Argument Hip Hop

The author Tricia Rose argues that both defenders and "haters" of Hip-Hop are wrong about the role and effects of Hip Hop. In her TED talk Rose explains the historical and cultural environment that Hip Hop was born into in the mid 1970's. According to her, urban areas were left by white people. Africa Americans couldn't find employment and had to live in very impoverished places. This created a new kind of segregation and Hip Hop was born in that environment. Hip-Hop was affected by African-American culture which is mostly based on "communication" and "conversation" modes.  Racism in North America affected people's lives and culture. Their experience was not studied and because of this we don't know munch about the causes of violence and other negative experiences.

 Also the new technologies in recording and music gave new tools to the artists to use other people's songs and music and combine them with their own responses.  They were able to use pre-recorded music and taking sections from them for a new song. Because of this Hip-Hop comes from African American culture and must be studied and its development must be supported.

Rose criticizes the defenders of hip-hop, because according to her "they are wrong about gender and sexism."  On the other hand "haters" are wrong about issues of violence and culture.  The author proposes that Hip-Hop can stop giving sexist messages, instead it can focus on other aspects of African American experience.  Understanding each others experience must be our goal.  Also "haters" of Hip-Hop should realize that violence is the result of destabilized community lives and Hip -Hop does not create the violence.  If we want to stop violence, we must understand the racism and economic and social conditions that causes destabilization of communities. This will also help to decrease sexism and other negative influences in the culture.