Democrat and Chronicle editorial response - 9.24.2007.3

Wow. I’ve heard various reasons why some defend gansta rap, but never one quite like this.

At issue is the editorial by Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. In this they comment on the public pressure that has been placed on this genre of rap music, and commercial organizations (such as Black Entertainment Television) that profit off the promotion of this genre.

“While speaking with one's wallet is a powerful tool, it doesn't mean society should abdicate its responsibility to hold rappers and music executives responsible for much of the junk that passes for hip-hop music these days.

The fact that Black Entertainment Television, one of the major enablers of violent and misogynistic music, has decided to put together a three-part series, Hip-Hop vs. America, is another telling sign of what public pressure can do.”

The response by JWilliams at 5:04am is what struck me. Somehow JWilliams felt that this is a non-issue. Specifically

“…what consequences there are of gangster rap's prevalence, you certainly cannot quantify them; you in essence have no idea about how bad or good gangster rap is, only your pre-conceived dubious notions…”

I wish to provide some of those quantified consequences. Some of my reasons are based in the facts that have been widely reported, others just my personal observations. I’m sure most will be qualified as ‘dubious notions’.

The emergence of gangsta rap began in 1992 with N.W.A. This form of rap promoted the use of drugs and the violence found in that lifestyle. That is not to say that police violence and injustice in the legal system was not also addressed, but the preference was to these issues.

It can be noted that the growth of gangs, such as the Bloods and Crips went lock and step with the growth of this music format. It is accepted that the primary income from these gangs is drugs and violent crimes.

It has been stated for over a decade that gangsta rap denigrates women. It promotes the image that women are a commodity, without souls or a purpose greater than the sexual gratification of a man. View any current rap video and you can see that. This constant barrage of worthlessness creates an environment where women can have a lowered sense of self-esteem. That can result in a multitude of issues, from eating disorders, to lack of education and beyond.

One aspect of the lowered self-esteem is the perception that education is not a positive in a woman. This goes hand in hand with the thoughts that a man is above a woman, and that a woman should not be more educated than a man. That is one factor in the current 50% or greater dropout rate today, I believe.

Continued in Part 2...