“(Fans) care about black-owned, don’t they? Go over (to other services) if you want. Any sort of ownership we have is really important,” he says about Tidal and its competition. “When you own your own community, you pay for your police department. Police were created to protect property of white folks. They were originally slave catchers. … When you get your own studio, now what are (labels) going to provide for you?”

http://www.usatoday.com/s.../71597178/

It's like deja vu when Prince went on Tavis Smiley in 2009 and said that "white folks" need to watch the State Of The Black Union Address so they can understand black people.

bashraka said:

“(Fans) care about black-owned, don’t they? Go over (to other services) if you want. Any sort of ownership we have is really important,” he says about Tidal and its competition. “When you own your own community, you pay for your police department. Police were created to protect property of white folks. They were originally slave catchers. … When you get your own studio, now what are (labels) going to provide for you?”

http://www.usatoday.com/s.../71597178/

It's like deja vu when Prince went on Tavis Smiley in 2009 and said that "white folks" need to watch the State Of The Black Union Address so they can understand black people.

Does this offend you?

skywalker said:

bashraka said:

“(Fans) care about black-owned, don’t they? Go over (to other services) if you want. Any sort of ownership we have is really important,” he says about Tidal and its competition. “When you own your own community, you pay for your police department. Police were created to protect property of white folks. They were originally slave catchers. … When you get your own studio, now what are (labels) going to provide for you?”

http://www.usatoday.com/s.../71597178/

It's like deja vu when Prince went on Tavis Smiley in 2009 and said that "white folks" need to watch the State Of The Black Union Address so they can understand black people.

Does this offend you?

No. I just found it interesting for Prince to make a statement like that in a newspaper where he is promoting a new album. Usually celebrities are tight-lipped about making comments on heavy topics like the historical White ownership of public entities like law enforcement and educational instititions at the expense of African-Americans because they fear offending potential consumers. I have more respect for Prince because of it.

skywalker said:

bashraka said:

“(Fans) care about black-owned, don’t they? Go over (to other services) if you want. Any sort of ownership we have is really important,” he says about Tidal and its competition. “When you own your own community, you pay for your police department. Police were created to protect property of white folks. They were originally slave catchers. … When you get your own studio, now what are (labels) going to provide for you?”

http://www.usatoday.com/s.../71597178/

It's like deja vu when Prince went on Tavis Smiley in 2009 and said that "white folks" need to watch the State Of The Black Union Address so they can understand black people.

Does this offend you?

If you're going to come on here and ask questions, at least know what you're talking about. The modern day police force was created in London two centuries ago. What was its slogan? "The police are the public and the public are the police." Now, whether that's gone off track is another matter. But to say the Police was designed to be racist is just wrong. Prince, once again, hasn't a fucking clue. And, I would suggest, neither do you.

bashraka said:

“(Fans) care about black-owned, don’t they? Go over (to other services) if you want. Any sort of ownership we have is really important,” he says about Tidal and its competition. “When you own your own community, you pay for your police department. Police were created to protect property of white folks. They were originally slave catchers. … When you get your own studio, now what are (labels) going to provide for you?”

http://www.usatoday.com/s.../71597178/

It's like deja vu when Prince went on Tavis Smiley in 2009 and said that "white folks" need to watch the State Of The Black Union Address so they can understand black people.

YAWN!

Dear Prince,

The world is bigger then the USofA. That disqualifies the 'Police statement'
And why would I, living in Germany, working in the Netherlands, ever watch the State of the Black Union Address? I don't care a single fuck.

Now get back into the studio and make some decent music instead of making dumb ass political statements no one gives a shit about.

bashraka said:

skywalker said:

Does this offend you?

No. I just found it interesting for Prince to make a statement like that in a newspaper where he is promoting a new album. Usually celebrities are tight-lipped about making comments on heavy topics like the historical White ownership of public entities like law enforcement and educational instititions at the expense of African-Americans because they fear offending potential consumers. I have more respect for Prince because of it.

There's some essential assumptions you're making that are, quite franky, ignorant of the history of law enforcement; or indeed any of the institution created a long time ago. They're not inherently racist or designed to pu the black man down. It's like any system...corruption exists but it wasn't designed to be racist. Example. Would you say police forces from central African countries are racist against black folks too?

Prince is right, about the institution of police in Amerika. "Slave patrols and night watches, which later became modern police departments, were both designed to control the behavior of minorities."

That's a direct quote from someone's book that's online.

"Many southern police departments began as slave patrols."

This ain't chemtrails talk. This is truth! Get 'em Prince!!

williamb610 said:

Prince is right, about the institution of police in Amerika. "Slave patrols and night watches, which later became modern police departments, were both designed to control the behavior of minorities."

That's a direct quote from someone's book that's online.

"Many southern police departments began as slave patrols."

This ain't chemtrails talk. This is truth! Get 'em Prince!!

You haven't read a word I've said, have you? You like being told what to believe?

i think i officially hate prince.

more hate for the police when he has no idea how difficult their jobs are. and how he short-sidedly insults brave men and women who try to serve our communities, help protect us and bring justice to victims.

i hate this kind of idiotic speech from someone who's head hasnt been on planet earth in about 30 years.

what a total d*ck

filthyrichyuppie said:

bashraka said:

No. I just found it interesting for Prince to make a statement like that in a newspaper where he is promoting a new album. Usually celebrities are tight-lipped about making comments on heavy topics like the historical White ownership of public entities like law enforcement and educational instititions at the expense of African-Americans because they fear offending potential consumers. I have more respect for Prince because of it.

There's some essential assumptions you're making that are, quite franky, ignorant of the history of law enforcement; or indeed any of the institution created a long time ago. They're not inherently racist or designed to pu the black man down. It's like any system...corruption exists but it wasn't designed to be racist. Example. Would you say police forces from central African countries are racist against black folks too?

Yes! Same skin color doesn't mean same ethnicity. If the police are made up of an ethnic majority and use tactics that demean and limit the right of an ethnic minority then yes that is racism.

Prince preached for decades against the crap he spews now.

His insecurities, at his age, makes me feel sorry for him.

If only he had the joys of having children he might focus on the important things.

At least his Little Richard costume is in check...

Polo1026 said:

filthyrichyuppie said:

There's some essential assumptions you're making that are, quite franky, ignorant of the history of law enforcement; or indeed any of the institution created a long time ago. They're not inherently racist or designed to pu the black man down. It's like any system...corruption exists but it wasn't designed to be racist. Example. Would you say police forces from central African countries are racist against black folks too?

Yes! Same skin color doesn't mean same ethnicity. If the police are made up of an ethnic majority and use tactics that demean and limit the right of an ethnic minority then yes that is racism.

Did you read the begining of my paragraph? I'm talking about the factual origins of the police force. All you gave me was a big "if". Who cares?

filthyrichyuppie said:

Polo1026 said:

Yes! Same skin color doesn't mean same ethnicity. If the police are made up of an ethnic majority and use tactics that demean and limit the right of an ethnic minority then yes that is racism.

Did you read the begining of my paragraph? I'm talking about the factual origins of the police force. All you gave me was a big "if". Who cares?

No I gave you the definition of what a racist institution is because you asked the ignorant question can a police force in africa be racist! OF COURSE IT CAN! Now don't be a fucking keyboard tough guy and talk shit to me. You don't know me

I think it's a good thing that Prince is finally focusing on important issues besides record contracts BUT.........I think he should tread lightly and make sure he has his facts straight.

Polo1026 said:

filthyrichyuppie said:

Did you read the begining of my paragraph? I'm talking about the factual origins of the police force. All you gave me was a big "if". Who cares?

No I gave you the definition of what a racist institution is because you asked the ignorant question can a police force in africa be racist! OF COURSE IT CAN! Now don't be a fucking keyboard tough guy and talk shit to me. You don't know me

Ah, the "you don't know me" silliness. Well, I guess you're right about that. Now, your pemise is flawed. Here's why. It's based on the assupmtion that a police force can be oppressive towards minorities becasue it's racist. I don't know of any US Police with a racist charter, or system of governing rules that says minorities have to be repressed. I doubt it would be able to employ the thousands of ethnic minority officers if that were the case. There are probably alot of racist police offcers who give minorities a hard time (maybe you've experienced this) but that would be against the law too. It's not a racist institution--by definition.! When you've understood that, get back to me.

filthyrichyuppie said:

Polo1026 said:

No I gave you the definition of what a racist institution is because you asked the ignorant question can a police force in africa be racist! OF COURSE IT CAN! Now don't be a fucking keyboard tough guy and talk shit to me. You don't know me

Ah, the "you don't know me" silliness. Well, I guess you're right about that. Now, your pemise is flawed. Here's why. It's based on the assupmtion that a police force can be oppressive towards minorities becasue it's racist. I don't know of any US Police with a racist charter, or system of governing rules that says minorities have to be repressed. I doubt it would be able to employ the thousands of ethnic minority officers if that were the case. There are probably alot of racist police offcers who give minorities a hard time (maybe you've experienced this) but that would be against the law too. It's not a racist institution--by definition.! When you've understood that, get back to me.

I do not know, by definition, any soveriegn country that has any written charter which condones slavery or even racism and yet noth still exist, even in America and other sovereign nations today. No police department may have any written by law from it's inception that advocates descriminatory behavior or practices however, police forces are made of people and those people from their inception can absolutely advocate descriminatory practices and behaviors. This country as an institution advocated slavery and racism and yet the constitution it was built on speaks otherwise, the same holds true for other institutions in this world. Intent is one thing, execution of the intent is another thing altogether.

Polo1026 said:

filthyrichyuppie said:

Ah, the "you don't know me" silliness. Well, I guess you're right about that. Now, your pemise is flawed. Here's why. It's based on the assupmtion that a police force can be oppressive towards minorities becasue it's racist. I don't know of any US Police with a racist charter, or system of governing rules that says minorities have to be repressed. I doubt it would be able to employ the thousands of ethnic minority officers if that were the case. There are probably alot of racist police offcers who give minorities a hard time (maybe you've experienced this) but that would be against the law too. It's not a racist institution--by definition.! When you've understood that, get back to me.

I do not know, by definition, any soveriegn country that has any written charter which condones slavery or even racism and yet noth still exist, even in America and other sovereign nations today. No police department may have any written by law from it's inception that advocates descriminatory behavior or practices however, police forces are made of people and those people from their inception can absolutely advocate descriminatory practices and behaviors. This country as an institution advocated slavery and racism and yet the constitution it was built on speaks otherwise, the same holds true for other institutions in this world. Intent is one thing, execution of the intent is another thing altogether.

I think you just agreed with me, right?

filthyrichyuppie said:

Polo1026 said:

I do not know, by definition, any soveriegn country that has any written charter which condones slavery or even racism and yet noth still exist, even in America and other sovereign nations today. No police department may have any written by law from it's inception that advocates descriminatory behavior or practices however, police forces are made of people and those people from their inception can absolutely advocate descriminatory practices and behaviors. This country as an institution advocated slavery and racism and yet the constitution it was built on speaks otherwise, the same holds true for other institutions in this world. Intent is one thing, execution of the intent is another thing altogether.

I think you just agreed with me, right?

nope

Polo1026 said:

filthyrichyuppie said:

I think you just agreed with me, right?

nope

Please don't be confused. It's ok. Really.

filthyrichyuppie said:

Polo1026 said:

nope

Please don't be confused. It's ok. Really.

Yeah, no.

Polo1026 said:

filthyrichyuppie said:

Please don't be confused. It's ok. Really.

Yeah, no.

I say the police aren't racist by definition. You (in a grudging way) agree. I say, so you agree. You say, no. I then say: why do I bother?

filthyrichyuppie said:

Polo1026 said:

Yeah, no.

I say the police aren't racist by definition. You (in a grudging way) agree. I say, so you agree. You say, no. I then say: why do I bother?

Again people change the definitions over time. Have you seen the stats of the police departments in Missouri? Their attorney general seems to think they're pretty racist. You can't say they weren't meant to be racist if you hire mainly white men. The hiring practices, the profiling, the vehicle stops, etc define that police force.

Bad piece. Prince sounds so abnoxious.

Prince doesn't comprehend things the way you and I do. Prince has been living in Princeworld for quite some time. It's 3 in the morning in Minnesota and he really needs a camel.

spacedolphin said:

jcurley said:

I think this is a catch 22 argument. N Prince is confusing reality of outcomes with the history of the police. Ultimately the police were created for the prevention of crime. However most crime is against property. Due to racism black people had little access to any kind if ownership. As time passed black folk were seen as the threat to this property as were anyone without it. However due to inherent racism it was easier to guess a black stranger was without than a white man. Prince is confusing outcomes with the creation. To be fair to prince to differentiate is a mute point. Here in the UK the police have long been accused of tax payer funded private security force for the propertied classes. Get the argument it's just too sweeping

No question, Prince isn't exactly historically accurate. He never was, he lacks formal education.

However inaccurate his statement is, it's exactly as you explain it. There is a continuing issue of profiling and targeting minorities and particularly African-Americans. Many would like to believe it's just a few bad apples, but somehow it's African-Americans that are regularly killed for no reason, and disproportionally jailed.The effect of not addressing this issue is extremely prejudicial, whole families and communities are crippled, the human pain is incredibly sad.

So while Prince has it wrong in terms of history, he has a right to be fed up. I'm sick of seeing headlines about black people dying for nothing and being sent to jail so much more often because they are more targeted. He spoke controversially but he's not wrong to challenge -- I just wish he'd be better informed.

filthyrichyuppie said:

skywalker said:

Does this offend you?

If you're going to come on here and ask questions, at least know what you're talking about. The modern day police force was created in London two centuries ago. What was its slogan? "The police are the public and the public are the police." Now, whether that's gone off track is another matter. But to say the Police was designed to be racist is just wrong. Prince, once again, hasn't a fucking clue. And, I would suggest, neither do you.

I'm pretty sure Prince is referencing police history in the states. London's police history has nothing to do with his statement.