Comments on: Can Black Rock Save Black Culture?

By: NotAngryJustHungry

NotAngryJustHungry — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:45:05 +0000

Black people need to save Black culture and not be so concerned about the genre so much. Sensible people know what is right or wrong I would hope. And the bottom line is. Not everyone is going to like what the other does, but at least choose SOMETHING! Not just the “NEXT big thing”. And whatever you choose be with it and uplift it and yourself. A successful person is successful no matter the color… no matter how easy or difficult the struggle. I’m a black man working to succeed… I will be one more successful man who happens to be Black. Let’s GO GET IT!

By: Gman

Gman — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 12:08:03 +0000

I don’t want to assume that I am interpreting you correctly so I will simply ask. Are you suggesting or putting forth the validity of Black rock at the expense of hip hop? As I see it, most Black music genres, including hiphop, co-exist as hybrid forms that dialogue with the past and present. That is, they reference the blues, jazz, soul, funk and whatever else is or has gone on in the community. Because of its mass appeal, hiphop tends to be evaluated as something “inauthentic.” However, there is a large sector of hiphoppers that express performance, religious, socio-political and aesthetic sensibilities of Black culture who are positioned on the margins of the mainstream (just like Black rock). Identifying them as a primary source for hiphop representation might better frame hiphop as a major player within the Black continuum. I believe that Black rock has something of great substance to teach us but not at the demise of hip hop. We should not throw away one in order to edify the other. Let’s keep all Black expression. If I misunderstand you, my apologies brother!! With all that said, thanks for your blog.

By: Rob Fields

Rob Fields — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:42:01 +0000

a.eye, no need to apologize. You get here when you get here. And, as you can see, the conversation is an ongoing on, so thanks for stopping by,

As you’ve discovered, for many of us–African Americans, in particular–the box is quite real. So, I guess this means that you have to be the person whose example they follow. Kinda the each one, teach/reach one idea. For encouragement and community, you can point them to this site, as well as some of the places listed here: http://www.boldaslove.us/2008/08/where-to-find-b.html

Best regards.

By: a.eye

a.eye — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:28:01 +0000

I know I am a bit late, but really interesting thoughts. I wish more black people were open to rock (or anything different than what plays on “black radio” or BET) – or that they would be openly into it. I have come across some secret stashes of a few black people who were ashamed to admit that they liked something different than hip hop.