After reading many posts on the the topic "Rock, Rap, and Asian Youth", I see we all still like to point fingers. Many of you thought it was ok to be into Rock music, but when it came to Rap music and the connection to the black community it is always an issue for most of you I see. I am African American myself, and have my own struggles with rap music and the effects of it on not just my young black men and women but also on all the youths (I am only 29) . But I feel for most of you it really is a color issue rather than a moral one. We have to ask ourselves what are our youth and us as well getting out of hostile rap music? I say hostile because that is what I am really referring to. Well for me when I am feeling inferior and small, out of place. I put on that rap song with the bad a** lyric and that massive beat and it gives me a false sense of powerfulness, fitting in, and not feeling inferior about my color, social status, etc. This is only momentarily, it does not last. Then I have to deal with the reality of racism again, the reality of life in general. See where I am going with this? Maybe the same is true for some Asian youth who listen to rap music and dress hip-hop. Or maybe they just honestly like the music and the urban culture. I would like to see the African American and Asian Communit y grow closer together, that would be really nice. In my heart though I think for most of you really don't want to see this happen because you still believe that the white man holds the keys to happiness and life that you seek. When will the veil come off your eyes. Here is a parable I made up and hope you understand it.
There were 4 brothers. When their farther died, the one brother stole the deeds to life and rewrote it so that it would say farther left everything to him. The other brothers did not know this. So the brother that had the deeds said to the other brothers " Bow to me for I have the keys to life". Soon the other brothers feel slave to the one brother, and began to fight with one another for the food scraps he would throw them during dinner time. And they began to hate one another, and tried to win favor in the one brother's eyes so that their life would improve. This made the one brothers' heart swell with pride because he hated to see his brothers get along without him, for he even as a baby always wanted to become the center of attention. One day the other brothers recalled all this about their brother and came up with a plan.
That is the end of the parable for now, but maybe you can use you imagination to come up with an ending. I hope I offended none, and hope you all understand where I was going with this. Please look over any misspelled words.
Full Version: Are We Still Fighting Over Scraps
honeygirl,
I am a 16 year old caucasian and I would like to become more active in the fight against sexism and racism, in particular with the Asian community.
I'm not saying rap is bad, I like artists like Missy Elliot, Outkast and such, but there seems to be a unrealstic perspection of life in it. I live in a rural/suburb about 60 to 70 miles north of NYC. Gangsta Rap can be very limited in its views: it really seems to talk about gang life, prositution, drugs and supporting a lifestyle which have lead many to their downfall. I'm not saying it's bad because it's connected with the African American community. I think it's bad because in that it can convey negative messages. I love Missy Elliot, because she's like "Girls can be just as tough as guys!" but I don't agree with some of her ideas. Some people need to learn to take rap lyrics with a grain of salt. My generation has lost its sense of reality, we can't alway differ right from wrong, but we'll figure it out someday.
I am so happy about of the fact that rap makes you feel very proud and uplifted for a moment, but what about those who listen to it all the time, even when they are not down? It can potentionally lead to violence. You can say the same for every music genre, though. Look at all the Rock bands we associate with satanism and stuff. I agree with you that much of our society and the society world over has been dominated by caucasians. I want to see more "minorites" (when you think about it world over, people of European descandant are the true minority compared to booming populations in Asia, South America, and Africa and have only gained their power in the Age of Exploration due to having superior technology.) The stereotypes need to change, and a great way to change that is to get more Asians, African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans invovled politically.
Some rap fights racism, which is great, but some rap endorses racism. I think the whole east coast west coast thing is bull[expletive]. Who the hell cares where you're from? It shouldn't be about your origins, it should be about the music you love. No music genre is perfect.
Rap is only a recently emerged music genre, and like classical, rock, county, it will probably evolve more than it has over the next decace. But I don't want to end this post on a bad note. Rap is also a great thing. It has brought together completely different cultures from all around the world (The US, China, Japan) Not tonly that, we see emerging female rap artist, Asian, Caucasian and Hispanic rap artists. We have to consider all view points. Any way peace out!
I am a 16 year old caucasian and I would like to become more active in the fight against sexism and racism, in particular with the Asian community.
I'm not saying rap is bad, I like artists like Missy Elliot, Outkast and such, but there seems to be a unrealstic perspection of life in it. I live in a rural/suburb about 60 to 70 miles north of NYC. Gangsta Rap can be very limited in its views: it really seems to talk about gang life, prositution, drugs and supporting a lifestyle which have lead many to their downfall. I'm not saying it's bad because it's connected with the African American community. I think it's bad because in that it can convey negative messages. I love Missy Elliot, because she's like "Girls can be just as tough as guys!" but I don't agree with some of her ideas. Some people need to learn to take rap lyrics with a grain of salt. My generation has lost its sense of reality, we can't alway differ right from wrong, but we'll figure it out someday.
I am so happy about of the fact that rap makes you feel very proud and uplifted for a moment, but what about those who listen to it all the time, even when they are not down? It can potentionally lead to violence. You can say the same for every music genre, though. Look at all the Rock bands we associate with satanism and stuff. I agree with you that much of our society and the society world over has been dominated by caucasians. I want to see more "minorites" (when you think about it world over, people of European descandant are the true minority compared to booming populations in Asia, South America, and Africa and have only gained their power in the Age of Exploration due to having superior technology.) The stereotypes need to change, and a great way to change that is to get more Asians, African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans invovled politically.
Some rap fights racism, which is great, but some rap endorses racism. I think the whole east coast west coast thing is bull[expletive]. Who the hell cares where you're from? It shouldn't be about your origins, it should be about the music you love. No music genre is perfect.
Rap is only a recently emerged music genre, and like classical, rock, county, it will probably evolve more than it has over the next decace. But I don't want to end this post on a bad note. Rap is also a great thing. It has brought together completely different cultures from all around the world (The US, China, Japan) Not tonly that, we see emerging female rap artist, Asian, Caucasian and Hispanic rap artists. We have to consider all view points. Any way peace out!
Ally-Chan
First off I want you to be proud of your race. I am not trying to make you feel bad for being white, because I have the sense and so should everyone else to know that not all white people are bad. I wrote the post because I wanted the community here to be honest with the real reason as to why it was such a big deal for asian youths to be into hip-hop and not a big deal to be into rock music. Its about race and not moral issues. I think you have a wise mind for such a young age. And the struggle with hip-hop lyrics is really a universal issue and not just an urban one, thank God for that because I think it is going to take many communities to stand up and say no to hostile rap music. And you are right there are many great rap bands out there, and we should support them for being positive. I will write the end of the parable, and I bet everyone will think the brother in the end, is over thrown by power and force. Not so. We must overcome ourselves before we can overcome the powers that be. Smile Ally-Chan! I am glad you replied to my post!! Take care.
First off I want you to be proud of your race. I am not trying to make you feel bad for being white, because I have the sense and so should everyone else to know that not all white people are bad. I wrote the post because I wanted the community here to be honest with the real reason as to why it was such a big deal for asian youths to be into hip-hop and not a big deal to be into rock music. Its about race and not moral issues. I think you have a wise mind for such a young age. And the struggle with hip-hop lyrics is really a universal issue and not just an urban one, thank God for that because I think it is going to take many communities to stand up and say no to hostile rap music. And you are right there are many great rap bands out there, and we should support them for being positive. I will write the end of the parable, and I bet everyone will think the brother in the end, is over thrown by power and force. Not so. We must overcome ourselves before we can overcome the powers that be. Smile Ally-Chan! I am glad you replied to my post!! Take care.
Honeygirl, I'm so glad that you get enjoyment and empowerment out of Rap! 
People of every culture and color need to be proud of their heritage, and feel good about themselves. As for me, I feel powerful when I listen to Metal. It's a frivolous music thing, not a color/culture thing. Don't get me wrong, my post "Rock, Rap and Asian Youth" definitely was NOT made to encourage AA to 'sell out to the white man'. As an AA living in an African-American urban neighborhood who hangs out mostly with people of color, I , too, want to see the African Americans and Asian Americans cooperating against the evil power structure.
People of every culture and color need to be proud of their heritage, and feel good about themselves. As for me, I feel powerful when I listen to Metal. It's a frivolous music thing, not a color/culture thing. Don't get me wrong, my post "Rock, Rap and Asian Youth" definitely was NOT made to encourage AA to 'sell out to the white man'. As an AA living in an African-American urban neighborhood who hangs out mostly with people of color, I , too, want to see the African Americans and Asian Americans cooperating against the evil power structure.
Taliesin Stormheller
Thanks for replying to my post. You know I guess I sounded very crictical of the choice of being into rock/metal music. I'm glad you understand my reasons though. Everyone has the right to listen to whatever music they want to. I even listen to rock and metal. My favorate bands are Linkin Park and Godsmack. Now ain't that something! See I grew up in a house with african american father and mother, who listened to everything, even country. They are military retired. Color was never an issue for us when it came to music, but for some people it is, very sad. So I thought with the topic Asian Youths into Rock/Rap was a that also. You know in that parable I wrote, that in the end the brothers must learn to overcome themselves first before they can overcome their brother. Here what I meant. This gets a little off topic but try to follow me. I live overseas right now with my husband who is military. He is white and I am black. My daughter who is his step child gets teased because the little black girls in her class think she is mixed because she is so fair skinned. They say things like "your daddy is vanilla and your mama is chocolate and that makes you carmel." Well the school refused to stop it, you know its black on black so they don't care. I had to to pull her out of school this may which is her last month of school, then we prepare to go back to states. Thank God! She can not get the education she deserves because of this. See I realize the very problems my own race has. Things like this are very rare back home among small children where I am from but here in the heart of diversity, look what rears its ugly head. You know they hear that talk from their parents at home. See first I must overcome my own issues. I almost did not marry my husband just because he was white. My family did not care, but I had issues of my own. I was afraid my children would get teased in school the way my grandparents and I were teased. See it's happening again. But I won't keep going on about it, but you see what I mean? Many thanks Taliesin Stormheller for taking part in this topic!!
Thanks for replying to my post. You know I guess I sounded very crictical of the choice of being into rock/metal music. I'm glad you understand my reasons though. Everyone has the right to listen to whatever music they want to. I even listen to rock and metal. My favorate bands are Linkin Park and Godsmack. Now ain't that something! See I grew up in a house with african american father and mother, who listened to everything, even country. They are military retired. Color was never an issue for us when it came to music, but for some people it is, very sad. So I thought with the topic Asian Youths into Rock/Rap was a that also. You know in that parable I wrote, that in the end the brothers must learn to overcome themselves first before they can overcome their brother. Here what I meant. This gets a little off topic but try to follow me. I live overseas right now with my husband who is military. He is white and I am black. My daughter who is his step child gets teased because the little black girls in her class think she is mixed because she is so fair skinned. They say things like "your daddy is vanilla and your mama is chocolate and that makes you carmel." Well the school refused to stop it, you know its black on black so they don't care. I had to to pull her out of school this may which is her last month of school, then we prepare to go back to states. Thank God! She can not get the education she deserves because of this. See I realize the very problems my own race has. Things like this are very rare back home among small children where I am from but here in the heart of diversity, look what rears its ugly head. You know they hear that talk from their parents at home. See first I must overcome my own issues. I almost did not marry my husband just because he was white. My family did not care, but I had issues of my own. I was afraid my children would get teased in school the way my grandparents and I were teased. See it's happening again. But I won't keep going on about it, but you see what I mean? Many thanks Taliesin Stormheller for taking part in this topic!!
Well I don't listen to a lot of rap but I do listen to this singer Megumi Hayashibara and just random music. I don't really think any kind of music is bad. But I have to sit in my car everyday listening to a band called Drowning Pool because my brother, mom and friend likes it. Plus not only that but some Britney Spears and Outcast song is on ALL THE TIME! It annoys me, it's the only songs they play.
Hey ayyyy! Party over here! Megumi does the voice of some of those anime shows. I knew I recognized her name from somewhere. Yeah I'm like Honeygirl, as ya'll have seen on the other board. I love ALL music though I lean more to R&B. I'm also an advent watcher of Revolution and J-pop.
Cool. Well I just really like her voice, I don't really like animes that much. I used to try to be some anime geek, but I finally relized that is not to be of me. I found a lot of problems in it. But I don't want to sit here talking about anime so nevermind all this. I am just saying that I love listening to Japanese singing.
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