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Long Way To Go (part 2)
by Sudhama Ranganathan
Sunday, Mar. 08, 2009 at 6:19 PM
uconnharassment@gmail.com
During the civil rights movement of the 1960's Republicans stood firmly against granting civil rights. They did so unabashedly campaigning on platforms of racial segregation and isolation. These aren't the sixties, times have changed and i'm all for forgiving, though they alway kept a contingent of their party which held strong views against people of color. As the country became more diverse many Republicans remained adverse to minority issues. They say they wish to change how they are viewed now including with regards to that. Everyone can change but have they really?
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New Republican National Committee Chairman, Michael Steele, recently stated he intends to adjust his party's image. He says part of the re-tooling involves a "hip hop make over." But how much of the party is really on board? There are still many members of his party whose views are openly prejudiced. Those members hold considerable sway over the party as recent events have highlighted.
I don't believe it should be a requisite of any party to have thought policing. I personally don't believe in fostering racist views. However, though I don't agree with those members of the Republican party whose views are racist or discriminatory against minorities, I wholly belive in their right to them. But, is the goal of connecting hip hop to a political party with prominent members still promoting racist views realistic?
Hip hop is more than just music it's a subculture all it's own. It has developed and grown since the 1970's in New York to today. It's seen movements and changes throughout it's existence. Once panned as a flash in the pan trend that wouldn't last more than a few years it now garners between 10 to 13 percent of total music industry revenue spanning all genres. That is considerable. Of course all anyone has to do is turn on a commercial radio station or cable station playing videos or walk onto a dance floor to know it.
For most people in their thirties and younger this is a given. Spanning all ethnic groups, races and religions, most of us can't imagine life without it. There always seemed to be something for everyone. Diversity and breaking down racial barriers was always a theme- overt or not.
Since the music and culture came out of the African American community it especially helped give voice to the reality of being black in America in descriptive terms previously unknown to popular music forms. As such the spread of the music communicated to it's listeners across the nation and the world a reality some knew already and some knew nothing about. Today there is hip hop in most nations and on all continents, and it's message of tough reality, struggling through hard times and overcoming adversity as well as it's message of fun and enjoying life command vast appeal.
It isn't limited to the African American community however there are rappers from most ethnic, religious and racial groups here in the US from pioneering acts like the Beastie Boys and Kid Frost to modern acts like Eminem, Asher Roth, Fat Joe and more. There are influences in the Latino community which can be heard in reggaeton and more obviously in Chicano rap. Influences can be heard in rock, indie music, electronic music and pop as well. Against this backdrop the Chairman of the Republican National Committee wishes to launch a portion of his party's image revamping. With some of the most powerful and vocal Republicans being openly racist it seems counterintuitive. Rush Limbaugh has not only openly opposed policies, like affirmative action which many rappers and their fans support, but has made numerous remarks which go beyond being even subtly racist. He has every right to do so and I don't think he should stop. It is what has garnered himself so much success and such a heavy following among Republicans and reminds us racism is still very much alive. However, as the man considered the leading voice in the Republican Party right now his own message of exclusionism seems contradictory to the message of wanting to connect to the mainstream.
Mr. Limbaugh is known for saying things like this: "you know who deserves a posthumous Medal of Honor? James Earl Ray. We miss you, James. Godspeed." Here he openly pledges his support and that of his followers to the man who murdereded noted civil rights activist the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and thus the murder itself.
Rush Limbaugh said on Fox News Sunday the first time he saw Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa, a Latino, he thought he was a “shoe shine boy.” He also said: "the NAACP should have riot rehearsal. They should get a liquor store and practice robberies."
Again when referring to African Americans and their concerns he said this: "they're 12 percent of the population. Who the hell cares?" That isn't exactly in line with a mandate to be more inclusive or open nor is it in line with young America. Michael Steele made a good move when he rebuked Rush Limbaugh openly and said it was he, not Limbaugh, who was in control of the party. However following protests from Limbaugh Steele backed away from his position. That was not so good.
Limbaugh is not the only prominent Republican to openly discuss his racist views, but he is the most influential, powerful, most listened to and is considered the voice of the party. I support his right to say these things as freedom of speech is protected, but is his really made for hip hop? There's a whole generation of people who grew up exposed to people of all races not just through life, but through music and youth culture that gave them a window into each other's worlds. It seems there's a large and powerful contingent of the Republican Party that just doesn't see it. As such it will be hard to paint themselves as "upgraded and keeping it real" all at the same time.
To read about my inspiration for this article go to www.lawsuitagainstuconn.com.
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