Greetings Brothers:
At the risk of playing the devil's advocate (especially when he/she doesn't need one) I think to some degree we are looking at this issue through a somewhat limited lens. We really can't castigate our brothers without trying to hear our brothers, even when they drown us out. All of us on this list serve come from some degree of privilege or bask in it. When I walk from the metro to my class @ Howard (as a student) or drive through the ghetto to get to Shaw (as a lowly adjunct) I see folk that privilege and social systems expeditiously forgot. I mean let us think about it for second, we don't come from decedents of immigrants but more so we have a legacy of captivity. We have a bill of rights that's founded on competition and social Darwinism. "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," fails to include blue cross, 40 acres and a mule, and a buffet for all the chitterlings you can eat. I do recognize and appreciate the mantra of self responsibility. That said, I also recognize the concept of "life choices."
These life choices start in the womb before we get here. Only fate and God (or higher power if you are atheist) know what will happen to you the moment you are born. If given a choice many folk who look like thug life incorporated would rather co-op at Microsoft with some Google stock in their back pocket. It just so happens that we are in such a media saturated dome that Viacom, Motorola, GE, Sony and Disney have taken the place of Mom, Dad, Preacher and Teacher. Though I disagree philosophically on some portions of the Dubosian 10th, I still recognize my place and obligation within that 10%. Being as humble as I can while being blunt, I don't like seeing the practice (pants sagging) anymore than anybody else, but is anybody willing chip in to buy our brothers a suit, teach them how to code switch, or the importance of being earnest while not faking the funk and selling out. It's not pants sagging we have to look at, but the neighborhood/village that "signs off" on that practice. By examination, I'm not speaking on judgment per say, but instead becoming their advocate for responsible subsidized living, quality health care, and living wages that support quality child care that offers character development. All of us are articulate enough to where we can either be the voice for the socially mute or better yet teach our bothers and sisters the martial art of verbal and non verbal discourse.
Me personally, in my class at Shaw, I have instituted a dress policy that actually counts toward their grade.
I'm all for self expression, especially in hip hop, being that's my culture.
As I and hip hop culture mature, my role as an "older head" is to lead by example and coach with care.. And at the risk of really checking myself and others on the list serve, there was one time when each of us wore something or did something that really made our elders think we had lost our minds..
Need I not mention da spike lee joint school daze which inspired the classes of 1987--1989 to wear spandex shorts and tee shirts to classes along with $109.00 pair of Jordan's.... I guess I'll be booted from the conversation but I just couldn't let the conversation end without at least bringing up the oppositional POVs...
Bro. Russell Robinson
Ph.D. Student Mass Communications and Media Studies Howard University
