Essay On Crack Cocaine

“Just Say No!” A statement that takes us deep into yet another decade in the history of the United States which was excited by controversies, social issues, and drug abuse. The topic of this statement is fueled by the growing abuse of cocaine in the mid 1980s. I shall discuss the effects of the crack cocaine epidemic of the mid 1980s from a cultural and social stand point because on that decade this country moved to the rhythms and the pace of this uncanny drug. Cocaine took its told on American society by in the 1980s; it ravaged with every social group, race, class, etc. It reigned over the United States without any prejudices. Crack cocaine was the way into urban society, because of its affordability in contrast to the powdered

Heroin, a powerful narcotic, acts upon the brain as a painkiller, increasing physical addiction and ongoing emotional dependence (Schaffer Library of…). Heroin has many challenging and highly risky effects on the user, all the more hazardous if overdosing is present. This extremely dangerous drug, heroin, will never cease being used, but may cease the existence of an individual.

"Cocaine and crack are among the most addictive substances known to modern science, and they have already ruined the lives of millions of Americans" (Morganthau and Miller, 208). Cocaine and crack are both dangerous, harmful drugs. Though pleasurable effects can be obtained from these drugs, the use of crack and cocaine cannot be worth the actual consequences that are inflicted on mind and body. The bad effects of these drugs, by far outweigh the good. Because crack and cocaine are so closely related, it is important to have a firm understanding of both drugs.

Chuck D of Public Enemy stated, “City by city, this white tornado was swirling on; just wiping out black America. We said we had to do something to make this seem very unattractive to a young audience.” Public Enemy’s in your face track, “Night of the Living Baseheads”, became an anti-crack epic. It was consensuses, among the group, that crack cocaine was appalling. “4, 5 o’clock in the mornin’, wait a minute y’all/ The fiends are fiendin’/ Day to day to day they say no other way/ This stuff is really bad, I’m talkin’ ‘bout … BASS” (Public Enemy).

Crack cocaine has been popular since the 1970s and mid 1980s. Crack cocaine is not a new drug; this drug is obtained from coca plant which grows mainly in South America. For many years, the native South American Indians chewed its leaves to develop strength and increased energy. By the 1800s, the cocaine was secluded from its leaves and used as a medicinal drug. By the late 1800s, it was used as an anesthetic and to avert surgical hemorrhage. The next century, people recognized crack cocaine an addictive narcotic and its non-medical use of the drug was ended by the Harrison Narcotics Act in 1914 (“How crack cocaine works?”).

In quite a few lower-class communities, phrases like “your mom is a crack head,” or “shut up crack baby” are said jokingly to make fun of someone during what we call a “rip session.” Although said as a joke, some are very offended by the comments. Why? because for some, crack addiction hits too close to home for comfort. Seeing how easy it is obtained in lower class and poverty stricken neighborhoods, many find themselves falling victim to the powerful substance, crack cocaine. Low sociable economic systems are just one of the many factors that can lead to the use, and addiction of crack cocaine, others include movies, music, peer pressure, alcohol and cigarette ads. In this report I will discuss

Rap music over the years has embraced black talent and lead many people who lived troubled lives into a life of fame and glory. The problem is as rap music has evolved, the lyrical content has been highly focused around depicting negative images of the urban black community. It has turned from being positive to now just describing the life of drugs and riches. Songs range from depicting women as prostitutes, selling drugs such as cocaine and heroine, using drugs to get by in life, and spending excessive amounts of money on expensive cars and jewelry. Washington Informer writer, Rudy Gourdine, brings up a good point when she states, “Can we overlook the targeting of young Black women with mean spirited and derogatory words and images that often prevent them from forming successful relationships(Gourdine) ?” She speaks of how in urban areas it is often overlooked or ignored how degrading the lyrics are and what they are doing. There are many good points as to what rap music could be causing in urban areas but there is no solid proof that rap music causes all to think or act on the music.

According to Marvin D. Jones a University of Miami graduate and author of Fear of a Hip-hop Planet: America 's New Dilemma, stated "Chicago youth Derrion Albert was brutally killed by gang members, many blamed rap music...hip hop music has been demonized not merely as black noise but as a root cause of crime and violence(Jones 59)." This provides a specific example of why and how rap music has negatively impacted society, enough for them to kill a young man. He also states that Gangsta rap, a type of rap music featuring aggressive lyrics, often with reference to gang violence, is mostly considered "black noise". He uses this term to provide an illustration that African-Americans are predominantly at the top of this rap violence.

Hip-hop culture began to develop in the south Bronx area of New York City during the 1970s. It had a significant influence in the music industry. Hip-hop music generally includes rapping, but other elements such as sampling and beatboxing also play important roles. Rapping, as a key part in the hip-hop music, takes different forms, which including signifying, dozen, toast and jazz poetry. Initially, hip-hop music was a voice of people living in low-income areas, reflecting social, economic and political phenomenon in their life [1]. As time moves on, hip-hop music reached its “golden age”, where it became a mainstream music, featuring diversity, quality, innovation and influence [2]. Gangsta rap, one of the most significant innovations in

Sex,Drugs and Money are biggest topics of modern day hip hop. They've been pretty popular topics in rock, pop, and dance, too, topics amuse and entertain popular music consumers. They buy the stuff that amuses them, and musical artists who want to make money cater to their tastes.Because sex drugs and money sell. Young people find these topics exciting and young people have the most disposable income. If that's the trend now then generations are growing up on some horrible music. The type of music young adults is unsanitary and overwhelmingly disgusting to the millennials. Furthermore young adults should be tired of hearing the same topic it should have became banal by now.

Reevaluating Rap Rap music has been a large staple of pop culture for the last few decades. With rappers like Tupac, Biggie Smalls, Snoop Dog, and many more icons, the rap music industry has reached a large audience. This style of music is notorious for using explicit language, drugs, alcohol, and portraying women as objects. With many studies done on how music affects someone's mood and the way they act, it would be accepted as fact that rap music will make people's actions bad. This is not the case, just because a person listens to rap music doesn't mean that they are more likely to do drugs or drink.

Hip hop and rap as a musical genre is a very controversial subject for nearly everyone. Its influences are powerful, both positive and negative. There are many positive influences of hip hop, and a few examples are the breaking down of cultural barriers, the economic impact, and political awareness of pressing and urgent issues. Though there are many positive influences, there are many negative influences as well. Some of the more heated debates of the negative influences of hip hop are that it glorifies violence, and the fact that the music sexualizes women and degrades them as well. Attached to the negative outlook on hip hop, there are also many stereotypes assumed by society towards this type of culture

For some people music is like a medicine for the soul. It gives them hope, motivation and a feeling that they are not alone. An artist is able to help others by speaking up about the important issues. That is the foundation of hip-hop music. As DJ Kool Herc, the “creator of hip-hop” stated: “There are a lot of people who are doing something positive, who are doing hip-hop the way it was meant to be done. They are reaching young people, showing them what the world could be- people living together and having fun. But too often, the ones that get the most recognition are the ones emphasizing the negative. And I think a lot of people are scared to speak on issues. “Keeping it real” has become just another fad word. It sounds cute. But it has been pimped and perverted. It ain’t about keeping it real. It’s got to be about keeping it real. For example, rappers want to be so “bling-bling”. Are you really living a luxurious life? Don’t you have other issues? What things touch you? That’s what we’d like to hear rappers speak about. Start a dialogue with people. Talk about things going on in the neighbourhood.” (Chang, 2011, p.12) Home for that genre of music is ghetto. People in that place had to face problems, that the ones from the centre of the city did not even have to think about. They wanted to speak up about the things that was in their heads. Hip hop became not only a music, but a culture and a

Negatively influenced lyrics in music do nothing but influence activities that degrade one 's health. Pro-drug songs that influence and welcome the consumption of alcohol and drugs, like rap and pop, encourage people to indulge in those kinds of activities, because they portray those activities as acceptable and tolerable. Rap music is a very popular thing in today’s society, which means it has plenty of room to influence the consumption of drugs and alcohol. According to Tara Pope from the New York Times, “77 percent” of rap songs today “reference drugs or alcohol,” which is a substantial number of songs. Then when teens are listening to music an average of “16 hours a week,” one can bet that music definitely has to give those teens something. Pope also says that “music is a powerful social force that taps into an individual 's identity, memories, and mood.” If that’s the case, then music that glorifies the use of drugs and

I chose to do this research topic for my final project out of sheer curiosity and interest in the subject. I do love all of the multi-faceted aspects of Hip Hop. The origin, the art, culture, the people, all of it. However, I did feel like I was missing out on the facts, history, and even the education, some might say, I was highly interested in learning more about the culture of Hip Hop, and was greatly excited when I decided to research and present on this topic. Throughout this research, the information that will be presented will cover the history of Hip Hop, including some influential people and places, while also going through some key elements of Hip Hop and a timeline that will result in the Hip Hop of today. This basis and foundation of Hip Hop will evaluate and inform how Hip