50 Cent Newest Scapegoat For Toronto Violence
It seems there are several politicians and members of the general public who have their panties in a knot over 50 Cent’s impending visit to Canada.
“Toronto MP Dan McTeague is seeking to have 50 Cent barred from entering Canada to perform a series of concerts in December,” Chartattack.com reports.
The reason? Because the rapper “promotes” gun violence.
Now I’ll get this out of the way first: I am not a fan of 50 Cent. In fact, as far as rappers go, and as far as I’m concerned, he doesn’t have one 36th the talent of any given Wu-Tang Clan member. However, as we all know, talent and popularity are not necessarily related, and when they are it’s sometimes in the following equation:
Less talent = greater popularity
Back to the point, though. What rapper doesn’t rap about violence, gun or otherwise? Even the wholesome-as-warm-milk-and-cookies Will Smith raps, “I got in one little fight and my mom got scared,” in the intro to Fresh Prince of Bel Air.
What I see here is another sad attempt at blaming Toronto’s violence on something other than the poor living conditions in certain parts of what Mel Lastman called a “world-class city” and the sad quality of life for those unfortunate enough to live in them. Lastman also wrote a letter, on behalf of Toronto, pleading Ginger Spice to not leave the Spice Girls - just in case you’re a reader from abroad.
What were our politicians blaming the violence on a few weeks ago? The United States! It’s easy to blame them for stuff, I know. Off the top of my head, I can only think of one thing that the U.S. can really be blamed for, and that’s the glowing hockey puck/comet tail they introduced to televised NHL games because the puck was too difficult to see (the puck is black, the ice is white - what’s so difficult?). But I digress. Fingers were pointed at U.S. gun manufacturers because guns used in crimes came from the States.
And yes, the guns came from there. But that isn’t the issue. The issue is that people are killing each other, and if they didn’t have guns you’d better believe they’d find other ways. The issue is that if it weren’t for certain living conditions, there would be a whole lot less for people to get angry about.
November 24th, 2005 at 8:51 am
I think there’s a difference between using violence as a plot device and glorifying violence.
“Fiddy” is encouraging parents to buy their children his new ultra-violent video game, so that they can “explain what it’s about so their kids won’t do it”.
I, too don’t like Mr. Cent. He’s a jackass. Anyone that makes a movie about themselves is a turd. I wonder how much of it is true?!?!
Anyway, your point about violence is a good one. Toronto need only blame itself.
If people were warmer and kinder to each other, we’d have no problems.
Step off!
November 24th, 2005 at 8:54 am
I can’t believe I completely neglected to mention about Fiddy’s video game. That’s totally messed up. Sure, it’s rated 17+, but buy it for your kids anyway. Buy my comic and let kids read it. Reading is good!
November 24th, 2005 at 10:16 am
On the Omni 2 world news the guy kept calling him “Fiddy Cent” with no irony - he did have a heavy accent but it was unintentionally hilarious.
November 24th, 2005 at 10:21 am
The alternative Indian pronunciation would be “Piptee.”
November 24th, 2005 at 11:48 am
Piptee is also known as Half Jalebi
November 24th, 2005 at 11:56 am
And Half Jalebi is also known as severe stomach ache.
November 25th, 2005 at 10:38 am
That’s why a full Jalebi is always best.
December 8th, 2005 at 5:34 pm
Ok, so I’m finally taking some time to TRY to get caught up on all y’all’s blogs (if I ever finish with yours, Jorge and Dave are on the hitlist, as well), and I have to say: ‘The alternative Indian pronunciation would be “Piptee.”’ made me laugh ALMOST as much as the last episode of The Office with that Kelly nameplate reveal (and the following comment, “Yeah, I bought that for Kelly.”)
Aw, see that, now? I gotta go get some pork chops ready for uploading into my face. Why is it that there’s always time for work and to get things done that NEED to be done, but never enough time to enjoy yourself?
Stupid work.