EURweb |
TURNER’S TWO CENTS: Obama Inaugural, Hip Hop at the Crossroads
*Two major hip hop events will jump off in DC next Monday (January 19), the night before Barack Obama is sworn in as President of the United States. T.I., Young Jeezy and LL Cool J will rock “Hip Hop Inaugural Ball” thrown by Russell Simmons’ Hip Hop Summit Action Network next Monday night (January 19) at The Harman Center for the Arts. While that’s going down, Jay-Z’s “Concert on the Eve of Change” will be bumpin’ at the Warner Theater. The rappers involved in these two functions helped get Obama elected by mobilizing and motivating young voters, so it is fitting that hip hop take part in the festivities surrounding next Tuesday’s inauguration. But I hope these celebrations will be about more than just giving props to hip hop.
As we move into this historic new chapter in the Black American Story, our people have an unprecedented opportunity to redefine ourselves by embracing the best of who we are. For hip hop, that means ending the suicidal glorification of street culture.
Hip hop is at its best when it forces society to confront the realities of poverty, crime, despair and injustice. But the art form loses its validity and relevance when it lionizes gang-bangers, drug dealers and pimps, when it dishonors black women, glamorizes drug and alcohol abuse and promotes reckless, self-centered materialism. Hip hop began almost 30 years ago as a vital and true voice of the black underclass. But over the years much of mainstream hip hop has devolved into a corporate cash cow that reinforces the worst stereotypes about black people. This strengthens racism and, worse yet, solidifies the violent, cliquish, sexist culture which is destroying black people and black families all across our nation.
It is long past time for this to stop.
The inauguration of Barack Obama presents us with a unique moment to collectively reclaim our true selves: hard-working, family-oriented, self-loving, intelligent, dignified and spiritual people who always strive for the best…even when we have the least. This is who we are and who we must be if we are to fulfill the opportunities represented by brother Obama’s election.
Yes we can!
Thanks for listening. I’m Cameron Turner and that’s my two cents.
THINK! IT AIN’T ILLEGAL…YET!
Click for the latest Obama - Political headlines
Share and Bookmark |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
