So, I just saw a picture that James Harden posted on his twitter account of him with Snoop Dogg. I wonder if the Thunder organization approves Harden hanging with a known gang member. The worst part of the picture was that Harden appeared to be flashing gang signs that are affilliated with the Long Beach Crips gang that Snoop is a member of. I don't think this is a very good reflection of Harden or the Thunder. I hope someone would talk to Harden and get him to make better decisions!

So, I just saw a picture that James Harden posted on his twitter account of him with Snoop Dogg. I wonder if the Thunder organization approves Harden hanging with a known gang member. The worst part of the picture was that Harden appeared to be flashing gang signs that are affilliated with the Long Beach Crips gang that Snoop is a member of. I don't think this is a very good reflection of Harden or the Thunder. I hope someone would talk to Harden and get him to make better decisions!

give me a break, Harden is a great person and player, let him do what it wants, Thunder Up!

You would be surprised on how many basketball players hang with rappers...

I don't mind anyone hanging with rappers. But hanging with known gang members and flashing gang signs...that I don't like. I guess if someone hasn't been touched by gang violence maybe it's not a big deal to them. I expect better of people!

He might as well be hanging with Elmo. These days Snoop is pretty tame.

i'm just gonna leave this here... -M

http://ugc-01.cafemomstatic.com/gen/constrain/500/500/80/2012/01/17/12/2u/8m/ph74iq3eyo1kgcc.jpg

Thats a cute graphic, but incorrect. Snoop is a convicted felon. And I am not stereotyping anyone. He is an admitted gangster. Check out his rap sheet. I don't think anyone who glamorizes the gangster lifestyle and is a total misogynist is someone I would say is as harmless as Elmo.

for the record, i'm not calling anybody out... the discussion just reminded me of this funny graphic. while i know snoop has some convictions, i'm not sure that any of them are felonies. ...aaaand now i have to go look that up. : ) -M

for the record, i'm not calling anybody out... the discussion just reminded me of this funny graphic. while i know snoop has some convictions, i'm not sure that any of them are felonies. ...aaaand now i have to go look that up. : ) -M

No offense taken, I guess this has just struck a chord with me for some reason. These basketball players and this team has had such a positive impact on OKC, I just hated to see one of the players flashing gang signs and taking that so lightly...maybe I am being too sensitive...

On any given home game night I wouldn't be surprised to learn that there are numerous Thunder faithful present with a somewhat colorful past.

just sayin'

i'm just gonna leave this here... -M

http://ugc-01.cafemomstatic.com/gen/constrain/500/500/80/2012/01/17/12/2u/8m/ph74iq3eyo1kgcc.jpg

ROFL!!! I love this pic!

C'mon man, chill out. Snoop is a great family man and a football coach for his son.

I actually saw the pic on twitter....not sure I would really consider it a "gang sign"

Both Snoop and Harden were just making the "westside" sign with their hand. Maybe back in the 70's/80's that was a gang sign but its punch is far less nowadays. Kids in my hometown would flash it jokingly to indicate they lived on the western side of our city, which was 70% white and had a median household income north of $120K.

For better or worse, a lot of gang images and objects have been desensitized and are now more of a running gag than anything, Snoop Dogg included. On the other hand, an innocent Cleveland Indians hat.....

I'd be more worried about Harden being able to pass a drug test after a night with Snoop than anything else....

James Hardin lives with an up and coming rapper. Can't remember his name, but he to school with him at ASU.

Thats a cute graphic, but incorrect. Snoop is a convicted felon. And I am not stereotyping anyone. He is an admitted gangster. Check out his rap sheet. I don't think anyone who glamorizes the gangster lifestyle and is a total misogynist is someone I would say is as harmless as Elmo.

The guy is a convicted felon and has a rap sheep as long as my arm...and that includes a murder charge.
What a outstanding citizen.......

The guy is a convicted felon and has a rap sheep as long as my arm...and that includes a murder charge.
What a outstanding citizen.......

And Jim Morrison was a drug addict... So what.

i'm just gonna leave this here... -M

http://ugc-01.cafemomstatic.com/gen/constrain/500/500/80/2012/01/17/12/2u/8m/ph74iq3eyo1kgcc.jpg

What does this have to do with James Harden?

What does this have to do with James Harden?

It's Snoop Dogg in the picture making brownies or some ish with Martha Stewart and it's saying that "Stereotypes Are Awesome! But only one is a convicted felon" which is alluding to Martha Stewart being a convicted felon but not Snoop Dogg, even though that has already been proven false by our Law & Order team in posts #9 and #16, and this is the topic of James Harden chillin' wit' Snoop Doggie Dogg.

So, I just saw a picture that James Harden posted on his twitter account of him with Snoop Dogg. I wonder if the Thunder organization approves Harden hanging with a known gang member. The worst part of the picture was that Harden appeared to be flashing gang signs that are affilliated with the Long Beach Crips gang that Snoop is a member of. I don't think this is a very good reflection of Harden or the Thunder. I hope someone would talk to Harden and get him to make better decisions!

How old are you? Snoop Dogg's problems are now something like 20 years in the past. I think it's time to move on. Did ex-President Bush's drug and alcohol abuse bother you? Well Snoop's problems are even further in his past than Bush's when he became president. The guy has a family, including a little girl with a terrible disease that he has been dealing with and doing advocacy for. He's been on several talk shows in the last year or two where he opened up about his family and discussed it, and seems like a really pleasant guy now. Whoever he was back in the day that's not the same person he is now. Let it go man.

Also, just FYI, in the past 10 years people on the west coast have adopted and sometimes do the "W" symbol with their hands... it's more like saying "west coast baby!" than some sort of gang symbol now. Since they're both from California that would make sense. Watching any TV at all in the past decade would confirm this. So it's time to let that one go too.

Regardless I could care less who Harden is photographed with. I am sure that if we scoured every fan photo out there we would find that many of his fans, even Oklahomans, have sordid pasts. I have some photos that I've taken of myself with celebrities. Does that mean anything at all? No.

How old are you? Snoop Dogg's problems are now something like 20 years in the past. I think it's time to move on. Did ex-President Bush's drug and alcohol abuse bother you? Well Snoop's problems are even further in his past than Bush's when he became president. The guy has a family, including a little girl with a terrible disease that he has been dealing with and doing advocacy for. He's been on several talk shows in the last year or two where he opened up about his family and discussed it, and seems like a really pleasant guy now. Whoever he was back in the day that's not the same person he is now. Let it go man.

Also, just FYI, in the past 10 years people on the west coast have adopted and sometimes do the "W" symbol with their hands... it's more like saying "west coast baby!" than some sort of gang symbol now. Since they're both from California that would make sense. Watching any TV at all in the past decade would confirm this. So it's time to let that one go too.

Regardless I could care less who Harden is photographed with. I am sure that if we scoured every fan photo out there we would find that many of his fans, even Oklahomans, have sordid pasts. I have some photos that I've taken of myself with celebrities. Does that mean anything at all? No.

How old am I? I don't really see what that has to do with anything. As for saying all of Snoops problems are in the past, that just isn't correct. And if you think all of the gang symbolism is also just a thing of the past, I would suggest you are misinformed. I would also suggest you sign up and attend the next Oklahoma City citizens police acadamy and sit down and talk with the head of Okc's gang taskforce. See if they think flashing that "w" on one hand and a "21" on the other is totally innocent. From what I have heard from them, gang experts, I think they would disagree with you.

Oh, by the way, Bush's admited drug use did bother me. However, he came out and said what he did was wrong. Snoop is very unapologetic about his gang ties, and still embraces them to this day. I am old enough to see the difffence in that!

It's no big deal, I wouldn't put too much thought into it. I met Ice Cube a long time ago and got a picture with him. He was throwing up the "W" and I was throwing up "peace." I felt the need to throw up "peace" b/c taking a picture with a rapper who may have had a past indicative of growing up in the ghetto living a life of crime, people might label me as bad person and a threat to society. I'm being extremely sarcastic in my last statement. In fact, after taking the photo and saw that Ice Cube threw up a W, I thought to myself, "Damn! I should have thrown up a W as well. It would have been a cool picture." Throwing up the W doesn't mean you are representing a gang! I think people need to lighten up. Harden's still a "kid," and probably didn't think too much about the significance of displaying those signs.

Here's one for the OP.. How about Ice T? He rapped a song called Cop Killer and now he plays one on TV.

Wow. This thread is ridiculous. A pic with Snoop where he is throwing up gang signs that havent had any meaning in over a decade? What did you want, a rapper and a pro bball player to do a cheesy sorority girl pose? Lighten up swosuknight.

If this is the worst thing we can nitpick about the Thunder then I think we have a well behaved team.

Wow. This thread is ridiculous. A pic with Snoop where he is throwing up gang signs that havent had any meaning in over a decade? What did you want, a rapper and a pro bball player to do a cheesy sorority girl pose? Lighten up swosuknight.

If this is the worst thing we can nitpick about the Thunder then I think we have a well behaved team.

Well, the point of my thread was that I personally didn't think the picture looked good. If you think this thread is so rediculous, I guess you did't have to participate. Everyone is entitled to their opinion in the matter and I respect well reasoned, factual responses on either side of the matter. However, when someone states something so factually wrong, like the gang signs have not had any meaning in over a decade, well....you are just plain wrong.

And to clarify, I don't think Harden has any gang affiliation or anything like that. I am sure he is a great person. I just think posing like that is not a good public image. Thats it.

Ok?and KD hangs out with waka flocka and drake. Now try to tell me at least one of them isn't in a gang

Ok?and KD hangs out with waka flocka and drake. Now try to tell me at least one of them isn't in a gang

Haha, Waka Flocka definately is. Drake's too much of a pretty boy to be a gangbanger. LOL

These guys are all young, black guys in there early 20s. Of course they are going to identify with the culture. It's too bad, but it is what it is. All that money? Some of the smarter ones keep it - others find themselves broke because of the lifestyle. Gangsta culture is everywhere (have you seen all the circled 8 balls right here in OKC lately?) Just because these guys play basketball for a lot of money doesn't make them immune. Though, I wish a few would have the guts to separate themselves from it completely - but then, of course, they'd just be called "Uncle Toms". It is what it is.

Ok?and KD hangs out with waka flocka and drake. Now try to tell me at least one of them isn't in a gang

ok, guess im not in tune with pop culture like i used to be... but is there seriously a singer/rapper named waka flocka?

ok, guess im not in tune with pop culture like i used to be... but is there seriously a singer/rapper named waka flocka?

Yessir. =)

How old am I? I don't really see what that has to do with anything.

I'm sorry, that was a bit of a knock. It's just that usually the people I encounter that will cite things that really upset them from the 1980s and 1990s are in their 50s and 60s. I don't know why that is, it just is. The implication was that you are an old fuddy-duddy, and that was a bit snide of me. What I should have simply said was that I think you are being overly harsh on someone for their youthful transgressions, and those transgressions have no bearing whatsoever on what you are complaining about today. More on this to follow (see below).


As for saying all of Snoops problems are in the past, that just isn't correct.

That's not what I said. We were talking, specifically, about Snoop's gang involvement and gang-related past crimes. That is what you said concerned you, right? It's what you were pretty clearly focusing on with what you said about gangs and the "W" sign and all. Reports in the media are that his last known gang-related involvement was around 1993... which is the 20 year figure I was throwing around. I am well aware that he has been arrested over the years for marijuana possession and the occasional vandalism/disorderly, but that isn't really that unusual or that bad for a musician. Willie Nelson is famously unapologetic about his marijuana use. Willie has been pictured with many Presidents, and has spent the night at the White House many times under many different presidents. Are you equally so outraged? Why or why not? Please explain.


And if you think all of the gang symbolism is also just a thing of the past, I would suggest you are misinformed.

That's not what I said. The "W" is still somewhat involved in gang symbolism. There are many other symbols that are much more predominant, which is not what we are talking about.

What I was trying to say was that it has also gone mainstream, and has been in a lot of movies, TV shows, and various media, and it is very, very common, when I travel to LA, to see people of all races throw a "W" sign when posing for a picture, say on Hollywood Blvd. It isn't as radical as it used to be to see a W. Surely you have noticed this on TV, in movies, and so on? The point is now days in California someone throwing a W might just be proud to be from the west coast, and that's it.


I would also suggest you sign up and attend the next Oklahoma City citizens police acadamy and sit down and talk with the head of Okc's gang taskforce.

Well I grew up in a horrible neighborhood in OKC, and got out of there as quickly as I could, so I think I have enough first-hand knowledge to last me a lifetime.


See if they think flashing that "w" on one hand and a "21" on the other is totally innocent. From what I have heard from them, gang experts, I think they would disagree with you.

Well then they are wrong, or they are unaware of the current state of pop culture and/or have never visited the west coast, or you are completely misrepresenting your friends. Do an internet image search for people throwing a W sometime, print it out, and ask your friends if every one of them is a gang member. Ask them if even the majority of them look like gang members. The results will clearly surprise you.

Is Snoop throwing a "21" in that picture, or is he throwing a "Big Shocker?" LOL. Hard to tell.


Oh, by the way, Bush's admited drug use did bother me. However, he came out and said what he did was wrong. Snoop is very unapologetic about his gang ties, and still embraces them to this day. I am old enough to see the difffence in that!

That is not correct. As early as the 90s, after his legal troubles came to a head, I can clearly recall Snoop Dogg giving an interview with MTV where he talked about the ordeal and how he was never having anything to do with that lifestyle again and how thankful he was to be out of it. He also said similar remarks on TV last year, I think it was The View, during which he discussed his daughter's illness that I previously mentioned. His thoughts on being involved in that life style are complex, and he has also expressed feelings for the people that at the time he considered his family. I don't think he has been 'unapologetic.' Have you seen the interviews that I speak of? If not, then if we assume that he has said he is sorry, the only criteria that you mentioned allowed you to forgive GWB, does that mean you are now okay with Snoop Dogg?


Well, the point of my thread was that I personally didn't think the picture looked good. If you think this thread is so rediculous, I guess you did't have to participate. Everyone is entitled to their opinion in the matter and I respect well reasoned, factual responses on either side of the matter.

I think this thread is ridiculous, and I am participating because unless people actually respond to folks who hold ridiculous opinions those folks will never change their opinion for the better.


However, when someone states something so factually wrong, like the gang signs have not had any meaning in over a decade, well....you are just plain wrong.

I guess I am not the only one who makes the occasional snide remark. What I said, or was trying to express, was that throwing a W no longer has the significance that you describe. Yes, gang members still use it from time to time. But so do literally millions of Californians that do it to express pride in the West Coast or just to be goofy. And it has been that way for about ten years.

Snoop Dogg had a hilarious comedy show on TV about ten years ago called "Doggy Fizzle Televizzle." I think that is when the mood towards him really changed, and that was when all the carney speak suddenly went mainstream. Maybe that was a factor in the spread of the "W" too, I don't know.

I bet nearly every last person on this forum has said "Fo Shizzile" either jokingly, in tongue in cheek jest, or because at one time it was a hilariously awesome thing to say. Do the hundreds of millions of people who have said a phrase like that, a reference to how Snoop Dogg has spoken in his songs, which is a reference to his previous gang life, all then get labeled as gang members? Would your friends on the "OKC gang task force" immediately assume anyone using the phrase must be a gang member? No! Or at least I would really hope not. You have to be reasonable about these things, and what I am saying is, while technically correct some of the time, your argument... painted with such a wide swath... is completely unreasonable.

And Jim Morrison was a drug addict... So what.

Quite a difference between a drug addict and a murder charge.
Keep reaching.............

These guys are all young, black guys in there early 20s. Of course they are going to identify with the culture. It's too bad, but it is what it is. All that money? Some of the smarter ones keep it - others find themselves broke because of the lifestyle. Gangsta culture is everywhere (have you seen all the circled 8 balls right here in OKC lately?) Just because these guys play basketball for a lot of money doesn't make them immune. Though, I wish a few would have the guts to separate themselves from it completely - but then, of course, they'd just be called "Uncle Toms". It is what it is.

What are you saying? I am 18 years old, a young lightskin black man, and once I graduate in 9 weeks, I plan to further myeducation at OCCC and eventually UCO in information technology, I have never smoked a cigarette, or drunk alcohol, and I dont ever see myself doing it, does that consider me an "Uncle Tom"?

What are you saying? I am 18 years old, a young lightskin black man, and once I graduate in 9 weeks, I plan to further myeducation at OCCC and eventually UCO in information technology, I have never smoked a cigarette, or drunk alcohol, and I dont ever see myself doing it, does that consider me an "Uncle Tom"?

Sounds like you're a very Smart Tom to me, SB. Keep up the good work.

So, I just saw a picture that James Harden posted on his twitter account of him with Snoop Dogg. I wonder if the Thunder organization approves Harden hanging with a known gang member. The worst part of the picture was that Harden appeared to be flashing gang signs that are affilliated with the Long Beach Crips gang that Snoop is a member of. I don't think this is a very good reflection of Harden or the Thunder. I hope someone would talk to Harden and get him to make better decisions!

Worst. Post. Of. The. Year.

Guilt by association, overreaction, stereotypying, all over Harden hanging with a guy who is so terrible that he is a spokesperson for major companies. Lol. This is a non-issue.

What are you saying? I am 18 years old, a young lightskin black man, and once I graduate in 9 weeks, I plan to further myeducation at OCCC and eventually UCO in information technology, I have never smoked a cigarette, or drunk alcohol, and I dont ever see myself doing it, does that consider me an "Uncle Tom"?

That's not something this white guy would call you. If your black friends aren't calling you that, or berating you for "acting white," I would say you're probably keeping good company. I would encourage you to stay on your college track 100%. Good luck to you, SoonerBoy18!

There's nothing more annoying than white people talking about "gangsta culure" because they usually have no clue what they're talking about. Lordy.

There's nothing more annoying than white people talking about "gangsta culure" because they usually have no clue what they're talking about. Lordy.

Oh, KilgoreTrout, but I do.....I do.

That annoying part works the other way around, too.

I was born and raised in El Reno, Oklahoma a nice quiet small town (76.39 % white, 7.85% Black) I guess I can consider it a compliment if someone thinks of me as an "Uncle Tom" but I just dont see it. Lol

This thread is a waste of server space. Stop being so sensitive.

Snoop Dogg to me is basically mainstream. He probably sends his kids to an upscale private school or Hollywood High. James Harden, if he lives here long enough, will send his kids to Casady or Heritage Hall. Any gang signs either are flashing are likely to be looked at as lame by real gang members.

Quite a difference between a drug addict and a murder charge.
Keep reaching.............

Just saying...neither are saints...but since Snoop never OD'd, Im fairly positive he's helped the less fortunate as time has gone on. No one comes to this earth with angel wings attached.