Kanye West's infamous declaration

Kanye West is an outspoken rapper/producer and entertainer from Chicago Illinois. He’s received multiple awards including Grammy’s and he has enjoyed multi platinum album sales. Kanye West has even ventured into the world of fashion; designed shoes for release, and is currently working on a clothing line.
On September 2, 2005, during a benefit concert for victims of Hurricane Katrina on NBC Kanye West was a featured speaker and made a bold declaration. He deviated from the prompter which had the lines he was supposed to say and instead he chose to speak from his heart. He said “George Bush doesn’t care about black people”. He was quickly cut off but by then is assertion was made and the damage had been done. I have the link here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIUzLpO1kxI if you want to see the video for yourself. For weeks following Kanye West was ridiculed and criticized for making such bold comments on air. The media continued to talk about the story day in and day out and each day they made Kanye West out to look like the bad guy. It made Kanye West look like a loud mouth arrogant individual. In actuality Kanye West just got caught up in the moment and said something that a lot of black people around the country were thinking. He spoke his mind and I applaud him for doing such. Cashmore talked about how some celebrities “comfort rather than challenge” like West did. In other words a lot of celebrities are scared to step out of the box and say what they really fill because of fear that it may hurt that star power or image. I think the media pushes blacks in particular towards comfort because many blacks such as Kanye West are looked at as “radical” and outspoken individuals. In some cases I think the media fears what some blacks may do or say next.
Often times when celebrities do challenge, especially African Americans, their remarks are continually blown out of proportion by the media and it makes them out to look bad. Agree or disagree with Kanye West’s statements we need more celebrities to challenge because we all know the power and tremendous influence that they have in today’s culture.