Black Voices In hip Hop

Women and Hip-Hop

2006-04-23T20:47:00.000-07:00

As Jeff Chang said in the book, "If the figure of the MC is one of power--over money, sex, the streets, whatever--then by its very nature it's unwomanly, at least to the minds of some" (page 184). In this day in age women are owning up to everything men said they could not, we have so much more power. Bak then women were MC's rather than DJ's because of economic conditions. Wome were at home while the man was the worker. This is the Betty story where men were dieing and the women took over all the labor jobs. When the men came back from war the positions went back as well.
Globally today women are more respected especially in the arts like country music and classical, but I still have my doubts about the hip hop culture respecting women like men. When will women rappers go against men rappers in a battle?

Ms. New Booty

2006-04-23T20:36:00.000-07:00

Ms. New Booty
There are some girls who enjoy the publicity, the attention, and the fun. I do not blame rappers for wanted the prettiest girls to show their assets. As women of today, people will treat you the way you want to be treated. If you respect yourself, well you stay away from degrading websites that ask too find the best butt side the thing is though some women want this to get attention!
I am concerned however about the children who are predators and whom do not understand. Children will imitate everything they see. So showing the booty is now something cool, since the billboard charts are raising. The people voting are teens, using my space, hearing radio’s are teens, this is going to allow children to want these people as role models. Women will be role models because they are so beautiful and the rapper men because they are rich and powerful to have women want to show there butts for them.
The government is so involved in finding the problems and starting wars in other countries that they are neglecting all the harm that media and radio have presented to the future of the world by allowing almost say pornography to be aired and encouraged.
I think that FCC Chairman Martin knows about pornography being aimed at 12-17 year olds. The gov’t needs to be involved and use federal jurisdiction to stop child predators, who ever and however they might be aiming at children

Plight Deepens for Black Men

2006-04-23T17:38:00.000-07:00

Plight Deepens for Black Men

Black male unemployment rates are so high because our expectations are so low for them. People have to be pushed to succeed. Education might not be the way for every person but that should be their option to realize. Rather it seems that’s what the people and government put as the ultimate goal(graduating high school) for young black men is all that is expected. If man is not given a chance, he will not succeed, no matter the color or race in my opinion.
I am from Baltimore, my high school was well known for drugs, rape, and deaths by shootings. But that doesn’t mean the kids were bad kids in my high school, it just meant there was never anyone telling them not to be bad. Some people have role models like parents, brothers, teachers, co-workers who support them. The majority of my classmates in high school were missing either one of their parent or they had only a grandmother, they were almost homeless. Smoking weed and getting high was just something the kids did and the teachers were aware of, but no one ever said anything! In Loch Raven High School the big gangs were the bloods and cribs. So I always watched not to wear red or blue on specific days.
One statement that really struck me was made by William Baker. "I don't understand, if a man wants to change, why won't society give him a chance to prove he's a changed person?" The answer is because society does forgive it just changes. Even though Baker is a better person now, he is older and has a lot of past. Jobs these days have many people to work for them. Jobs even the “Ok” ones have become harder to achieve there are more people who need jobs. So If two people went for a job position, it is obvious the younger, more educated, clean criminal record person will get hired.
As far as enforcement of child support goes, my opinion is if you have kids you have to be responsible for them until the age of eighteen. If you don’t have a job the government should help you find a job. I am really happy that there are some people who are making the effort to scale things up.

BBC News

2006-04-23T17:30:00.000-07:00

BBC News
I almost cannot believe there are over 50 gangs in Compton, no wonder Compton wants peace and quiet. There is so much anger among the people who have to live there. That’s its almost as if they are stuck and have no choice, family is keeping them,(Also referred to as Gang brothers and sisters) who are they going to go to the police officers? There are not enough officers to control anybody and protect themselves, let alone protect an individual. There needs to be more care in Compton, more government attention, more officers, protection, and security. I have never been to LA, but all I hear is great things and how big it really is. What if I never took this class and had no idea where and what Compton was, I could be endangered for not knowing if I were to visit South LA.
One comment I will make is Compton residents and the father Stan Bosch should worry about fixing their community to make it a better place but it seems they are trying to make a publicity out of there city. If Compton gets a better name that means another city will have a worst rap for the gangs. Eventually some other community will have to be the city of gangs. I would focus on activities to keep younger kids out of gangs.
Gangs are created by people who have ran away from family, people who have been, bored, hurt, abused, violated, scared, homeless, dangerous, These people join gangs to feel wanted, needed, and powerful. The reason so many younger kids get recruited into gangs is because they don’t know any better. The biggest issue with gangs is once you’re in there is no getting out. There needs to be something better out there to keep kids away from gangs.

Graffiti: Art or Vandalism?

2006-04-13T14:05:00.000-07:00

Graffiti: Art or Vandalism?

Graffiti does not destroy the walls or the trains; Graffiti is a way to express, and for others to see their great art! Politicians, the government and powerful people have ignored the streets, one too many times. Ignoring these problems, and turned away will cause more ignorance and trouble. What are they waiting for Will they help someone other then the ones who have it all before things worsen? I would gladly offer my room wall for someone to come and paint something meaningful. I enjoy "graffiti writers". People can go into their houses to avoid graffiti, because it’s not going anywhere, if anything people are spreading the news and making it an event to get together and find graffiti to view!

Me

2006-03-20T17:50:00.000-08:00

http://webct41.blogspot.com

Grafitti

2006-03-20T17:04:00.000-08:00

Grafitti? Some might think that it is vandalism, but I think there are places where Graffiti has been a beneficial land mark, where I come from Graffiti has become a slient voice for those who have no say...I will explian. I am from Baltimore. I went to one of the worst high schools as far as gangs and shotings but one of the best schools with the most talented musicians, dancers, and artists. I am a dancer/singer who appreciates art and I have been lucky enough to see and stand next too some of the most amazing artists and performers in my opinion.
If it was not for Graffiti giving messeges of peace and happiness around church's and schools, maybe the bloods and the creeps would hang out in those area's. The people who where the graffiti artists around our community were great students, shy, and very good people all around. They only spread nice meaningful Grafitti messeges. They were so talented.
I am not saying that Grafitti is great and should be everywhere, I'm just saying I have had the better end of seeing Graffiti make a good impact on the community.
Tagging something that has been worked on to benefit others and express an emotion is great but there are those people who just write something bad and then closs it out and write something even worst. These people have no talent or heart, all they have is a can of paint and alot of free time.

http://webct41.blogspot.com