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November 17, 2009
What BB King told women at the recent Portland concert
Guest opinion,
At age 84, Blues legend B.B. King toured in Oregon last week, and came with a message. In the middle of the blues concert he stopped playing and addressed the audience. To paraphrase what the King of Blues had to say; “Many of you may be aware of a campaign I have been undertaken for many years. I have been trying to get the brothers to stop bad talking the ladies. Let me say it, God made every woman beautiful. I will say it again, God made every woman beautiful. “ At this point the crowd cheered and said amen.
King continued, “I respect these young brothers. They are the most talented people I know. If you don’t believe me, you just try to rhyme every sentence you say. But they still need to stop talking down the ladies because God made every woman beautiful and special . And I mean eeeeeeeevery single one of them!”
King spoke more and then later had the men in the audience hold on their partners and sing the song You are my sunshine. Then King asked for all the couples to kiss.
This was a tender moment in light of a music world that has seemed to be so negative, exploitative and punishing to women. I can only hope that King’s personal crusade will change the hearts and minds of some of our fellow musicians.
What a wonderful message from a talented man. If his message makes an impact and changes only man, it’s a start.
Remember the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child?” I guess BB King could be one of the elders in the village. We should always listen to our elders.
Don’t go looking for good avice by those who sing and live the blues.
At 84 he is still on the road? I think he wants to die while performing and go out doign what he loves best. Good for him, bad for the audience.
“a music world that has seemed to be so negative, exploitative and punishing to women.” While this is no excuse for the offensive behavior of the black rappers regarding women, has anybody ever considered how commericial entertainment world has seemed to be so negative, exploitative and punishing to men? Have you seen any TV sitcoms or other programs that actually are POSITIVE regarding men?
Who invented the computer, automobile, dishwasher, cell phone and all the satellites that make it work? Who builds the bridges and roads and houses and buildings that make up our cities and schools? Who makes up 99.8% of the combat deaths as a result of protecting American interests and values? Its men. Yet all we hear about are how stupid and worthless they are on TV. Do you think our Sons don’t see that??
Do we see any “special programs” in elementary schools JUST FOR BOYS? Not in the schools in my area. The special classes are just for the girls. Do we see MENTORING PROGRAMS for young men trying to get their professional careers going? NO! We ONLY see mentoring programs for women! Do we see tax breaks for small businesses lead by men? NO! We only see tax breaks for small businesses lead by women! EVEN THOUGH WOMEN ARE THE STATISTICAL MAJORITY SEX.
This is not to condone the mindless rhymes that continuously flow from the rap sector that demean women. But perhaps, on some level, these young men are feeling demeaned themselves.
Don’t think so?
Check out the young male suicide rates in this country.
They are FOUR TO FIVE TIMES THE RATE OF YOUNG WOMEN!!!
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Maybe if he said it in rhyme, they’d understand it. My meaning is that unfortunately BB King and the rappers don’t talk the same language.