Rap music with explicit lyrics blasted throughout Cardinal Hall in the Student Center. Students carefully read along to the songs, which discussed everything from sexual situations to material possessions.
Many were not amused.
As part of the month-long celebration of black history, students participated in a forum called "Sexism and Misogyny in Hip Hop" Thursday, where they discussed rap music and its effect on society. Topics ranged from the artists' degradation of women in their lyrics to images shown on television in rap videos.
"These are lyrics that have been called everything from obscene and trash to a great work of art, " said senior Nate Gilbert. "Whether or not you agree with what (rapper Ghostface Killah) said, you can make an argument that he's artistic because he's expressing himself."
Junior Taleia Lockett said she enjoyed the forum, hosted by Iota Phi Theta fraternity. She said it helped her to analyze her values.
"It was a good outlet for me to understand what other people felt about what I had been pondering for a long time," Lockett said. "It made me re-evaluate myself."
While the majority of the audience disagreed with the lyrics, freshman Cami Thomas said the music was a form of art, regardless of its content.
"There is no limit to artistic ability," he said. "We may not see it as art, but it is their art."
The panel and the audience discussed origin of the lyrics and where the blame should be placed. Some argued that it is in the hands of the individual, while others felt it pointed directly at the artist.
Thomas said an artist's success is not possible without the consumer.
"We need to stop looking at the artist and looking at ourselves," Thomas said. "We're the people who buy the records to send them to the top."
While everyone had his or her own opinion about where the solution lies, sophomore Malcolm McIntyre said it begins at home.
"We need to go back to family, because you have to see a man to be a man, and the same goes for women," McIntyre said. "When there are no role models, television becomes the parent."
Junior Shawn Headley said the problem with the lyrics and the flaunting is evident in the black community, and it was time to resolve it.
"Everyone sees the fallacy," Headley said. "Because we see where the problem is, instead of complaining about it we should be talking about how to fix it."
Graduate student John Johnson warned others not to encourage the behavior.
"We need to take responsibility by not condoning that kind of behavior," Johnson said. "We have to take the initiative to affect the change."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
