“The popularity of thug culture is among the most serious of modern-day threats to black America, far more dangerous than any lingering institutional racism.”
In a recent Atlantic Journal Constitution article, “Racism Pales in Comparison to Thug Culture” by Cynthia Tucker, the negative state of young black America is much to do with our own doings, which (according to her) far exceeds the withholdings caused by racism.
“Thug culture” is described as the perpetuation of black crime in outlets, especially music. I agree with her on the grounds that “no drumbeat or rhyme ever put a gun in anyone’s hand.”
Music plays an important part in the black culture, but it is wrong to blame the criminal actions of black youth on the music we hear.
White middle-class teenagers are the largest consumers of rap music in America, according to “Black Issues in Higher Education” by Ronald Roach. So, does that mean the crimes by white youth are caused by lyrics in rap music?
Taking the black culture by face value is the wrong way to go.
Television is also not reality. What the media projects, such as BET, to be the epitome of a young black community only perpetuates ignorance and stereotypes. We are more than music videos, big-bodied cars and baggy jeans.
Try going to the campuses of some historically black colleges and universities in America. What do you see?
You see future doctors, lawyers, journalists and pharmacists. I bet you can’t find that on television.
Nyerere Davidson is a third-year public relations student from Milwaukee. He can be reached at nyejoural@hotmail.com.