Five Things You Missed During BET’s Black Men's Summit
The BET Black Men’s Summit was a treasure trove of information, showcasing some of the most recognizable figures from various industries.
Hosted by stand-up comedian and actor DL Hughley, the event brought together Black men, including Jermaine Dupri, Michael Ealy, Vic Mensa, and others, for in-depth conversations about the critical issues affecting their communities ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
If you didn’t catch last night's discussion, here are five essential things you missed.
DL Hughley and Jermain Dupri reminded us all that Donald Trump was not responsible for the stimulus check
The narrative surrounding Trump’s efforts to secure aid for millions of Americans during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has often been distorted.
“I feel like it is really important that we, as men in this room, give them the facts today, “ So So Def founder Jermain Dupri shared, cautioning young viewers out there that some of the news they hear may be misleading.
Hughley highlighted, “There was a specific reason that Donald Trump, even though he didn't give those checks out, there was a specific reason he delayed them so he could put his name on it.”
He added, “He knew it would have that effect.”
Kenny Burns told us what Black male voters were thinking
Black men can speak for themselves, and Tuesday’s conversation provided a platform for that, as speaker Kenny Burns shared insights into the community’s concerns. Burns hit the streets, where potential voters voiced concerns about the economy, healthcare, and more.
“I think tax credits are very important for entrepreneurs here in Georgia. We also want to be a part of the American dream. A lot of people I talk to want to have home ownership and they want to figure out pathways, how to get there. I think another big thing is childcare and being entrepreneurs,” Burns shared.
Vic Mensa made space for Black women
Chicago-based rapper and activist Vic Mensa reminded us that women’s rights were on their list of concerns.
The emcee recalled a time he felt unable to protect his sister, sharing, “There was a KKK rally in Memphis, Tennessee at the time, and I just remember how unable I felt to protect her. And that's a direct correlation to that becoming another possibility.” He added, “Just the emboldening of the people who seek to destroy us and to destroy our mother, sisters, nieces, and the women in our lives. So I think that it's an issue of paramount importance to us and to me.”
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Michael Ealy weighed in on Kamala Harris’s qualifications as President
Trump’s background in business, which has been questioned and subject to lawsuits, attracted many of his supporters during his first presidential run in 2016, while Harris’s career as a criminal prosecutor has drawn her backlash.
During last night’s discussion, Ealy spoke on the double standard, stating, “It amazes me oftentimes how many times Democrats have to provide receipts for all of the things that they do. And for all of their qualifications, and yet on the other side, there's just no accountability.”
He continued, “When you look at what Kamala Harris, who's been a public servant basically her whole life, she is the most qualified candidate to run for president.”
Ealy and Hughley go on to address the widely circulated claim that Vice President Harris imprisoned 'thousands and thousands' of Black men. “So if you look at her as just a cop, which has been debunked, and it's been the mythology, like Vic was saying, it was 45 guys, and that's it.”
Ben Crump spoke on the importance of supporting our communities’ LGBTQ members
Civil Rights attorney Ben Crump delivered a reminder to those who felt one group was progressing more than the other: “ Everything has to be taken in context. When you think about civil rights, we must remember that if they can discriminate against them, then it makes it easier to discriminate against us, and they love to try to pit us against one another.”