I find myself becoming frustrated with the media, and what we have allowed it to become. No longer do I hear of anything of substance. It's as if world issues are no longer, and Celeb rivalry is the only thing in existence. How did we get here? Since when is Beyonce's new hair color the News highlight that we should all be discussing.
How is this resolved? It's not simple.
There is an overall focus of gossip in the Hip Hop Industry, rather then other issues which could have a great deal of effect on us, more so then Chris Browns Bow Tie.
It's not helping that we all play into this, "Girl did you see what Rihanna wore". Who can tell me about the status of the War in Iraq? Health Care? ...Anyone?
It's always been a little off kilter, but now things have progressively gotten worse. It's hard to grab the attention of our Youth especially when they can easily grab a hold of such a light topic that the media will offer.
I remember sitting in this High School office the other week, picking up my nephew who was sick. Hearing the Seniors speak was a little disturbing. Not one had anything of substance to speak of. Has it always been like this? Or am I just getting old...
I recall being aware of World issues, and not the latest Fashion DON'T that was captured on the Red Carpet.
Comments Please, I'd love to hear your take on this...
As we get older, these things happen. But I think you are right in that the rate/extent of such things, particularly in the hip-hop 'culture', can be astounding to witness.
ReplyDeleteI'm finding this an interesting problem, as I build up BirthplaceMag.com - a site dedicated to NY-area hip-hop. As a journalist and intellectual, I am constantly riding a line where I want to vet out what *I* consider unworthy, and inane, but still provide the info relevant to the niche I'm carving out. I also try and not to lean to heavy on "old-school" entries, despite my own personal nostalgic feeling toward the Rakims and KRS-Ones of the world, knowing that a more youthful base could care less.
Plus, I'm so interested in "stories" about people with interesting lives, or pursuits in the hip-hop world, that our Special Features are lengthy, intellectually thought out, and magazine-like. And in the back of my mind, I wonder, will anyone read this? Or maybe it's, will anyone under 25 read this? Should I dumb it down? Should I care?
You hit it on the head, the lack of 'substance' is bewildering at times, yet, spend some time slithering through the internet, and there are plenty of "us" out here... So I suppose there's some hope.
There are still meaningful discussions going on around us. I only listen to my playlists or NPR when in the car and I feel they are a serious news source.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the kids in H.S. I am a former high school teacher. Yes, the majority of kids are going to talk to each other about substance-less hype, fashion, and celeb news amongst themselves. Even my parents' generation talked about Elvis and the Beatles over world affairs.
A real test would have been to engage them and ask them about world affairs.
WIth regards to "will anyone read my thoughtful work?" I do. I know I'm not in your target demographic but I know I am a cultural influencer in my little corner of Minth Hill/Charlotte.
I think kids (under 25) serious about hip hop like you articles. Most hip hop fans are closet dreamers about making it in hip hop...or at least poets. Your articles go past 'MTV Cribs" glam articles and let us see the motivators, resources, and skills used by artists that I appreciate.
In short, if the UN-intelligentsia don't like what you right, is that bad?