The question posed is in direct response to two events that our class participated in. The first was the City of Champaign presentation to community residents regarding the plans for the redevelopment of Bristol Park. There were concerns that the outcome of the project was going to be gentrification of another historically African American space. The second event was the African American Cultural Center's state of the black student at Illinois program. Students expressed concerns about racist incidents in the residence halls, being the only African American in class, and the difficulty some students have adjusting to a predominately white campus.
Has African American Studies addressed issues like these in the past? If so, what were the results? Have African American Studies programs addressed gentrification issues in communities, If so, what were the results? Are these areas that Hip Hop could play a role, if so, how?
Did Brown address any of these issues in the latest readings, if so, what did he say and what can we learn from his discourse?
To focus on the question that relates to the discussion of gentrification Hip Hop can definitely play a role. Hip-Hop or rather Rap as Brown describes it is "a form of debate. In fact it can be seen as highly sophisticated, if street, version of discursion and litigation. And hip-hop continues to be one of the last bastions of the oral tradition in our modern culture"(97). In addition to a space to debate Hip Hop serves as a forum to discuss issues, concerns and shed light on injustices. This has been shown through a multitude of tracks, for example “Fight the Power” by Public Enemy which was a call for unity and a challenge to stand up against injustices. Even more recently campaigns like "Vote Or Die" have built awareness have built consciousness about the importance of voting. Much like these past efforts of Hip Hop to educate and engage through and outside of music it can be done around the issue of gentrification. The music or a campaign would be a vehicle to carry the message and to build consciousness about the issue and to organize individuals towards whatever action was determined to take.
ReplyDeleteI agree, campaigns like "Vote or die" have mobilized hip-hop generationers to create a social change and get a certain message across. Historically, Brown discusses how this is the foundation on which black studies departments were created- to tell the truth, and educate, unify, and mobilize black students. It didn't stop there, early African-American studies departments educated with purpose to create a change in the community and address challenging issues(gentrification, campus and community racism, discrimination etc.). From my experience in black studies courses it is a very literal understanding of the material and the state of black people in America and across the diaspora, but there is little talk about it affects us right here and now and in this particular social space (except for Dr.P's class) and more importantly less talk on how we can change things which involves an actual action! In the book Brown talks about black studies being a way of life in its prime- is it a way of life for black students on this campus? Being a way of life stems past just being educated in black studies, and involves a more participatory role.
ReplyDeleteBrown states, "the 'overseers' of Black students on the education plantation are ill prepared to understand the hip-hop generation because the hip-hop generation is not based on the literate, print-based culture that they supposedly have been educated in" (77). Times are changing, and the current generation and generations to follow are not as print-based as Brown points out, they are more technological if anything. African-American studies can only play a role in developing hip-hop and post hip-hop generationers by changing their approach and delivery of the material- which I suggest should be a more here, now and how approach while still incorporating the history, larger diasporic issues and ideological approach that I find most Afro classes take on. Hip-hop can facilitate the "remodeling" of African-American studies departments.
I agree with J. Williams. Hip hop is an expressive tool to mobilize people, especially youth of color. Hip hop as a lifestyle is very complex, where it embraces all unique styles, language, culture of black youth. In this, hip hop should be understood as such and used in ways that are beneficial to youth and their issues.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Bridgett the majority of the black studies courses I have taken her at uiuc have taught very little in the way of agency,or what I can do to affect change. This can be frustrating for someone who like to get there hands d
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sheri and Julian in the sense that Hip-Hop's role is to serve as a means of getting the members of the culture to understand the current state of their existence as well as how to make a difference. Brown constantly touches on how society constantly tries to emulate the depiction of Hip-Hop provided by today's behavior. In addition, he poses a great question when he asks why is it that the imitation of what mainstream media portrays appears to only affect the lower class communities in an adverse manner? Overall, Hip-Hop's root is the music, and history has showcased movements in which the influence of music was utilized to assemble people towards a common goal. I think the whole in this may be the fact that there is a lack of hip-hop intellectuals to lead the way....which will change shortly!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree that hip-hop can play a role in the aforementioned areas. Some of the issues discussed at the state of the black student at Illinois panel, such as racism and social stereotyping, are also topics of discussion in select hip-hop lyrics. Blacks on campus are really considered big fish in a small pond. This is similarly expressed throughout the industry of hip-hop. Programs such as Project 500 have attempted to assist students in making the appropriate adjustments. The programs then become an aspect of African-American studies, at least at the UofI, resulting in efforts such as OMSA and 100 Strong. However, I have never encountered African-American studies addressing the issues of gentrification until this classroom experience.
ReplyDeleteThe DJ Booth x ACE B8gie "#OMS (On My Soul)" http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks/review/ace-b8gie-on-my-soul/ s/o DJ Booth!
I agree that Hip Hop is a tool used to prepare, organize black people for active changes and make a person see that there are changes that needs to be made. I also agree with Brigitte, as far as black studies courses at this institution. In my opinion, black studies courses here dwells more in the past instead of dwelling in the change that we need to make now to better the future of others. We need more black studies courses like Dr. P’s if black people in this university really want changes to be made in the university and the community.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Hip-hop could be used as a tool to prepare and organize the post- hip-hop generation in adjusting to academia life. For that to happen however the message that is sent in hip-hop needs to undergo a revamp, instead of the main message of hip-hop being about bitches and money the message should contain something that enlightens the youth into positive actions. In the reading Brown talks about how Cornell West is an innovator in this method as he records music for his students. This can be very influential for the post hip-hop generation seeing as how hip-hop is a major influence on today's youth.
ReplyDeleteI am feeling what Brigitte is saying about action/participation. Brown does bring us to the foundation of black studies in change through action, action being first and foremost black presence and faces on college campuses. I am trained in social science methodology. I am also trained as a counselor/psychologist. I am currently taking an advanced level history course in Afro at UIUC. The students in my class are brilliant historians. It amazes me how they can break apart scholarly discourse and reinvent it. All this being said, when I posed a question that involved the history material in action today and what thoughts were on it the response was less than enthusiastic.
ReplyDeleteAs Jean stated above there is something missing from current training in African American studies. I contend as does Brown that we,as scholars of all things African American, have leaped into a White dominated realm not just physically but, intellectually as well. A reexamination of self determination and Black distinction would be awesome. Hip Hop, created by the black community and in many ways for the black community is a way to begin to bring black individuality back to the academic table!