Quote:
Originally Posted by Shauk
My question is, is racism today as prejudiced as it was in the 50's now that, given the free leash of american citizenship and exposure in the media, we've seen the result of the popular culture of black America? The picture they've drawn for us to observe. I don't even dare say Black youth, and I know they don't represent all black americans, but some of the forefront hiphop artists are 40+ y/o adults and still embrace this culture as if it's some sacred representation that they must continue to perpetuate, with no drive to improve the image they've created.
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Interesting words you've chosen.
The face of racism has changed and there are so many aspects to that evolution I couldn't even pretend have to ability to convey even half of them.
But your somewhat vague question seems to be focused on what you perceive to be a negative picture of the "black community" based on your personal feelings about hip-hop. Although this in itself indicates how far we've still got to go, I'll nibble.
When you say the "hip-hop culture", what are you referring to? Those that follow it or those that create it? Those that follow it are from all walks and range in color, so I don't see any relevance there. But those that create it are mixed as well. Should one assume you're speaking more along the lines of what used to be known as gangsta rap? Are you speaking gang behaviors depicted in some rap songs?
Although many don't care for rap, it's poetry painting pictures of the lives that many lead. The fact that someone understands or finds beauty in the stories doesn't mean it's a representation of the listener or promoter's life. Most of these artists have found their way off the street and help other kids get away from the environment that they've rapped about. The beginnings of any art form are sacred.
What you may see as perpetuating something negative and not improving of a culture confirms for me that racism will be around for a lot longer than I'd hoped.
Black America didn't draw a picture for "us" to observe. Some of "us" choose to accept some of the lines (truthful negatives???!) we see as a true and full representation of Black America. For me, that's wherein the issue lies. You can't pick and choose pieces of the whole and call it the truth.
And the fact that you feel this way when you're probably 30 years younger than I am really freaks me out.
