2/27/07
I loved Beyond Beats & Rhymes for its honest attempt to put, so called Hip-hop music, under the microscope and on trial for its assault on the the imagery of African-American/Latino, masculinity and manhood and the indirect impact that assault has had on the communities therewith represented. For me personally, the film simply documented what I have felt all the time: At the end of the day, it is White men in suits promoting and propagating the proliferation of negativity, self-hatred and divisiveness in the communities of people of color and proceeding, with profits, to the bank. Furthermore, the film reminds me of the title of an essay by poet, Audrey Lourde entitled, "The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House." And in this case the master's tools are markets and the underlying theories of supply and demand and the master's house are as usual, money and power. The irony is that while many of the young men of color (blinded by the "American Dream" and its selfish subtext) understand s
superficially, the ideas of supply and demand, and that to enhance their own/personal economic position, they must bring something to market, they generally fail to recognize that what they are bringing, through the misogyny and ubersexualized content of their lyrics and videos is not their art and artistry, but their own images and the images of their people. What they are essentially bringing to the market is themselves, for what is a man but his image. In the techno-driven 21st century, its not the physical black man on the auction block, but his image. And while these young men absolutely augment their own economic viability through the power of the television and radio, it is at psychological, emotional and spiritual expense of their people; their own brothers and sisters whose images are distorted and their collective ability to properly and positively define themselves is severely compromised. So while the hip-hop rap stars are using the master's tools of supply and demand, they are therewith promoting self-hatred, which augments the divisive, destructive and otherwwise polarizing forces in their own communities. The master's tools are not dismantling the master's house. I am amazed that the hip-hop stars either don't see or don't care that the images they are projecting are negative and self-destructive.
2/27/07
Nubein
Chicago, IL
Just finished watching Byron Hurt's excellent discussion on Hip Hop music and it's culture.I have a 15 year old son and his devotion to this music has been a sore point in my relationship with him. Thank you for opening my mind to clearer, not necessarily favorable, but clearer understanding of where it comes from and how it evolved. Hope I can catch a repeat segment sometime soon. I took notes but couldn't write fast enough. Thanks again PBS I switched to my local nightly Fox news to view their closing story -- a talk show with the host ( woman) feeling her guest's breasts. God help us all!
2/27/07
Nubein
Chicago, IL
I have seen the evolution or should I say descending nature of hip hop over the years. It seems that the whole culture has done a flip flop, which puts gangsta negative hip hop in the mainstream and positive message hip hop to the underground. I hear a lot of statements that gangsta is what sells, sure it does when you invest and build into it to the level that is being done today. Positive message hip hop would also sell, if the same type of investment was made into it by record moguls and holding companies. This change needs to take place in order to change the consciousness of the young brothers and sisters from killing, degrading each other to respecting and uplifting each other. It may sound corny, but elevating love in the black community instead of hate. All I can say is RE-AIR, RE-AIR, RE-AIR. Oh, and send a copy to to the stations and holding companies that are perpetuating this negativity. GREAT SHOW, HOPEFULLY IN WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
2/27/07
Renee
Staten Island, New York
I was fortunate to preview this documentary last Spring with my class at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Before the film my students in the audience, who were high school age inner city kids from Brooklyn, areas like Bushwick, Bed- Stuy, Brownsville and Coney Island- had a certain image in their mind of what hip-hop was to them. I have to tell you that sitting there after the film it was amazing to see such a transformation of minds and when Byron spoke to the kids and took their questions from the people that hip-hop has the biggest effect on right now you could see that these kids are caught in what they think is a culture trap and Byron's film let them know and let them see that there is a way out but it has to start with them. They have to call the radio stations and get involved and make the change. It was wonderful that someone took the time to create this documentary and present it on a level where the kids would respect and appreciate where it was coming from. I teach in Staten Island this year - but with the same population of kids - kids who idolize the type of hip-hop that should not be portrayed. I need to get my hands on this video so I can enlighten another group of students. Props to you Byron!
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