“We need to look beyond the obvious. Yes, there are minstrel images in hip-hop. Yes, there are demeaning, anti-racist, misogynistic and homophobic representations. We could make the same case about the church and our government. But hip-hop, like society, isn't one dimensional.” NeedsLooksGovernmentChurchCasesHip HopObviousHipsHopsRacistRepresentationHomophobicDemeaningAnti RacistMinstrels Author:Bakari Kitwana
“Hip-hop is contributing to American society's misogyny and racism, hyper-sexuality anti-Black representations. Hip-Hop isn't setting the standard for misogyny. No one reduces the presidency to misogyny, although we've had misogynistic presidents. No one reduces our government to being solely homophobic, although we have a government with a don't ask, don't tell policy for gays and lesbians in the military.” GovernmentAsksBlackPresidentMilitaryPolicyGayRacismStandardsHip HopSexualitySettingSettingsHipsHopsRepresentationMisogynyPresidencyContributingHyperAmerican SocietyHomophobic Author:Bakari Kitwana
“Hip-Hop's cultural movement is much larger than the corporate representation. The images most of hip-hop's critics point to are those manufactured by major corporations whether on television, via Viacom, or on the radio, via Radio One and Clear Channel.” ClearMovementTelevisionMajorsCriticsHip HopRadioHipsCorporateCorporationsHopsRepresentation Author:Bakari Kitwana
“Unfortunately there is a standard set for it that precedes hip-hop. It would be great if corporate America didn't do this, but there is a huge market for sex and violence and anti-Black representations in America and the world that doesn't begin or end with hip-hop.” IfsWorldEndsWould BeAmericaSexBlackViolenceHugeStandardsHip HopHipsCorporateHopsRepresentationCorporate AmericaStandards Set Author:Bakari Kitwana
“Legions of young hip-hop fans are as against this as hip-hop's most fierce critics. There is a huge underground movement within hip-hop circles that against these representation. You can hear this message on tons of lyrics and rap songs produced by independent emcees. But they are fighting against a well-oiled and well-financed machine.” WellsYoungSongFightingFansMovementHugeMessagesMachinesIndependentCriticsHip HopRapCirclesHipsHopsFierceRepresentationLegionRap SongEmcee Author:Bakari Kitwana
