When Hooks talks about rap music she mentions that white males are at an advantage because they can act as though they are a part of the black culture but only when it is convenient for them. She also talks about the unfortunate fact that money is at center of virtually everything and rap artists are just trying to make money, but the product they put out is directly related to what the consumer wants. The consumer is a white male somewhere between the late twenties and late forties who also has the age privilege which makes them more influential in our society. I believe this is one way to keep racism active. I also agree with what Hooks said about white people who dress or act like people in rap videos are essentially doing it out of convenience. Many individuals who maintain this behavior are ignorant. Even if they know about white privilege many people choose not to acknowledge it. People tend to take aim at what they see so when it comes to rap videos and they see, mostly, black men rapping vulgar lyrics and girls dancing half naked they blame the people in the video.
I think these media allow white people to be in control. It seems as though the only way for rap to sell is if it appeals to the consumer. Unfortunately, white men are at the forefront for this and black men are being blamed for the content when the content of the video is a adaption to what the consumer, a white male, wants. I think Hooks did a good job explaining that.
Thank you for pointing this out! The rap industry reminds me a lot of the sex industry. There are people demanding it, and lets say a prostitute is filling the need, whether she did it by choice or was kidnapped, and as society we blame her. There are so many factors, but we focus on whoever is the closest or weakest link. I am not trying to say that the black rappers are weak I am merely saying that it is easier to blame them then a white 35 year old male who runs a fortune 500 company.
ReplyDeleteI like the point you make about the culture aspect. However, I think it may be an over-generalization of white males who are fans of hip-hop. Hip-hop is a culture, which doesn't have a color. Mainstream media focuses on negative aspects of hip-hop and I agree it is not right to blame the artists. It is about what the consumer wants. However, one has to be cautious when lumping all white listeners together because many listen to better understand where artists come from rather than merely trying to fit in with black artists. I do agree that mainstream hip-hop artists should not be the only ones to blame. I don't look at hip-hop as a way to "act black" I listen to it to hear about people's stories that are different from mine. Hip-hop that is not concerned about sex and money is another form of literature and that doesn't get enough recognition.
ReplyDeleteI think you make an interesting point. Not all black males are like these rap artists and the behavior portrayed is perpetuating racists stereotypes today. You mentioned that people are portraying black males rapping vulgar lyrics and the girls that are dancing half naked in these rap videos. This also negatively portrays women and exploits them further in the sex industry. If you watch the videos it is like they want to be considered sexy, licking popsicles and washing cars half naked, but it is actually very demeaning and is worsening both sexists and racists stereotypes for the rappers and the women.
ReplyDeleteI think it is also important to consider hip-hop in Hook's theory of collusion. Hip-hop proliferates negative associations with black people and violence. The hip- hop/Rap culture features violence related to black men. It's not unlike the critique of Basketball Diaries or the interview with the director of the movie smoke. I can still see the image of the black man holding the guy on the floor yelling " don't disrespect me m-effer"
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