile politely, I didn’t realize that this article was a fake. Sorry Headlights. I’m going to direct my distaste toward the article now. Everything still applies.
Damn, that’s embarrassing.
Pat
Really though, sorry Headlights. Jeezy Creezy. Obviously I need to pay more attention to the careers of Trick Daddy, Jesse Jackson, The Headlights, and Nathon Jones.
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represent, Matt.
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represent, Matt.