Scott Simon’s article entitled “Hip Hop: Today’s Civil Rights Movement?” was very unexpected and interesting to read. This article explores the work of writer Todd Boyd and his book The New H.N.I.C.: The Death of Civil Rights and the Reign of Hip Hop. The article begins with words from the author himself saying, “I would suggest that you might get a better read of what’s going on in the world of black people today by listening to DMX on It’s Dark and Hell is Hot than by listening to repeated broadcasts of Martin Luther King speeches.” Reading this sort of blew me away. Yes, I can get my head around the fact DMX represents what is current now, but to think that his words would hold more meaning than those of Dr. King is something that I would need more convincing of.
The comparison of the two is by no means demeaning in any, nor does it take away from the significance of Dr. King or DMX’s words. Boyd just firmly believes that the politics of Dr. King are specific to a certain time period, that being the Civil Rights Era. While it is extremely important to learn from his words in that time, it is inevitable that our perspective change to the present day. It is here that hip-hop becomes a relevant source for discussion of civil rights. Boyd continues his argument saying, “Hip hop is inherently political, the language is political…it uses language as a weapon, not a weapon to violate or not a weapon to offend, but a weapon that pushes the envelope that provokes people, makes people think.” I stopped to think after reading this. I completely agree that hip-hop is political. It has become a stage for people to share their different beliefs through music and lyrics. I think of songs, though, whose words have come off as offensive. I continue to think about discussions I have overheard about the use of the n-word in modern hip-hop songs. Many people find that offensive because of the connotation of the word as extremely derogatory. As I continue to read the article, I see that Boyd disagrees. He says that hip-hop has “come along and changed the meaning of that word—n-i-g-g-a.” He references Tupac Shakur’s use of the word as an acronym for Never Ignorant Getting Goals Accomplished. This turns a word that had such a negative connotation into a word of affirmation. The article continues with other excerpts from songs that display political beliefs and social struggles of modern times. As I continue reading, I am more and more sold on that idea that hip-hop does hold a relevant place in discussions of civil rights today.
This article stood out as relevant because not only does it raise important questions about civil rights in popular culture, but it maintains the point that music is transgressive. It truly does speak to people in a way that other things cannot. Granted, I cannot fully convince myself that a hip-hop song is more relevant than the speeches of Martin Luther King Jr. , but it is not hard to understand that for many, listening to the words of hip-hop artists as they share their struggles and beliefs has opened the door for new conversations about relationships between races and civil rights today. Hip-hop is more than just a genre, but rather a social movement. The same cultural expression that brought civil rights activists together during the Civil Rights Era is still prevalent today, just with different styled music. This article was a firm reminder of the significance that culture and music play in our beliefs in politics and social relationships.
The Blog for the Civil Rights Movement class at Rhodes College, Fall 2010
Pulling from the topic of another class I am taking, I find this even more interesting. You are suggesting, I think, that music is central to the lives of African Americans as they still seek more civil rights. Hip hop has grown out of traditional African music (this is the stuff from another class), and I think that in addition to the lyrics of hip hop music, it is also important to remember the "Back to Africa Movement." What I am suggesting is that hip hop has stemmed from that movement, integrating more traditional African culture into African American society.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Caroline, could you please post a link to the article? I would like to read it. Thanks!
I do find that Hip-Hop is in some ways a form of a modern Civil Rights Movement. However, today's hip-hop, meaning 2010, is mostly overblown in language and meaning. Life is not about money and cars and that last word that I will avoid, it is about freedom, opportunity, and respect. Please post this article! Also, there are many hip-hop artist that present so much emotion in their lyrics that it does express that we are still in a battle, maybe not as directly for many people, but more so indirectly. :)
ReplyDeleteFirst off I'd like to agree with the statement Caroline said about Hip Hop not being a genre but a social movement. In modern America the idea of Hip-Hop is no longer just about the kind of music being played, but an entire lifestyle. The point I'm trying to make is that it has great notion of influence of its loyal listeners. While I also agree with Darshan's point of most modern music being overtly superficial and lacking in true issues, I would like to point out that today's Hip Hop culture has the ability to bring major issues to the mainstream. For example, a few years ago P.Diddy began his successful vote or die campaign for the presidential election. That year's election had a much bigger turnout of voters especially african american voters,thus showing the power that the social movement of Hip Hop has had.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that politics is deeply imbedded in the modern world of hip hop, but not necessarily the majority of the hip hop we hear on the radio and in the media. To reiterate on the topic of superficiality discussed above, when appealing to the mass market, rap artists tend to gravitate towards the topics of money, sex, and violence. I believe that this is because this is what consumers are demanding, giving support to the argument that pop culture reflects societal attitudes and opinions. That being said, the world of underground hip hop that delves deep into political and social issues is not always brought to the attention of the mass market and media as it should because it is not being demanded.
ReplyDeleteReading this post, I found the idea quite intriguing and amusing at first that hip-hop could be a modern sort of Civil Rights Movement today... I considered the idea for a moment I realized that it is probably not an idea too far-fetched as black people do rule the world of hip-hop today in the same kind of way they did back in the birth years of jazz, blues and rock and roll...
ReplyDeleteThe fact also that the lyrics are for the most part provocative and seek change within a society can remind us of the mindset of the Civil Rights Movement. I do believe too that music can be a profound and good tool to give people a message about a social or political issues.
However, I still think you cannot compare hip-hop today with the Civil Right Movement just because that movement was based on very long and deep social crisis. And I’m not sure hip-hop today is derived out of the same sort of movement…
In the sense of comparison, the civil rights movement and current hip hop culture share commonalities in the sense that both have the potential to be motivated by oppression; however, much more so in the sense of the civil rights movement than the latter. The point in the original post that caught my attention most is the usage of the word nigga and Tupac's acronym that followed. I agree completely with the notion that hip hop is turning once harmful phrases into motivational phrases. On the radio it is no longer uncommon to hear such a word, but in 2010 it seems that the offensive nature that was once carried by such a racial slur has disappeared completely.
ReplyDeleteEchoing again the idea that hip-hop is a social movement, I think back to the music that rose to popularity during the Civil Rights Movement. It was risky, unwelcome, and "satanic" for many involved in the movement. But it was a crucial part of the movement because it allowed people, mostly young people to develop common identities and common ground. Perhaps hip-hop could be seen in a similar light -a unifying force which can bring to light the oppression and racism that still lives throughout parts of the United States. It may not be "better," but rather "different."
ReplyDeleteI agree that activists such as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr addressed the issues regarding the civil rights movement in a way that may not be efficient today. Hip-hop is an integral, persuasive element of society today. With that being said, I feel that hip hop artists have the power to reach the masses like past activists have done. However, due to the derogatory nature of some songs, the message is lost and the power is misused. Fortunately, there are positive artists who counter this negativity and provide "light/hope in the midst of darkness."
ReplyDeleteI do not really listen to that much hip-hop but from listening to music in general I get many new insights on life's meaning and many of the problems in the world today. I definitely think that pop culture, in particular music can change the way in which people think on an emotional level that traditional speeches just don't. The overall way in which things are presented in the language used in music (today's form of poetry) speak strait to personal emotions rather than personal thought. With all this said, if there are hip-hop songs out there with the right lyrics that would provoke emotions on race relations, African American appreciation, and socio-economic issues I would definitely have to agree that hip-hop plays a huge part in the modern struggle for equal rights.
ReplyDeleteAlll right - hold up. What are the messages in hip hop that qualify it to be a social movement? what's so "civil rights" about the stuff you hear on the radio? How does this work? what are the expressed goals of hip hop vis a vis a civil rights movement?
ReplyDelete