INTELLECTUALS, reason & al.

[H. Curtiss Leung]

McClain writes:

>Finally, I take great issue with your inclusion of "writing articles
>about gangsta rap" in your admittedly limited definition of political
>activism.  Hip-hop (of which gangsta rap is merely a small
>manifestation) is one of the few cultural expresions which, with some
>not insignificant qualifications, actually mirror many of the same
>concerns that occupy those on this list.  Despite some major
>contradictions, which *do* need to be analyzed and brought to bear (in
>order to more dialectically evaluate and therefore appreciate this art
>form), hip-hop is not only, in the words of KRS-ONE "the CNN of Black
>america" but, I would argue, one of the most promising opportunities for
>unification of theory (word) and practice (rap).
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

        The unification of "word" and "rap" is an instance of the unification
of theory and practice?!?!  You gotta be kidding me.  Even assuming that
the distinction between "word" and "rap" isn't just belle-lettrist noodling,
such a distinction could only make sense as a consequence of the specialized
production of entertainment; it's an innovation only within the categories
and divisions laid down by the culture industry.  Claiming that hip-hop is
the "CNN of Black America" is a pretty dismal observation once you consider
the ideological function of the news media.  Had the claim been that hip-hop
was the information and knowledge Black America wanted and needed but couldn't
get from CNN would be another story entirely....
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Curtiss Leung                        Voice (212)267-7722 x 3033
hleung@prolifics.com                   Fax (212)608-6753 
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