Jeff Johnson: Checkmate

Jeff Johnson is simpler than his presentation may suggest. The former Cleveland, Ohio resident and alum from the University of Toledo was always active is activism. The melodies of Black is Beautiful and Git Up, Git Out blended seamlessly to influence the man who is co-signed by a culture created by and for Black and Brown people. But Jeff Johnson doesnt see himself as Hip Hop; he is a man only providing enlightenment and a service not unlike one he did when he was the president of the Black Student Union at the University of Toledo.

His integral role in helping shape the Black consciousness on campus led to demands, marches and ultimately changes within an establishment not known for being too kind to its minority students. Upon graduation, Johnson headed to Washington, D.C. to become the National Director for the NAACPs Youth and College Division.

But Hip Hop would not turn a blind eye to the booming voice coming out of the nations capital. BET with a piqued interest offered Johnson a gig with the network and he has since used his voice on various programming that has aired to question and challenge us to do better. With the latest Hip-Hop vs. America wrapped up, Jeff Johnson speaks with HipHopDX about BETs responsibility to Black America, T.I. and Michael Vicks current legal woes and talks about whats beautiful within Black America.

HipHopDX: There seems to be always a discussion about whats wrong within Black America, or how it can be fixed. For the opposite look at things, what is right or beautiful within Black America?
Jeff Johnson: Thats a great question, Kev. I think so much of our people. I think that the resilience of black people is so strong. We place hope inside of a realm where others may think that none exists. There are black men, women and children who struggle, everyday, just to make the right decisions in a world where people around them are easily making the wrong ones. There are elders who still try to provide an example to their brethren. Theyre not artist; theyre regular people who are just doing what comes naturally. There are the black entrepreneurs who dont have to work for someone elses Fortune 500 Company and they continue to do this on their own; striving to be the best. Those are a few small things that I think are fantastic.

DX: Arguably, we have the most profitable art form that has ever existed; yet, the architects of Hip Hop are not truly recognized and regarded like those who are considered the influential white artist is only genres. In the words of Davey D, Do we really respect the architects? Or is it only symbolic?"
JJ: I dont think we celebrate the architects enough. You have [Hip Hop] heads who do; who lift up the names of Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force, but as a community, I dont think we do. Why do we expect a community who doesnt celebrate Nat Turner, Patrice Lamumba or others to celebrate their cultural icons when they dont celebrate their historical ones. Until we get to a place where we celebrate people who are as meaningful in a historical context, as much as they are in the mainstream one, then well be a people who do not celebrate all of the important things that are involved in our culture.

DX: The Hip-Hop vs. America program that aired on BET raised a lot of questions, but a fellow Hip Hop scribe by the name of Jay Smooth mentioned that the problems with things like that is you have people whom only stick with their point of view, neglecting to hear the persons other side. So, are roundtable discussions like Hip-Hop vs. America helpful or a hindrance to building towards a realistic future of movement?
JJ: I think that theyre absolutely helpful. The place where the critical thinking should take place is at home. So while panelist A and B are talking someone at home should be listening. I would like for people to listen to what the others say, but whats important to me is that the audience listens. Are they listening to what both sides are saying? Are they critical to process what both sides are putting on the table? Whats more detrimental is people who are so uncritical to where they become intellectual groupies.

DX: The discussion also sparked the Spelman students to turn their attention to BET. How much responsibility should BET take in being involved in Black Americas continued growth?
JJ: Its interesting. I want to see BET to be a network whose focus is comprehensive education/entertainment empowerment. Do I think that that is going to happen? No. Once we believe that a corporate entity whose responsibility is to make money should be the bearer of responsibility that dictates our life, then weve misplaced our focus. The goal with BET is to continue to challenge Reginald Hudlin and Debra Lee to do more stuff like Hip-Hop vs. America and American Gangster things that challenge and give information. To be honest, I like the direction that I see BET going in; I just wish that it could move faster. I wish that it could be more balanced. Right now, the only two video shows that are aired are 106 & Park and Rap City. I even like the concept of Hell Date. I like the direction that were trying to move in. I hope that we can continue to be more aggressive. My responsibility is to push it from the inside. Debra and Reggie want these changes. Two years ago, BET didnt look like anything that it does now. If we can push the network to do better, then itll be less about them being responsible for Black America and well be able to be responsible for ourselves. You cant expect BET to be the one who comes to our rescue, they can only be a corporate partner involved in this. Thats all were talking about is the Black community has to be the savior of the Black community. If we let that sink in, then well be able to focus on ourselves.

DX: Would you consider yourself a Hip Hop educator?
JJ: No. I wouldnt consider myself a Hip Hop anything. Im beginning to get tired of people labeling themselves as a Hip Hop something. Im a part of the community, Im an activist; Im an educator, a servant, but Im not a Hip Hop servant. I just so happen to be a part of the Hip Hop community. But bigger than that, Im a part of the African Diaspora. I just find that term Hip Hop when applied as a label to be constricting and I just dont like boxes.

DX: Now, youre from Cleveland what are your thoughts about the Fox commentator trying to link hip-hop with the shootings that just occurred over there at Success Tech Academy?
JJ: I think that for all the things that Hip-Hop vs. America was for and for what it was not, I think the title is an accurate description. Everything socially that goes wrong, people in America want to blame hip-hop for it. Your first question inspired me, really. When people first say whats good with hip-hop, they list Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common and others. But Hip Hop is not just the industry. Until we start saying that whats good about hip-hop is Lil Shaneeka; that she graduated first in her class out of high school and is about to go to Harvard; thats what we need to hear! To hear about college students going down to Jena, Louisiana to support not for TV but to support those individuals down there facing that type of adversity is whats good about hip-hop! If we dont tell it to the world and shout it from the rooftops, what do you expect anyone else who doesnt like hip-hop to say positive about it? As far as for people who have uninformed things and a platform to speak on it, Im not surprised by idiots for being idiots. But, I really believe that we need to be proactive enough to tell our story, our own way.

DX: Okay, okay, but if someone tries to say that then you have the T.I. incident that follows does it lend a certain credence for him to continue to say things like that?
JJ: Well you always got an Oprah Winfrey and an O.J. [Simpson] Theres always going to be an O.J. in the mix and I say that jokingly. The T.I. thing has pained me in a way that I have not been pained by a news story in a long time. This is the second brother in less than a year that has totally and completely destroyed his life over some nigger shit. Im less concerned about what T.I. did, for what people are saying; as opposed to what were not investigating and investing in our young people. Michael Vick and T.I. are the same person. Their actions in certain situations have resulted in millions of dollars down the drain. Lets not act like there arent that many black quarterbacks who were on top of the game. Where are the mentors? Who has ever spent time really talking with these brothers about being a man, instead of just being a player, or an actor, or a rapper whatever? Who did that with T.I.? They [Vick and T.I.] need to be held responsible for their actions, but someone needed to be in T.I.s camp saying, What are you doing? You are one of the biggest stars in Hip Hop a movie that you star in with Denzel Washington is on the verge of being released nationally and youre just going to go out and pick up a few machine guns before you head out to perform at the BET Hip-Hop Awards? Its absurd and from those few incidents, Ive been inspired and its something Ill probably start up within the next few days Im going to launch the Hip-Hop mentorship project. I got a few artists and athletes who are 10-15 years in and/or retired, trainers and coaches, who are going to help me create a system where people [celebrities, athletes, etc.] are able to reach out to them in a confidential way to say that they want help to navigate their careers. It really is about how to help to create a thought process thatll help to build and speak into peoples life. The hood is creating some of the most brilliant minds that our country has to offer. But if you dont have someone telling you that youre not there anymore, that you can change and grow within that mentality then were setting ourselves up for failure.

DX: Since T.I. was one of the vocal proponents on the Hip-Hop vs. America discussion how do you see this playing out in the long run for him and do you think that this could be a catalyst for other people within the music business to check themselves and what they do?
JJ: I hope so but I thought that Michael Vick was that. I thought that that wouldve sent the message that you are a target; that they want to see you to fall. If T.I. wanted to get that gangster, he couldve hired the Blackwater Soldiers. Hire some white folks to hold your guns, not you you who is convicted of a felony.

DX: It really seems that most rappers will walk the walk, but not talk the talk. Mos Def really was angered by not seeing most of his Hip Hop comrades come down to support the Jena 6. So, how do you take the conscious emcee to task, who makes music for the people, yet doesnt stand when called?
JJ: I think we have to be a little bit more realistic. Mos Def made a great sacrifice by deciding to be there. You and I know that there are many who would choose to be there, but theyre artists they perform. And for those who may have wanted to support and be present, might not have been able to because if they reneged on their contract, they run the risk of being sued. People have to be involved in consciousness and struggle on their own level and we cant chastise people who arent able to be there in person. I think we have to be real careful about that, because we end up demonizing the people who are down with us.

DX: Two of the Jena Six were at the BET Hip-Hop Awards and a featured blogger Aliya Ewing at the site said that they couldve brought more attention to their cause, using the awards as a platform, but they didnt present themselves well. How does one cope with attention in the midst of adversity?
JJ: Again, its about mentorship and training. Someone shouldve said to these brothers for them to not walk the red carpet. Theyre not celebrities. These young brothers are excited about the fact that theyre known around the world, that theyre out of jail and theyre kids lets not forget that, theyre kids. So, I think that someone needed to spend time with them to tell them about how this was an important thing to everyone else around the country. But walking the red carpet and throwing up the sixs and doing shout-outs wasnt really called for. It couldve been better if they would have just said thanks to the people who are supporting them. If you dont coach young people to understand the gravity of the opportunity theyre presented with, then theyre going to view it as a kid would. We got to do a better job of not allowing kids to become a victim of their own immaturity. I dont blame them for anything. Its great that BET spotlighted them, but someone shouldve expressed to them the meaning behind this notion. I dont think that its too late for it though.

DX: My last question for you is this, Mr. Johnson After the Civil Rights and Black is Beautiful movements can there be another conscious movement thats not founded upon financial gain or involves some sort of backdoor politics?
JJ: Thats interesting. Sure there can be. The question is: Whats the agenda? Lets not forget that the Civil Rights movement was about financial gain and backdoor politics. While [Martin Luther] King and others were doing grassroots, Roy Wilkins was with Lyndon B. Johnson crafting out the Civil Rights legislation. The real piece for us is to be realistic and sophisticated enough about the real process. Everything is rhetoric if it doesnt become law. There has to be politics involved in this. Even though we dont trust this system, well use it to hold them accountable. Thats why the Civil Rights movement was so successful. They learned the rules better than the oppressor and flipped it on them. We have to learn the rules better. We want to have a checkers movement, while everyone is playing chess. We have to understand that someone has to play those positions and by using that methodology, I may move different and sound different than you, but Im fighting for the same thing. You see people playing their role, so any movement thats going to be effective is that people have to move the same. In the end, instead of saying, King me, like they would do in checkers our moves need to result in us saying, Checkmate.