Your Comments

I think that hip hop in its original form is good for the culture at large.

I think it is good because it exposes everyone to the thoughts, feelings and lifestyle of people that society would like to ignore or forget. It lets our culture know that you can object to the current standard of living and demand change.

However, corporate controled hip hop music is bad, very very bad. You cannot simply play songs and videos that talk about drinking liquor, sexing women and driving nice cars, while selling "snow" on the street.

The hip hop music of the eighties was about creativity and expressing yourself.

Now, artists seem to be copying whatever format will make them a lot of money.

Hip hop culture is only bad if you don't understand it or don't feel like taking the time to try to understand it.

I just finished the book and I completely agree with Michael Eric Dyson. I'm a 27-year-old teacher and I grew up with my share of good AND bad times with my culture. I actually had a black parent tell me that he doesn't want the "hip hop guys" to get ahold of his son. As if it's some sort of gang with pre-requisites (pants sagging, baggy clothes, etc.) I told him not to let my shirt and tie fool him, his son is already stuck with one.

I've been at odds with my own father (with his own checkered past) in regards to the music and message that it promotes. At this point in my life, I'm happy that my culture is still relevant (now more than ever), and I am happy that there is an intellectual out there that can speak from within the culture. There must be a balance as with anything else: good vs. bad, light and dark, yin and yang. People need to hear and experience both in order to appreciate the bigger picture.

Thank you for writing this book. It legitimizes everything I love (and sometimes hate) about MY culture.

Hip Hop is unquestionably good for the culture.

Like any form of creative expression, it gives insight into the environment and minds of its creators. Especially in an environment where class is becoming more pronounced and important, its important to understand the different voices of different community members.

It's up to the listener to actually think through the different values and expose oneself to different mediums to challenge and better construct personal and collective paradigms.

I'll be reading this book!

When we speak of nefarious and inimical establishments within our culture, it has become almost conventional and typical to speak of hip hop.

And while one may reference the perpetuation of particular vices and pathologies found within hip hop, it is palpably futile to attack the metaphorical corporate "puppet" while leaving the "puppet master" unscrutinized. Hip hop, at its best, is the relinquishing of "ghetto gab" and "pavement poetry" that evince the life of those that incessantly struggle while simultaneously speaking of the victories that are extraordinarily fought for given the current condition of America.

Hip hop icon, emcee and businessman 50 Cent states that "Hip hop is the canvas and life is the model." Invidious cultural vices such as misogyny, sexism, racism, and ageism were ensconced within the American psyche prior to the inception of hip hop. Therefore, it is trivial to point to hip hop as a detrimental culture, especially when we consider artists such as Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Nas, Jay-Z, Immortal Technique, Jean Grae, The Fugees, MF Doom, Black Moon, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Little Brother, Outkast, Camp Lo, and a copious amount of lesser-known artists.

It is time to have a moratorium on the unjust criticism of hip hop and begin to have a fecund disquisition about the vices that have persistently and pervasively had their say within our lives.

God bless,

Emahunn

Hip-hop is neither good or bad, it just is.

Sure, there are rappers who wallow in negativity, but every culture and sub-culture is subject to its "highs" and "lows." You cannot have one without the other. Without the mainstream film industry, there would be no pornographic film industry, without gangsta or negative rap, there could be no conscious rap, etc.

The real problem is that America, on a whole, does not know how to or is unwilling to engage in critical thought. As a young woman who came of age when 2 Live Crew was all the rage and NWA made their debut, I clearly understood where they were coming from -- all praise due to my mother, who taught me how to think.

I am not a fan of much of the "bling-bling, excess is best" hip hop music of the day. Why? Well, most of it is boring and repetitive. I could care less about what you own, claim to own or how many women you lay claim to bedding down, especially when the delivery isn't all that.

Rap is turning into the scapegoat for everything: crime, failing schools, single parent households, etc. But it's just not true. If you look at who purchases a majority of the music (white kids), then why aren't their communities suffering in many of the same ways as black and latino communities, particularly those in the inner city?

Before hip-hop, black children were receiving inferior educations; there were high unemployment rates in communities of color; our prisoners were going to jail and dying at the hands of the police in the streets and the same is still true today.

It seems that at times we are so busy defending rap music from the critiques of dominant society that we refuse to critically engage the question of the legitmacy of Hip- Hop.

Hip-Hop is American and it represents the traditional themes of American society: patriarchy, homphobia, and the hatred of black people. This is what should be problematic. Those who seek to illuminate the potency of Hip-Hop must realize that this music has the potential to change the world and provide a voice for those that suffer under the boot of American racism.

However, that does not mean that it is doing so. I believe that Hip-Hop has simply reproduced the same images that have ensnared blacks since reaching the American shores. Hip-Hop provides a platfrom for black men to alter the landscape of America. And the question I have is what are they doing with their influence? They have the chance to shape the minds and the outlooks of young people and they refuse to acknowledge their role in the climate of the black commnuity.

Hip-Hop is bad for the culture at large because it continues to place black men in the same negative light. And it does not force America to examine black men outside of the simplistic notions that govern America's views on race.

Hip-hop is not good or bad. It's just a tool for manipulation -showing the bad side of blacks.

It's like a magicians tool like using slight of hand to keep away from real issues.

In celebration of Michael Eric Dyson’s newest contribution to the literary world, entitled “Know What I Mean?: Reflections on Hip-Hop,” I offer a few comments based upon over a decade’s worth of experience with one of the most controversial art forms in the history of America.

Hip-Hop music, despite its marvelous forms of poetic expression, despite the intricate and innovative production which finds its roots in primitive African music, and despite the often intelligent and heart-breaking lyrical content which makes much of the music so thematically rich, hip-hop continues to find itself at the end of harsh criticism and endless castigation. From the halls of Capitol Hill to the talk shows of CNN to the pulpits of many churches, hip-hop music is reduced to a musical form of moral bankruptcy and degradation which continues to destroy the fabric of American society. Why is hop-hop treated so harshly? Do the critics stand justified in their overt hatred of hip-hop music? Should the more undesirable parts of hip-hop be cleansed from the art form?

Hip-Hop music, like any recognized art form, is charged with communicating an experience in all its spectrums - from the brighter portions to the darker ones. This is essentially all we should ask. But why do so many demand that hip-hop purge itself of that which is perceived to be bad? Unfairly, those same critics of hip-hop music do not demand the fundamental cleansing of other art forms (film, novels, opera, paintings, et cetera) that they do of Hip-Hop. We view in these same art forms (Hip-Hop included) a reflection of a substantial portion of reality where art in fact can imitate life, yet hip-hop alone seems to bare the brunt of this type of criticism.

What is more, from a psychological perspective, I surmise that these very same critics who confidently criticize hip-hop see reflected in hip-hop music the aspects of themselves that they find lamentable, despicable, and disagreeable – the aspects of “self” they’d rather conceal. Is this not motivation enough to hate and criticize hip-hop music? For in the darker reflections of hip-hop music there is found the hustler, savage violence, drug-dealing, misogyny, arrogance, greed, lust, et cetera. These aspects of hip-hop are real and directly reflect the lives and philosophy of certain individuals and certain portions of society. This is not to say that I agree with everything most rappers discuss in their music, but I do defend their right to uninhibited artistic expression as well as the right to reap the consequences of said expression.

Ideally, hip-hop’s fundamental power is that it can give a voice to the inhabitants of society and allow them a platform to clearly communicate their experiences of the world and of themselves to a broader audience, and, well, gain fame and fortune simultaneously. It need not (though it is not a bad thing if it is) be a tool of education in the societal indoctrination of any civilization. All we should demand of art is that it communicates a genuine experience, not teach us how to raise our children, nor sugar-coat any “real” portion of existence. Hip-Hop music is meant to “keep it real.”

***I have purposely avoided the corporate aspects of hip-hop, “Conscious” rappers, my personal critique of hip-hop music, or hip-hop culture as a means to focus specifically on the aspect of hip-hop that draws the most criticism, the music.***

PEACE...

I have an array of opinions on Hip-Hop and how it affects our culture.

But I noticed my opinion of Hip-Hop can radically change based upon the aspect of Hip-Hop being discussed and who it affects. Most definitely today’s Hip-Hop is bad for the culture at large. In that same aspect we must all realize that Hip-Hop of twenty years ago and Hip-Hop in the current day society are two different things. I am not a fan of Hip-Hop music overall but there were a few songs from the past and present I really liked but still I couldn’t say I got the message of that and it really had meaning.

THE MAJORITY(not all) of Hip-Hop artist today have mediocre talent. I say that based upon the music videos and songs they put out. THE MAJORITY of the artists are all rapping about the same things. This is not just rap artists; it is also R&B artists. THE MAJORITY of the videos are the same. I realize that these artists don’t sign up to be role models but they are. THE MAJORITY of their sales are from teenagers or people in their early twenties. Here comes the aspect of parenting. The parents need to be protective and make sure they know what they are allowing to be put into their children. In the position that our community is in today (which is very weak) today’s Hip-Hop is bad for us.

Maliek, 14 yrs. old

The current state of Hip Hop is analogous to the mindset of the African American community.

Following the murder of our most viable leaders, our community became a rudderless ship. And so it is with today's rap music. Those cats from the South are modern day minstrels. They need to be silenced. Hell, if nothing else they should be censured. Them cats don't understand the immense power they have. Today's rappers shape the perception of the world. I'm afraid they are woefully under qualified for such a job. As a fan, I'm calling for an end to all Chiken George Southern rap.

The South has the mic now. They must relinquish it because they are on some "Step n Fetch it” bullshit! Our images and genius ability is far too rich and vast to be relegated to such misrepresentations.

The South is Joe Frazier and conscious blacks are Muhammad Ali. In their ignorance and dollar sign haze, they are setting us back decades. Let’s elevate the discussion.

Peace and blessings my dear brother, I always try and get out to see you when you come to town at the bookstore.

Opinion: When I think of the Le Reve et les Lumieres (the dream and the enlightenment) about the situation, certain things come to view. Given all of the extra excitations and complementary or compensatory style "given" I'm sure that our black brothers would like to write or print/sing more positive songs, but the "industry" won’t publish or distribute the material. The myth of our women being bitches or hoes is a "street mindset," not a reality. Yet hip-hop seems like a sizeable opportunity to create more friction among us as a people (which by the way has been energetically and persistently defended but yet side-stepped as a whole). Let's just clean it all up, let it have its run and above all things let's try and wait out the storm together.

Dr. Bill

First of all let me say what a pleasure it was for me to finally hear someone speak in defense of hip hop as a culture from one of our own black leaders (Democracy Now July 18th, 2007 - the only news I believe).

Especially now when all we hear is the rest of them jumping on the Imus bandwagon and only pointing out the negative. Me being a passionate fan and member of the hip hop community for 22 years I do have somewhat of a biased answer for this question, so I'll try to be as objectionable as possible.

First, the reason hip hop has any affect on the culture at large is one: because it reflects the culture at large and two: it talks about it. In the words of Mos Def “if we smoked out hip hop is gonna be smoked out,” or as KRS so eloquently put it “we are hip hop.” If we were living in some sort of Utopian society where everybody had health care, jobs, a decent home, were truly equal and the government really did represent the people etc. then if there even was hip hop that’s what we would be hearing.

Second, hip hop isn't for everybody regardless of what Russell (respect due) says. When you hear Jay-Z talking about his hustling days, although mainstream America is overhearing the conversation he's talking directly to those cats out on the streets dodgin’ police and bullets saying "look what I did and I used to be where you're at come on up here with me." But I'm rambling, to answer the question at hand, yes I believe hip hop is good for the culture at large especially now when so many people are listening so maybe those with the ears should start saying a little more.

I believe hip-hop is a great thing; the problem being there isn't enough good hip-hop at this time.

Nobody has poetic lyrics, it's all hooks and beats about money, rims, hoes, clothes, cars, homes, etc. It's gotten to be way too commercial and materialistic. The artists I respect are the ones that don't need to brag through their songs to make money. For example Tupac, B.I.G., Jay-Z, Nas, Common, Lauryn Hill, Kanye West, ect.

I like the music that I can take something away from, I can finish listening to a song and tell myself "you know that's true" or "I never looked at it like that."

I think the new music isn't really saying nothing, but it's the old school that brings a message.

Love the book. I'm about a quarter through. Love hip hop. And as a Gtown Law Alum, happy you have found the right home. I appreciate the style of the novel. I have read your 2Pac and Marvin Gaye texts, and look forward to reading the King text next.

I’m disappointed about the state of hip hop and southern rap blowing up. Most of it is nonsense, with a few catchy beats here and there. A few standouts notwithstanding: T.I. and Ludacris are at the top of their game, Andre 3000 if he gets back to hip hop would be king, Scarface's spot in the hall of fame secure, but the art overall has taken a beating. I rarely get excited about LPs anymore. 50 Cent is setting up for a brick worse than Ben Wallace at the charity stripe.

I am holding out hope for Ear Drum, Finding Forever, and Graduation to carry me through '07.

Recent standouts: Masta Ace's Long Hot Summer, Mos Def's True Magic, T.I.'s King, Jay's Kindom Come (Best Rapper Alive not named Rakim, helluva comeback), and Common's Be.

Lastly, thank you for quoting Professor Robin D.G. Kelley so much in your text. I worked as his Research Assistant back at University of Michigan.

Hip-Hop is good for the culture.

Like any genre of music, enlightening and disgusting lyrics may co-exist. For example, Chris Rock makes fun of how the beautiful classy ladies will dance at the clubs nowadays to the lyrics "the sweat runs down my balls…" Unfortunately, the media usually focuses on the demeaning & violent lyrics, whether it's hip-hop or heavy metal.

I am a white, middle class, 32-year old woman with an M.A. degree, sitting at my work cubicle analyzing reports right now. My point is that while I am not the normal hip-hop fan, I enjoy it and it puts a smile on my face, especially getting though these spreadsheets today.

Hip-Hop is the culture of our current age. Love it or hate it, it is what it is.

Thank you for continuing to bring the relevance of Hip-Hop to the forefront of our conversations.

I am 37 and I grew up at the "birth" of Hip-Hop. When I was growing up our only outlet was to hear the banging beats and risqué lyrics on a cassette "mixed" tape we all shared in the hood. Either that or you had to wait until late night when the radio stations played Hip-Hop.

I remember rapping with the lyrics and having no thought of what I was actually feeding my spirit, feeding my mind. People my age love to claim "it wasn't that bad" back in the day… I challenge you to look up some old lyrics to the music we listened to. I think what has changed is the "exposure" and "acceptance" to Hip-Hop.

It slowly seeped into the main stream on "Yo MTV Raps" and now you can hear Hip-Hop on commercials, satellite music channels, radio stations that only play Hip-Hop, websites, iPods… the music and the culture is everywhere.

As a parent, I hear Hip-Hop differently. As a Christian, I am now more conscious about what I feed my mind, my ear, and my sight. Were our parents right when they told us to "cut that mess off" back in the day when Hip-Hop was slowly creeping into our homes? Is our black culture now the aftermath of those "seeds" that Hip-Hop has planted for years… because we just "like the beat" or we just "like the hook"?

I think there is some Hip-Hop that is good and I think there is some that is "bad" but at this point the question is neither here nor there because we have somehow even lost our perception on "good" and "bad." My neighbor is a single African American father of a beautiful four-year-old girl. He plays Hip-Hop with lyrics of "bitches, hoes, and nigger" as she plays outside and he washes his car. I wonder to myself, "When did we get here?" As Black people, we always knew there was a "place" and a "time" for everything but now we don’t. There use to be a time where there was “grown folks music.” Our parents did not sit around and listen to “rap” with us. BUT because the 25-45 year olds were around at the birth of Hip-Hop, now as adults/parents they have a “weakness, a secret allegiance, a bond” to Hip Hop because they were there at the birth of this music! There is no more "grown folks music." Many of us, like my neighbor, just can’t let go!

Music has always been "good" and "bad." It’s just that now there are no limitations on what you can and can’t do, can and can’t say. It’s just all out in the open.

People are quick to judge the artists but we MADE the Russell Simmons, the Puff Daddy’s, the Biggie Smalls, the Ice Cubes because we are the generation that bought their records, went to their concerts, supported their movies, and told our parents the same thing our children are now telling us: “I just like the beat!” I can sum it all up to use the words of Malcolm X: "the chickens have come home to roost!"

We created this madness and now that we are adults, parents, Christians, Muslims, we changed our lives and we look at today’s youth and "judge." The only difference is our exposure. I challenge you to look up lyrics to some of the rap and R&B from back in the day and you will not find a difference. It’s just that back then you listened with a 16-year-old ear in the back seat of a car or a boom box on the corner but the 16-year-old today has many avenues to filter that same music into their minds. They don’t have to sneak, turn the music down or wait for “Yo MTV Raps” to come on once a week. They get it every single day! My last and final point to the artists who make this type of music is this: Why is it when your music has a positive influence on the culture you admit, brag, and boast about the "power" of your music and your lyrics? However when the same music has a negative influence on the culture you deny that power? If you talk about wearing white tees and everyone wears one, “that’s hot,” but if you talk about shooting up the club and young men start shooting up the club, your same music didn’t have a thing to do with that! If you take the good, take the bad as well! Anything you bring into existence has an effect on those around you!

We are hosting an open forum on “The Message in the Music” to discuss the issue of Hip-Hop in Charlotte, NC. I would love to use the comments from this website and your book, Mr. Dyson, to add to our discussion.

Thank you for all you do in uplifting and educating our community!

It’s not a matter of being good or bad, it’s about it BEING. Any cultural phenomenon will have both positive and negative influences; Hip-Hop is no different. I am so tired of people pointing to the music, clothing styles, slang, and overall entertainment aspects of Hip-Hop as "bad" for society simply because of its popularity and influx into their quiet lily-white suburban neighborhoods.

Peace.

Hip-Hop in its pure and raw form is not bad.

Breakin', graf-writing, dj-ing, rapping; these things in and of themselves are not bad. I come from a church culture that is now taking up a crusade which says that ALL Hip-Hop is bad and furthermore, that Hip-Hop culture itself is inherently evil and Anti-Christ. I do not believe that. The Bible says that God created every good and perfect thing. Breakin', graf-writing, dj-ing, rapping; these were all created by God. But when these tools are used to glorify money and street life, to degrade women, and visually molest our children, this is when it becomes an evil and vile work.

What I would say, beyond a shadow of a doubt, is that Hip-Hop is not evil, but it is tremendously flawed. Hip-Hop has created a violent and destructive subculture that can be a terrible influence on our youth. However, I believe the Bible. The Bible says that God's hand is mighty to save. He saved me from a wild life when I first entered college. I have no doubt in my mind that if God can save people, God can save and transform an entire culture. As my brother Duece "Ambassador" Branch from the Christian rap group The Cross Movement says, "The greatest need in Hip-Hop is the input of Jesus."

So, no, Hip-Hop in and of itself is not bad but it is flawed. But, thanks be to God, it is not flawed beyond repair.

Peace,
Brent

Personally, I think Hip-Hop is bad for the culture at large because it is more about being different from (perhaps even purposely offending) white culture, rather than having genuine roots. It also has no positive message or uplifting aspects. It offers blacks something different from white cultural norms, but just being different or fomenting passive rebellion against the white status quo is not sufficient to qualify as an independent movement.

I see the music (and the fashions and argot that go with it) as providing blacks with an identity that sets them apart from the white culture; in essence, trying to create something to fill the vacuum of being cut off from their original African culture.
It is mainly a message of rebellion. White kids may take on the trappings of Hip-Hop for a time but they eventually go on to become mature, productive adults. But for blacks it doesn't offer anything beyond trappings, so they become mired in it.

And then there are the black intellectuals who try to legitimize it in black studies courses.

Rudi, Ph.D. (white and 70)

P.S. - Prof. Dyson, on the Chris Matthews show you got into it with some white guy over Oprah. You claimed that you didn't bring race into it, but if you look at the transcript, you will see that you DID bring race into it. Like most black intellectuals, you are much too quick to see everything in “black vs. white” terms. It worked for Johnny Cochran, but it is usually a sign that one can't win on the merits.

I just watched Prof. Dyson on “Hardball with Chris Matthews” this afternoon and was very proud of how he stood up to that idiot, Michael Wolf, regarding Oprah backing the Obama campaign.

The racism that was fuming just under the surface in Wolf's language made my stomach turn. Oprah is indeed more powerful than Sen. Clinton, and Oprah does not depend on corporate handouts to survive in her career. I am a 54-year-old Brooklyn-born white guy who would love to hear Oprah call for an immediate end to the war in Iraq. Do you know what Oprah's opinion of the war is? If she is against it, could you ask her to say so publicly? Every voice is needed in ending this blight on humanity.

Thank you for your time.

Having been raised on all genres of music (except country and alternative), I must say Hip-Hop continues to be the voice of a large swath of American youth, young adults, and hip baby boomers. I must say that if Hip-Hop was to die, then the voice of America’s pulse would be silenced.

As I have neared the completion of my PhD in clinical psychology, I have found that without a link to the actual soul of the people all of my education would be for nothing. I would never understand what my clients, my audience, or my future students would have endured, experienced, or feared. Hip-Hop is to me the culture of the people. It does not mask, underreport or blind one to the realities of the world we live in. From Brooklyn to New Orleans to Senegal to the UK, people use Hip-Hop to derive a sense of self, sense of others, and ultimately, a sense of the world.

The real question is not “is hip hop good or bad for the culture at large,” but “is the culture at large good for hip hop?”

With recent revelations of ethical, sexual, and federal violations by the very lawmakers who deny the support to the launching pads of Hip-Hop culture, how can Hip-Hop not buy into the degradation of women, the idolatry of financial groundswells, or the illicit nature of drugs, violence, and sex?

The very nature of the culture at large has swept Hip-Hop from the streets of the Bronx, the lower 9th ward, Inglewood, the Southside of Chicago, the bloody nickel of Houston, TX, or even the backwoods of the Queens in Jackson, MS...

All of the above mentioned places have contributed to the nature of brilliant minds of music, art, science, math, politics, history, prose, and culture... So to ask if Hip-Hop is good or bad for the culture at large is a paradoxical statement considering the fact that a heaping majority of the culture at large would not be any good if not for Hip-Hop and all that it has been since its inception...

I would like to thank the good Doctor Dyson for the many works he has completed… Keep enlightening my mind and the minds of others.

A luta continua

Brian

I think Hip-Hop is an incredible addition to culture.

It is an artistic expression that does not get nearly enough positive coverage for the meaning it holds. I listen to a lot of underground Hip-Hop. It is never covered like the more commercial stuff. If people would actually listen to the lyrics of Blackalicious, Common, Mos Def and others, maybe they would see there is more to Hip-Hop than “bling” and “big booties.” There is a strong undercurrent of political and social action. Something this country and my generation need!

Like anything else, Hip-Hop is good and bad.

Hip-Hop is a diverse movement that is looked at monolithically by the press and mainstream culture and is demonized. There is a huge disconnection between the Hip-Hop generation and the Civil Rights generation. This was never more obvious than during the Michael Richards and Don Imus incidents when the focus quickly shifted from the white supremacy of old, rich, white men to the influence of Hip-Hop, often with the Civil Rights generation speaking about the Hip-Hop generation rather than to us or with us or allowing us to speak for ourselves.

50 Cent, Ludacris, and Nelly are brought up constantly as examples of what is wrong but no one mentions Mos Def, Dead Prez, The Coup, Talib Kweli or Common as an example of what is right with Hip-Hop. I personally want to thank Brother Dyson for being the first member of the Civil Rights generation that I have heard to stand up for Hip-Hop. When I heard Brother Dyson on Democracy Now yesterday, I was sitting in my car applauding and co-signing.

I believe Hip-Hop is good for the culture at large when it is put into the right context.

Some sides of Hip-Hop are bad. I love Hip-Hop but I don't like the direction it is taking. It incenses me that our culture has almost become accustomed to negativity. I just think we need more positive energy in our community.

Great interview on Democracy Now yesterday.

To answer the question: It depends on which artists you choose to listen too. Positive hip-hop = positive thoughts... and so on.

I've never been a fan of Hip-Hop at all. But today I heard Michael Eric Dyson on NPR for the first time.

I have to tell you he spoke to my heart and to my soul about a lot of things I believe in.
I'm so sick and tired of being lied to, I'm so sick and tired of the drivel being shoveled to me from mainstream media, I'm so sick and tired of this sham of a society that pretends to care but has all but become "by the corporation, for the corporation, and of the corporation."

And if it takes Hip-Hop to speak truth to power, then so be it. I will listen to it with a new ear.

Hip-Hop (outside of what is considered commercially viable) is good for the culture at large because the artists provide a voice and a view into and for an important part of the American landscape that is otherwise ignored and obscured by the mainstream media.

I do not know what it takes to create a Fox news or CNN, but it would be incredible if the Hip-Hop generation could develop a 24-hour, global news channel that would tell the stories of repression, oppression, and injustice - the stories of importance that are currently ignored.

Until such a thing comes to be, Hip-Hop music may remain as the most prominent voice for the indigenous and under-represented majority of the global population.

My name is Jean Shields; I am a Black/African-American woman and an adult learner and am reading your book, Why I Love Black Women.

I love your book because when I read it I always receive a message from you, your message: Be Proud Black Woman because you are fine beautiful black woman.
This message is like the gospel to black women. Because of its empowering effect on me I feel empowered, and have a clear understanding of myself and it is time for me to take charge of my life. Truly, I am proud to be a fine beautiful black woman.

As your shared your experiences with black women, about our shapes, body languages, how we think and walk, it impressed me also. The phase used by Rhonda, your friend, "stop talking under my clothes," is a phase familiar to me. I thought about the time when I said that to some of my male friends. Because of the many familiar clichés and phases said by blacks I identified with your book.

Also, I like how you wrote about famous and infamous black women. Women like Myrlie Evers-Williams, Tony Morrison, Aunt Lila Mae and Aunt Mary and the young women of The Association of Black Harvard Women… I immediately realized that you were expressing your love for all black women regardless of background, color and size. I fell in love you because you are able to express your love and respect for black women. I felt that no age group was omitted because you displayed love and respect for both the elderly and young. As an elderly black, that is why I fell in love with you and your great book.

Presently, I am facilitating a senior citizen’s book club and we are reading Why I Love Black Women. The book club is comprised of members of different reading levels. Some of the members are (for lack of a better a word), literate and some are illiterate. For this reason members with poor reading skills find the book difficult to read and understand. Because of a limited vocabulary I too have problems reading the book. In order to understand some parts of the book I used a dictionary.

The point I am trying is make is... there are many black women who are learning to read. Most of them have poor self-esteem and Why I Love Black Women will empower them the same as it has me. So for future writing please consider us adult learners.

I love Why I Love Black Women and you too!

Jean, Adult learner

Diversity is good for the culture at large, and hip hop brings us a lot of diversity. The good outweighs the bad, no question about it.

If I'd been asked this question over a decade ago, I'd have said, with no hesitation, that hip-hop was a good thing for our culture at large.

While I enjoyed it on a personal level mostly from the early through the mid-90s, by that time it had arguably passed its most socially conscious and responsible period.

Nowadays, you really have to search and "go underground" if you want to find an artist with something of substance to say. But with hip-hop's acceptance into the larger culture, from my point of view, it became just watered-down pap. Not to say that some of it isn't enjoyable from a strictly entertainment point of view. But if the purpose of hip-hop was to expose and, in its own way, attack society's ills (especially as concerns African-Americans), then to use Nas' phrasing, hip-hop is indeed dead.

Hip-Hop is not bad for the culture at large.

Hip-Hop, like Blues, came out of blacks' social conditions. The commodification of Hip-Hop, however, transformed the music structure in an attempt by the record companies to make profit. For instance, lyrics that in the past addressed the conditions of blacks in the ghettos were replaced with "ho." Artists that battled each other artistically in the past found themselves battling an image that the music industry created.

In the meantime, the Hip-Hop artists that remain true to the history of Hip-Hop are not heard in the mainstream. Instead, middle class and wealthy blacks and whites have made Hip-Hop an enemy of the state. Hip-Hop is an appropriate approach to solving inequality in the United States of America.

I embrace Hip-Hop music, especially artists who speak or deliver a message along with a flow, bounce, or beat.

I was a freshman at John Jay College of Criminal Justice back in 1979 and Hip-Hop was just hitting the colleges. It always made me feels good to move, dance, and sing. It wasn't until the kids from NWA expressed their struggles that it was considered, "Hard Core Rap” - that's what life was for them. Life isn't always hippy hop and that came through and made the country ask the question, "Why are they so violent?" They didn't choose this life, it was mapped out for them and they rapped about it.

Overall, the Hip-Hop Nation has seen its highs and lows, but for the most part I'm an "Ole Head” who still knows my craft and listens to the up and coming artists to keep Hip-Hop alive.

Sincerely,
Towana
Brooklyn Beauty for Life

Hip-Hop may indeed be a reflection of the deep seated misogyny present in our culture; however, I do believe this is much more deep seated in the African-American culture. The lack of responsibility and respect shown toward women, with whom black males choose to produce children, often seems unbelievable. This attitude is often validated and reinforced in music.

On the other hand, some of the Hip-Hop and Rap artists make very insightful statements and observations regarding our society and culture.

I am a 60-year-old white woman, so what do I know, right?

I very much enjoy listening to Mr. Dyson. He reminds me of Malcolm X, whom I thought was one of the most articulate and charismatic speakers I have ever heard.

Hip-Hop has been the most original and greatest contribution to American music since the inception of Jazz.

A good question! It holds strong arguments for both sides.

It’s the creation of this dialogue, the appeal of listening and responding with passion and honesty to the dialogue, and the constant asking of these questions which I believe makes hip hop amazingly good for the culture at large and for cultural studies larger than that. It is a struggle for power which we are all in - both on a grand scale in our communities and countries, or on a smaller scale, struggling for power against siblings or parents, and the most useful power we have is our words. We can learn to speak our minds and express our minds - both the good, bad and indifferent, to find the truth. This is so important to create conversation - to double up our resource of information - to keep on learning.

I say the last statement because what I see and hear and live in is “Keep your shame private, don't say how you feel, don't talk back” … I know people, have seen people go through life without breaking that ice of penetrating conversation, especially people who need to get those “hard” words out of their heads.

Hip hop is all about making music outta words, it has done so much for me in helping me free my mind and express myself, and it helps me find out how I really feel and then rebound this honestly with people in my family group. This is what makes hip-hop so good.

The bad part is the non-thinkers. Now I’m not literally good enough (as you can tell) to dissect this. But what I’m saying is the people who didn’t know X=8 but followed/copied another to find out and then went on to assume X always=8...sorry about the rubbish example but you know what I mean I hope. The bad part is the non-thinkers and cowardly thinkers who know but just don’t say. Anyway, they perpetuate the loss of information from corrupt values the last generations of underhanded scheming men had. So the majority of hip-hoppers, brought in via the media global expansion of the art form, have seemingly missed the point and are equalizing X to 8 with not only little thought, but with conviction following a third-hand out of perspective report! It’s scary that people are too proud to change their minds from the madness that can be seen with evidence.

I believe the good qualities of hip hop will outshine the bad. Really we all need to cut out the middle man (the media), and enjoy the music on its own for what it is. It doesn’t need a summary from external media, IT IS A SUMMARY of that person’s view on life...if you chop it up and mix it down you get processed shit that isn’t real. I hope people can see hip hop is good for the culture at large because hip hop is life. It makes me sad when people don’t get it.

Tupac at his deposition when his lawyer asked him “Were you trying to provoke anyone to do something when listening to your music...were you trying to get them to use violence in…” Pac cuts in “NO NO,” the lawyer continues “What then were you trying to get people to do?” (instantly Tupac says) “THINK! Use your head.”

Man I miss him! What a guy! But I’m glad he’s free...cause he couldn’t have lasted here...and that is what’s up with the world. I hate people glossing over Tupac’s story, your book should be in schools and his life told, because to me this question is the same as his life question and both questions are invalid and out of proper perspective. Both hip hop and Tupac are nothing but good, he died for non thinkers to see that. But it shows that people are idiots. Including me.

Wow that was fun writing that. I just read it and I’m not that impressed with myself but it’s all part of my learning. Sorry I couldn’t resist a bit of Tupac chat, it makes me read more. Thanks and bye-Dunc

I just caught the Today show interview, and have to comment on something you said: The reason the majority of rap that gets sold is misogynistic and violent is that those facets are mostly all that the buying market finds entertaining. It's not that the music executives are against political commentary and social statements in the lyrics, it's that those types of rap just don't sell as well. I am a 40-year-old white man from the south, and even I listen to a good deal of rap, either on the Sirius Satellite Pop & Hip-Hop channels, or on the radio as well, and there is a big difference in the cut and uncut versions.

I like the Black Eyed Peas and Fergie's solo work quite a bit, and find it to be completely unobjectionable from the standpoint of a parent or listener. 50 Cent is a bit harder to take, but is at least as enjoyable for differing reasons. I just don't think it's possible to control the content of any form of music, going back to the first Rock & Roll generation. But from the sales figures, it should be obvious to anyone that Bob Dylan's social commentary never rose to the level of Elvis’ fame and popularity, for the simple reason of content. Who wants to listen to depressing music about the failures of our social systems, when one could listen to a catchy ditty about girls dancing (booty shakin') or getting romantic (busy).

It's not the industry driving these trends, it's the buying public and the social structure in America.

Good job on the interview by the way.

Kevin

Michael, I just saw an interview of you with Lou Dobbs on CNN.

After seeing you on a number of programs doing interviews over the years I have been trying to "figure you out." Trying to decide what kind of black man you are. You are undoubtedly intelligent, articulate, and bright but you have immersed yourself too far into the culture of Hip-Hop which has blinded your better judgment.

I understand you’re a big fan of this genre and one of your favorites in the industry is Jay-Z. Let me just say I have children that listen to Jay-Z and I’m not into bashing the recording industry. I believe in our right to free speech. I do have a problem with you supporting someone like Jay-Z, who in the past showed up for that thug Bennie Segal in court, who supports and helped aid the “no snitchin’” campaign in Philadelphia. You spent a lot of time in Philadelphia during your tenure at University of Pennsylvania. You know how volatile the streets of the city are...they are basically a killing field.

How can a man of your character and dignity throw your support in the ring for people who are helping to perpetuate genocide on our brothers and sisters in Philadelphia?

Rickyd

Hip-Hop is the saving grace of humanity in America and abroad. Hip-Hop, being spear-headed by people of African descent, is influencing youth all over the world to mobilize around one common cause. And that common cause is the right of self expression, which is what we as Americans often pride ourselves as advocating to our international neighbors.

How can we accuse Hip-Hop culture of being a negative element in the society when no Hip-Hop or rap artist is responsible for murdering leaders, destabilizing governments, or causing or instigating wars around the globe? Sure, a Hip-Hop artist or a rapper may call yo' mamma a bitch but they aren't likely to cause the overthrow of a foreign government or lie to the American people to continue an unjust war that is really being fought for oil.
I say respectfully to the elders and the previous generation, who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King and rallied with Malcolm X, and who may be somewhat displeased or in many cases disgusted with the cultural practices of the Hip-Hop generation, that the Hip-Hopsters are nothing more then the direct political descendants of the Civil Rights/Black Power era. Those participants long ago established the foundation for us, the present generation or Hip-Hop generation, to be loud, outspoken, defiant, and rebellious in our outward appearances and mannerisms.

In many cases we are their ideological children, not necessarily in rhetoric but in practice. We mustn’t forget that a lot of old black folks told the youngsters that they (the youth) were crazy for marching in those protest demonstrations with King and the civil rights leaders at that time.

We should be very hesitant in criticizing the overall presence of Hip-Hop because it, like any art form, is being consistently developed, examined, and scrutinized. Don't forget it (Hip-Hop) was developed by people of African descent. And one of the elements of African culture, specifically in music, is improvisation. This means that each day Hip-Hop as a culture and philosophy is expanding from within and without. I see the power and recognition of Hip-Hop culture conquering the planet.

Any time we see Arab youth in the Middle East holding up two fingers together in the air hollering, "Peace nigga," you know we're not just dealing with some ordinary fad. Instead we are dealing with a global and almost supernatural phenomenon. Thank you for reading these few words.

I first want to commend the work you do brotha. I love to hear your opinions on issues that concern our black community, and a lot of times I agree with you.

This topic is quite ironic. I have some real close friends from Florida and they were up and visiting me last week and the topic of hip-hop came up. We are at a disagreement about how some of this hip-hop today is just not a good reflection of our communities. Don’t get me wrong - I’m the first one to listen to all hip-hop. Southern rap, east and west coast. They couldn’t get with rap other than southern-style rap.

I went into the argument that hip-hop rolls in phases and eras. For example, for a while east coast (where hip-hop originated from) was hot. Then the west coast. Now it’s the south. They were acting like the other style rap couldn’t touch the south. It’s what’s hot now. I think it goes in 5-year phases. Everything evolves. They act like the south has been there the whole time. I started naming artists that I admire. Kanye West, Jay-Z, Andre 3000, Biggie, Pac, The Game. Fellas who have some sort of story or message behind their rhymes. I was telling them back in the day hip-hop was actually a threat to the government. Hip-hop had a political movement message for brothas and sistas. The government was a little threatened by that kind of message. But now there is nothing threatening about “Pop Lock and Drop It” or “Laffy Taffy.”

I listen to the radio show “Mack Lesson Radio.” The host is Tariq Nasheed. Another intelligent brotha touched on this subject and he mentioned that hip-hop now is not as dangerous as it was in the past. He mentioned how the media uses hip-hop as a dumping ground when a negative event happens. For example, the Virginia Tech shootings. They tried to be slick and said the killer listened to rap and by mentioning that, they were try to link the two.

Overall I believe hop-hop is good for the culture at large. It’s a form of expression for our culture and gives opportunities for conscious rappers to give their perspectives and channel it through our TVs, iPods and radios. It is another avenue for people to get on a platform to do good things for themselves and others. It makes our culture global. Hip-hop is across the planet. So it’s definitely a success as a whole, you can’t dispute that. But again it can be a lighting rod. But that’s how it is with everything - there’s good and bad.

Personally, I listen to all, but I apply common sense. I respect where it started from and respect the storytelling of some of the artists I mentioned earlier and there’s more artists out there with the same ill. I like the dance aspect of the music and of course the messages behind the lyrics.

I just hope at the end of the day the artists realize their platform and recognize they can make the black community look really good or look really horrible. I hope they understand they have the power to shake some stuff up. The majority of the revenue is coming from the ‘burbs. So be careful what you spit. And educate that community as well and give them an understanding of who we are as a people. One thing that can bring people together is music, so let’s make constructive music and show off our intelligence.

That’s why I think it’s good because it can bridge gaps between cultures, give opportunity and you can use it to educate for those who don’t know and are wondering.

Thanks for the time and keep on doing good work brotha.

It could be wonderful for our culture with the right focus and common goals.

There needs to be an urgency to get positive, proactive, empowering, encouraging, messages of ambition, change, love, and respect to all generations of our culture.

We need to utilize the skills, success, knowledge and wisdom the Lord has blessed us with as African descendants.

It is imperative that we support any bills that demand the Department of Education to act into law a curriculum that enables children of African race in this country a detailed education about their own culture.