Compton & N.W.A.

I have a bias that makes me automatically side with N.W.A. and "Fuck the Police". I grew up in New Jersey which is notorious for having racist state troopers who pulled people over for driving while colored. The city cops would instigate confrontations with anyone who they didn't like and then pull out a gun or threaten a beat down, just to show off their power and boost their egos. After watching film of protests against the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, I also have a belief that the police will mace, cuff, beat, and arrest peaceful protestors just for kicks. In the news recently is the story of random, unprovoked police brutality against 60 year old retired elementary teacher, Robert Davis, in the aftermath of Katrina. With this evidence, I tend to agree with and believe there is some truth to the testimonies of police brutality presented in "Fuck the Police".

But as the article on Compton shows, there is a fear of gangs in all urban cities that needs to be taken into account. I can understand the need to feel protected against corrupt policemen and thugs, but bragging about how many guns you have or people you've killed is taking it too far. I think that Hip-Hop artists should not promote or glorify gang activities/involvement because there are more important issues concerning the African American community that could be addressed, such as literacy, poverty, A.I.D.S., unemployment, crime, and substance abuse. Unfortunately, I think that young minorities join gangs when they feel alone, powerless, and ignored as a result of instiutionalized racism and the disadvantages of low wages. If we could provide more positive communities for these children to join and feel a sense of belonging, empowerment, safety, and voice, we could prevent gangs from being so appealing. Like Chapter 3 of Can't Stop Won't Stop, if we could convince "gangs" to revert to "crews" that relinquish guns and wars and fight drug dealers, we could reduce the need for such a police presence-which only makes people uneasy. This could be done by establishing a positive vision of the future, providing appealing incentives, or coordinating cooperation between of a police task force designed to assist not harass blacks & hispanics.

Introduction/Graffiti

Hi everyone,

My name is Raquel Gonzalez. I am a junior at GMU this semester. My freshman year of college, I was going to American University. I lost funding and transferred to Northern Virginia Community College (Alexandria Campus) to finish my Gen Eds. I transferred again this past fall to GMU. I am a student in NCC majoring in Integrative Studies with a concentration in Community Studies. I am taking 14 cedits this semester. My classes are Black Voices in Hip-Hop, Mediation, Leaderhip in a Changing Environment, and a week-long spring break course called Environmental Studies of Puerto Rico. I also work fulltime at FedexKinko's as the Senior Customer Consultant in the Fairfax Commercial Production Center. I live with my boyfriend of 4 years, Greg, and my 12 year old Persian/Himalayan cat, Lightning.




Aren't they just the cutest?!






I just returned from the Spring Break class in Puerto Rico, which let me tell you was NOT all fun and games! We were in a least 1 different city everyday (sometimes up to 3), hiking, caving, rock climbing, taking notes, & writing journal entries. We often spent 10 hours "in class" before having nights to ourselves in "free time". But it was incredible! See a few pictures below:







Now, on to Black Voices in Hip-Hop and Graffiti.
I would have to say that I am not completely receptive to graffiti. I think that the only graffiti that is asthetically pleasing is the mural type. I have always thought the "throw-ups" or quick name recognition pieces were ugly. While I understand the rebellious nature of bombing, I still get offended and angry when I see tags on public tansportation because it is a violation of my (and everyone's) right to relatively quiet, peaceful, astethically pleasing public spaces. I would not have a problem with it if writers put their work on the sides of buildings for youth activities (like P.A.L., Y.M.C.A., schools, and community centers). --I should mention, while I was in Puerto Rico, I saw lots of graffiti that was used as advertisement for political candidates.-- I guess I would say there is a place and a reason or influence for this type of "art". I am not so opposed that I would support someone with exteme opionions like Koch, but I am glad that the DC metro system does not look like the New York trains.