The music that some little black kids in the ghetto developed is so big that it is being studied, deconstructed, condemned and even highly regarded as a subject to be studied. Wow!
Contrary to those who berate hip hop as despicable, misogynistic, Professor Miguel A Laboy, found that hip hop does not lead to irresponsible sexual behaviour, that it is the same old tried and true behaviours that do lead to illicit sex – things such as alcohol, drugs and peer pressure.
Miguel A. Muñoz-Laboy, an assistant professor in the department of sociomedical sciences at Columbia. “We need to try to see how youth understand their own culture without imposing our own adult judgments.”
We do it all the time. Elvis Presley was considered a deviant with his gyrating hips and so were some of the songs of the past. When we have moved out of our teen years, it appears that something in our brains go off that make anything that might seem to be fun for teenagers and younger people a bad thing. I think we are just jealous that we cannot get into the act without looking ridiculous.
According to the prof. the lyrics in the hip hop are sometimes empowering and from his observation on the dynamics on the dance floor, the girls are definitely in charge. They determine how much contact they want , not the guys.
The thing is the next generation will come up with something different and the hip hop generation might think it is too raunchy. We have to just talk to our children and ensure they keep themself safe from unwanted sex, pregnancy and HIV Aids. Most of the youngsters out there are responsible but the few who are not are giving everyone else a bad name.
The lesson for public health workers is that hip-hop is not just music but a support system and social structure that dominates youth culture, Dr. Muñoz-Laboy said. The language of hip-hop also may in fact be a more effective way to communicate with teenagers. One H.I.V.prevention ad that resonated with women, for instance, mirrored the sexualized lyrics of hip-hop, telling girls, “Don’t take it laying down.”
This genre used for communicating with an entire generation of people is way more powerful than any negative influences surrounding hip hop. Nuff said.
