My Declaration of Independence from Hip-Hop...
I must say it... As much as I love "real" rap music (i.e., introspective lyrics and clever rhyme schemes), I have grown to hate today's culture of Hip-Hop. We have taken something good, passed down from the ancestors, and prostituted it for the sake of materialism (sex, drugs, money and violence). This whole mentality must be turned around, for it is destroying not only the moral fabric of our youth, but submerging our vibratory levels to that of lower echelon animals.
There is very little love in Hip-Hop. Love don't live there anymore. We look at virtues like love and empathy as weaknesses, while celebrating the "get money at all cost" mindset. I read an article recently, where a reporter referred to Hip-Hop as a prison culture. This is interesting because in the 'hood, young men are often put on a pedestal for doing time. I've never done time, but I have relatives that have; and as far as I understand, there is nothing glorious about it. It is an atmosphere of kill or be killed, stimulating the fight or flight response; which is nothing but a reminder that we as a people have yet to evolve.
The ancestors of these young black men and women are certainly rolling over and tumbling in their graves at the sight of modern day "coonery"; parading around wearing jewelry, saggy clothes and gold teeth. These costumes supposedly add entertainment value. What's next-- black face?
I am thirty-six years old. I grew up to the likes of Boogie Down Productions, Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest... even N.W.A. had something of value to say! It was all about expression. Today, it is all about ignorance, materialism and lack of respect. This public display of debauchery cannot continue!
I hereby declare my independence from the culture of Hip-Hop. I no longer want to be a part of anything that continues to erode the progress that took generations to build. I no longer want to be a part of a culture that continues to perpetuate the degradation of women, the assault on the intellect, and the restriction of free thought.
This is my Declaration of Independence from the culture of Hip-Hop. From now on, I create my own culture.
There is very little love in Hip-Hop. Love don't live there anymore. We look at virtues like love and empathy as weaknesses, while celebrating the "get money at all cost" mindset. I read an article recently, where a reporter referred to Hip-Hop as a prison culture. This is interesting because in the 'hood, young men are often put on a pedestal for doing time. I've never done time, but I have relatives that have; and as far as I understand, there is nothing glorious about it. It is an atmosphere of kill or be killed, stimulating the fight or flight response; which is nothing but a reminder that we as a people have yet to evolve.
The ancestors of these young black men and women are certainly rolling over and tumbling in their graves at the sight of modern day "coonery"; parading around wearing jewelry, saggy clothes and gold teeth. These costumes supposedly add entertainment value. What's next-- black face?
I am thirty-six years old. I grew up to the likes of Boogie Down Productions, Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest... even N.W.A. had something of value to say! It was all about expression. Today, it is all about ignorance, materialism and lack of respect. This public display of debauchery cannot continue!
I hereby declare my independence from the culture of Hip-Hop. I no longer want to be a part of anything that continues to erode the progress that took generations to build. I no longer want to be a part of a culture that continues to perpetuate the degradation of women, the assault on the intellect, and the restriction of free thought.
This is my Declaration of Independence from the culture of Hip-Hop. From now on, I create my own culture.
posted by Akili | 11:19 PM
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2 comments
