Whenever an older person is given the opportunity to speak on the birth of hip hop and how it relates to the Civil Rights Movement, there always seems to be a condescending tone. Either there is a demeaning of the artistry of hip hop or the music of the Civil Rights Movement is seen as "real music." Today's presentation was definitely a breath of fresh air because it showed the correlation between the two entitities and not just the differences. Over time, genres of music, fashion, and pop culture are going to change. It is an inevitable part of life but it makes sense to highlight the similarities between the two.
The Civil Rights Movement was NEEDED at the time that it started. It gave birth to some of the most iconic figures in African-American history but at the time it started, it was a necessity for change not a means to create a legacy. To an oppressed people who had had enough, it was an avenue to express concerns, fight for what was right, and guarantee that the potential of the future would be protected. I am relieved that the presenter offered the idea that hip hop was birthed BECAUSE of the sacrifice made by those in the Civil Rights Movement. It was their work that allowed us to speak about the modern problems that evolved for us. There is no Hip Hop vs Civil Rights Movement. Hip Hop is BECAUSE of the Civil Rights Movement.
Written by Kasaun Wilson
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