Being black and living in Alabama the majority of my life, I've seen and heard the worst of racism throughout my years.
I've been harassed by the police; I've been unable to date girls of races outside of my own; and yes, I've even been called the sinister "n-word."
But it wasn't until I watched the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards that I came to realize why racism still exists in society today.
The brilliantly talented singer/songwriter Taylor Swift won the award for Best Female Video besting the likes of the popularly insane Lady Gaga and the insanely popular Beyonce.
The crowd applauded such a victory because Swift was truly the underdog and out of the blue came none other than the nefarious Kanye West.
We all understand he is a great rapper and producer in addition to one of the biggest egos the world over.
So for Kanye to jump on stage, steal the microphone from Swift, and proceed to bark about how Beyonce's video was one of the best videos of all time just seemed a little over the top, even for Kanye.
For most, there is a breaking point and trust me, I have tried to allow Kanye to save face for me despite that it almost cracked when Kanye started a trend of wearing sunglasses that:
1) Don't protect against the sun.
2) You can't see out of.
I still allowed Kanye a pass, but not after this stunt.
So now the question is asked as to how West provided an OK for such a horrible thing as racism.
Now, while I don't condone racism, I find it to be understandable once you see things like Kanye West jumping on stage to tell Taylor Swift she isn't worthy of an award.
Something about the ignorance of West makes you angry.
It makes you so angry the only thing you can possibly blurt out is how much you hate him and anyone like him.
At this point, you can't tell who or what you should be angry toward following Beyonce allowing Swift to do her acceptance speech when Beyonce won Video of the Year. This should make Kanye feel even dumber.
Beyonce was obviously embarassed by Kanye's reaction to her loss of the Best Female Video category.
As you found yourself calmed and enjoying the music of Jay-Z and Alicia Keys, out of left field for NO APPARENT REASON AT ALL, Lil' Mama jumps on stage as they end the song.
If you, like many people are not familiar with who she is, Lil' Mama is famous for making a marginal hit song about lip balm.
Lil' Mama is also a judge on a dancing show despite that she is not much of a dancer, seeing as I have yet to witness her commit to a back flip or pop lock.
Therefore she has no business being on stage with Jay-Z or Alicia Keys, who probably had no clue who she was or what she was doing there.
At this point, you've thrown down your remote and gone to register for the Klan.
The ignorance of one projects upon us all, especially when that person is at the level of Kanye West.
It's why other countries hate America.
You provide an ego and become the face that others can hate, and sure enough they'll hate you and then some.
Although the situation was disgusting and a strong cause for hatred toward Kanye West, a small part of me believes it was all a ruse planned by MTV.
Maybe in the end, we shouldn't hate other races based on the stupid stunts of one person, but hate the platform in which the stunts were portrayed.
I'm looking at you, MTV. I'm looking at you.
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