A Short Compilation of Appropriation: Harlem Shake Included

Do the Harlem Shake has finally gotten to black people who now also "do the Harlem Shake" by not actually doing the damn "Harlem Shake" at all.Paul Mooney famously once said, "Everybody wants be a nigga but nobody wants to be a nigga," which is about the most true statement in the history of African American culture. People LOVE black culture, but hate the folks who make it. If only there was a way to enjoy all this good black stuff without the pesky black people. And hence, appropriation was born. But it's not always Pat Boone taking the funk out of Motown or Elvis making "hip thrusts" white people friendly. Today, appropriation is more of a comedy art form practiced by hip hop loving white people who want the thrill of saying the "N-word" but not that pesky backlash afterwards. 

Here is a brief compliation of white appropriations in black culture (particularly hip hop and "ratchetness"), and what these appropriations mean.

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Charlie Rangel Will Run Again No Matter What You Think

Harlem's Representative-4-Life Charlie Rangel has announced he will run again for his seat in Congress. Last year Rangel was embroiled in an ethics scandal that pretty much did nothing to stop him from being reelected in November. While some might argue that Charlie is too old, too entrenched and it's time for him to step aside, Rangel would argue that this is a Democracy and he can very well keep running until Harlem either A) stops electing him or B) he dies in office, Robert Byrd-style. I've said it before and I'll say it again -- if you want Rangel gone, you better beat him. He's not "giving up" anything. There's no posh retirement home or cush lobbying job for old Civil Rights guard members who become politicians. If you knew this was as good as it gets would you give it up? Think of the health care. Congress people get ahhh-maaazing health care. I'd put up a Gandalf stand for that alone.

Ethics Committee Finds Charlie Rangel Guilty

CNN is reporting that Harlem-based Rep. Charlie Rangel was found guilty of multiple ethics violations by an eight-member House committee. Rangel tried to postpone the hearing Monday, claiming that he needed more time to secure new legal counsel, but was greeted with a warm response of "nobody cares."

More after the jump.

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