There appears to be something wrong with our black men. Stereotypically, we are unworthy fathers, sex hungry simpletons, or slovenly slumping under our women. We have become all the way lackluster. We are not the leaders that we are supposed to be. We are not the family men we are supposed to be. In turn, Black men have become the “lesser being”.
Then again, I’m not buying into this stereotype. I don’t fit that mold. I know plenty of men that do not fit that mold. I have plenty of friends with varying degrees of success. Hell, at least 35-40% of my closest friends are married, have children, and hold down full time jobs (one or even two). I’m not saying that there aren’t some sorry male specimens out there. Conclusively, I know there are a variety of men to choose from.
Yet, this is rarely recognized because people want to characterize men from rap song and videos. Big mistake.
With so much “going against us” as men, I want to attack one chocolate covered lie at a time. So, here goes nothing: Black men are exactly what you hear/see in rap songs and videos.
The Problem
Part of the problem is that the negativity in hip hop is always receiving an accusatory finger. If there isn’t reference to the scantily clad women in the videos, it is the violent messages being shown [1]. Many want to disparage the images that are seen. Even worse are the lyrics, which can either display murder, ignorance, and sexual immorality [2]. The biggest problem is the misogyny, madness, and violent actions that many think hip hop is all about. Therefore, many people think of hip hop and the lowest common denominator.
Pack FM, hilariously, captured so much with one of his album covers. Who can blame him?
What does this have to do with men? Well, plenty. Since people stereotype black males by the music that they listen to, they have their expectations set. Since the music is ignorant, we should be ignorant. Since the music is misogynistic, we should be the same way. We, as black men, should also be violent. With that said, life has to imitate art.
But are all black men the gold wearing, booty chasing, thugs you see? The media would want you to believe so. Just enough to brainwash kids into believing that mess.
The Bigger Issue
The bigger issue is this: we are actually buying into these caricatures of the black male. While I understand the foolish fashion of the youth, we must understand that they are KIDS. Does this absolve them of responsibility? No. However, they are prone to do the foolish things and imitate the ignorance. Why? They are young and impressionable. They are too busy trying to “feel it all out” and figure situations for themselves.
Where does that leave the grown men? It leaves us cleaning up a mess we shouldn’t even care about or be concerned with. Many people don’t realize that rap music, in itself, is entertainment. Also, there is a pure lack of balance on the radio and in the media. Rap music has so many different factions and styles/genres within itself that the radio can’t even represent them honestly. There is even Christian rap music that has caught popularity and acclaim. Thus, rap doesn’t define Black manhood because “rap is not real”.
I even have a question for anyone reading this: where are the “real” role models for the kids at? Where are the regular people standing up to say “this foolishness on TV is not real life so let it go”? Where are the people here to say that “this is entertainment just like the crazy movies you may watch”? Where are the people to say “sit down, do your homework, and do something with life because rap is just for your listening”? In short, where is the responsibility?
Plus, I don’t hear any of this going on with the Caucasian crowd: they buy the most music anyway.
The Skinny
If you are looking for your model of black manhood, your rap video is not the place to look. It doesn’t define anything about our lives. It is entertainment. Just like some of the movies and those god awful reality shows are mind numbing entertainment, plenty of the music can be considered as such. The more people take this entertainment out of context, the more unnecessary problems we shall have.
‘Nuff said and ‘Nuff respect!
Sabreena
July 17, 2012 at 4:37 pm
Rap is ultra dominant right now. If you don’t like it, you’re labeled “non-cool” or lame. Because it’s so popular, people try to emulate what they see as being cool.
Same thing happened when jazz music came to the forefront. Rock & Roll. Heavy metal. Grunge. You get the point. The same thing happens with anything: It’s not all bad, but it’s definitely not all good. And it’s judged by the worst instead of the best.
darcwonn1906
July 17, 2012 at 5:05 pm
Of course. Rap is gonna have that dominance because its an amalgamation of genres laid under poetry and urban exploratory explanations (lol!). With that said, it will have an influence. However, we always have a problem with saying “hip hop” this and “rap” that. There are so many types of hip hop music/rap that it is hard to keep up with. Also, people are responsible for themselves. Blaming life’s ills and issues on something like music (which is art) is rather lazy. Life isn’t going to magically improve if more positive messages are put on the airwaves.
Its 2012. Don’t like what’s on the radio? Turn if off. Want people to act better? Show them better options.
darcwonn1906
July 17, 2012 at 5:05 pm
Oh, and I love the profile pic btw. Smashing!
The Pounder
July 17, 2012 at 5:49 pm
Good work here brother!
darcwonn1906
July 17, 2012 at 6:00 pm
Thank you! I appreciate that. I got a couple more things coming up this week. Stay tuned…oh, and tell others about what I have going on over here.
Brandie Mccord
July 17, 2012 at 6:34 pm
BEAUTIFULLY stated! And this raises another interesting question; who decided that out of all the different genre’s of music that Black men listen to – and are represented in – that Gangsta Rap would be the appropriate one to represent them? And WHY did everyone else – even those of us who should KNOW better – buy into it or even further FUEL this idiotic idea?
darcwonn1906
July 17, 2012 at 9:42 pm
To be honest with you, that certain popularity is determined by two factions: the listener and the provider (i.e. radio, TV, and record labels). Do not get me wrong: those labels are partially responsible for thinking dollars over sense [pun intended]. Yet, we as consumers are always supporting the music that comes out. There is absolutely nothing wrong with supporting your favorite hood rapper. However, where is the undying resolve to make sure your political rappers (Immortal Technique), throwback/golden era representers (Large Professor, Nas, ect.), Christian rappers (LeCrae and Braille), country rap tunes creators (Big K.R.I.T., Yelawolf), bounce music (N.O. artists) and other factions get their fair play in all of this?
It is up to the consumer. Always has been. Always will be.
phrightning
July 17, 2012 at 6:35 pm
” Just like some of the movies and those god awful reality shows are mind numbing entertainment, plenty of the music can be considered as such. The more people take this entertainment out of context, the more unnecessary problems we shall have.” <– That there sums it up really. The answer to your questions in general is that WE as parents and black men in general have to be there to let these easily influenced kids know that is NOT life in reality. Thanks to this terrible stereotype that most teens (young men too) are accepting as the way black men should behave and live, our responsibility as educated black men who know better has become intensified. If we don't take care of home, no one else will.
darcwonn1906
July 17, 2012 at 9:47 pm
Exactly. WE are accepting this mess. And I find it hilarious. One time a few years back, one of my homies back in Gary (God rest his soul in heaven) was rolling with me and I had a past girlfriend in the car. We was chatting it up about family, taking care of our peeps, blah, blah, blah. After I dropped him off, she was shocked at the conversation. She was like “for a thug, he sure was talking about some odd stuff.”
We have this myopic thinking that we aren’t diverse people. We are supposed to be a certain way all the time. Your thug is a thug 24/7. Nerds only understand the world of nerd lore. But we don’t realize that is two sides to every coin and six sides to every die. Also, real gangsters are gentlemen. But people don’t understand the rules of the game NOR the rules of life.
oharmons2cents
July 17, 2012 at 7:53 pm
Man I couldn’t agree more. Hip hop is nothing more than ENTERTAINMENT!!!! No more, no less. My White counter parts don’t do any less degrading women in their songs, don’t exercise any more of a father figure role, nore do they talk about more positivity. And you know what? They shouldn’t have to. The unfortunate thing when it comes to the style of inner city America in males thats “portrayed” on tv (sagging, backwards hate, jewlery) is we make the mistake of judging someones “substance” based on “style”. Substance does not equal style. If you think for a second that Lupe, Mos Def, Common, or (pick your rapper in this theme) don’t have hoes in different area codes then you’re out of your mind. The style and way they decide to entertain doesn’t define who they are. I can understand if you not like 8Ball and MJG, Pimp C, Rick Ross, or whomever. It’s not for everybody, but I like it, and it’s never influenced me in the least bit to act in a distructive way. It’s about parenting the children who are taking in this entertainment. Not just in rap, but also in movies, and on tv. And while we’re at it, I’ve never heard of one parent suggesting that they’re child NOT watch the 3 Stooges because of their actions of slapping, shooting, throwing hammers, etc.. Is that not distructive? Or is it a given that “they don’t do that it in real life”? But I always find it funny, that the people who talk about whats REALLY going on in the Black community didn’t get raised in that community. Just because you insert a Rick Ross cd into a predominately Black high school doesn’t mean that it’s going to yield the result of 80% of the students selling dope off their Iphone. It’s always just a few bad apples. Just like in White schools. I could go on forever bro. Great write!
darcwonn1906
July 17, 2012 at 10:11 pm
“The unfortunate thing when it comes to the style of inner city America in males thats “portrayed” on tv (sagging, backwards hate, jewelery) is we make the mistake of judging someones “substance” based on “style”. Substance does not equal style. If you think for a second that Lupe, Mos Def, Common, or (pick your rapper in this theme) don’t have hoes in different area codes then you’re out of your mind. The style and way they decide to entertain doesn’t define who they are.“<———– Pure truth.
But many people don't understand this. They think that music is this big influence on the actions of others. And yes, music is influential: if you are young, weak minded, or don't have a distinction from reality and fantasy. Otherwise, its entertainment. Nothing more and nothing less. Like I stated earlier: we take on a myopic view of people too often. And this is a problem because, at the end of the day, we start making assumptions and generalizations. Those two things can become either hampering or clearly dangerous in the wrong situation.
KSO
July 18, 2012 at 12:33 am
Hopefully, my technology won’t fail…I have great appreciation for the writing you’re doing on this blog!!!! My 2cents: 1) I agree with your post. It is not wise to stereotype any group of folk based on limited information. 2) Though I can be very high-brow about hip-hop and rap, I can still appreciate rap that’s viewed as lesser. My reason for this is rap, like other forms of music, often is the poor man’s (by man I mean both genders) story and voice. I believe every deserves to tell their story. Furthermore, my lens on the story is also informed about the larger social dynamics at play. Simply disregarding a story that makes me want to clutch my pearls would be a lazy move. I often ask myself what has occurred in that individual’s life or in society to make their story possible. For me, the reduction of stories including violence, ignorance,hypersexuality, drug empires, rugged consumerism, etc., doesn’t lie with censorship of the artist. It lies with societal change and an increase in visibility of those leading more positive lives. Keep doing ya thing!!!
darcwonn1906
July 18, 2012 at 12:46 am
“I often ask myself what has occurred in that individual’s life or in society to make their story possible. For me, the reduction of stories including violence, ignorance,hypersexuality, drug empires, rugged consumerism, etc., doesn’t lie with censorship of the artist. It lies with societal change and an increase in visibility of those leading more positive lives.” <—————- And I can get with this.
People don't really pay attention to the life people have live/presently living, though. They want to classify as "everyone" or "an entire group" feeling this way. It could be one person's story. It could be a lot of people's stories. Regardless, everyone doesn't have the same exact story to tell. What makes our art form so engaging is that, truth or fantasy, many of the artists know how to make it compelling. What we must do, however, is support ALL of the art that is being presented. Well, support it as long as you like it.
Trust me, I listen to anything from Nas, to Immortal Technique, to A$AP Rocky, to Danny Brown. My mind travels the gamut of what rap and hip hop has to offer. But I always realize that its only entertainment. People need to stop pigeonholing themselves and others. Just because a person reads the Bible don't mean they don't likes the softness of a booty. LOL!
KSO
July 18, 2012 at 12:56 am
Your last sentence immediately made me think of ‘Questions’ on Common’s ‘Like Water for Chocolate’ album. ‘If I’m an intellectual, it mean I’m not sexual?’. As soon as my IPhone quits acting a donkey, I’m going to share this on FB. You’re POV is refreshing!
darcwonn1906
July 18, 2012 at 1:06 am
People only want you to be one thing, though. For so many, you have to fit within this ramification that they have for you. If you deviate, they look at you funny. But that deviation is the spice of life. It is what makes us human.
I had a Twitter convo some months back with a female that was offended by the fact that Mos Def, supreme being of positive vibes, had his own issues with women, sexual liasons and wifing up loose women. I told her that “he’s human”. She wanted to note “Well, maybe he shouldn’t be representing this facade in his music”.
No.
Maybe SHE needs to understand that the positivity in his music has nothing to do with the negativity that may permeate in real life. Maybe she needs to realize that everything, and everyone, isn’t how they always seem. His music may be to uplift. Fine. Does that make him perfect? No. Does that mean we should admonish him for “being human”? No. Let that man live, make great music, and find his own happiness.
Pepper Brooks
July 18, 2012 at 5:24 am
Rap music is like movies, wrestling, tv shows, It’s an act, it’s art, it is entertainment. Not reality! Yes, the songs can speak of real life, but the people who rap are putting on a show. You need to be different to be seen. If we were all the same, then the masses would not care, and we would all blend into normalcy. NO ONE WANTS THAT. Problem is that people don’t see rap as entertainment. They see it as real life, Come on, rappers going around shooting people with guns, drinking booty juice?! Really? Really? Sure you have fools that take the role to the extreme. But they get dealt with. Usually by their own foolish mistakes. Others rap about life issues that contradict their own lives. But they are NOT rapping about their life, they are rapping about an issue/topic that is on their mind. Like a bad guy wrestler or “heel”. On camera he will lie, steal, cheat, betray friends, for the title. Sometimes even attack a girl in the ring. But It’s not like he is like that in real life. It’s entertainment. Just like rappers/artists and rap music.
I remember a quote from a movie. Some old man said “I blame that damn rap music”, No gramps, I blame you for letting media and stereotypes get the best of your old self. No go eat your pudding.
darcwonn1906
July 18, 2012 at 12:26 pm
Pepper Brooks in the house!
While people constantly allude to rap music being like wrestling, they have no idea that it really IS just like wrestling. It is pure entertainment value. Manufactured beefs, ignorant actions, and even a lot of Samaritan acts are for the idea of “improving the brand”. Not saying some of the stuff isn’t real. But a lot of it is done with an ulterior motive. Once we all realize that this is for our entertainment, we will be better off.
chicangeorge
July 18, 2012 at 6:46 pm
Excellent article! Hip hop has a major impact on our black culture…more so on the males. I work a 9-5, have a degree and a wife and kids. People don’t want to hear me rap about that though, because it’s not as appealing as many artists out now. #spreadthesoup
darcwonn1906
July 18, 2012 at 6:53 pm
I have heard that plenty of times, though. Hip hop has a major impact on our culture. As well as it should. People do need to realize that it is still, and always will be, entertainment. People need to treat it as entertainment. No matter what you gather from it, the main point the music should do is entertain. Talk about weed, women, single fatherhood, marriage, working a 9-5, college, whatever. If anything, the music should be dope.
Just like your different types of movies, your music needs to be treated in the same light.
Antonio Maurice Daniels
July 18, 2012 at 7:34 pm
Very good piece! A person who looks to rap music or rap music videos as the best or most useful source of characterizing Black men has a flawed premise and source from the beginning. Black men are far more more complex and diverse for a single source to be useful in attempting to define and describe us.
darcwonn1906
July 18, 2012 at 8:46 pm
Thanks!
But we all know that people LOVE living off of flawed premises. Rap music and rap music videos are NOT the best or most useful source of characterizing Black men. Nor is it the best way to characterize black women. Never. Ever.
Antonio Maurice Daniels
July 18, 2012 at 11:19 pm
Very true!