From: dwarner@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (David J.)
Subject: Re: Understanding Hip Hop
Organization: Indiana University
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1992 16:05:14 GMT

In article <BvvA0s.5LK@acsu.buffalo.edu> v065nlpz@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (Amil) writes:
>In article <fedde.718651552@Minsk>, fedde@Minsk.docs.uu.se (Fedde Engler) writes...
>> 
>>Man...are you saying whites cannot understand this music to the full length
>>of it? What a load of crap, if that is what you mean! I have been listening
>>to this type of music from its VERY, VERY start, and I love it so much, that
>>when a dope beat comes on, it even seems to affect me physically sending 
>>weird feelings over my body. I call that an experience of this music and I 
>>don't have to be black to feel it. 

>	Fedde, what I think he means is that since you're white, you
>CAN NEVER KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE BLACK, and understand the
>"black experience" fully.  THATS THE TRUTH, even if you dont believe that.
>Since hip-hop music incorporates so much of being black, and it is 
>primarily aimed for blacks, being white removes you one level, whether you
>like it or not.  Its not a question of racism, though.  Sure, you can 
>understand what they are saying in the lyrics, but some of it you cant
>relate to because you just aint black!  Like, you cant ever know what
>it feels like to be harrassed by whites and called "nigger" and shit.

    Amil, you'll excuse me of all people for saying this, but that's
bullshit.  Devils chase everybody, including whites.  I lived in North
Carolina for 8 years, and I've seen bitches harass me and my mother for
being (and I quote) "Italian, Catholic and from West Virginia." Being
slightly ethnic, of a different religion, and from a state that southernors
consider inferior makes us different from those self-righteous Nazis.
Boom - three strikes and we're out.  We're niggers, too.
    As if that weren't enough, I go to the step shows here in Indiana, as
well as some of the rallies they hold here, and I have to deal with some
ignorant brothers looking at me funny and calling me a "kiss ass" without
knowing why I'm there in the first place.  I want to talk to my friends.
I want to put an end to these divisions between people.  I want to make a
difference.  But I got ignorance on either side of me.  Now tell me what
the fuck am I supposed to do?
    No, I haven't felt the pain of the ghetto despite seeing it firsthand.
I could go home to a loving family after seeing all kinds of messes in the
projects.  No, I haven't felt hundreds of years of oppression, though a
decade or so isn't unreasonable to admit.  Yes, I know I have the advantage
of a lighter skin color, but why should that stop me from making a difference
in the black community if I could? 
    Just don't tell me I haven't felt prejudice.  It's everywhere you
look, and I would hope everyone out there - African, Asian, European, etc. -
could at least be friendly to me if I'm friendly to them.  That's about all
I can ask for in this world anymore, except for one thing...

Peace.

And I'm out like Ohio State football...

-- 
- David J. ---- BLUE RIDDLE PRODUCTIONS ---- dwarner@silver.ucs.indiana.edu -
- Coming October 20th: GRAND PUBA, "Reel to Reel", PRINCE, "O-+->",         -
******* Coming in 1993: The long-awaited 12" single, "RAP IS AN ART" ********
****************** ON VINYL from Blue Riddle Productions. *******************
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