Not since the early 90’s has Hip Hop and mass media in general seen such an effort focused on the elimination of negative images. As the fallout from the “Imus incident” continues, The NAACP has officially joined the fight with a campaign of its own.
Following in the footsteps of The National Action Network’s recent call for emcees to stop using expletives like “bitch”, “hoe” and “nigga” in their recordings, the Civil Rights organization is announcing the formation of the STOP Campaign.
Unlike similar campaigns that have originators from the Civil Rights Generation, STOP’s origins are with the group’s Youth and College Division.
“The NAACP STOP Campaign is urgently needed to combat recent remarks and continual visual depictions that cast African Americans in a negative light,” Interim NAACP President & CEO Dennis C. Hayes says of the project. “We recognize the need for balance within the African American community in regards to what music, film, and media we deem acceptable. When it comes to establishing norms, nothing is more influential than the images and concepts delivered into our lives on a daily basis by radio, TV, film and the Internet.”
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Those wishing to get down with STOP are asked to do the following (courtesy of an EUR Web Report):
STOP Defaming Our Women. by respecting all African American Women and not describing them in profane and derogatory terms.
STOP Degrading Our Community. by not supporting hurtful images that portray negative images of the African American community.
STOP Denigrating Our History. by not supporting words and media that diminishes our proud history and insults our ancestors.
STOP Accepting Disrespect. by not patronizing companies and artists that put forth demeaning and disrespectful images in our community.
START Standing Up. by standing against anyone who diminishes the capacity of young people.
START the Diversity. by supporting balance and diversity of content in the entertainment industry, urging creation of positive role models for young people and by demanding that more African Americans and other people of color be placed in decision-making positions in the entertainment industry.
During the next year, the NAACP hopes to have individuals formally make a pledge to the campaign as well as organize a STOP Advisory Committee to monitor media outlets.
