Black Culture Discussion Thread

[PRIME]

So if Jay-Z and Kanye aren't entertainers, what are they?

I never said they weren't entertainers.

I said MUSIC isn't only entertainment. The other role it plays is MUCH bigger than entertainment.

Which is why the both of them are such huge influencers.

How can two men have enough power to literally influence what people wear...simply because they "entertain" those people?

I added to my post, but you quoted me during the edit, so I'll just paste it here -

I get what you're saying, and agree to an extent. But at the same time, people who do what they do, and by do I mean rap about what they rap about, or who aren't actively hands on in the community should never, at any point, be a voice thats at the center of attention when it comes to matters of the world.

When they start making music about empowering the people, and educating through their music, then they will be of importance on a grand scale.

-------------------------

Yes, music is more than just entertainment, but in my post, I never really touched on music itself, just the "artists" that make it. So I'm not sure if your post was in response to me, I just went off i because it was right after me and I briefly brought up people who are involved n the music industry.

But yeah, in the end, I agree with you. Which is also why in my original post I said

"You have adults acting blind to the fact that this music is effecting the youth with such power, and the advancement of technology/the internet only makes it worse. These kids think these entertainers are real life. Kids don't want to grow up being blue collar workers, the foundation for a community. They all want gold chains, fancy cars, expensive clothes, and to party all the time. Its a disconnect from reality. The attention of our youth needs to be taken back. Kids need to grow up wanting to be contributors to their neighborhoods and communities. Not living vicariously through these songs on the radio."

So yes, music is powerful spiritually. And we are allowing these spirits to enter our children who are impressionable and don't know any better through these songs. And glorifying the people who make them, instead of glorifying the people who are the foundation of our communities.

 

[me662ll a]

This video sums it up. inb4 racist blah blah etc

 

[fontaine]

This video sums it up. inb4 racist blah blah etc

I guess this is why your white fam shoot up elementary kids?

 

[victor page]

I get what you're saying, and agree to an extent. But at the same time, people who do what they do, and by do I mean rap about what they rap about, or who aren't actively hands on in the community should never, at any point, be a voice thats at the center of attention when it comes to matters of the world.

When they start making music about empowering the people, and educating through their music, then they will be of importance on a grand scale.

This is how it SHOULD be.

Unfortunately, they've used the idiot box to drill into our youth...that the only real impact they can have in the world is through sports and entertainment. So the kids are LOOKING at who LOOKS like them. They play the role of false idol to these kids. We don't have a Black Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, etc. being put on front street to show our kids...you can do cool ****...be cool...and impact society in more than a few ways.

We gotta reverse that ****. We have to use the internet....to inspire our kids in another way...and to lead by example. Because we're up against some POWERFUL ****.

 

[victor page]

And no...music doesn't MAKE our kids do bad ****.

It glorifies a mentality...that can make an already ****** up situation even worse.

Ya'll don't find it ironic...that the biggest consumer of hip-hop...are white kids....yet it impacts our kids in a much more negative fashion?

It is Entertainment.....FOR THEM. 

 

[PRIME]

I get what you're saying, and agree to an extent. But at the same time, people who do what they do, and by do I mean rap about what they rap about, or who aren't actively hands on in the community should never, at any point, be a voice thats at the center of attention when it comes to matters of the world.


When they start making music about empowering the people, and educating through their music, then they will be of importance on a grand scale.

This is how it SHOULD be.

Unfortunately, they've used the idiot box to drill into our youth...that the only real impact they can have in the world is through sports and entertainment. So the kids are LOOKING at who LOOKS like them. They play the role of false idol to these kids. We don't have a Black Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, etc. being put on front street to show our kids...you can do cool ****...be cool...and impact society in more than a few ways.

We gotta reverse that ****. We have to use the internet....to inspire our kids in another way...and to lead by example. Because we're up against some POWERFUL ****.

I agree 100%

 

[victor page]

 


This video sums it up. inb4 racist blah blah etc

I don't **** w/ you...AT ALL. But thanks for posting this. (My bad If I'm confusing you with another NT'er)

Perfect point in this vid....if this music isn't a gigantic influencer...on so many levels....why are major corporations using Hip Hop to sell product? 

 

[me662ll a]

 
And no...music doesn't MAKE our kids do bad ****.

It glorifies a mentality...that can make an already ****** up situation even worse.

Ya'll don't find it ironic...that the biggest consumer of hip-hop...are white kids....yet it impacts our kids in a much more negative fashion?

It is Entertainment.....FOR THEM. 

Yeah, biggest consumer relative to population, and not percentage of the race. On top of that, I don't know many non african american males who really even pay attention to rap and hip hop lyrics outside of the hook. 

 

[victor page]

 
Yeah, biggest consumer relative to population, and not percentage of the race. On top of that, I don't know many non african american males who really even pay attention to rap and hip hop lyrics outside of the hook. 

I can't speak on percentages. I'm only going on what I see...and I see ALOT of white kids into hip-hop. Moreso today than in my school days (I'm 27).

There are more white rappers than ever before. Not even just rappers...but there are alot of white kids into black music period. Take Spooky Black for example (who's dope as hell fwiw). 

 

[dacomeup]

@PRIME

Don't agree that our people are lazy. And the instant gratification thing isn't specific to black Americans. That's the era that we live in. Sex and drugs are also heavily glorified in America. Prime money makers in music and television. Not Black American problems only by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[Rootin4EverybodyBlack]

Before we get into the music debate, I just want to say that violent crime in our communities was higher in the 70's when black entertainers were all signing about love and ****.

Not to negate the impact "trap" rap has on our communities, but it's by no means the root of the problem like some individuals would like you to believe.

 

[victor page]

Before we get into the music debate, I just want to say that violent crime in our communities was higher in the 70's when black entertainers were all signing about love and ****.

Not to negate the impact "trap" rap has on our communities, but it's by no means the root of the problem like some individuals would like you to believe.

I don't think anyone is saying it is the root. There isn't any one root. There are multiple pieces in a GIANT puzzle...and the stealing and rebranding of black music into an industry in which everyone benefits from it except that people that birthed it...is a pretty big piece in that puzzle.

 

[tay1]

Our people are lazy. First and foremost, point, blank, period. We expect instant results and want instant gratification for everything we do. We have this "40 acres and a mule" "I deserve my reparations" for things that have been done in the past attitude. We need to move past that. Never forget it, and use it as fuel and inspiration to succeed even more so in the future. These white people ain't going to give you ****. Hell, these days, you own brother ain't giving you ****. So you know "the white man" ain't giving you a damn thing. Even if he owed it to you. Which he doesn't.

We need to give back into ourselves. We have HBCU's for a reason. I wish I had gone to one looking back. Not only do these schools teach unity within a people on campus, but its putting money back into our own people. Investing in ourselves through education. Our ancestors died and fought for the right to learn, and eventually made their own schools for our people, and now we take them for granted. We'd rather go to white schools on scholarships for sports or on "black" scholarships in hopes to make it to "the league" or to surround ourselves with more diverse people, which is fine. Yes, you should broaden your knowledge in cultures and move among other races/cultures and learn about the world first hand through interaction. But I'm going to tell you this, **** THE LEAGUE BRUH. These hoop dreams that the black man holds on to so tightly, these dreams of becoming a rapper, or these goals to become some other **** that isn't giving back to our community is BS. How many cats out here hopping actually make it to the league? How many of these "rappers" make it big? Why not go to an HBCU? Why not become educated? Become a lawyer so you can defend your brother in court? Why not become a doctor so you can heal the wounded in your neighborhood? Why not major in business and open grocery stores, barbershops, gas stations, etc in the community so you can provide jobs for your brothers and sisters? Why not aspire to not only make money, but to become educated and to help provide for your COMMUNITY? It all starts with education. Something we weren't ALLOWED to have many years ago, and something that our youth and even many adults now don't WANT.

There is also a problem with MISEDUCATION in our culture/community. Black children growing up not knowing their culture, their history, etc. This **** needs to be addressed.

Black people need to stop looking to Jay-Z, Beyonce, Diddy, Oprah, Kanye, Rick Ross, etc for influence. These people are ENTERTAINERS. Not SOCIAL LEADERS. These people aren't who's running our county/state governments. These aren't who patrol our streets. These people aren't out here doing a damn thing for you buy taking your money. Yet whenever theres a social issue, people look to find out what _______ thinks about the current issues in the world. We shouldn't give a damn about what Jay-Z thinks. He isn't out here protesting unless it puts money back in his pockets. This ***** ain't no better than Jesse Jacksons money hungry ***. Whens the last time you heard Jay-Z on the radio pushing support for protests? Pushing the importance of education? Out here doing anything for his people that doesn't involve making them spend money on nonsense and rapping on stage about how he's doing so much better than you in life? It literally is the blind leading the blind. Because he himself is blind to whats going on in the community. Either that or he just doesn't give a ****. All of them. They can't say a damn word, because they know who's paying them. Jay Z is not a leader of the people. Hip hop gossip is not what we should be listening to on the radio or reading on the internet. Yes its cool for casual free time, entertainment. But I swear I cringe every time someone talks about how these entertainers should be the voice of our people. NO the hell they shouldn't. It starts right at home with your parents, then in school with your teachers, your police officers, state government officials, etc. THOSE are the voices that lead our youth. Not these ignorant money makers leeching the life out of us, and guiding our youth into oblivion.

Theres a reason why every kid wants to be a rapper, ball player, drug dealer, etc. Its because thats whats being forced into their minds every damn day. You got these rappers telling these stories to kids, and they follow. You have adults acting blind to the fact that this music is effecting the youth with such power, and the advancement of technology/the internet only makes it worse. These kids think these entertainers are real life. Kids don't want to grow up being blue collar workers, the foundation for a community. They all want gold chains, fancy cars, expensive clothes, and to party all the time. Its a disconnect from reality. The attention of our youth needs to be taken back. Kids need to grow up wanting to be contributors to their neighborhoods and communities. Not living vicariously through these songs on the radio.

We need to learn to love one another, AND people of other races. Black men need to stop killing black men. In Chicago and everywhere else in our country. Black women need to stop hating each other just because ________ has xyz. Black men need to stop mistreating our black women, and most importantly, we need to stop reproducing at such a high rate. ESPECIALLY out of wedlock. The black man is missing in many homes. Yet somehow, kits are being born everyday. Black people are so damn addicted to sex and drugs. Its sort of sickening. The family needs to come back to the african american culture. Without family values, we are doomed overall, because this is something I feel especially is whats dividing us the most. You can't teach our children in the home if there isn't a home. And there is no home without a family. The family is torn apart because black men and women are out here destroying each other. Its sex, killing, and drugs.


There are a ton of other things. Many things already brought up in this thread, but these were some things that came to mind first when I saw the OP.

I might chime back in later with more responses, but for now this is all I've got the nervy to type at once. I'm tired.

/rant.

1. We're all lazy? Like every single one of us?

2. I agree that we need to give back to ourselves, but HBCU's aren't everywhere. It's not about wanting to go to a white school at all.

3. As far as having kids at a high rate, the birthrate for women is at its lowest rate in recorded history, especially for black women. What needs to be talked about is our abortion statistic

I agreed on some things you said though.

 

[iamjusayn]

I wanna touch on the music for a second.

If you know what music IS on a spiritual and fundamental level...nobody would EVER fix their mouths to say that it is entertainment ever again. The fact that jewish men and the italian rat jimmy iovine...have singlehandedly controlled OUR music for decades should let you know that something isn't right. Go find me another art form or culture...that isn't controlled by the people who birthed it.

I'll wait.

We've let these ******** package and flip black death like it's ******* Pepsi...and let them get away with telling us that it's entertainment. Music is a gift from (whatever you wanna call it) that makes us FEEL. It speaks to our soul and causes rhythm. Why do you think babies can dance without even seeing it? At a certain age...they just simply bop as a reaction to it. It's technology. Artists like Michael Jackson didn't have people all over the world crying from just seeing him...simply because he "entertained" them. 

This ******** that they turned our music into...instills a certain way of thinking. A certain behavior. Think of every major trend culturally...both positive and negative...and tell me that Hip-Hop didn't have anything to do with it. There's a reason it's the most powerful influencer in the world. 

You people can't POSSIBLY be so dense as to think it's only because people like beats and words. 



 

Good post. Didn't know all that about Mr. Cooke

"No woman no cry"

 

[am1x90xnike]

So this is the root of your dissociation from Africa. Immigrants in this country are ignorant, African immigrants adopt that mentality. Hell Africans don't even like each other . I'm not asking you to befriend Africans, I'm asking you to teach your children that there's more to black history than slavery.

I know there is, there's civil rights, there's Jim Crow, hip hop, jazz, football, Tuskegee airman, maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni, PAC, Biggie, eastcoast v westcoast, Marvin Gaye Stevie wonder, ray Charles, Dead Presidents, Crooklyn, Boys in Da Hood, Nat Turner, Harriet Tubman, Madam Cj Walker, Dr. Vivion Thomas, Pryor, Foxx, Moms Mabley, Stowe, Chicago, Crips, Bloods, Black Panthers....there's so much more to black history than slavery and I plan on teaching my kids all of it. They'll get Africa during foreign week, especially since their mother will more than likely not be black (based off current sexual trends).


They'll be taught they're worth something, not because some kings from years ago, but because '[grandmother] sat in that seat when white folks don't want us to eat.' That pride in American struggle, I prefer the qualities they had instead making up stories about great kings (who couldn't have been that great because they were conquered, great kings don't lose...Martin won).

 

[C.Magneto]

Stop man. You clearly have no idea what you're talking about.

 

[am1x90xnike]

Wait...about African nations being conquered? I mean, I think it's pretty clear that Europe has been carving Africa up for the last...four hundred+ years...or did I make the slave trade/apartheid/Rwanda up? And those are just the big ones, let's talk blood diamonds, or Ghadafi...like don't tell me how great the kings were if their face stands behind a Christian cross..,couldn't have been that great, but no one wants to see that part.


But do tell me how I'm wrong.

 

[C.Magneto]

Or how you're down playing the "kings and queens" of Africa. When you look at the Washington monument where you do you think they got that from? When you you look at the dollar bill where do you think they got that from? When you look at the architecture of Washington DC what do you think they were trying to build a modern day replica of? Why do you think there's pyramids all across the world with the most astounding ones being in Egypt? You think it's a coincidence MLK was assassinated in Memphis which happens to be a city named after in Egypt as well?

Everything you see today and I literally mean everything you see was created off the backs of black african people. Even that stock market that produces that almighty $$ (which is code for Isis an Egyptian goddess in case you didn't know) you likely worship.


There's a bigger picture to life man. You're a cosmic citizen. Stop outside of the gotta make it now mentality and you'll see your ancestors laid the path for you to break free from this material matrix. If you feel like this is the place for you then so be it.

 

[am1x90xnike]

See...now you're getting into conspiracy theory.

The reason their is so much Egypt in Washington, D.C. Is because the founding fathers were freemasons, who get a lot of their traditions from Egypt. From the pentagram layout of the city to the all seeing eye on the dollar bill, all freemasonry. My pops is a Freemason and I know their are some on here that could shed more light on this particular subject (freemasonry & egypt) far better than I, but that's the reason.


This is why I think the ways black view history is dangerous. Cats like you often draw connections between coincidences ex. Martin shot in Memphis, what if he never visited the city, racists would be like 'ratz, we can't carry out our plan if he doesn't go, what I look like shooting him in mobile? That ain't Egyptian at all', nah, they'd a killed his *** in Alaska if they had to. If you want to study history, read all the books, all perspectives and you'll see how it all fits together. When I study American history, for every book written by a white American I try to follow with a book written by 'not that' next, get some perspective.


I'm down with the whole 'cosmic citizen' until aliens come, then it's team earth homie.

 

[C.Magneto]

Like I said to each his own man. You clearly don't get it

 

[am1x90xnike]

A lot of the disassociations comes from
My mom. When we were younger our church went through that Afrocentric celebrate Kwanzaa phase. I was about 9 and my mom was in a meeting about Kwanzaa. Someone said something and my mom reacted the same way I react when people say 'black people had slaves' it's like , yea one or two did but what help is that to history? From that day on my mom was like 'you're learning our history.' She's an amazing women.


On the whole blacks v whites, I live in Ks, literally three hrs away from Ferguson and one hour away from Brown v Board in Topeka, in Midwest terms, that's pretty damn close. Just now, I walk into a store, ballin shorts sagging, flip flops and socks, buying a got damn swisha (hood swag to the max). This old white dude, probably mid forties, missing teeth, smelled like child abuse and after shave, stops me, looks at my Racists Washingtons shirt

'Now that's a shirt right there'
'Excuse me'
'Dc, I'm from there'
'Oh yeah, I'm from Gaithersburg'
'My sister and mom stay there, I'm from upper Marbol myself'
'Long way from home'
Laughs 'you to'
'Im dj'
'John'
Hand shake (like a damn man)
'Hail to the [racists]'
Tips hat
'Hail to the [[racists]'

In that moment there was no race, just two displaced fans. How can I hate him? What did that particular white person do to me? Be born?

I'm not saying every interaction is like that, but if that interaction can find me in the Midwest, you mean to tell me in the liberal centers of America not one white/black interaction went like that? My folks are from Alabama and I've had similar conversation (and some arguments) about Bamma, Lsu and Auburn. I just can't force myself to hate people solely because the color of their skin, even if that skin is attached to the enslavement and destruction of my people.

 

[dipsetgeneral]

I love my black people. We are the most creative, rhythmic, & prideful people. But have got to do better. Some of the things us black Americans do is straight up silly. I would also like to add, I think the restoration and modernization of Africa as a whole, will help Blacks come together.

European nations will never let Africa go...countries in Africa is dead *** supporting these countries economies while the natives suffer

Exactly Marcus! Man, it hurts to see my people in Africa live like crap and for so many years. When I become wealthy, I need to make sure that I give back to Africa in any way that I can!

 

[tomdiginson]

Pfl

 

[iamjusayn]

I know there is, there's civil rights, there's Jim Crow, hip hop, jazz, football, Tuskegee airman, maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni, PAC, Biggie, eastcoast v westcoast, Marvin Gaye Stevie wonder, ray Charles, Dead Presidents, Crooklyn, Boys in Da Hood, Nat Turner, Harriet Tubman, Madam Cj Walker, Dr. Vivion Thomas, Pryor, Foxx, Moms Mabley, Stowe, Chicago, Crips, Bloods, Black Panthers....there's so much more to black history than slavery and I plan on teaching my kids all of it. They'll get Africa during foreign week, especially since their mother will more than likely not be black (based off current sexual trends).


They'll be taught they're worth something, not because some kings from years ago, but because '[grandmother] sat in that seat when white folks don't want us to eat.' That pride in American struggle, I prefer the qualities they had instead making up stories about great kings (who couldn't have been that great because they were conquered, great kings don't lose...Martin won).

You speaking on Africa and how you basically have no ties to it nor its culture is counter productive and oxymoronic.

Think of Africa as the Sun in this context: let's say you love and worship your plants, fruits, vegetables, etc but never give praise nor props to the driving force behind them which is the Sun. Well essentially that is what you are doing by marginalizing Africa and what it meant to you and us all for that matter. So walking around here talking about "oh I only big up my negores and the negores on my soil, not africa because it's not in me, it's not my culture" jazz is oxymoronic. It is in you and it is your culture and driving force especially as a Black person.

I read you giving props to america and europe while alluding to the notion that you have just as much if not a stronger connection to them than you do Africa but I think unbeknown to you that you are in fact giving Africa its due props indirectly because how did europe become civilized and how was america laid out for you to be able to feel such a strong connection to it? Africa!

We have been kings and queens man with large dynasties since antiquity. Don't be fooled and we have historically been benevolent peaceful people. Don't be hoodwinked.

I am only telling you this because I feel you need to know and with more time, experience, reading, and wisdom will you truly be able to make this connection. The more you learn Ancient African history, the more simple life appears to be.

/G\

 

[mr marcus]

 

I love my black people. We are the most creative, rhythmic, & prideful people. But have got to do better. Some of the things us black Americans do is straight up silly. I would also like to add, I think the restoration and modernization of Africa as a whole, will help Blacks come together.

 

European nations will never let Africa go...countries in Africa is dead *** supporting these countries economies while the natives suffer

Exactly Marcus! Man, it hurts to see my people in Africa live like crap and for so many years.

When I become wealthy, I need to make sure that I give back to Africa in any way that I can!

yea man it's sad 

they took advantage of the kindness of my people and also did a lot of backhanded stuff