Gangstas

The Rev. Al Sharpton goes from shouting the ridiculous to stating the obvious http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14410006/.

It is wrong, he argues, for society to equate "gangsterism and blackness." He levels blame against Hollywood and the media.

Sure, and Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Snoop, Ice Cube, 50 Cent, etc. are all just a bunch of Uncle Tom's playing into the man's hand.

The problem is that whenever whites try to don the "Gangsta" persona, they are ridiculed (think Vanilla Ice). "Gangsterism" surely does not represent all blacks, but it does represent some blacks. It is not a "White" thing at all.

Does the Rev. believe that society has blindly associated "Gangsta Rap" with the black community? Are the Crips and the Bloods a racially diverse group?

Would the stereotype fit in, say, the suburbs of Oakland County? Let's try this Eazy-E verse modified for these specifications.

"Woke up quick, at about noon,
Just thought that I had to be at Lakeside soon
I got to eat breakfast before my day begins
So I can play X-box with all my friends."

Who would buy into this? Actually, all I've done is combated one stereotype with another. However, the stereotype of the black "Gangsta" works because black men (e.g. Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Ice-T, 50 Cent, Snoop Doggy Dogg, etc.) created and perfected it. Many academics have noted that "Gangsta" rap chronicles the daily struggles of young black men.

Critics might reply that the aforementioned enterprising individuals simply jumped onto society's stereotype and exploited it fabulously for their own personal purposes.

But let's be honest. The Crips, The Bloods, and the like hail from urban, African-American strongholds. They have no presence in the suburbs, and their membership is not racially diverse. This "Gangsta" stereotype may not apply universally in the African American community, but they do reflect a very real African American sub-culture. (Hint: It wasn't "H.W.A.:--Honkies With Attitude)

Al Sharpton's comments should not be aimed at Hollywood and the media. They should be aimed at the African-Americans who have made (and continue to make) the "Gangsta" stereotype/persona viable. They should also be leveled against the African American men who really live the "Gangsta" life.

How can the trend be put in reverse? Have 50 Cent release an album for children ("Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, I do a drive-by in my car"). Have NWA (sans Eazy-E--R.I.P) reunite for a gospel album (Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, Muthaf---in' Jesus is the Man..." Have Snoop Dogg record songs that don't involve hoes, pimps, violence, bling-bling, ("I got a job at McShizzle's while I study at the Unishizzle of Michizzle...")

It's time for Al Sharpton et al. to stop playing the victim card. Hollywood did not create inner-city gangs and the inner-city lifestyle. Hollywood did not create the mafia, even though it produced The Godfather. It produced The Godfather because it was viable. If it had been set on in a rural farm area of western Saskatchewan, then no one would have bought into it. Hollywood doesn't make reality. There is an Italian-American mafia. They made movies about it. There are Gangstas too, and until there are none, don't ask the recording industry to pretend that there aren't.

Perhaps the real problem is that people actually like Gangsta music. I don't know why, but they do.