In the days after Bow Wow and Nick Cannon announced their lack of support for either presidential candidate, Roland Martin has had enough. The television host called out the rapper-actors on Twitter yesterday. First, he tore into Bow Wow – real name Shad Moss – for explaining he doesn’t feel compelled to vote since he has mixed race heritage and therefore does not identify with the civil rights movement.
Martin called it some of the “dumbest ish I’ve ever seen in my life.”
These comments by Bow Wow @smoss about being mixed and not understanding civil rights is some of the dumbest ish I've EVER seen in my life.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 28, 2016
The host of TVOne’s NewsOne Now then rattled off a list of examples of mixed individuals who understand civil rights. One tweet mentioned Ben Jealous, the former president and chief executive officer of the NAACP.
Hey Bow Wow @smoss, @BenJealous is mixed. He ran the @NAACP! You being mixed don't have a damn thing to do with civil rights. JUST STOP.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 28, 2016
In another post, Martin recalled meeting the artist at the White House and pointed out President Barack Obama’s mixed background.
Hey Bow Wow @smoss. I met you at the White House. Guess what? @POTUS is mixed. And he sure as hell knows about civil rights!
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 28, 2016
The former CNN anchor did not stop there. He also included non-Black figures who “understand civil rights” including self-described anti-racism educator Tim Wise and Carmen Perez, who co-founded The Gathering for Justice.
Hey Bow Wow @smoss. @timjacobwise and @MichaelSkolnik are white. @lsarsour is Muslim. @msladyjustice1 LaTina. They understand civil rights!
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 28, 2016
Martin says Bow Wow’s mixed race has nothing to do with his lack of knowledge on civil rights. Instead, the rapper simply doesn’t care.
Hey Bow Wow @smoss. You being mixed don't have a damn thing to do with not understanding civil rights. You not giving a damn is the answer.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 28, 2016
“You really need to be educated,” Martin told Moss.
Hey Bow Wow @smoss. You do know the federal civil rights of mixed race people can be violated? Bruh, you really need to be educated.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 28, 2016
And he informs the actor that Title IX protects his civil rights as a mixed race man.
Hey Bow Wow @smoss. You do Title IX is a federal civil rights law. Covers women in numerous instances. Mixed race too!
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 28, 2016
Bow Wow was receptive to Martin’s message. He thanked him for “enlightening me” later that night.
@rolandsmartin thanks for enlightening me. Yes we met at white house but since then OG i been disappointed and lost faith in politics.
— Shad Moss(Bow Wow) (@smoss) July 29, 2016
Moss said he had respect for the news anchor and he was “willing to learn.”
Got respect for you, @rolandsmartin you want to talk just get at me. Its nothing a convo cant fix. Im willing to learn .. Theres a start
— Shad Moss(Bow Wow) (@smoss) July 29, 2016
Martin invited Bow Wow to exchange numbers so they could discuss politics and civil rights.
@smoss follow me. DM me your digits. I'll DM me yours. Let's chop it up
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 29, 2016
And Bow Wow obliged.
Say no more. Lets make it happen. Respect and love https://t.co/FdTBuQEmZ1
— Shad Moss(Bow Wow) (@smoss) July 29, 2016
But Martin was not done yet. He immediately ripped Cannon, calling the America’s Got Talent host’s reason for not voting in the presidential election “asinine.”
Cannon told Germany’s Deutsche Welle News, at a Black Lives Matter rally July 20 he had no intention of voting based on the lack of respect for Black people from the Democratic and Republican parties.
Bruh @nickcannon. I've read & listened to your reason for not voting in the presidential race and frankly, it's asinine. #OneVote
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 28, 2016
Then, in an appearance on Access Hollywood Live July 25, Cannon said he would vote in his local election rather than the presidential race. Martin acknowledged the importance of local elections but said the president has a “huge involvement in local politics.”
Yes @NickCannon, local elections matter. I push that ALL OF THE TIME. BUT a president has a HUGE involvement in local politics. #OneVote
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 28, 2016
He then explained how the president influences local governments.
.@NickCannon The president appoint the local U.S. Attorney. They investigate local issues, Nick. That #OneVote has huge implications.
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 28, 2016
And tells Cannon to write a name in if he’s not excited about a major party candidate rather than not voting at all.
Look @NickCannon, if you said no major party candidate excites you, write a name in! But espousing a no vote message is bad. #OneVote
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 28, 2016
Then, he compares the presidential race to casting votes for AGT.
And @NickCannon, if every vote matters on America's Got Talent, they sure matter for president! #OneVote
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 28, 2016
Like he did with Bow Wow, Martin encourages Cannon to call him to discuss the mogul’s voting stance.
Brother @NickCannon, you've got my number. Let's chop it up. Your vote stance message is problematic for me. #OneVote
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 28, 2016
Cannon did not publicly respond to Martin’s invitation for a call. Instead, he said he will write in a candidate rather than vote for Republican presidentail nominee Donald Trump or Democratic nominee Hilary Clinton.
That’s exactly what I said!!! “@rolandsmartin: Look @NickCannon, if you said no major party candidate excites you, write a name in!
— Nick Cannon (@NickCannon) July 28, 2016
So much value
TWO EXTRA STUPID ASSHOLES
Hopefully, not all young people are this politically obtuse. We need to be careful with black entertainerrs, because most of them are up to some kind of personal gain. Just having the name "Bow Wow" tells everything about his mindset.
Hey Roland Martin. Who the fuck are you? People have the right to do whatever they want. I'll bet you're an asshole because instead of working on being a better you you're worrying about what other people are doing. Now get at me. And no I don't wanna talk!
Who cares what Bow wow and Nick Cannon think anyway. What have they done to make this a better world. People need to stop giving what celebrities say so m
I am glad Roland Martin took the time to reach out to them rather than just dismiss their positions as stupid. Maybe he can convince them that their words have the power to influence young people who follow them. Bow Wow and Canon may be rich enough that public policies may not affect their way of life adversely. The many inner city youth that follow them are directly affected by public policy (education, law enforcement, recreation, housing, jobs,etc.). The next president will be selecting Supreme Court justices also…this is a very important election.
WHY??? If they are informed on each candidate, knowing what's at stake, then they certainly have that right!! THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS 'THE LESSER OF TWO EVILS'; and you own the candidate you vote for, if you believe that Lie!!!
unfortunatly many young people do care. Both Nick Connon and Bowwow are role models because of the carreers and high visability. Both know they are followed that's why they were able to switch carreers so easliy to television everyone know they enjoy largr gruop followings from music and acting. thetherefore their followers mimic their behavior and think its cool or the smart thing to do. It is not. being informed is cool. I am dissapointed but not surprised.
For starters, she was involved in Watergate as she worked for Pres. Nixon. She lied and covered it all up…
To vote is a must. Black folk must learn how to use their (our) vote as leverage. Vote jusy because is a waste of time. The game changer could be learning how to control our money in our neighborhoods. That would enable us to employ one and other.
To add to the many great points on this blog, I must add that even iff you don't care for either of the two major candidates, think about the powers that the President has. The next President will most likely choose our next 2 Supreme Court Justices. Hillary Clinton will pick a Justice that protects our Civil Rights. These Negroes need to realize that a vote for Trump(or no vote at all) will increase the chance that people of color like us will have less rights. Do you really want to turn back the clock to a time when we didn't have rights? Believe me, Conservative Republicans are trying to pass laws that target people of color and Shad Moss–PLE ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR! Negro, you are not an exception.
The one I've seen most often is "She's a Wall Street shill." I have yet to hear someone explain why this is a bad thing without them either devolving into "Bernie or Bust" mode or dodging the question of how that sort of thing is a bad look for Clinton but not Trump.
I wouldn't vote for neither scum how does that mean I don't care?
I hear people talking about Hillary Clinton negatively all the time. But not one has said anything of substance, other than regurgitating what someone else has said or what they've seen on some stupid meme on social media. If she is a liar, enlighten us. What did she lie about? Can you cite your sources? As far as the email thing, the FBI has RULED that she BROKE NO LAWS. Benghazi? A bunch of hearsay. What else you got? Because I have seen no concrete proof to back up anything people are saying about Hillary Clinton. Talk without proof is nothing more than meaningless repetition of hearsay.
This election is IMPORTANT. Don't believe me? Sit at home on Election Day and let Trump get voted into the White House. You will then LEARN why our forefathers got beat and many DIED for you to have the right to vote, only to talk trash about it and throw that right in the trash. Many of the people I've asked to explain their complaints have all started out with, "Well, I HEARD…"…what good is that? Pick up a book. Learn FACTS before you throw your votes away based on a meme or some trash talk some fool has posted on social media but doesn't even know the three levels of government, much less can tell you who the Speaker of the House is. I will never understand why others listen to these kinds of people instead of learning from themselves. Some just insist on learning things the hard way, and that's exactly what is going to happen if Trump gets in that White House.
Too much of a "STAR" to vote, until the powers that be reign down upon you, then we can best believe you'll be asking for help. How about when your 15 minutes are up and we stop giving a d** about you.
If you do your history (as a black person) you will find out that there is no power in voting for you. If you have not line the pockets of these people for something that you want them to do for you, than you can forget about it.
No one education and informed really cares what they think about politics. I just hope their message does not influence new voters…
That half don't mean shit as you can see.
C.T. Hill I love the poorly educated.
There's a yuuuuge difference. Too bad you can't see it.
ATTENTION EVERYONE: ANYBODY black and famous who either says on camera that they have endorsed Trump or they are not going to vote(and encourage others to do the same) Should be shunned, ostracized, boycott their products, don't go to any concerts, watch any of their tv shows or movies! They are enemy to African American community just like any racists!
So sad! These two young men seem to have such constructive and productive thinking in their careers. But they appear to totally lost in their rationales for not voting. While disappointment that your presidential candidate lost is difficult to reconcile, independent and intelligent thinking would bring you to look at the big picture and discern what is at stake. Whether “mixed” or not, most individuals think about the profound consequences that the wrong individual in the White House can have on not only their life, but most importantly on the lives of their children and grand children, regardless of their economic status.
Damien Dagonis Dragonetti the power is not in voting for potus as much as it is in voting for the other levels of government. It would be better for Blacks not to line pockets but to educate themselves, run for local and other offices so that we can vote them in positions to help us
C.T. Hill The simple fact that the VERY FIRST THING you say about Clinton is not only a lie but a complete reversal of what actually happened says more about the effectiveness of the republican smear machine than it does about your lack of knowledge.
Who ever said the goal is to stop Trump is a complete idiot and has no idea about the game being played. So how can a person really believe that the lesser evil is a good choice? EVIL IS EVIL YOU CAN NOT TRUST EVIL.PERIOD! There are others to vote for. Gov.Johnson or Dr. Stein. I am voting green party not that I care, but because I know how to play the game. I know that if we get this thrid party on the ballot, then the next election we will have another party OUR own party. Play the game right people. You are not playing to win now the pay off doesn't ever come now, it comes later. Do not vote for Trump or Clinton. Vote third party for th future! Lets have our own party in 4 yrs ready to take this country and fix it for us by us.
Why would we try to enlighten someone that do not have a clue and has their mind made up. Black people cant seem to believe that they deserve better. They make excuses for those that hates them and dislike it when the truth is right in front of them.
How bout the fact that she'll say anything to win. Her views change more than than a bank teller!!
I'm sure tRump will thank them.
People in the US have every right to vote or not to vote and there's no amount of bad mouthing that's going to change it.
And the real sad part is, if you’re a person of color, you're not considered truly black unless you vote Demarcate but if you don't not black. Since win does the color of one’s skin determine what party you vote for?
What’s making some people angry, like Martin; is the fear their candidate might lose, as well they should.
They are both UN-FU..ING BELIEVABLE!!! AS Hard as We FOUGHT and DIED for these rights and this is their response???? See they have the opportunities, riches and fame and Are self-absorbed. …they obviously don't share the average black individuals's struggles. But, let the Black public stop supporting them….do them just like those othrr bias businesses and STOP SUPPORTING THEM….HIGH PRICE SELFISH IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!! THis generation and today's kids don't havva clue about the black struggle. Its very sad all they do us play games, watch videos, smoke pit, father babies, live at home with Mom and emulate these type of No SOCIAL CONSCIENCE!
HILLARY HAS DONE A LOT FOR US. JUST REMEMBER WE ALL MADE MISTAKE NOT VOTING IS NOT PROVEN A THING. BUT GIVEN UP YOUR RIGHT. JUST REMEBER YOU DON'T VOTE YOU DON/T HAVE THE RIGHT TO COMPLAIN..IT ASHAME THAT WE CAN SEE EVERYONE FAULT BUT OUR OWN. AND IF YOU REALLY WANT TO BE A STAR THEN YOU NEED TO MAKE A DIFFERENT WORLD ITSAD THAT WE HAVE A BUGER KING MIND YOU CAN'T HAVE YOUR WAY ALL THE TIME IF YOU TRULY WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE THEN YOU NEED TO EXERISE YOUR RIGHT AND VOTE.I JUST ASK THIS QUESTION IF EVERYBODY WAS LIKE YOU WHAT WILL THIS WORLD WILL BE PUT YOUR SELF IN HILLARY SHOES THIS ELECTION IS IMPORANT STOP LISTENING TO NEGATIVELY WE COME A LONG WAY BUTSTILL WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO SO I CHALLEGE ALL OF US TO GET OUT AND VOTE DON'T LET THE EMEMY WHICH IS YOU GET DEFEATED IN NOVEMBER LET US ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE ANY MAKE HISTORY YES WE CAN DO IT BETTER TOGETHER THERE IS POWER IN A VOTE USE IT TO OUR ADVANGE.
C.T. Hill Forget Wall Street and Nixon; consider all of the other illegal things Hillary and her husband has committed in recent years.
What I don't understand is, how is that my ppl's can vote one party all their lives, not caring how corrupt their party is, be it Demarcate or Republicans.
How long will “We” give our vote to a party, who only value us for our vote; how long will we vote for a party/candidate whose only desire is to keep us dependent upon them?
If the Demarcate Party is such a great party, then why are blacks (who faithfully vote Demarcate), are always the group with the highest number of unemployment. We have eight years of Obama and what has he done for the black community?
Consider how he implemented these mandatory minimum sentences and made punishement for possession of crack cocaine (a drug that plagued black communities) a harsher sentence than powder cocaaine ( a favorite amount the wealthy whites). During this time black men received 17x more time than whites for the same drug and often times the same crime. And who was rallying for this in his corner calling us "super-predators" (among other names)? Hilary!
The voting act was a given and could be violated any day now
Besides supporting the Crime bill that decimated black communities and lobbying behind the scenes to get it passed in congress? Let's just forget that this wome and her husband's actions caused harm to millions of black people.
I think it's silly to equate Cannon's reasoning for not voting or caring about the presidential race, which whether you agree with him or not certainly has reasoning behind it, with Bow Wow who was trying to distance himself from Black people entirely. Cannon was making the case that neither party has the interest of Black people at heart, whereas Bow Wow was saying he himself doesn't care about the Black community or their concerns.
Because he made more sense in the first place
C.T. Hill umm. You didn't do your homework before you accused her of being involved in Watergate. IN fact, she was on the committee INVESTIGATING Watergate.
thanks Roberta
Karlin Carlito Carney !!!!! You obviously Don't know your (B LACK) history!! PEOPLE DIED LITERALLY and Figuratively. There were lynchings , more than history will EVER ADMIT!!!! Other Deaths were made by the denial of access to services, wages, taunting by whites, beatings, poor housing, non usage of public transportation. …all manner of things!!! They suffered SOCIAL DEATHS of not bring TREATED EQUAL & COULD NOT "VOTE" FOR OR TO TRY AND MAKE A CHANGE! !!Damn REALLY? !?..are you that Stupid, Blind and DUMB!!!…Apply For Handicap compensation, and funding because your BRAIN IS A MALFUNCTIONED MESS!!
Karlin Carlito Carney You're kidding right?
We see nick cannon a real dumb ass… By not voting or "writing a name in" you are voting for trump there by making you my friend apart of the problem…