KANYE WEST IS NOT A JACKASS, ANY APOLOGY?

Icheoku asks, will the president now apologise and invite both Kanye West and Taylor Swift to a "beer summit" at the White House to smooth out the seams of the MTV Video Music Awards incident? Or is the Cambridge policeman and Professor Gates' somehow special and different? After-all the Cambridge policeman "acted stupidly" by arresting Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr at his home and without any reasonable basis whatsoever, both in fact and in law?

Now that Kanye West acted off-script and earned the title of a "Jackass" from the president, Icheoku says, may be the president should give a 'shout-out' to Kanye; and express his regrets while assuring the artist that he did not mean to call him such a derogatory name! And to quickly mend fences, he should bring the two to a beer/wine fest at the White House lawn? Or must the president wait for NAACP or BET or the Hip-Hop association of America to raise hell or for his name to be dissed in a song, before a mea culpa?

As far as Icheoku is concerned, 'Jackass' is more derogatory than 'Acting Stupidly' and hence Kanye West deserves an apology for being so maligned. Kanye West is not a jackass by any definition; but a very successful enterprising hip-hop artist, who has done well by and for himself; and has also been very vocal in defense of the black race! His Katrina comment that President George W, Bush do not care about black people touched so many white nerves in America and is still reverberating in America! Kanye also helped campaign and in mobilising voters for the president's election; as well as participated in his January 20, 2009 inauguration balls? At least the president owes Kanye some 'minimal' respect?

Or is it possible that the president was pandering to the more vociferous white press and electorates when he apologised and invited the Cambridge white police officer and Professor Gates to a White House beer outing? It is our position that this time should not be any different and that Kanye deserves and should receive his due.

Icheoku therefore call on Kanye West and urge him to please call a press conference to denounce being branded a Jackass! A presidential apology might equally be very soothing to the damaged ego of KW! But for Kanye to keep silent and do nothing, amidst such a labelling, will only help fester the notion that he is a crazed-out dumb and dumber! We love our Kanye and our Kanye is not a JACKASS!