Are not these awards also racist?

[anotheoldgit]

With tonight's MOBO (Music of Black Origin) awards and previous BET (Black Entertainment TV) awards.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/69598 35.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/51237 94.stm

Why are these necessary when we are constantly being told to ignore a person's colour? If there were to be awards for Music of White Origin or White Entertainment TV, they would be construde as racist.

[jake-the-peg]

No it defines a style not a race.

There have been white winners too if you had to be black to win you might have a point

But you don't

[Ethel]

Justin Timberlake has won a MOBO award, and he is white.

And so has Norah Jones, another white singer.

And Mick Hucknall - he's white.


So no, the Mobo awards are not racist.

[Goodsoulette]

I dont think the mobos are racist. Everywhere celebrates their culture somehow. Does it ban white artists from recieving awards or performing? No. Justin Timberlake has performed and Eminem won a hat trick at one set of awards. If the rules were you had to be black, then yes it would be racist.

I very much dislike a lot of the music at this set of awards but why not celebrate it?

In essence rock is white boy music, so the Kerrang awards are as white as the MObos are black. It just doesnt say it. White culture is everywhere anyways.


I don't know what its like in America but I think black people are underrepresented in tv and certainly were in the past. Why not have a tv station aimed at representing their culture/ancestory/way of life. I dont moan about the god channels for bible belt america etc.

[Gromit]

Er, you do not have to be black to win it or be in it. Amy Winehouse who is definitely white has four nominations.

Black in that sense is a collective description of the origins of the music. There is no bar on skin colour to nominees or winners.

So there is no racist connotation to the awards.

[Pippa68]

I was going to mention 'Kerrang', Goodie..really that should be 'MOWO' awards, eh? ;o)

[Pippa68]

Hence 'Of Black Origin'

[Fingerprint]

No, it's not racist, anyone can win the awards regardless of their race as long as they are making music of back origin so there is no prejudice.

I don't see anything wrong with using the word black in the title it's just a catch all term for the genre's covered. I imagine rock and country music awards would be almost entirely white.

Besides with the long history of white artists stealing and watering down black music for profits(Elvis Presley) surely it's only right to finally pay homage to the black origins of these genres.

[Neilzulu1]

Who cares, good music.

[WaldoMcFroog]

Is it that time already?

This exact same question come up every year, like a bad penny.

[Booldawg]

Do the MOBOs contain a category for 'The most amount of semi-naked women writhing around in a rap/R&B video' ?

[Goodsoulette]

lol bawldog, I watched the sugarhill gang video t'other day and was wondering where all the ginormous arses were!

[anotheoldgit]

Fair dues, all good answers without obnoxious remarks.

But why forever highlight Black, when White isn't used in the same context, that was my point?

And I don't think that any Whites would be able to enter for the BET awards. Black Entertainment TV, puts a no, no on this. There are numourous all Black TV shows, unlike most White shows that have to have the obligatory Black person or female and lately homosexual, in them, all in the name of PC.

[sp1814]

AOG

This question does come up every year, but I don't think it's ever been properly explained.

Here goes.

Originally, the awards were called the British Dance Music awards, but this was a bit to limiting. The organisers toyed with changing it to the R'n'B awards, but then you'd be missing out on people such as Dr Dre, Eminem, 50 Pence etc.

So eventually, it was renamed to the MOBOs because that's the most accurate reflection of what's being judged. It's dance, jazz, hip hop, rap, blues, disco etc etc.

All these musical forms are 'music of black origin'.

There's no need to have a 'music of white origin' awards because they're already subdivided by category - country music awards, Kerrang etc etc.

[Ethel]

The very thing of calling it Music of Black Origin or whatever programme or award you refer to, is because it is ALTERNATIVE to the mainstream in US and UK which is white culture.

[Booldawg]

I was totally suprised when I found out Keith Urban was white! Now THERES a black R&B name if there ever was one. Damn my white, shire town racist upbringing :-(

[sp1814]

AOG

It really is a redundant question...however, I look forward to it resurfacing next year.

Incidentally, you do realise that Amy Winehouse(not exactly the blackest of singers) is sure to win big tonight.

You'll probably see Just Jack walk away with a gong or two for his brilliant debut CD, and Mr Timberlake for his decidedly average sophomore effort.

Perhaps your question shouldn't be directed at the perceived racism of the MOBOs, but instead at the Emmys, Oscars and BAFTAs.

Not exacty brimming with black faces on the podiums but you never hear black people complaining.

That would be racist!

[Pippa68]

Have to laugh at sp's '50 pence'...heh heh.

As for Black Entertainment..hmmm..I seem to remember Lenny Henry having 'token white' actors/comedians in his show, as did the cast of 'Desmonds' and 'No Problem'.

I don't think there are any shows featuring and made by black people at the moment. Was it just an 80's/90's thing? I know there is 'Little Miss Jocelyn' but I never saw that.

[bodylice]

No they are not racist. Racism can only be practised by White people against Black/Asian people.

The issue of Asians discriminating against Black people, or vice versa, or any other case where Whites are not involved is usually glossed over.

[Supernick]

Until you mentioned Just Jack sp1814, I had you down as being a rather sensible chap.
Sod the black issue, I'd like to take umbrage with JJ being labelled as 'music'.

[Pippa68]

And Mr Timberlake average? how very dare you!