I am working on the topic of building a positive foundation for African American youth, to educate them about all genres of music culture, in a way that would interest them. I want to find out why African American youth predominantly like hip hop and not other music cultures. I would like to know the connection that African American youth has to hip hop and how possibly I can create a connection with other cultures. I think that maybe they see more in their lifestyles what hip hop talks about as opposed to other genres. In my opinion, majority of hip hop today does not have the positive message that youth need to see. The rappers and artist mainly talk about drugs, gangsters, sex, and violence. There is more to life than struggling. The youth think that they have a point to prove or a story to tell. They do not realize that if they broaden their horizons, they would be more positive and open minded. Being able to explore other cultures is very rewarding; you learn a new appreciation for others.
I recently read about a musician named Carl Grubbs who has done a lot for African American youth. He has organized many different music programs for the children. They can do anything pertaining to music such as; vocal, dance, and instrument. He provides these children with discipline and structure. Grubbs is an excellent mentor not only for the children, but for me as well. I feel that I can learn a lot from him. He encourages me to keep my dream alive. I would love to actually meet with him and ask how he got his foundation started. I want to know how to go about trying to get funding for my foundation. How do I get loans and grants? What is the process of being a business owner? I want to know what procedures I take to be a productive foundation. I want my children to willingly enroll in my program. Children should know how to sing in different languages and know why everyone sounds different. In order to help my reader better understand why I have such a passion to teach the youth about music. I believe bringing a positive outlook into children’s lives can make a significant difference. If you start to instill in them knowledge young, they can only continue to grow positively. I want to inspire children that they can be positive and affect others in positive ways. Music is just another form of expression, and can sometimes be better understood. African American youth could really benefit from my goals and I want them to better themselves. My goal is to make music, no matter what form, a positive and enlightening experience and challenge for the youth.
http://www.carlgrubbs.com/saxcamp.asp
http://jbp.sagepub.com/content/34/3/331.abstract
Word count: 464
I think this is a very important topic. This question is one that needs to be brought up more. As someone who loves music almost more than anything else, I see the good and bad in all different genres. Any time I hear someone listening to hip hop and rap, I instantly get upset and cant even pretend to like it. It sends out such a horrible message to everyone; that all women are for sex, and you need to kill to get to what you want. I dont know if I have ever heard a positive message from any rap song. I'm sure it is out there, but I have never heard it. Asking about why the African American youth feel like they need to listen to rap is a great thing, and I really hope you find some answers. There is such a large world of music out there and if everybody could be open to it, it might change a lot about our society and even our world.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be interesting to look back in hip hop to a time when it had a more positive message and find the turning point in the genre that made the message become so negative. I must admit that the only hip hop I listen to is whatever I'm forced to listen to on the radio or at parties, so I am very uneducated in the genre.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like you might be more interested in researching foundations and how they grow as businesses and support the youth of America. Your own views and aspirations would come in handy there.
I can tell you are very passionate about this topic and have already done a fair amount of research about it! I think the rappers who talk about sex and violence are just the ones who get played on the radio. There are a lot of rappers out there with positive messages like Mos Def. This brings into question if kids like it because the radio plays it, or if the radio plays it because the kids like it. All goes back to the whole top-down vs. bottom-up phenomenon...
ReplyDeleteMore than interesting, I think this topic is necessary. The music in our generation is extremely misunderstood. It would be beneficial to show the benefits of such music. You could also point out some of the negative elements because nothing is all good.
ReplyDeleteI am taking a Hip-Hop in culture class, so I find this topic very relate-able in the sense that I am learning all about how African American youth (specifically in the inner city) feel like they automatically relate to gangsta rap and hip-hop. I think it is important to get down to the bottom of why they feel the need to identify with this music rather than broaden their horizons to different music, which may result to exploring their horizons in other aspects of their lives. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHip hop and music got its credit for being a an outlet for people to be "raw" or reveal the hidden suffering or conflicts that the powers that be don't see. If artists try to write music that caters to children rather than counter cultural movements, does the artform lose its essence?
ReplyDeleteI love the point you made about how the African American youth tends to gravitate towards hip hop music but the message that this genre typically sends out is more harmful than helpful to them. I think it is very important to be open to other culture, especially through music. Also, your story is very inspiring. Helping others is always an amazing thing and I like that you want to do that through music, which is so influential in people's lives.
ReplyDeleteI love spreading the word and opening eyes of young people. The stigma that races have their own music is out dated and silly. Anyone can like whatever music they like. More programs and initiatives need to be implemented to help children become more accepting of music genres.
ReplyDeleteYou say that hip-hop music is bad for African American youth because it sends the wrong message; however I don't think this is the case, sure anyone can sprout a negative message, but that does not mean hip-hop can not be a positive experience for youth, especially if they are performing.
ReplyDeleteimportant topic! i think proposing ways we can continue to help children make sense of the world would be especially useful
ReplyDeleteI think this abstract is a little long, but still very in depth with what you are trying to convey to the readers. It is still great, but I think that you can cut it down to roughly half of what you have.
ReplyDelete