Re: "On The Record": Damon Dash

Date: Sun, 13 Jul 2003 06:03:14 GMT
Newsgroups: rec.music.hip-hop
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I saw the debate too. I think Damon Dash had a few pointers. McWhorter
shouldn't had commented on Hip-Hop's culture, because he has no experience
in its profession nor has he ever listened to a hip-hop record. It seems as
though he downed hip-hop from the start. I admit the "how can a man from my
culture..." statement showed pure ignorance, but it is true that the "white
media" has associated hip-hop with crime. Most of the artist are already
committed to a life of crime. That is the path they have chosen. Heavy
Metal/Rock-Stars are an example. They too are associated with these norms,
but aren't publicly discussed. Heavy Metal/Rock-Stars are often stereo-typed
as these artist who always get wasted and stay in trouble. The effects on
society are based on the music business. Its our lifestyles which bring us
down. Country singers are portrayed as people who start fights/brawls and
drink all the time at the bar. Just b/c I listen to a Garth Brooks song does
not mean that I drink or that I'm about to go and beat up Bubba. In
conclusion, I respect what Dash's comments, which everyone is entitled too,
even McWhorter. And again, I did not appreciate his statement..."how can a
man from my culture..."
<email-address-deleted> wrote in message
news:email-address-deleted...
> I saw a discussion on Hip Hop with Damon Dash and John McWhorter on
> HBO's "On The Record" with Bob Costas. McWhorter couldn't get a word in
> edge-wise due to the sheer idiocy and ignorance of Dash's rants. His
> whole argument for anyone critiquing the negative imagery of Hip Hop was
> simply, "how can a man from my culture..." and "oh, you can't criticize
> Hip Hop because you don't understand it". He is an idiot straight up and
> with such a snobby attitude. I can see how he was beat down over in
> France last year. That's the second interview I've seen him and I can
> also see why whenever there is something of substance to be discussed
> from a Hip Hop perspective, idiots like Dash aren't asked their take on
> the matter. If anything, it just cements in wondering people's minds as
> to why Hip Hop is viewed the way it is with Dash's comments.
>