NBC broadcast a live concert for hurricane relief. Well, live on the East Coast, anyway. During that broadcast, various entertainers read from scripted comments prepared for them by the network — the typical “the devastation is horrible, won’t you please help” sort of lines.
Well, everyone except hot hip-hop artist Kanye West. Appearing with comedian Mike Myers (Crooks & Liars has the video), he had this to say:
Myers: The landscape of the city has changed dramatically, tragically and perhaps irreversibly. There is now over 25 feet of water where there was once city streets and thriving neighborhoods.
West: I hate the way they portray us in the media. You see a black family, it says, “They’re looting.” You see a white family, it says, “They’re looking for food.” And, you know, it’s been five days [waiting for federal help] because most of the people are black. And even for me to complain about it, I would be a hypocrite because I’ve tried to turn away from the TV because it’s too hard to watch. I’ve even been shopping before even giving a donation, so now I’m calling my business manager right now to see what is the biggest amount I can give, and just to imagine if I was down there, and those are my people down there. So anybody out there that wants to do anything that we can help — with the way America is set up to help the poor, the black people, the less well-off, as slow as possible. I mean, the Red Cross is doing everything they can. We already realize a lot of people that could help are at war right now, fighting another way — and they’ve given them permission to go down and shoot us!
Myers: And subtle, but in many ways even more profoundly devastating, is the lasting damage to the survivors’ will to rebuild and remain in the area. The destruction of the spirit of the people of southern Louisiana and Mississippi may end up being the most tragic loss of all.
West: George Bush doesn’t care about black people!
Myers: Please call . . .
Was it the right time to say that? No. Was it the truth? Not exactly; George Bush loves his wife Secretary of State. It might be more accurate to say George Bush doesn’t care about poor black people, or perhaps just poor people in general.
