Thus far, Brown has really set a tone of disdain for the current state of Black Studies departments and programs. Remember, Brown is from the era that created the perfect storm for Black Studies to exist in the late 1960's and early 70's. However, in a reminiscent way, he talked about how proud he was of a more contemporary moment of protest when a group of black students at Berkley kicked off the black out protest. In that same instance he expressed his contempt for white students who dismissed it as well off black kid demagoguery. I think we have arrived at a point in the reading where Brown consistently reflects on how university administration derailed the advancement of African Americans in the academy, which then cripples efforts to advance African American communities as a whole.
So, where does Black Studies go from here? If Brown makes the argument that Hip Hop and post Hip Hop generations can redefine black studies, it's going to be a hard argument to support. Two words. Promotion and tenure. The promotion and tenure structure of universities and colleges often do not encourage junior faculty to be involved in communities. Publishing and research initiatives often dictate how a junior faculty member is positioned in the academy. Unfortunately, being involved in African American community redevelopment is not rewarded. Why is that? Moreover, given the current climate of university and African American community relations can Hip Hop Studies become the new Black Studies?
Community is the most important element that emerges from this conversation about black studies, the academy and talk of change and so forth. When we talk about community you talk about a joint effort to implement change, and this “derailment” the academy is responsible for does lead to a lack of progression African-American communities across the country. The academy is so vital to the advancement of the African-American community and black studies. Black studies needs to find a sense of community that incorporates the ENTIRE African-American community in some way.
ReplyDeleteIt is so sad that involvement in the redevelopment of African-American communities is not rewarded. What good is research on the African-American people if no active change is expected to develop from it? I feel like in order to have a comment or concern, you need to be actively involved in the community you hope to change. This is what I see personally between the black academy on campus, and the larger black Champaign-Urbana community. We have a campus full of African-American intellectuals (Undergrads, grads, and faculty/staff), and not a collective community amongst black residents and the academy. What a waste. How can we expect progression for the “African American community”, when there is not a real sense of community? It always seems like there is the University of Illinois, and then the community. The university encourages this purposefully, and gives a little money here and there to act like they really care about what goes on in Champaign-Urbana. I think that hip-hop can become the new black studies, and an avenue to connect the academy and larger community as a whole. Community is a catalyst for change, not just the academy or one individual.
How Brigitte, how can Hip Hop become the new black studies or does Hip Hop Studies need to stand on its own?
DeleteI don't agree with Brown argument that Hip Hop and post Hip Hop generations can redefine black studies. Black studies has already been defined and I just don't think it needs to be redefine or I don't think it will be redefine by the Hip Hop and post Hip Hop generations. The book defines black studies as an important role in survival of Black people. To teach Black people their true history by our desires to look behind and beyond that curtain of slavery. I think that's the best way to define black studies. I believe that Hip Hop and post Hip Hop generations will come up with infinite numbers of reasons why black studies is important to be taught in colleges and I also believe that post Hip Hop generations will reflect the impact that black studies had and will have in the future. But i just don't see how it can redefine black studies.
ReplyDeleteHip Hop may not necessarily redefine black studies, yet it can be a part of the black studies curriculum in order to engage students in culturally relevant education. Black studies program deans and professors can work to motivate students to publish more scholarship on hip hop studies as a way to gain department recognition and hip hop scholars. I believe that Black studies Deans and administrators should begin working to develop ways in which hip hop studies can be recognized as a field of study and an important factor in understanding youth and popular culture. Hip hop studies may not "redefine" black studies but it can contribute to black studies evolving and fluid context(s). In order to engage students in the past and present of blackness, hip hop studies should be a part of black studies curriculum and agendas, especially when framing the ways in which we think about black youth culture.
ReplyDeleteSheri, do you agree or disagree with Jean?
DeleteHip-Hop and black studies departments should be separate, Hip-hop is not just for blacks. Many races now comprise the hip-hop community and a hip-hop studies department should reflect that. Black studies departments should be focusing on the problems of the African American community, it might be some overlap between the two departments but they should be separate. As far as Hip-Hop studies being a credible department I think that as more and more of the post hip-hop generation attends academic institutions and take the courses it will get the respect it deserves from those with tenure.
ReplyDeleteRoby, do you agree or disagree with the statements mentioned above?
DeleteI agree with Sheri and see the importance of incorporating Hip Hop into a black studies curriculum instead of Hip Hop Studies replacing Black Studies- Black Studies is still needed, it shouldn't be eliminated. I watched a film last semester called Two Nations of Black America by Henry Louis Gates and he showed an example of how people immersed in Hip Hop culture turned to crime in the community because they felt neglected by those more intelligent than them. They felt no one was listening to their needs and thus turned to crime to get their attention. Incorporating Hip Hop studies as a sub section produces a medium in which people can relate to and still learn at the same time. As Roby mentioned above, in terms of Hip Hop studies gaining credibility, that will come from the material being taught in a relevant way in order to gain respect.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sheri that the Black Studies department should incorporate a Hip-Hop aspect within their curriculum. Personally, I think a Hip-Hop curriculum can be used to gain an understanding of the current culture that is Hip-Hop. However, Roby did point out a great point that Hip-Hop is not just for African-Americans. With that being said, Hip-Hop would fall more into a cultural based program rather than a race based program. In response to Jean, I do feel that although Black Studies may not need to be redefined, there is a definite need for a revamping of the program. There has to be a balance between an understanding of the past (slavery), present (Hip-Hop), and the future of the black community with America. I to agree that as more members of the Hip-Hop generation enters academia, the respect for and understanding of the culture will increase drastically, once we get to administration levels such as the aforementioned deans, professors, etc.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Nino that Hip-Hop in some capacity should be incorporated into Black Studies curriculum. It is true that Hip-Hop is not just for African Americans, but there are large percentages of Hip Hop that are rooted in African American experiences and traditions. In this case, culture and race are closely bound and inform each other. It would be a disservice not to acknowledge and address race issues as it relates to Hip-Hop and culture. In response to the comments made about credibility and respect I think creditability and respect from whom? I think credibility in essence requires some level of approval or validation from a community. Will this credibility from Hip-Hop scholars are from administrators or the academy? As it relates to the academy I begin to think what does "respect" or "creditability" look like as it relates to Black Studies programs? The question after that becomes what is the measuring stick to gain creditability? Is it based on the number of grants the department brings in? Is it the enrollment in the department's courses or number of individuals that major in Black Studies? When I think of Hip-Hop I think of the raw and sometimes the raw is not what everyone wants to hear. Will someone dictate what is too much? The level of truth that comes from the raw sits at the root of Hip-Hop and if it has to be sheltered, restricted and bound I believe it loses something.Hip-Hop at it's core is expression of the self and truth and not seeking the approval or respect for other communities. One of the first things that comes to mind is the idea of FUBU, For Us By US. I believe much of the tension for me comes from the idea of gaining creditability or respect from the academy.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sherri that hip hop may not be able to redefine black studies, but to ignore the power and influence of the culture of hip hop on the world as a whole would be a mistake. Hip hop has managed to integrate itself into so many areas of society and entertainment and almost all arenas. And since blacks have such a large stock on the creation of this culture it is very relevant for hip hop to be included in black studies.there is still a place in black studies for the current curriculum of history theory. Understanding these concepts are still crucial in moving forward.tate how a junior faculty member is positioned in the academy. I can't understand why being involved in African American community redevelopment is not rewarded. I have no idea why that is, especially when that frame of mind seems so contradictory to the values of the black community.
ReplyDeleteHip Hop is def an important aspect of African American studies. As I stated before it's relevancy to modern youth will make it a good draw for funding and publicity. American Racial history MUST continue to be taught at the collegiate level. Americans are far from knowledgeable about our past. I think highlighting the messages, lives, psyches, and experiences of past and current hip hop icons can really hit home the current and recent past of racism and the American system. We should be integrating this into all of our curricula as a straight juxtaposition. Why not talk about Marcus Garvey and Commen at the same time. Why not look at "primary sources" from each and see how things really have and have not changed.
ReplyDeleteRagamuffinsavy could not have said it better. The plights that hip-hop artists have faced over the years can easily be highlighted and given a positive spin in relation to the redevelopment of African-American communities. I would say as long as the right artists and their struggles are portrayed as a discipline of study offering insight into the history of African-Americans, Hip-Hop studies can become the basis for all Black studies. Because so many genres can be tied into hip-hop, you can find a plethora of (black) artists expressing themselves from all different backgrounds. This ensures that all aspects of African-American history are included. I feel like this also makes it an undeniable discipline for Universities to include in their curriculum. Like most race-based efforts this is easier said than done, but all it would ideally take is a strong promotion of the progress of the African-American community on any campus.
ReplyDelete"#OMS" http://t.co/80hJvyAx