"I met this girl when I was 10 years old, and what I loved most, she had so much soul. She was old school when I was just a shorty. Never knew throughout my life she would be there for me. On the regular, not a church girl. She was secular. Not about the money. No studs was mic checking her … But she was there for me, and I was there for her, pull out a chair for her, turn on the air for her, and just cool out. Cool out and listen to her. Sitting on bone, wishing that I could do her. Eventually if it was meant to be, then it would be ‘cause we related, physically and mentally. And she was fun then, I'd be geeked when she'd come around, slim was fresh jo, when she was underground. Original, pure untampered and down sister. Boy I tell ya, I miss her."
- Common, "I Used to Love H.E.R."
The Scenario
You have now just read a line from one of the most popular songs in hip-hop. Common, world famous rapper and activist, released his classic song "I Used to Love H.E.R."
"I Used to Love H.E.R.," was a dedication to Hip-Hop music. In this song, Common was expressing his longing for the positivity that the music and culture that now seemed to be gone. Now, one of the most controversial art forms in our society, Hip-Hop rap music has been to blame for many problems in the black community.
Hip-Hop seems to always be scrutinized for its vulgar language, reinforcement of negative stereotypes of the African-American race, and influence on men and women in regards to gender roles and perception.
The Mis-Education
From the birth of hop-hip, the genre has been used as the voice of black America. It was used a venue to speak about a harsh reality that would most likely go unnoticed by many others.
Why is it now that so many people are saying they "used" to love Hip-Hop? I believe that it is the glamorization of so many negative aspects of the culture by the media and by its listeners. I like to read, so I will be referencing some things I have seen that relate to this topic.
In the CNN article, "Hop-hop portrayal of women protested,"Rose Arce discussed actions spearheaded by Spelmen College student Asha Jennings to speak out against Hip-Hop's negative images of women.
In regards to her thoughts about Hip-Hop, she said, "I want people to start thinking critically about how these images affect black women today …We're telling people [black women] are b****** and hos and sluts and not worthy of respect, and that's exactly how society is treating us. While it may not make sense now, later you will see that this matter affects us all."
Negative images of women and men not only will influence African-Americans and other minorities in shaping gender roles and beliefs, but can also form ideas of these minorities in the eyes of others. It is important to think about this because many of us think we can not be swayed by the media, however if we are honest we can all easily be fooled.
