Last night I attended the Aretha Franklin Concert at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

For the opening act, comedian Michael Epps performed.  In the beginning of his set, he thanked God for his blessings and asked for a moment of silence for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

He continued on with his comedy that included the usual observational humor and remarks about his childhood.

After awhile, it seemed that Aretha was running late and Mr. Epps was running low on material.  That was when the act turned absolutely caustic.

"The President ain't shit!", Epps said and parroted Kanye West's comments that Bush does not care about black people.  He said that all you "Punk Ass White Republicans" better "watch out".

All this whipped the crowd into agreeable frenzies.  I felt pretty threatened as I was glared at.  (I was one of the few white people in attendance)

I never thought that going to see Aretha Franklin, a former gospel singer, would include such race-baiting and vitriol.  

I have contacted the MGM Grand to voice my concerns about allowing Mr. Epps to perform in the future but have not yet received a response.

Sue them. You FELT threatened.

racist

ARETHA FRANKLIN


Respect



(oo) What you want
(oo) Baby, I got
(oo) What you need
(oo) Do you know I got it?
(oo) All I?m askin?
(oo) Is for a little respect when you come home (just a little bit)
Hey baby (just a little bit) when you get home
(just a little bit) mister (just a little bit)

I ain?t gonna do you wrong while you?re gone
Ain?t gonna do you wrong (oo) ?cause I don?t wanna (oo)
All I?m askin? (oo)
Is for a little respect when you come home (just a little bit)
Baby (just a little bit) when you get home (just a little bit)
Yeah (just a little bit)

I?m about to give you all of my money
And all I?m askin? in return, honey
Is to give me my profits
When you get home (just a, just a, just a, just a)
Yeah baby (just a, just a, just a, just a)
When you get home (just a little bit)
Yeah (just a little bit)

------ instrumental break ------

Ooo, your kisses (oo)
Sweeter than honey (oo)
And guess what? (oo)
So is my money (oo)
All I want you to do (oo) for me
Is give it to me when you get home (re, re, re ,re)
Yeah baby (re, re, re ,re)
Whip it to me (respect, just a little bit)
When you get home, now (just a little bit)

R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Find out what it means to me
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Take care, TCB

Oh (sock it to me, sock it to me,
sock it to me, sock it to me)
A little respect (sock it to me, sock it to me,
sock it to me, sock it to me)
Whoa, babe (just a little bit)
A little respect (just a little bit)
I get tired (just a little bit)
Keep on tryin? (just a little bit)
You?re runnin? out of foolin? (just a little bit)
And I ain?t lyin? (just a little bit)
(re, re, re, re) ?spect
When you come home (re, re, re ,re)
Or you might walk in (respect, just a little bit)
And find out I?m gone (just a little bit)
I got to have (just a little bit)
A little respect (just a little bit)

go to another black concert dumbo.

Quoted: go to another black concert dumbo.

By that logic a black man attending a Kenny G concert should expect what, a klan meeting?  

Quoted: Quoted: go to another black concert dumbo. By that logic a black man attending a Kenny G concert should expect what, a klan meeting?

No, he should expect really bland, boring music...  

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: go to another black concert dumbo. By that logic a black man attending a Kenny G concert should expect what, a klan meeting?   No, he should expect really bland, boring music...

A Kenny G concert? Why?

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: go to another black concert dumbo. By that logic a black man attending a Kenny G concert should expect what, a klan meeting?   No, he should expect really bland, boring music...   A Kenny G concert? Why?

That was just the most stereotypical white music I could think of.

My point is that it is a sad state of affairs when you can't even go out for the evening without being derided for who you are.  

what's funny is, i'll bet Aretha thinks like a republican when it comes to her taxes. the IRS has been all over her ass for years about her finances. Her house in west bloomfield burned down under mysterious circumstances couple yers ago. Later it was ruled an arson by a family member.

Quoted: Quoted: go to another black concert dumbo. By that logic a black man attending a Kenny G concert should expect what, a klan meeting?

No, he should have his "Black Card(tm)" taken away!

At this point I'd just say let Kenny G. and Aretha battle it out but...I'm afraid Kenny G. would be play'in notes out his @$$ by the time Aretha got done wid'im!!! LOL!!!

Why did you think any black "artist" of today would do otherwise?

Quoted: Why did you think any black "artist" of today would do otherwise?

Bill Cosby?

just dont put yourself in that situation again.

made the mistake after having a few jack and cokes to respond to a comedian in atlantic city
when he asked if anyone was from the south..............mistake. he was relentless told me the war was over
i could move now.pretty funny but i dont think ill yeeee hawww!! in a situation like that again.

Quoted: At this point I'd just say let Kenny G. and Aretha battle it out but...I'm afraid Kenny G. would be play'in notes out his @$$ by the time Aretha got done wid'im!!! LOL!!!

compare apples to oranges, one is  a musician the other is a vocalist

Quoted: Quoted: Why did you think any black "artist" of today would do otherwise? Bill Cosby?

Bill Cosby's just about the only one I can think of right off who doesn't stoop to that level  Anybody know about Will Smith ?  

I've lived my whole life dealing with anti-white racism.  I would not have been shocked at all if I heard that, and I'm so used to that kind of shit that I wouldn't even be very upset.

I'm very surprised with myself for not becoming a racist myself after all I've been through.  I have become a realist, though.

There is a lesson for you there, my white ARCOM friend.  Do you get it yet?  

Quoted: Quoted: go to another black concert dumbo. By that logic a black man attending a Kenny G concert should expect what, a klan meeting?

the Klan don't like Kenny G either.  Try Kenny Chesnee.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: go to another black concert dumbo. By that logic a black man attending a Kenny G concert should expect what, a klan meeting?   the Klan don't like Kenny G either.  Try Kenny Chesnee.

The klan likes metrosexuals?

Quoted: There is a lesson for you there, my white ARCOM friend.  Do you get it yet?

Aren't you one of the guys who was cussing a former member who shall remain nameless for being a racist?

Hypocrisy?  Not at Arfcom...lol...

Quoted: what's funny is, i'll bet Aretha thinks like a republican when it comes to her taxes. the IRS has been all over her ass for years about her finances. Her house in west bloomfield burned down under mysterious circumstances couple yers ago. Later it was ruled an arson by a family member.

I remember that...if she cared so much about her fellow blacks she should have kept her tax dollars south of 8 mile...

Quoted: There is a lesson for you there, my white ARCOM friend.  Do you get it yet?

Sadly yes, lesson learned.  

Quoted: Quoted: There is a lesson for you there, my white ARCOM friend.  Do you get it yet?   Aren't you one of the guys who was cussing a former member who shall remain nameless for being a racist? Hypocrisy?  Not at Arfcom...lol...

"Cussing a former member?  Unlikely...possible...but unlikely.  I rarely enter into ad hominem attacks...and NEVER "cuss" at anybody here.  

I am not a racist.  Far from it in fact and if you knew me and my family you would understand with crystal clarity.  That said, I most assuredly AM a realist and somewhat careful in my daily life.

No racial overtones were intended in my posting.  If you assume that then you are incorrect.