I enjoyed reading Pretchauer’s article on Hip Hop Curriculums in schools, as besides commercial Hip Hop, I was not even aware of the Hip Hop Curriculum. While I have knew Hip Hop was born in New York, it was so enlightening to learn how it was born out of the oppressive conditions in the South Bronx of the ‘70s. While I’ve always known about the limited resources, poverty, and gang violence that was a main stay of the Bronx, it was so amazing to learn how Hip Hop was really born out of a desire by the youth in the area to come together in an effort to improve the community. They were able to find a way to express themselves through amazing art forms such as rapping, breakdancing, graffiti art, and turntablism.
While I am not by any means an expert on Hip Hop Music (not even close) – I always found it strange that commercial hip hop is often showcased as being sexist, misogynistic, homophobic, and violent – with less attention given to artists who promote the opposite – strong women in Hip Hop such as Lauryn Hill and Queen Latifah, have stood tall as exemplars of strong feminists. Kendrick Lamar, Mos, Def have provided lyrics that not critique the culture of sexism of hip-hop and society. Why don’t we hear more about these artists in main stream culture? Is it another assault on black culture by the media and society at large – to portray them in the worst light possible. Hip-Hop is certainly not the only genre out there to participate in sexist, misogynistic, homophobic, and violent messages, yet main stream media does not view these other genres with the same constant negative lens as it does Hip Hop.
In thinking about these issues, it became even more apparent how important Hip Hop Curriculum is to today’s youth – all youth, not just those deemed a target audience based on race and economics. I think Hip Hop can be used as a lens to teach students to critique what they see, hear, read - and the messages attached.
After reading Pretchauer’s article, I did a few internet searches to learn more about the many positive, socially conscious messages coming from Hip Hop Artists, and was surprised at the lack of representation of these artists on mainstream TV and radio. As educators we bear a responsibility to give our students a true and balanced view of topics – and Hip Hop especially has so many great lessons and examples of strength, positivity, hope, justice, and success to offer that are not being shown in the public sphere. Even personally as educators it is important that we understand the culture our students identify with.
I hope Hip Hop Curriculum continues to grow – not only in urban spaces, but also suburban schools where sadly students might only be exposed to one dimensional commercial radio Hip Hop – students in both places have so much to gain by having their minds opened, and their critical senses ignited through what a Hip Hop curriculum can offer.
References:
Pretchauer, E., (2014). Starting With Style: Toward a Second Wave of Hip-Hop Education Research and Practice. Urban Education , 50 (1), 78–105.
While I am not by any means an expert on Hip Hop Music (not even close) – I always found it strange that commercial hip hop is often showcased as being sexist, misogynistic, homophobic, and violent – with less attention given to artists who promote the opposite – strong women in Hip Hop such as Lauryn Hill and Queen Latifah, have stood tall as exemplars of strong feminists. Kendrick Lamar, Mos, Def have provided lyrics that not critique the culture of sexism of hip-hop and society. Why don’t we hear more about these artists in main stream culture? Is it another assault on black culture by the media and society at large – to portray them in the worst light possible. Hip-Hop is certainly not the only genre out there to participate in sexist, misogynistic, homophobic, and violent messages, yet main stream media does not view these other genres with the same constant negative lens as it does Hip Hop.
In thinking about these issues, it became even more apparent how important Hip Hop Curriculum is to today’s youth – all youth, not just those deemed a target audience based on race and economics. I think Hip Hop can be used as a lens to teach students to critique what they see, hear, read - and the messages attached.
After reading Pretchauer’s article, I did a few internet searches to learn more about the many positive, socially conscious messages coming from Hip Hop Artists, and was surprised at the lack of representation of these artists on mainstream TV and radio. As educators we bear a responsibility to give our students a true and balanced view of topics – and Hip Hop especially has so many great lessons and examples of strength, positivity, hope, justice, and success to offer that are not being shown in the public sphere. Even personally as educators it is important that we understand the culture our students identify with.
I hope Hip Hop Curriculum continues to grow – not only in urban spaces, but also suburban schools where sadly students might only be exposed to one dimensional commercial radio Hip Hop – students in both places have so much to gain by having their minds opened, and their critical senses ignited through what a Hip Hop curriculum can offer.
References:
Pretchauer, E., (2014). Starting With Style: Toward a Second Wave of Hip-Hop Education Research and Practice. Urban Education , 50 (1), 78–105.