Response Assignment #7

Readings/Viewings:

• Sullivan, Rachel. “Rap and Race: It’s Got a Nice Beat, But What About It’s Message?” Common Culture Reader, pg. 237-251.
• Chang, Jeff. “It’s A Hip-Hop World,” Foreign Policy, Nov/Dec. 2007 (handout).
• View: bell hooks, Pt8 Cultural Criticism (rap music)

Questions (choose from sets below):

1. Sullivan calls rap an “interracial socializer.” What does she mean by this term? What are the positive and negative consequences of using rap in this role? Do you think that rap has the power to bring people of different backgrounds together? and if so, why? how? (be sure to make reference to readings)

2. If you had been asked the same questions as those surveyed in “Rap and Race,” what would your answers have been? Would your responses be similar to those who responded? And how might your cultural background influence your responses? (Be sure to reference the readings).

3. Chang, in “It’s a Hip Hop World,” suggests that if you look beyond stereotypes, it’s clear that hip-hop culture has become one of the most far-reaching arts movements of the past three decades. Do you agree or disagree with this assessment, and why or why not? What arguments does Chang offer to support this argument? (Be sure to reference the readings).

4. Why do you think the article,”It’s a Hip Hop World,” would be in a foreign policy magazine? What impact do you think Hip Hop potentially has on foreign policy? (Be sure to reference the readings).

5. After reading both articles, why do you think that Hip Hop has become not just an American cultural phenomenon, but a global phenomenon? Explain, being sure to reference the readings.

6. After watching bell hook’s video on Rap music, would she agree or disagree with either of the authors? Why or why not? Be sure to make specific reference to both hooks’ comments on her video and the readings.