Sunday, December 9, 2012

Hip Hop Wars Chapter 9 Critique


In this chapter Rose looks at the rappers common deflections of their influence on young people as follows: “we’re not role models,” “parents are responsible for their own kids,” and, “if you don’t like what you see, turn it off.”  Per usual, these aren’t adequate responses when you are making someone believe the things you say to them.  One of the most annoying aspects of society I find is that you can’t trust the things people say.  It is really frustrating that I cannot take someone’s word without having to strain my brain into figuring out whether or not they’re telling the truth or masking something. 
Rose explains that while hip-hop does get an unfair rap (pun not intended), it is still problematic that hip-hop artists deflect responsibility off of themselves.  It is an appalling thing, since part of being an adult is owning the consequences that come with your actions.  Global companies are paying certain rappers to glamorize what they do, but it doesn’t change the fact that rappers are a part of the system that is hurting America’s youth. 
To be clear, the global companies are just as much, if not more, at fault for what is going on in hip-hop that is destructive.  It is truly disgusting that they make their money by overly glamorizing drug dealing and gangster life.  And it really is unfair that rappers are targeted more than any other form of music or popular mediums such as movies and tv shows.  There are lots of other forms of media in the world for young people to find just as negatively influencing forces.  Yet, it will never change the fact that rappers need to own their responsibilities instead of acting like they don’t exist. 

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