Hip Hop and Money
The image of a black rapper cruising along in a BMW and wearing expensive leather clothes on MTV is a common one. To address such materialistic images of blacks in the spotlight, the Griot Society will sponsor a forum entitled "Money, Hoes and Clothes - Materialism in Hip Hop" in Gilmer 190 at 7 p.m tonight.
The forum will explore the hidden meanings of black culture that undercut this perception. Five panelists representing the Griot Society, Playa Made Productions, Rising Sons and the Contracted Independent Organization Sisters Striving for Success will participate in the forum.
"We want to get a discussion going on the images you see in hip hop from cars to clothes," Tianka Crocker, Griot Society Programming Chair, said.
Crocker said the panel wants to get the issue of materialism out in the open and use the forum as a vehicle to expand on possible reasons why black hip hop stars seem so preoccupied with economic status. The panel wants to discuss why hip hop artists seem to prioritize materialism over more important issues in black culture such as police brutality, civil rights and education.
"It seems like African Americans think they can be assimilated into society with economic status even though they are still considered lower. Basically, money can't buy you out of the struggle for equality," Crocker said.
Compiled by Christa Dierksheide
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