Prespections, Poverty and Kayne West from a Vegas View

Today, I read an editorial piece on Black Commentator , which highlighted a study of 1200 people (500 blacks & 700 whites) about their views on how race factored into the federal government's response to Hurricane Katrina. Unsurprisingly, there was a great disparity between blacks and whites on the issue. The article also asked those polled whether Kayne West comments about George Bush, FEMA, Hurricane Katrina and racial inequality were unjustified. The editor states that the difference in perception (9% blacks, 56% whites) demonstrates that race is still an issue in our country.

I guess what makes this article particularly striking is that I saw Kayne West after his concert on News Years Eve in Las Vegas. The capacity crowd of about 7500 ($75-300 a pop) was primarily white. Despite Kayne's clear message in his lyrics and on national TV about societal wrongs regarding race, poverty and urban repression he continues to garnish fans across ethnic and socio-economic lines. Is it because young white suburbanites are searching for ways to rebel against the cultural institutions established by their parents & families? Is it because people are tired of a federal government that is unresponsive to the needs of the people whether they are of seniors, veterans, international citizens, or black/African-American? Or could the fans like artists who just don't like George Bush? I say it could any or all above.

In Fresno where the concentration of poverty is greater than pre-Katrina New Orleans, race and poverty are issues swept under the old rug already plauged with a huge lupe of dirt. It kick up dust every time someone walks over it and acts as its not there. Maybe that's why we have bad air-- no one wants to clear the dust.