How Does Laymon Influence American Culture

As a teen in high school, Desmond-Harris was truly affected by the murder of Tupac, a gangsta rap icon, for she and her best friend Thea could relate to his very much mixed identity as an artist. He not only had a fun side, but also had a side full of anxiety and anger. Through Tupac’s songs, both Desmond-Harris and Thea were enabled to learn what it truly meant to be biracial. To say the least, Tupac’s songs had aided the coming-of-age journey the two mixed-race girls had embarked on together.

This is a way for African Americans to use hip hop as a full-time job instead of as leisure for themselves. The benefits, according to Chung, is that now there is an “achievement of black national acceptance … to become professional, productive, labors” (Chung, 129). Given the platform, blacks want to reshape the urban poverty and improve economic situations through hip hop and widespread of black culture. Another reason for improving black’s conditions, not only comes from hip-hop, but also white behavior, meaning that blacks who grew up in rough times have been looked at in stereotypical views of pathological behaviors, and drug users. But ABDC allows these young men black men to given a new identity and inclusion through the use of hip-hop rather than the premature neoliberalism view of African Americans in which they are looked at as

One of the more prominent criticisms of hip that Rose points out is that there is a large amount of misplaced blame in the world of hip hop. She writes, “increasingly, too many of hip hop’s supporters point to structural racism to explain the origins of the problem but refuse to link these structural forces to individual action and to the power of media seduction” (p. 73). In this section of the second chapter, Rose is explaining that those who defend commercial hip hop are taking a more-or-less one-dimensional approach to their arguments by solely blaming structural racism and overlooking the

From his catalogue of critically acclaimed albums to his highly lucrative business ventures in the worlds of fashion, entertainment, sports, and technology, Hip Hop artist Jay Z has etched himself into the collective conscience of America as an icon of black success. One of the consequences of this revered status is that his art, whether it be in the form of music, documentary films, or books resonates on a level beyond that of his peers. As comedian Jerrod Carmichael joked in his latest comedy special, "Jay Z means way more than me to Dr. Martin Luther King. " Hunger for individual advancement replaces concern for collective progress and Machiavellian power play invades spaces once animated by moral courage in this contemporary search for

The public often overlooks simple things in life such as peace and family union. Ghansah skillfully highlighted the deep feelings of in humanity, which was difficult for the African American to accept, the will to choose. Freedom of choice is much rewarding than economic stability. Ghansah wrote her article, “If He hollers let him go” while in pursuit of Chappelle Dave, the African American comedian, ten years after he willingly left his own show. This study offers summary and analyzes this article.

With backlash from religious and political extremists alike, the Jewish community is becoming increasingly vulnerable at a rapid rate. Winston Churchill warned, "those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it". Clearly our memory is not as sharp as it used to be.

The identity of the black man is the most crucial element attacked by black masculinity. Stemming from a limited variety of acceptable self expression, black masculinity emphasizes the need for an overly tough outer appearance while internally suppressing emotions of fear and sadness. These notions are particularly vivid in mainstream hip hop culture. In Byron Hurt’s Hip hop Beyond Beats and Rhymes, Hurt sits down with some of the industries most respected artist who attest that “anything nonhood will dilute [their] toughness.” Nonhood suggesting outwardly signs of affection, comfortability in the uprise of woman, and the dialogue and communication between Black brothers both verbal and nonverbal. These

I found Josh’s presentation on “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five to be very compelling. Rap music is the most popular genre of music amongst American adolescence, and especially amongst Latino and African American adolescence. Although an immensely popular genre, and one which I am a regular listener, I was completely unaware about the origins of this music genre. After hearing Josh’s presentation, I feel more appropriately informed about this genre’s history and the ways in which its founders and early promoters used this musical form as both an escape and a means of articulating their hardships. In his presentation, Josh provided a thorough history and explanation of the circumstances in which the song’s writers lived,

Molefi Asante is the author of It’s Bigger than Hip-Hop: The Rise of the Post Hip-Hop Generation. In this article, Asante predicts that the post-hip-hop generation will embrace social justice issues including women’s rights, gay’s rights, and the anti-war movement. To challenge these stereotypes, Asante speaks to the personification of the African-American ghetto and the need to stop glorifying black suffering. For Asante, the post-hip-hop generation no longer expects hip-hop to mobilize disenfranchised youth. Asante states, “The post-hip-hop generation shouldn’t wait for mainstream musicians to say what needs to be said…No movement is about beats and rhythms…. it must be bigger than hip-hop.” Because hip-hop is controlled by corporations, Asante says hip-hop will never be the focus of political change. Asante argues that “old white men” have dictated hip-hop, and by extension the actions of black youth, since 1991. “Allowing white executives, not from the hip-hop culture, to control and dictate the culture is tragic because the music, and ultimately the culture, as we can see today, has not only lost its edge, but its sense of rebellion and black movement- the very principles upon which it was founded.” Asante calls for the rise of “artivism,” a new social movement that uses art to improve community police relations, failing schools and the criminal justice system. Asante encourages the post-hip-hop generation to unite with Latino/Immigration Rights and Black Civil Rights

Ralph Ellison’s The Invisible Man is a fascinating novel about a nameless black man and his struggle to become successful and find his true identity in a predominantly white society that refuses to see him as person. Taking place in Harlem in the 1930’s, the story accurately depicts the life of a black man and the many injustices he faces nearly every day. More than eighty-seven years later, African-Americans still encounter numerous challenges similar to the ones the Invisible man experienced. Today, many hip-hop artists bring awareness to these problems through their songs. Most notably, Kendrick Lamar’s album To Pimp a Butterfly (March 15, 2015) deals with the topics of black oppression, institutionalized racism, and an American system designed to destroy African Americans. Despite genre and time differences, Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly and The Invisible Man are essential works of art in order to inspire, educate, empower, and promote social and political changes.

Music is a creative art form that allows the artist to construct something that expresses a purpose. It evolves over time and changes as the world changes, taking on many different motivations behind the melody and lyrics. In today’s society, anger, oppression, racism, and negative opinions rule the media and popular culture. I believe that African Americans need to show their self worth and not let white people hold them back. With the music in white culture often mocking African American culture and portraying negative stereotypes, African Americans have to find ways to gain respect. In acknowledgement of the negative portrayal of their culture, African Americans respond by creating songs and videos that express their pride in their culture and heritage, react to white oppression, and communicate their independence.

Each purchase of a new vinyl excited my adventurous personality. My urge to absorb new lyrics broadened my perspective as the vinyl spun on the turntable. I sampled the likes of Kanye West, Tupac, and Kendrick Lamar. Each song had a personality which invoked a ponderous yet passionate taste. Countless afternoons were spent creating new beats on Apple’s Garage Band by looping distinct synths and bass. Mixing the “Chip Shot Bass” with the “Hall of Fame Synth” blended into a beat which definitely could've made the cut in Lin Miranda Manuel’s hip-hop inspired Hamilton soundtrack. Not only did I attain an interest in developing music, I aspired to voice my thoughts free from discretion much like Jay-Z and Coolio. While I don't rap, I speak publicly. The opportunity to stand in front of many watchful eyes and voice my thoughts pumps my social adrenaline. My desire to speak has led to my avid involvement in debate and student government. Hip-hop pushed me to use my words protect wild wolves from being hunted in Texas by advocating for environmental issues and animal’s rights in online petitions and discussions. Albeit I speak without the banging of drums in the background, I speak with each pulse from my heart. Hip-hop’s image was misconstrued in my mind for so long. The opportunity to challenge the genre’s purpose led me to understand social conflicts, emotions, and

From it's inception, rap indured a lot of hostility from listeners--many, but not all, White--who found the music too harsh, monotonous, and lacking in traditional melodic values. However, millions of others--often, though not always, young African-Americans from underprivileged inner city backgrounds--found and immediate connection with the style. Here was poetry of the

American culture has been referred to as a “melting pot.” Different cultures have added their own distinct aspects to society, making America a diverse country. Despite the plethora of cultures, certain norms, mores, and folkways are evident in American society. These ideas are vital to the function and stability of America. They provide guidelines for what is acceptable and not. In virtually every society, there are people who engage in deviant behavior and do not abide by the values that the rest of society follows. Theorists have debated if people are socialized into acting this way and if it is a social or personal problem. The sociological study of culture focuses on norms, mores, and folkways.

Furthermore, the current national issues of gun violence, terrorism and black shootings are extremely sensitive issues. When the Ferguson, Missouri episode occurred, many people in our congregation showed their solidarity only with the actions undertaken by law enforcement. I conscientiously included calls for justice as a part of our prayers in the weeks following the tragedy during worship. Similarly, as the immigration and refugee crises unfolded in the Middle East and Europe I spoke to these problems, knowing that our congregation has great difficulty empathizing with those who are forced to leave their homes or countries in search of a better future. I spoke directly to the issues of systemic evil in society in my advent and Christmas Eve