Musings from a Ghetto Intellectual......

Check out the above clip of rap star, T.I. (aka Clifford Harris) proselytizing about the virtues of gangsta rap and the art of "keeping it real." Mr. Harris' nugget of wisdom (or is it a nugget of stronger pungency) was displayed at a recent BET conference in which the current state of hip hop and censorship were discussed. You will also notice actress, Tichina Arnold (Martin, Everybody Hates Chris) nodding her head in tacit approval, as if Harris said something truly profound. Will there ever be a day when these monosyllabic sycophants are challenged? Can someone explain to these people that there is a difference between social commentary and glorification?

It is safe to assume that Harris no longer lives in the area that he is talking about, and yet record sales have somehow ordained him the arbiter of ghetto authenticity. T.I.'s media access would give one the impression that everyone living in a impoverished situation resorts to criminal activities-this is a complete falsehood that must be brought to task. I have stated many times during our radio broadcasts that Black people (from a historical perspective) were the most censored individuals on the face of the planet. Now that we have the ability to speak, the best that some of us can do is exclaim "bitch," "ho" and "nigga?" I'm not buying it. And I would suggest that you stop buying syncopated doggeral like T.I.'s music. Let's teach Mr. Harris that hip hop and the people that listen to it are diverse (as are their stories) and they deserve better. We all do.