 |
Fathers of Hip Hop
Flash, Herc, and Bam |
One of the most important aspects of Hip Hop is authenticity. So, when we look at Hip Hop and its role in Black Studies, the issue of authenticity must be considered. Authenticity, or "keepin' it real or 100" in Hip Hop is the highest level of respect one can earn in the hood. This was established when the founding fathers of Hip Hop, Kool Dj Herc, Afrika Bambatta, and Grandmaster Flash created and established the tenants of the culture. Knowledge and cultural upliftment reigned supreme. In
That's the Joint: The Hip Hop Studies Reader, Second Edition, the chapter,
Hip Hop's Founding Father Speaks the Truth, Bam and Flash points out that people could not come into the community unless they showed respect to the ones that established the culture that existed because it took years to establish (pg. 50). That has been the most critical point of this course all semester, showing respect and acknowledging the cultures that has emerged and exists in distressed communities in spite of social factors such as high crime, unemployment, and various rampant addiction issues.
 |
| Gang Turf Script |
Authenticity, as this course discovered over the semester has been established in the communities where it is a matter of life and death. We discovered through our travels this semester that the university struggles to maintain credibility in distressed community. The concern that has been echoed abundantly over the years is that the university conducts research in the community, but does not leave enough behind. Additionally, projects get started, but because the academy is a transient space, the stakeholders always change. Bridgett mentioned the need for courses that would prepare students for civic engagement. What would that look like? How would those courses connect with the various stakeholders in the community? How would Black Studies connect with the folks on the street corners? How does Black Studies develop the authenticity with neighborhood shot callers to ensure that students do not get caught in the crossfire of turf wars and gang disputes? How does Black Studies use Hip Hop to provide international students with authentic cultural experiences that will expand their knowledge and perception about the authentic origins of indigenous African American culture? From a Hip Hop perspective, how does Black Studies, as Herc stated, "be true to the game."
