SuperFurryAnimal said:

babynoz said:

I hear you but we have to be careful not to get the thread moved.

I'm just asking if or why Prince can't ever say anything without an org shitstorm brewing.

Much of it I see as a discussion and not a sh#tstorm brewing. I would like to hear more from Prince on issues. I always believed personally that is more people valued books that society would be better. Hence, people quit valuing books/knowledge and a real sh#tstorm brews. Excuses my language.

When this thread was posted I wondered how long it would take before somebody accused him of the race card....it didn't take long. That's what I meant.

Books are precious to me. I intend to start a reading initiative program in my retirement.

Averett said:

Noodled24 said:

He did the same thing on "Marz", throwing down the race card for no apparent reason. In this day and age it just sounds like a clumsy PR soundbite.

21st century, oh what a shame
That race still matters

Exactly.

If some are too racist to accept the fact that Prince is black and proud of it, the problem is wholly and completely theirs. It would be easy for Prince to forget and avoid it like so many black celebrities. That trademark courage and individuality to stand up and speak out is part of what makes him great and a reason that he is a hero to so many.

Askani said:

Also, it's the kind of non-sequitur he loves to throw around to appear spiritually and politically deep.

In general I agree - Prince often throws out comments about social issues as if everyone has been privy to the same data he has and had access to his inner dialogue and thought process on the subject that brought him to this conclusion, so his distilled one sentence answers and remarks can often sound condescending, cryptic or just a little screwy. But on this occasion I think it was obvious what his point was and I don't think he was trying to sound deep, just forthright.

babynoz said:

SuperFurryAnimal said:

Much of it I see as a discussion and not a sh#tstorm brewing. I would like to hear more from Prince on issues. I always believed personally that is more people valued books that society would be better. Hence, people quit valuing books/knowledge and a real sh#tstorm brews. Excuses my language.

When this thread was posted I wondered how long it would take before somebody accused him of the race card....it didn't take long. That's what I meant.

Books are precious to me. I intend to start a reading initiative program in my retirement.

True and that reading initiative program sounds ace. I was thinking about the same thing last night when Prince mentioned books. The social issues are so complex and you know we have to ask ourselves, What can we do to help fix the problem. I thought about the Nazi book burnings. I thought about going to the mall as a child and having at least two or three bookstores to choose from and now none. I thought about the decline in civilization and increased violence in the world and that people do not read as much. I feel the same way about books.

I wish some of us at the org could fund something positive in the world. We could do as team and make positive change instead of place being overrun with a bunch of Negative Nancys. We realize the world is on downfall but what do we do to change it??

KingSausage said:

Forced vaccinations? Michael Brown is just a punk (I guess that means he deserved death)? Separation? What the fuck. Some of you people are truly nuts and/or lacking any understanding and empathy. And don't write this off as another "angry black person." I'm whiter than the whitest mansion in Minneapolis (I'm Minnesotan). This is my last comment on this thread. This shit is making me sick. Prince has a long history of commenting on social issues, especially those that take as disproportionate toll on the black community. I would have thought Prince fans got this.

KingSausage, don't bail!

I don't have an opinion on 'forced vacinations' but I do confess I lack empathy for felony criminals (having been assaulted by some of them). I didn't say mb deserved death for being a punk but trying to take an officer's gun will very often get your ass blasted. His mama can cry but I won't. Sue me.

-

As for Prince saying 'Black Lives Matter', me originally saying I hear 'separation', is because it doesn't include all the other races that are also victims of bad cops and the criminals that walk among us. I do find it sad that Prince, the musician that always had so much to say that was original and changed the way I thought about things, is now uttering a catch phrase. Never heard him do that before so why shouldn't I notice? If he would have said 'All Lives Matter' I would have felt satisfied.

-

I never have and never will understand 'Race'. Prince isn't Prince because he's so-called 'African'.

Most of his music is about sex and love. Something very 'human'.

*sorry, MODS, if I'm talking too much*

Peace 2 all.

President Obama: Hey all you Grammy peeps! Please use your influence as artists to try to bring an end to violence and domestic abuse.

Grammys: We nominate Chris Brown for best R&B.

SuperFurryAnimal said:

babynoz said:

When this thread was posted I wondered how long it would take before somebody accused him of the race card....it didn't take long. That's what I meant.

Books are precious to me. I intend to start a reading initiative program in my retirement.

True and that reading initiative program sounds ace. I was thinking about the same thing last night when Prince mentioned books. The social issues are so complex and you know we have to ask ourselves, What can we do to help fix the problem. I thought about the Nazi book burnings. I thought about going to the mall as a child and having at least two or three bookstores to choose from and now none. I thought about the decline in civilization and increased violence in the world and that people do not read as much. I feel the same way about books.

I wish some of us at the org could fund something positive in the world. We could do as team and make positive change instead of place being overrun with a bunch of Negative Nancys. We realize the world is on downfall but what do we do to change it??

Getting consensus on anything around here is like herding cats. You would probably have better luck starting something where you live.

EroticDreamer said:

KingSausage said:

Forced vaccinations? Michael Brown is just a punk (I guess that means he deserved death)? Separation? What the fuck. Some of you people are truly nuts and/or lacking any understanding and empathy. And don't write this off as another "angry black person." I'm whiter than the whitest mansion in Minneapolis (I'm Minnesotan). This is my last comment on this thread. This shit is making me sick. Prince has a long history of commenting on social issues, especially those that take as disproportionate toll on the black community. I would have thought Prince fans got this.

KingSausage, don't bail!

I don't have an opinion on 'forced vacinations' but I do confess I lack empathy for felony criminals (having been assaulted by some of them). I didn't say mb deserved death for being a punk but trying to take an officer's gun will very often get your ass blasted. His mama can cry but I won't. Sue me.

-

As for Prince saying 'Black Lives Matter', me originally saying I hear 'separation', is because it doesn't include all the other races that are also victims of bad cops and the criminals that walk among us. I do find it sad that Prince, the musician that always had so much to say that was original and changed the way I thought about things, is now uttering a catch phrase. Never heard him do that before so why shouldn't I notice? If he would have said 'All Lives Matter' I would have felt satisfied.

-

I never have and never will understand 'Race'. Prince isn't Prince because he's so-called 'African'.

Most of his music is about sex and love. Something very 'human'.

*sorry, MODS, if I'm talking too much*

Peace 2 all.

If you cant understand race, how can you speak intelligently on what makes a black man (which Prince like it or not) what he is? The fact that he is black is always part of who a black man is (I think Prince knows this) and it is racism in its purest form to suggest otherwise.

JoshuaWho said:

EroticDreamer said:

KingSausage, don't bail!

I don't have an opinion on 'forced vacinations' but I do confess I lack empathy for felony criminals (having been assaulted by some of them). I didn't say mb deserved death for being a punk but trying to take an officer's gun will very often get your ass blasted. His mama can cry but I won't. Sue me.

-

As for Prince saying 'Black Lives Matter', me originally saying I hear 'separation', is because it doesn't include all the other races that are also victims of bad cops and the criminals that walk among us. I do find it sad that Prince, the musician that always had so much to say that was original and changed the way I thought about things, is now uttering a catch phrase. Never heard him do that before so why shouldn't I notice? If he would have said 'All Lives Matter' I would have felt satisfied.

-

I never have and never will understand 'Race'. Prince isn't Prince because he's so-called 'African'.

Most of his music is about sex and love. Something very 'human'.

*sorry, MODS, if I'm talking too much*

Peace 2 all.

If you cant understand race, how can you speak intelligently on what makes a black man (which Prince like it or not) what he is? The fact that he is black is always part of who a black man is (I think Prince knows this) and it is racism in its purest form to suggest otherwise.

I'm steps ahead of that boundry.

Right is right and wrong is wrong, regardless of race.

I will not be defined by my race because every race has good and evil and no race is greater than the other. Race is a man-made definition. Just because my ancestors humped under the tree of a geographical location that some old guys named in a drunken stupor, that doesn't define me. I understand the sentiment of 'black lives matter' but we're all stuck on this screwed up planet and I wish it wasn't about black or white but only right and wrong.

-

I saw it as Prince using a catch phrase to get claps.

He really seems to be trying to 'fit in' when, to me, one of his greatest strengths was not trying to fit in.

-

Enough rambling.

Time to make a turkey sandwich.

ashynevermind said:

JoshuaWho said:

Exactly.

If some are too racist to accept the fact that Prince is black and proud of it, the problem is wholly and completely theirs. It would be easy for Prince to forget and avoid it like so many black celebrities. That trademark courage and individuality to stand up and speak out is part of what makes him great and a reason that he is a hero to so many.

[/quote black and proud? Then why did he spend years claiming to be part Italian? He wishes he could be...

Let me clarify one quick thing. I do not believe he threw the race card but rather, it was a clumsy PR effort made to sound enlightnened and socially aware. He can blab on about chemtrails on Tavis Smiley's show for God knows how long and come off as a loon but can barely utter three freaking words about the value of life given our current culture three to four months after the fact?

Why bother Prince? By waiting until last night, you just seem like a poser like the majority of those who were in attendance. Bye Felicia...

EroticDreamer said:

I saw it as Prince using a catch phrase to get claps.

He really seems to be trying to 'fit in' when, to me, one of his greatest strengths was not trying to fit in.

-

Enough rambling.

Time to make a turkey sandwich.

Perfectly stated. Thank you.

Noodled24 said:

He did the same thing on "Marz", throwing down the race card for no apparent reason. In this day and age it just sounds like a clumsy PR soundbite.

21st century, oh what a shame
That race still matters

WTF is wrong with you, seriously?

Here's why black lives matter - and here's why Marz is a timely commentary ....

- Black people experience MORE police brutality than any other group in the USA, those are facts.

- They have every right in the world to band together and complain, protest LOUDLY and STRONGLY until there is measureable change effected.

- Yes police brutality is rampant and others are effected, but until black people (and supporters of every hue) chose to protest EN MASSE no one gave a single fuck.

- By using #BlackLivesMatter the message that Black People in our society DO MATTER. Our society shows them at every turn that they don't matter, unless they are athletesm or rock stars. There is not a single thing wrong with saying Black Lives Matter. It doesnt mean other people don't matter, but it's important to say OUT LOUD AND OFTEN that Black Lives Matter, because until it starts HAPPENING - NO ONE MATTERS.


Prince fans who have an issue with Prince commenting on issues that affect him and everyone he's EVER KNOWN in his family and community need to check reality. Being rich and black doesn't mean he's not affected. He was so succinct, it hit like a laserbeam, and it was brilliant, without overshadowing anyones win. (unlike douchbag kanye)

Black people live with the race card presented to them every waking moment of every damn day .... if you can't realize that you should just not even speak on the subject.

Race still matters in the USA, especially if you're anything other than white. To think otherwise is offensive, racist and ignorant.

[Edited 2/9/15 15:00pm]

Some of the posts I'm reading have me baffled....In the real world Prince saying "black lives matter" isn't some shock statement or a look-at-me!!! moment. It's a nearly 60 year old black man who also happens to be a rock star stating what should be the obvious in a climate where young blacks get shot and killed by police in the name of "fear".....

It's an individual who while early on in his career tried to split the difference on race soon got reminded that no matter how much talent or success u have critics grade black acts not on their actual output but on their ability to project as a Magical Negro (think James, Aretha, Prince, MJ, Jimi, ect...)

More importantly, Prince is a black dude from the Midwest that was old enough to remember when MLK got shot and all hell broke loose in inner cities nation wide.

It is what it is....If you don't understand it, that's cool. We all should learn from each other. But it's best not to make chest-beating statements that u r clueless about....

God bless, people....

No way I'm going to read all the posts on this topic, a sample is enough to abandon all thoughts of answering some of the ignorant posts.

Black lives matter. It should not need an explanation, but sadly it does.

hm, ssdd.

babynoz said:

how about "All lives matter." ?

Zannaloaf said:

CharismaDove said:

PLEASE GET RID OF THE FRO

IT LOOKS SO MESSY

Prince has had so many attractive looks in the past, I really wish he could just step back and borrow a little from there. No need to go Graffiti Bridge waves+beard again, but maybe even hair extensions on the flattened/blown out fro? IDK. Just please, please Prince, get rid of it

I was disappointed at his short time on stage (eh..) but Twitterville+social media went crazy about it so kudos to P for making celebs starstruck

why do you care so much? Seriously.

His hair/overall appearance is a huge factor in his live performances. He's quite proud of the hair, and on a purely vain level I just enjoy when he has nice hairstyles (it doesn't impact the music, but it's nicer to look at when he's performing and he has very durable hair throughout the years)

People will always disagree about his look/hair.. you should probably get used to it.

ThomasBjj said:

how about "All lives matter." ?

Black lives matter just like white lives matter. That was his point obviously...

OldFriends4Sale said:

CharismaDove said:

PLEASE GET RID OF THE FRO

IT LOOKS SO MESSY

Prince has had so many attractive looks in the past, I really wish he could just step back and borrow a little from there. No need to go Graffiti Bridge waves+beard again, but maybe even hair extensions on the flattened/blown out fro? IDK. Just please, please Prince, get rid of it

I was disappointed at his short time on stage (eh..) but Twitterville+social media went crazy about it so kudos to P for making celebs starstruck

The afro actually looked very full and fluffy

.

I was disappointed that there was no 'surprise' of any kind

Me too. I was really hoping there would be.

The 'fro seems to be heading south don't you think. Better than on New Girl, but it looks almost like normla hair now (just way bigger)

Interesting to note that Prince was involved in 3 of the biggest Grammy moments of the night: 'black lives matter', Beck scandalously winning Album of the Year, Kanye being a huge fucking douche and chastising Beck as if it was his 'fault' he won and acting as if Beck is some glitzy pop star who should 'realize' Beyonce's talent.. fuck out of here, Beck plays 14 instruments and has loads of talent, you piece of garbage. I don't care much for Beyonce but she IS talented, however, Ye doesn't have to stand up for her every time she loses something. She's got 20 Grammys, she'll be fine. Sheesh I thought he was joking when he came up but am now thoroughly pissed off finding out it was real..

On another note, now the liberals of social media are crazy about Prince and he's a hot trending topic, whereas the conservatives are totally bashing him (first time I've seen Prince gettnig bashed since maybe 2008's 'anti-gay' comments). "Prince exposes himself as a liberal dumbass", "What makes celebs so stupid and liberal?", "Favorite if you didn't know Prince was black til he grew the afro ( )"

ThomasBjj said:

how about "All lives matter." ?

That is the point, so that if one group within that 'all' is being discriminated in some way, it is right to expose those wrongs, and raise social consciousness about it, and for people to work together to resolve those issues and find solutions for improvement, instead of attacking those who reveal those wrongs. How else can societal ills be resolved if they are not addressed?

[Edited 2/9/15 16:22pm]

KingSausage said:

"For no apparent reason"? What the fuck. So you need a "reason" to discuss social and political issues that are destroying lives, wrecking families and communities, and holding the U.S. from fulfilling its full promise? That's one of the stranger things I've read recently.

Was he commenting on anything in particular? He didn't state a cause or a charity or anything did he?

Nobody needs a "reason" to do anything. Prince least of all. - Which is why I said "for no apparent reason".

EDIT - Since googled "black lives matter". Thats the cause. I understand now.

[Edited 2/9/15 17:10pm]

CharismaDove said:

Interesting to note that Prince was involved in 3 of the biggest Grammy moments of the night: 'black lives matter', Beck scandalously winning Album of the Year, Kanye being a huge fucking douche and chastising Beck as if it was his 'fault' he won and acting as if Beck is some glitzy pop star who should 'realize' Beyonce's talent.. fuck out of here, Beck plays 14 instruments and has loads of talent, you piece of garbage. I don't care much for Beyonce but she IS talented, however, Ye doesn't have to stand up for her every time she loses something. She's got 20 Grammys, she'll be fine. Sheesh I thought he was joking when he came up but am now thoroughly pissed off finding out it was real..

On another note, now the liberals of social media are crazy about Prince and he's a hot trending topic, whereas the conservatives are totally bashing him (first time I've seen Prince gettnig bashed since maybe 2008's 'anti-gay' comments). "Prince exposes himself as a liberal dumbass", "What makes celebs so stupid and liberal?", "Favorite if you didn't know Prince was black til he grew the afro ( )"

I could just imagine the comments, but he was always Black, but some pretend they don't see it because they don't want to acknowledge that he is Black, and the fact that many have their own personal definitions of what being 'Black' is. That may be an uncomfortable truth, some don't want to admit, but it's true.

[Edited 2/9/15 16:23pm]

Ya know...it really does not surprise me that anyone here on the org would disagree with ANYTHING Prince has to say....that has been done and no doubt will continue. What gets me is that by not really understanding what he said and the issue that surrounds it has brought out so many folk that do not truly realize how racist they really are.

The late 70's & early 80's brought about this battle cry "I am color blind". My response then and my response now..."You are a fool!" If when you (no matter who you may be) look in the mirror everyday of your life and not see that you are not Green...you are fully aware of what color you are and what color you are not.

Black people...African Americans have always known what color they are (no matter what shade, eye color, or hair texture) and have never needed a mirror for clarity. Along with this comes how we have been treated in a country that has been built on the backs of our ancestors. Now after over 400 years we are still not treated as equal in all regards or with the respect of other races. If you do not find a problem with that then YOU are the problem...period.

So when Prince, a Blackman, makes a statement that includes Black Lives Matter...there is the audacity of some fans(?) to insinuate that he not only deny the issue but his race in the process.

Recognize this is just what racist do. Willie Lynch may or may not be ficticious but the theory has been in full effect for over 400 yrs. Divide...Divide...Divide

Until covert racist thought is eliminated from the minds of those who are color blind, those living with racial privelidge, those just plain blind or flat out racist we will unfortunately have these issues and discussions. The org is not immune.

ThomasBjj said:

how about "All lives matter." ?

if that was the case, we 'd see equal amounts of police brutality scattered amongst all ethnicities and races, but thats not the case. of course all lives matter, ultimately. however, in THIS instance Black Lives Matter, and its important for THAT (BLACK LIVES) to be said.

You can say it. BLACK LIVES MATTER.

All lives matter, (duh).... is way to get around the issue without facing it directly, imo.

babynoz said:

Noodled24 said:

He did the same thing on "Marz", throwing down the race card for no apparent reason. In this day and age it just sounds like a clumsy PR soundbite.

21st century, oh what a shame
That race still matters

Wanna put yourself in the shoes of a parent whose 12 year old is blown away and then talk to us about somebody throwing down the so called "race card"?

No. I wouldn't like to do that. It sounds horrible. Marz isn't a song about that though?

I guess you mad at D'angelo too? The whole group had black lives matter t -shirts on SNL

Heaven forbid people should talk about impactful issues. This is not the first, nor will it be the last time it happens. Michael Moore and Marlon Brando come to mind.

Is it only Prince that you think should be censored?

Ok - call it international ignorance on my part. I didn't know "Black Lives Matter" was a charity.

I've since googled it and found Blacklivesmatter.com - Which would be a better thread title.

That explains what he was talking about.

No Noodled24...the organization was not what he was talking about. He specifically said what he ment...BLACK LIVES MATTER. It is a battle cry...period. You nor anyonelse can justify it to mean anything less than what it means.

[Edited 2/9/15 16:53pm]

Has anybody seen Prince perform in concert within the past few years?

When he performed "Controversy" during the W2A show I attended, he led the audience with multiple chants of this ... exactly as the song was recorded decades earlier:

I wish there was no black and white

I wish there were no rules


It's rather obvious Prince will always get simultaneously praised and criticized no matter what he says or does, that's the nature of the business. So he'll do and say whatever he feels like at the moment, and I'm cool with that. We all should be cool with that IMO.

Does he contradict himself sometimes? Maybe ... or maybe it's just a matter of him changing his mind, which is his prerogative. Just focus on the music and let the man be.