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Gandalf Grey
Guest
Why the Right be Hatin' on Hip Hop: Race, Rap and Republicans
By Min. Paul Scott
Created Aug 31 2007 - 9:57am
The crowd sat glued to their seats as Dr. Theodore R. Poindexter, head of
the Moral Maniacs conservative group, stood before them banging his fist on
the podium. "They are the biggest threat to America since the Cuban Missile
Crisis; destroying America from the inside out," he yelled while sweat beads
rolled down his now crimson face. No, he wasn't talking about some terrorist
cell of anti-American foreign nationalists. He was referring to the new rap
group, "Hip Hop Strike Force....
Although Hip Hop has put billions of dollars into the American economy over
the last two decades, it is perhaps the most "hated on" form of
entertainment ever created.
For the hood, Hip Hop at its best has served as the voice of the voiceless
or as rapper Chuck D said the "the black CNN." But for the Conservatives Hip
Hop has been the epitome of evil, proof that Armageddon was near at hand.
Now, the fear of offensive lyrics can be understood. Sen. Robert Wentworth's
worst fear is to be summoned to his son's principal's office because Lil
Bobby threatened to bust a cap in his 3rd grade gym teacher for "dissing"
him in front of the class.
But "gangsta rap" is not Hip Hop in its totality. Like most issues
concerning black people, the Right takes Hip Hop at face value without
putting it in a historical nor social context. So their "well informed"
talking heads give the American people an overly simplistic analysis.
"Tonight on Fox News Hip Hop is bad...Now for our next story...."
Quiet as it is kept...Conservative America's fear of "gangsta rap" is not
because of the over abundance of four letter words; but that these same
words could be used to incite a riot or at the least start young people
thinking critically about making fundamental changes in society.
They understand that the only difference between the radical militant Black
Power leader of 1967 and the gangsta rapper of 2007, is content and
misdirection of rage. In other words, the degrees of separation between
Malcolm X and 50 Cent are not as much as one might think.
The threat of black voices of dissension has always been a major concern for
the "powers that be" in this country. One of the first things that the slave
traders did to the enslaved Africans was to take the drum. They found out
the hard way that the drums of war that they heard beatin' in the distance
weren't calling the Africans to dance but to rebel.
During the Civil Rights Era the power structure began to turn its attention
to "urban youth violence" and FBI Chief J Edgar Hoover put his COINTELPRO
Program in overdrive with the purpose of preventing the rise of a black
messiah that could energize the youth.
During the early 70's, the fading Black Power Movement left as its legacy
militant music like the Isley Brothers' "Fight the Power" and the OJ's "Give
the People What they Want" until it was replaced by the mindless, apolitical
Disco music. Despite the militant overtone of the Tramp's song "Disco
Inferno" and its challenge to "burn tha mother down" it was simply a call
for drugged up disco freaks to hit the dance floor.
It was the Hip Hop music of the late 80's and early 90's that brought the
content back to black music. The music of groups like Public Enemy
resurrected the rebellious spirit of a generation.
But that rebirth was not without consequence. America has always had a beef
with those entertainers who have dared to bite the hand that has allowed
them to gain wealth and popularity. One can look at the careers of Paul
Robeson, who was blackballed for being a "Commie", Billie Holiday who was
banned for singing about that "strange fruit" hanging from southern trees or
Chicago Bulls player Craig Hodges who was blacklisted by the NBA for wearing
a dashiki to the White House.
Although, Hip Hop was still in its commercial infancy, Professor Griff,
Sister Souljah, Ice T, Tupac Shakur and others felt the wrath of an America
scorned at the hand of the Conservatives and those who courted the
Conservative vote.
So, now in 2007 we see a renewed attack on Hip Hop from a post Michael
Richards/Don Imus America aching for a scapegoat upon which to blame all of
this nation's problems.
So a few of the homies have gotten together and recorded a "diss" record
aimed at those Right Wing talking heads who have been guilty of "dissing"
Hip Hop. (And frankly, a few were thrown in just cuz we don't like Oem.) The
track, "Drums of War" featuring Big Swagg, Mr. Cox and yours truly can be
found at http://www.hiphopstrikesback.com [1].
Let this be the song that sparks the revolution! The Left's new anthem that
makes the Right shake in their boots! The song that will bring about a wave
of social equality that....
OK, I'll settle for making Bill O'Reilly have nightmares about a bunch of
"gangsta rappers" bum rushin' the No Spin Zone, tying him up and forcing him
to watch 48 uninterrupted hours of Black Entertainment Television...
_______
About author Min. Paul Scott is a writer and activist in Durham NC. His blog
is http://www.nowarningshotsfired.com [2]. He can be reached at
info@nowarningshotsfired.com [3].
--
NOTICE: This post contains copyrighted material the use of which has not
always been authorized by the copyright owner. I am making such material
available to advance understanding of
political, human rights, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues. I
believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of such copyrighted material as
provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright
Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107
"A little patience and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their
spells dissolve, and the people recovering their true sight, restore their
government to its true principles. It is true that in the meantime we are
suffering deeply in spirit,
and incurring the horrors of a war and long oppressions of enormous public
debt. But if the game runs sometimes against us at home we must have
patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an opportunity of winning
back the principles we have lost, for this is a game where principles are at
stake."
-Thomas Jefferson
By Min. Paul Scott
Created Aug 31 2007 - 9:57am
The crowd sat glued to their seats as Dr. Theodore R. Poindexter, head of
the Moral Maniacs conservative group, stood before them banging his fist on
the podium. "They are the biggest threat to America since the Cuban Missile
Crisis; destroying America from the inside out," he yelled while sweat beads
rolled down his now crimson face. No, he wasn't talking about some terrorist
cell of anti-American foreign nationalists. He was referring to the new rap
group, "Hip Hop Strike Force....
Although Hip Hop has put billions of dollars into the American economy over
the last two decades, it is perhaps the most "hated on" form of
entertainment ever created.
For the hood, Hip Hop at its best has served as the voice of the voiceless
or as rapper Chuck D said the "the black CNN." But for the Conservatives Hip
Hop has been the epitome of evil, proof that Armageddon was near at hand.
Now, the fear of offensive lyrics can be understood. Sen. Robert Wentworth's
worst fear is to be summoned to his son's principal's office because Lil
Bobby threatened to bust a cap in his 3rd grade gym teacher for "dissing"
him in front of the class.
But "gangsta rap" is not Hip Hop in its totality. Like most issues
concerning black people, the Right takes Hip Hop at face value without
putting it in a historical nor social context. So their "well informed"
talking heads give the American people an overly simplistic analysis.
"Tonight on Fox News Hip Hop is bad...Now for our next story...."
Quiet as it is kept...Conservative America's fear of "gangsta rap" is not
because of the over abundance of four letter words; but that these same
words could be used to incite a riot or at the least start young people
thinking critically about making fundamental changes in society.
They understand that the only difference between the radical militant Black
Power leader of 1967 and the gangsta rapper of 2007, is content and
misdirection of rage. In other words, the degrees of separation between
Malcolm X and 50 Cent are not as much as one might think.
The threat of black voices of dissension has always been a major concern for
the "powers that be" in this country. One of the first things that the slave
traders did to the enslaved Africans was to take the drum. They found out
the hard way that the drums of war that they heard beatin' in the distance
weren't calling the Africans to dance but to rebel.
During the Civil Rights Era the power structure began to turn its attention
to "urban youth violence" and FBI Chief J Edgar Hoover put his COINTELPRO
Program in overdrive with the purpose of preventing the rise of a black
messiah that could energize the youth.
During the early 70's, the fading Black Power Movement left as its legacy
militant music like the Isley Brothers' "Fight the Power" and the OJ's "Give
the People What they Want" until it was replaced by the mindless, apolitical
Disco music. Despite the militant overtone of the Tramp's song "Disco
Inferno" and its challenge to "burn tha mother down" it was simply a call
for drugged up disco freaks to hit the dance floor.
It was the Hip Hop music of the late 80's and early 90's that brought the
content back to black music. The music of groups like Public Enemy
resurrected the rebellious spirit of a generation.
But that rebirth was not without consequence. America has always had a beef
with those entertainers who have dared to bite the hand that has allowed
them to gain wealth and popularity. One can look at the careers of Paul
Robeson, who was blackballed for being a "Commie", Billie Holiday who was
banned for singing about that "strange fruit" hanging from southern trees or
Chicago Bulls player Craig Hodges who was blacklisted by the NBA for wearing
a dashiki to the White House.
Although, Hip Hop was still in its commercial infancy, Professor Griff,
Sister Souljah, Ice T, Tupac Shakur and others felt the wrath of an America
scorned at the hand of the Conservatives and those who courted the
Conservative vote.
So, now in 2007 we see a renewed attack on Hip Hop from a post Michael
Richards/Don Imus America aching for a scapegoat upon which to blame all of
this nation's problems.
So a few of the homies have gotten together and recorded a "diss" record
aimed at those Right Wing talking heads who have been guilty of "dissing"
Hip Hop. (And frankly, a few were thrown in just cuz we don't like Oem.) The
track, "Drums of War" featuring Big Swagg, Mr. Cox and yours truly can be
found at http://www.hiphopstrikesback.com [1].
Let this be the song that sparks the revolution! The Left's new anthem that
makes the Right shake in their boots! The song that will bring about a wave
of social equality that....
OK, I'll settle for making Bill O'Reilly have nightmares about a bunch of
"gangsta rappers" bum rushin' the No Spin Zone, tying him up and forcing him
to watch 48 uninterrupted hours of Black Entertainment Television...
_______
About author Min. Paul Scott is a writer and activist in Durham NC. His blog
is http://www.nowarningshotsfired.com [2]. He can be reached at
info@nowarningshotsfired.com [3].
--
NOTICE: This post contains copyrighted material the use of which has not
always been authorized by the copyright owner. I am making such material
available to advance understanding of
political, human rights, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues. I
believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of such copyrighted material as
provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright
Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107
"A little patience and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their
spells dissolve, and the people recovering their true sight, restore their
government to its true principles. It is true that in the meantime we are
suffering deeply in spirit,
and incurring the horrors of a war and long oppressions of enormous public
debt. But if the game runs sometimes against us at home we must have
patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an opportunity of winning
back the principles we have lost, for this is a game where principles are at
stake."
-Thomas Jefferson