No, I've not died, nor have I fallen from the face of the earth.
That would be impossible, as the Earth is round. I recently went home, and witnessed my first home Yankees game in nearly 20yrs. Although they lost 8-1, it was good to see the 2004 squad live in the Bronx. Perhaps the best part of the trip was giving a native Mid-Westerner a glimpse of life in NYC. He got an opportunity to ride the subway and also experienced the notorious Bed-Stuy section of B'klyn. We B'klynites affectionately call this section 'Do-or-Die', as it relates to the struggle and peril that most black youth face, while growing up in this area. Truly survival of the fittest.
Despite some of the advances in the neighborhood, due in part to 'gentrification', many areas remain largely unchanged. We walked with our out-of-town guest from Utica Ave, up through Gates Ave and Lexington Ave. It was very refreshing to be on the streets again, as I rarely get the opportunity to walk in the Detroit-Metro area. I listened to the conversation of the young black men and women in passing. It seems that most have a grim outlook on their survival and exodus from the slums. Lots of hopelessness and misguided focus.
After heading back to my friend's home, we began to reminisce on our youth, particularly our time at Tech. He started pulling vinyl from the many milk crates in his sound studio. One LP contained, an underground cut called Black Zombie by Nas.
The lyrics were very timely, as it reminded me of the mind state of the kids that I passed in the streets earlier that day. I suppose that positivity is in short supply, especially considering that the unemployment rate is the highest it has been in nearly 10yrs. The economy is sluggish at best. Nonetheless, I still wonder what will become of our youth? Clearly the problem is systemic and not limited to B'klyn. I can go to any ghetto, East, Central or West Coast and see the same condition. People seem unable to grasp control of their future, stand with strength and refuse to fail. I say choose life or death, or forever stay among the walking dead.
On a positive note, I greatly appreciate the fact that Hip-Hop has a few contemporary MCs that are spitting conscious gems for our youth. Perhaps even the most commercial entertainers (ie Nas, JayZ), can redirect the Hip-Hop Culture to it roots? It would be great for these artist to finish what their forefathers (ie KRS, Chuck D, Mellie Mel, Zulu Nation, etc) began nearly 30yrs ago.
Al, are you nuts, you could have killed that poor young man. Just kidding. IN any case I agree with you. But I want to drop something on you fellow TechKnight. The same music that you referred to has a HUGE part in making these young kids think that all they have to look for in life is to be a drug dealer or criminal. There is no respect for Women, life or anything-decent coming out of the music. The funny thing is, they claim that they are keeping it real when they are not. No everyone in an Urban Area acts like that. Second I wonder how much control they have over the music they put out. What do I mean, well I truly don't think it’s a coincidence that the majority of Hip Hop artist intentionally talk about street life. I think that they are being pimped by some ALL White corporate execs, WHO REALLY KNOW WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE STREET. You know they think all Black and Hispanic folks are drug dealers pimps, whores and so forth. So even if one of them tries to get positive they probably get shot down or don't get a record deal. However, I do have hope. There is a new Hip Hop record out there that speaks to the kids looking for help through Jesus and Christianity. The song sound really good, and there is not one mention of Bitches, Hoes, Drugs Guns and so forth. The bottom line is that with the music, the images on BET, MTV, has to be balance. Yes we have some young people out there who live pretty bad lives, but we also have some that are doing some really positive things. We could actually make it Cool to be smart to go to College to be an outstanding person in your community that the community can be proud of.
OK I said enough, Thanks for letting us get out say Al.
Lastly, the Yankees suck. And Lets Go Pistons! One more game to Go!!!
Nubian:
I do agree that majority Hip-Hop artists are putting out stuff that is misogynistic and full of gun-play. Yes, most do not have ownership over their music. Nonetheless, I believe that this trend will be coming to an end soon. I'm hopeful b/c some historically commercial acts(ie Nas) are beginning to drop conscious lyrics. I'm not sure if you listened to 'Black Zombies', but I happend to think it's quite profound. Some of msgs from the older MCs like KRS-1, Guru, etc. are starting to reach some of these commercial acts. I'm hoping that this trend becomes infectious. Record companies are losing money annually, and consumers have become empowered by the internet. Soon the PVRs will become widespread and the crap that BET and MTV spew will be lessened significantly.
I think it's good you showed that young man how the other half lives. Im sure it put things in perspective for him. I'll bet he's not looking to relocate! On a serious note, I'm sad to hear nothing much has changed in the 16+ years since I left Brooklyn. In fact it seems to have gotten worse. I agree that the hip-hop culture and music have a lot to doing with the negative mindset and lack of positive progress in the inner city communities across the country. It makes me angry that rap, which started out as a positive, creative and truly unique art form has been hijacked, trashed and marketed by those whose only interest is making money at our expense. Worse, many of our folks have bought into that culture that glorifies violence, murder and drug use/sales, denigrates women and devalues education. (I'm proud to say I have never spent a dime on that evil filth they call gangsta rap! (Bring back the 80's style rap ala EricB & Rakim. Also check out the contemporary Gospel and Praise music.. it is awesomely, powerfully positive and inspiring!!) Inner city value systems and moral standards are wrong and very destructive to the community and especially to our youth, who mostly lack guidance and exposure to positive role models. The record companies, MTV, BET and so-called black political leaders/organizations have sold out the community! I am so tired of hearing them babble about racism as the cause of all our problems. Of course it does it exist, however it is not an insurmountable obstacle.. it is a challenge to overcome! Many of us who are suceeding are proof positive of that! However as one who has tried (and mostly failed) to reach out and influence my own family members toward positive alternatives, I'm frankly baffled that most of them prefer to remain in their situation, in spite of the dangers and adverse effects on their children. I have to agree that with a general 50% dropout rate and 70% fatherlessness/illegitimate birthrates, and the Lord only knows what the incarceration rate is, I'm truly concerned for our future generations.
P.S. I blocked MTV and BET from my satellite lineup a quite a few months ago.. my daughter is still mad at me :-) She'll get over it..
As I mentioned earlier, there is a great deal of negative Hip-Hop, but the point I was actually making was that this particular song "Black Zombie" was very appropriate and profound. Did you listen to it? I am hopeful that the positivity is coming back to mainstream Hip-Hop. For obvious reasons, this Nas song never got airplay on mainstream radio, hence we call it 'undergound'. I believe MCs like (Rakim, KRS, Chuck D, etc) have the same responsibility as the ancient Griots of Africa. Unfortunately, the stories have changed b/c of the marketing by large record labels. Contemporary MCs (Nas, JayZ, MosDef, etc.), have a huge undertaking. They must make sure 'our' story is told correctly.