Posted on 03/24/2005 6:37:30 AM PST by Jibaholic
NEW YORK - A volatile topic inspired heated debate as several hundred people gathered to discuss the impact of misogynistic rap on black women.
Rapper Remy Ma, underground emcee Jean Grae, author and radio personality Karen Hunter (news), Essence magazine health editor Akiba Solomon and DJ Beverly Bond were featured on the panel, titled "Images of Women in Hip Hop," on Tuesday night at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
More than 300 people filled the auditorium to capacity, spilling onto the stage and into the aisles. Attendees listened raptly as panelists debated hip-hop's treatment of women before vociferously voicing their own deeply held beliefs.
The talk began with moderator Thabiti Boone, co-founder of the Hip Hop Political convention, condemning rapper Nelly's infamous "Tip Drill" video, which featured the artist swiping a credit card through a stripper's buttocks. Though nearly everyone agreed that the salacious video crossed all tasteful boundaries and blatantly disrespected women, the dialogue soon became chaotic.
Heated bickering between the panelists and the audience ensued, much to dismay of moderator Boone. On multiple occasions he was forced to quell catcalls, jeers or claps as the conversation addressed topics including parental responsibility versus community involvement in child rearing, the effect of rap videos on impressionable adolescents and even hip-hop's designation as a culture.
Remy, the lone female member of Fat Joe's Terror Squad clique, has many oral sex references in her raps on such hits as "Lean Back" and "Take me Home." During one exchange she declared, "I'm not here to raise anybody's children." Audience member and teacher Radha Blank retorted, "If you don't believe hip-hop is affecting young people, join me in the schools where junior high school girls are (performing fellatio) in the hallways."
Panelists occasionally interrupted or argued with each other. And the audience was equally divided — younger people repeatedly claimed that hip-hop's depiction of women accurately reflects the behavior of some females, while older folks insisted that rap's content negatively affects the behavior of both young men and women.
The program ran almost a half-hour long as panelists and audience members battled to articulate their opinions. It ended abruptly, with little solution-oriented discourse, leaving some frustrated and unsure about next steps.
"I really didn't think much was accomplished," complained Tanysha Chaffin, a youth specialist and caseworker. "It was an attack on hip-hop that didn't solve anything."
Others remained optimistic. "The campaign's goal is to open and further a dialogue on a sometimes unpopular topic," said panelist Solomon. "We observed tonight that this is an issue the community feels passionate about."
The panel was sponsored by Essence magazine and the Center for Communication, a nonpartisan forum designed to familiarize college students with the business of media. Inspired by the 2004 Spelman College protest of the "Tip Drill" video, Essence launched a yearlong "Take Back the Music" campaign in January, featuring articles in the magazine and town hall meetings around the country tackling stereotypes about black women perpetuated by hip-hop.
And Charlie Brown's parents say...
And then shots rang out...
I would argue that the breakdown in sexual morals during the 1960s is what led us to the mess we're in today.
I was certain that Vanilla Ice would kill rap.
"I would argue that the breakdown in sexual morals during the 1960s is what led us to the mess we're in today."
You would get no arguement from me. "If it feels good, do it" is killing America.
Sexualized gangsta rap has its own audience who already believe in the lifestyle embraced in the music. I just think it's another piece of music to listen to and decide if I like it, but some people it is their DAILY LIFE. I used to like that video but now I just think it's boring and one among many TandA videos out there. The women in these videos aren't forced to make them. They want to make them, and will line up around the block to be featured in them.
If they were to run this idea by me first, I would have said don't bother. If these women really want to do something, do something with young people and get kids while they're young and not when they're grown and ignorant.
I thought it was a fad also, like Disco. Maybe music videos made it bigger than it should be. Maybe idiotic kids - white and black - watching these videos get sucked into the alure of what they perceive as power, respect, and prestige - not realizing the dangers that type of lifestyle represents.
The crack epidemic changed rap forever. It became gangsta rap and never went back to the original.
"Moby, you could get stomped by Opie, you 46 year old bald-headed f@g, you can bl0w me." Eminem...
To Quote Another Ridiculous Hollywood Liberal...
Dont't you love how these people articulate their brilliant ideas?
Note how "optimism" is defined: by "opening a dialogue" and "feeling" passionate. These village idiots are completely clueless. Meanwhile, as the dialogue opens and the feelings of optimism soar, another 13 year old is giving oral sex in a school bus and another 7 year old is admonished for referring to a girl in his class as a "hoe".
Spare me the "dialogue" crap. Those mercenary basta*ds (the "gangsta" rappers AND the companies who bankroll them and allow that crap to flourish) have done more in the last 15 years to destroy a once-vibrant culture than any other issue. What's worse, in most cases, their victims are their own people they purport to support.
Turn it off, don't buy it for your kids, take the CD if they buy it and trash it. Once the money spigot is turned off, do you really think "gangsta" rap will continue? If you think that, take a look at Will Smith's non-existant rap career. He declined to lower himself into the sewer of "gangsta" rap and look where it got him.
Parents, your kids are your flesh-and-blood responsibility until the age of majority is reached. You can't be their "friend", you aren't their "soul-mate". You're the parent; the adult. Your house is a benevolent dictatorship with you as the benevolent dictator. If this is a tough concept for you to accept, don't have kids and give up the ones you already have for adoption.
Hip-Hop Debate?!?!
You mean like this??
http://www.miniclip.com/hiphopdebate.htm
(The Money Walk rocks!)
You said it better than I did.
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