There is a dream amongst the man of color who dreams of having hip-hop save his life.
To be able to escape the "ghetto" life is a contradiction to the concept of escape itself. Hip Hop often embodies the ghetto. It continuously emulates the violence that encompasses the reality within "the hood" and then re-clams it as a African American way of survival and life. So is there really an escape for these men or are they running from one form of prison to another?
The ghetto culture is seen as bringing out the anger and resentment that black men have towards white males and society. However, it not as simple as that. There is a lot of pressure to conform and thus, the social construct of their masculinity is created. What the media does is create an outlet. It provides a steady flow of images that define manhood as dominated by power and control. In the media, we see men of color in a more narrow view. There is a growing connection on the black male's masculinity being associated with violence as seen in these videos.
What does hip hop/rap have to offer towards the sexuality and image of the black male?
a.) Hip hop/rap is the culture of bonding
b.) Hip hop/rap is a lashout at a cruel world
c.) Hip hop/rap is a savior
Hip hop/rap is therefore, a very dynamic word to the black male. but to the outside world, hip hop is a tainting of the already damaged body. The tainting is made worse by the black males embrace of the often dark, and violent, world of rap. Because this music has evolved greatly, we rarely intercept hip hop/rap as a culture bond nor a saviour. It is often depicted as a lash out to the unfair inequality of the world. We then see images of vengence, aquisition of things and, objectification of other human beings.
On the other, You Can Not Escape The Hood...
Despite the darker themes often associated with hip hop, a higher purpose of restoration (and vision to rebuild) serves as the catalyst behind many African American artists today.
Common
K'Naan
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