Jason Whitlock column on Taylor

[BrudLee]

Originally Posted by BleedBurgundy

I'm a white guy so please accept the following question is intended without malice: What is it with that segment of the black community that idealizes the thug lifestyle? (I know that there are segments of all races that idolize it but you know what I mean) I just don't get it. What's the appeal? I've had friends/coworkers who just absolutely let every opportunity to improve themselves pass by because that would be "selling out." For the life of me I dont' get it. It's disgusting to me but I can only imagine it must be truly exhasperating to be black and to see this from your own people in such large quantities. How do you protect your kids from these view points? If these questions/views offend anyone, I apologize, they're honestly just questions, not indictments of anyone's background.

I'm a white guy too, but I think the music is a reflection of the culture, not the other way around. There existed a culture of despair in many neighborhoods before hip-hop told of it. Any effect that music has on behavior is secondary to the root causes. Rich kids who embrace hip-hop largely aren't turning to violence - poor kids are. My fear is that, though glorifying death needs to stop, we are putting the cart before the horse if we think that getting rid of violent music will get rid of violence.

[BleedBurgundy]

Originally Posted by BrudLee

I'm a white guy too, but I think the music is a reflection of the culture, not the other way around. There existed a culture of despair in many neighborhoods before hip-hop told of it. Any effect that music has on behavior is secondary to the root causes. Rich kids who embrace hip-hop largely aren't turning to violence - poor kids are. My fear is that, though glorifying death needs to stop, we are putting the cart before the horse if we think that getting rid of violent music will get rid of violence.

I completely agree with you on that. You'd think this would be as simple as education but it's clearly not. You've got this overwhelmingly negative quantity that truly counteract any positive steps individuals make. But what is the answer? You can't just go around arresting everyone that espouses a certain viewpoint. This isn't 1940's Germany. But at the same time, every citizen in this country has a constitutionally guaranteed right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. If there is a segment of the population that is actively preventing that "pursuit" then they deserve to be stopped with all necessary force and resources.