::Oprah-Hip-Hop and Issues of Black Identity::
By Premier
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Wednesday, April 18, 2007
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1 comment
After watching Oprah's Town Hall Meeting today where the Hip-Hop industry came to it's own defense amidst public opinions that the culture demeans, disrespects, and demoralizes women, gays, and the overall black man. I can't help but get the sense that Kevin Liles, Russell Simmon, and even Common (which I don't understand why in the hell he was there in the first place because he doesn't make the music, or spew the questionable lyrics that we are all discussing) were skirting around the issue.
At first they blatantly refused to accept accountability for the fact that Hip-Hop is getting worse! The culture that we've embraced for 30 years isn't evolving progressing.
Oprah Winfrey, the queen of daytime television, invites Hip-Hop's elite on her show, when we all know she isn't the biggest fan of hip-hop to begin with. And what does hip-hop do—we side step.
The fact of the matter is that these "poets" that Russell and Kyle so vehemently defend isn't acting with social responsibility. Am I, or many others from the African-American putting all rappers in that category—no! However if you look at the current billboard charts, then you would see that most of today's music is hip-hop based. And the most popular hip-hop songs have to do with the exploitation of women on some level, no matter how subtle.
This was the opportunity of a lifetime to address Middle American—AKA—white people about what the real issue is. And they spent damn near 20 minutes thanking Oprah for allowing them to come to her show. What the hell was that about?????
And was I the only one who watched Russell Simmons, one of the founding fathers of Hip-Hop, defend offensive lyrics by saying they (rappers) just don't know any better? I didn't grow up with a mother to teach me that calling a woman a bitch was wrong, but something inside of me knew that it was.
While I understand that Hip-Hop isn't to blame completely for societies issues, and the depiction of African-American woman. It plays a much bigger part than people from within the industry want to admit!
I'm over it!! Hip-Hop, in this instance has disappointed me!
By: LT Dinwiddie
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1 comments:
I am so tired of the complaining about Hip Hop. I disagreed with the handling of Imus and I am even more against the blaming of HIP HOP. They are just WORDS! Words do have power, but only what we grant them.
I have listened to Hip Hop music for almost 30 years now. If you want to change the lyrics, you must change the communities the lyrics depict. You want to stop the music from polluting our ears, contact your radio station and advertisers and seek change.
Why are we asking rappers to educate and be role models with a conscience? Why are we asking more of them than we ask of Hollywood, Radio, sports entertainment, and corporate America? Do we blame Frosted Flakes for making sugar-coated cereal? No, we just buy another brand if we want a healthier alternative. This is my point - buy and support other artists that reflect your perspective.
Bottom line is the N, B, and H words are used every day. To blame Hip Hop is people's way of looking out the window to blame someone else for their problems. If more people looked in the mirror to solve these problems - Hip Hop would be better off.
I have a 9-year old son and a 7 year old daughter. I am proud Hip Hop parent that is selective to what they listen to. When they are exposed to something crazy I use it as a teaching moment and try to educate them.
If you are going to let what some knucklehead says on a song determine the well-being of your child - you need PARENTING CLASSES!
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