Hip Hop Theme 1- Survive AND Thrive

I live a good life. It's not all champagne and ice but it's really quite nice! But lodged in the back of my mind is my ancestral roots- not of centuries ago but of a mere one or two generations ago. My training in leading a good life came from people who were skilled at what really mattered- survival! And in particular, survival in a society that would much rather see them dead than see them fed- nourished- physically, emotionally, spiritually...

I read this email from a group I subscribe to called FLYlady.net. This is a lifestyle group for people who are finally loving themselves enough to live in peaceful surroundings (i.e. not chaos and squalor), promote their own well-being as a gift to those they love, and pass on habits to future generations that will help them lead their best life.

Dear Friends,

When many of us were in high school we got to take a home economics class. I always took it because I hated study hall. So along with 4 years of math, science, language arts and band; I had 4 years of Home Economics. I loved the class. I learned how to speak publicly in FHA(Future Homemakers of America). I would not take anything for the things I learned in those classes. I also had a grandmother that taught me how to sew when I was eight years old. I made my first pair of pajamas and learned to sew flat felted seams before I even knew what they were (seams on jeans). I was lucky; I had someone that took the time and had the patience to teach me new skills.

Lots of children today do not have this luxury. I call it a luxury because our families are separated by miles and it is not easy forgrand children to spend much time with their grandparents. Today's teenagers do have the pleasure of a home economics class either. They graduate from high school and are tossed out on their own without even the basic skills of homemaking. Yeah they had their chores around the house; but what happens when their parents are perfectionists? They either get yelled out for not doing it right or they are told to just go to their room; I had rather do it myself. I believe that patience is a lost virtue these days because of perfectionism rearing its ugly head.

It is up to us to help teach the younger women and men that homemaking is a way to bless ourselves. We all deserve to live in a home thathugs us daily; not just when company is coming over. These skills do not come naturally to most of us. Someone had to teach us these things. It took patience on all our parts to learn these new skills...

This past week I was interviewed by a parenting magazine. This reporter was worried about the young wives and husbands of our servicemen and women. Many have recently married and moved away from their family and friends and have very little support in their new community. I realize that there are support services in place for these young families. They are afraid to ask for help. She went to visit the OBGYN clinic at one base and every young woman there
was so quiet. She started up a conversation with them and asked them what was their main concerns were for the future when theyhad to deal with their husbands being gone. They wanted to know how tokeep their house clean, how to cook and how to manage their money.

So here is my question for you; if you were just starting out and knowing what you know now, what would you recommend for a young person to have as a tool to teach them how to keep house, manage their finances, cook, and most of all take care of themselves? How can we help them? Not just in our military communities but this is a problem in all communities. Young men and women are just expected to know and they have not had the resources that we have had. Now in their defense they are computer literate...

I want to help these young families, but I can't do it without you.This next week let's tell a young family about what has helped us in our home. It is your testimonial that is worth more than anything:tell them about how routines, babysteps and letting go of our clutterand perfectionism will help them! This is a way for us to Pay it Forward!

This piece says less about homemaking and more about survival to me. Being taught how to care for ourselves and our families is one thing. But the application of these lessons is self preservation at its best. For the second hip hop generation where will these things most likely be learned? Well, not unlike the author or myself some of these things will be learned at school. While there is no Home Ec for them, there must be a "re-education" of sorts to compensate for what I call a lack of survival skills. The quality of life for us all hinges upon how successful we are at teaching youth how to survive AND thrive.

Keeping it really real

Taylor's death a grim reminder for us all
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7499442?MSNHPHCP&GT1=10637

After reading this article, I am completely pumped up and ready to heal the world. Even after realizing that I can't just be my bookworm-ish, introverted, humor-lacking self and appeal to 6th graders, I still have hope that perhaps one day I won't have to portray the role of someone I'm not- I'm not the stereotypical loud, ignorant, ghetto Black woman that many of them respond to. I don't like to yell at them, I don't like to cut them down and be so restrictive that I promote further power struggles that entrench us (individually and as a people) in the self-hatred that inhibits us from speaking out and acting and living every day life in a manner such as to eliminate the negative statistics and stereotypes that Whitlock dubs as the Black KKK.

Here's the quote that really twanged my nerves:

Watch the documentary [on the Little Rock 9] and ask yourself why nine poor kids in the '50s risked their lives to get a good education and a thousand poor black kids today ignore the opportunity that is served to them on a platter.

I'm going to read that article again!

Gratitude and Giving Back

I'm glad that Thanksgiving is a national holiday. Every year, at about this time, students in classrooms across the U.S. craft all kinds of pilgrims, Indians, turkeys, pumpkins and cornucopia to commemorate the first Thanksgiving. I'm not saying that the history is unimportant, but I do wish that there would be an update, an upgrade even, in the types of activities and discussions we have around giving thanks. The simplistic notion that we continue the tradition of Thanksgiving because the Pilgrims and the Indians sat down to dinner together is not enough to make a dent in the (let alone reverse the trend of) ingratitude that teems in our homes, classrooms and other public places. The words "Thank you" are words that I use frequently but that I also have to remind students to use- frequently. Beyond the words though, how do we live gratitude? How do we teach gratitude?

First of all, parents are the most important people in a child's life! However, I sense that some people who are parents do not view parenthood as a gift, a sacrifice or responsibility. Gratitude must begin with being thankful for the miracle of life that has been entrusted to you. While I do not have children of my own, I do hold every child in my classroom as a gift. I am also a firm believer in teaching by example and if I am not grateful and do not show thanks then my students will not either. The examples that they see (besides parents or teachers) are most likely on television or You Tube or MySpace and unfortunately those are often unrealistic, even surrealistic examples. So I'm going to count my blessings right here and now so that they will be on the tip of my tongue the next time I need to give reasons not to complain that I don't make seven figures, don't rock a lot of ice, don't wear all name brand gear/clothing/shoes, don't drive a hot whip and don't live on an estate...

I'm alive, I have the activity of all of my limbs, I have a loving husband and a caring family that extends beyond biology, I have food on the table and a roof over my head. Thank God for baby giggles, the man on the corner who always says may the Lord bless you, sunshine on a cloudy day, the smell of rolls baking in the oven, good friends, good food, good times, being able to reminisce about my younger years, having the opportunity to make new memories each day. Thank God I have a job!! Even though it gets tough sometimes and I don't want to do it I'm so glad that I have a job. I'm thankful that my parents made me work so hard for everything. They taught me how to live- I work to live not live to work. I've traveled to many places others have never seen- even in books. I can't imagine what my life would be like if I hadn't come into contact with so many people of different backgrounds I am thankful for all of them. I'm thankful for the teachers that I had that now provide inspiration and guidance as I have joined their ranks. I am thankful that I have a heart and a mind to help others. I'm thankful for fresh cut flowers, sprigs of basil and rosemary, for Fifi, my sister's dog. I'm thankful for all of the fun we had at my sister's wedding two months ago. I'm thankful for the faithful people at my church in Columbus and I'm thankful for the church communities I've been a part of in Cleveland. I'm thankful for hip hop because it always transports me to a youthful place and brings me closer to my activist core.

The best thing I can give to my students is my sense of gratitude- it provides perspective that can empower, enlighten and motivate them to press on.

Insomnia

I wonder how many important inventions and ideas are outcomes of insomnia. Right now, I'd venture to say-not very many. That is because I am physically tired and mentally strained but I can't seem to relieve the tension between my mind and my body on my own.

It's like "Crank Dat Soulja Boy"- I know that it is mindless and I don't want to hear what he's saying as it is extremely derogatory and in some cases downright violent (if you didn't know of the explicit sexual content, check this out) but the stripped down steel drum beat can be compelling... no really what it is is that it's played out everywhere and my students are listening to it and learning the dance ENGROSSED in it's childlike simplicity or adult themes- whichever story you believe. To me, it is like a weed that takes over and absorbs all of the nutrients out of the soil... I pick my battles though, and there is no stopping the Soulja Boy craze right now- so I'm going to use my knowledge of it (and this tutorial) to gain some ground... and then maybe I can get some sleep!

The Spirit of Hip Hop

On the local hip hop and r & b radio station there's a Sunday morning show called "The Spirit of Hip Hop." It features music and artists that use the same music as rap and r & b, but the message in the lyrics is definitely sacred and religious in nature. It reminds me of the evolution of gospel music and it is symbolic of how people of faith find ways to be in the world without being of the world." If you don't pay close attention to what is said in the song you might just write it off as regular rap of the money, cash, cars, party, alcohol and drug variety. Its mere existence- this "gospel rap" or "holy hip hop"- brings out a critical aspect of my identity as a hip hop educator. For more information, check out AltaredLives.org, an Internet radio station featuring holy hip hop, and GospelFlava, for the latest news in the gospel music industry.

I love Jesus! I love hip hop! I love educating! While sometimes these loves seem to be at odds with one another, they coexist in my life. The soul of hip hop encompasses mind, body and spirit much the same way that education should seek to develop them. Actions demonstrate values that are formed through inquiry, experience and reflection. Therefore, I hope that through my actions my students know that I am a Christian (I emphasize the golden rule), they know that I know about hip hop (but they might not be aware that I consider myself a hip hop scholar :P) and they know that every moment is a teachable one as far as I'm concerned (even if it is play time).

In conclusion, the true essence of hip hop is living a purposeful, perhaps even prophetic, life in which you are- or striving towards being- who you were created to be... contradictions and all!

Edutainment

I have long lamented the shift of television news to infotainment. By "infotainment" I mean constant reports on celebrity lives (i.e. Brittany, Brangelina, Paris et. al.) headlining when our country is in an economic crisis, the president just vetoed a bill (SCHIP) that would provide health care for more uninsured children, Buddhist monks and peaceful protesters are getting beat down in Myanmar, the Iranian president is jockeying for more concentrated control of his nuclear program, 10,000 men in Philadelphia are gathering to combat violent crime and homicide, people are trying to assassinate Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan (where we KNOW there is an Al-Qaeda connection) and No Child Left Behind is up for reauthorization!!

Hip hop has been called "the Black people's CNN" because the music, the writing, the mentality, all mirror current conditions and consequences. However, it can inform and persuade everyone- not just Black people! While one purpose of hip hop is to build wealth (or at least gain material possessions), another purpose has been (and continues to be) to tell stories or report on the reality of living in this day and age. Unfortunately, I've found that so many of my students know this in only the shallowest sense (e.g. glorified ghetto life). Therefore, I seek to map out the lyrics (so many metaphors, similes, allusions, and alliteration too!) and discuss the symbolism of images from hip hop culture. Consistent analysis of things that genuinely interest students can promote critical thinking habits that will continue to work outside formal educational settings.

While recognizing and implementing curricula that emerge from student input is important, educators must not fall into the trap of the TV news- adopting a style that is less educational than entertaining. I call this "edutainment." Edutainment is the equivalent of parents befriending their children- it is undesirable at best as parents and teachers alike must exhibit and administer discipline. However, when there is an appropriate balance between core curriculum, high-interest subjects and so-called 21st century skills (read more here) students will learn, retain and apply more.

One activity that I use to accomplish a good balance is called Talk Show. Students are invariably familiar with aspects of television talk shows such as the host, microphone, audience, special guests, and expert opinions. I set up the room like a talk show set and use a marker as a mic and either pose a question or provide information to provoke discussion. As students make comments, I make a conscious effort to summarize their statements and sometimes guide students into making the next comment- e.g. "So and so says this, what do you think about it?" Additionally, this format allows me to introduce/recap key vocabulary and concepts either through a monologue (speaking into the mic is important) or from special guest "testimony." As long as they don't take it Jerry (Springer) or Maury (Povich) on you (some well established ground rules for audience participation can cut down on this), it is an effective way to edutain. ;) ***Take it even further using available technologies by video recording shows, having students create their own news report spots to show, or doing some consumer research on products and services for probable commercials.

Come On People

Bill Cosby and Alvin Poussaint have a new book coming out. Here is an interview detailing their vision for following "the path from victim to victor."

http://www.bordersmedia.com/shows/adviceforliving/cosby.asp

While I have not yet read the book, I gather from the interview that the message is for people to mobilize. Mobilization is key in hip hop culture as well as in realizing the possibilities of globalization. From moving your body (to a funky beat) to marching in protest (or in celebration) to circulating a demo or mix tape, flyer or brochure- hip hop moves! As an educator I know that if we, the adults, the examples, don't "bust a move" these first generations to be "worse off" than their parents will continue to regress. We have to teach our children to move!

Expanding horizons

Is music appreciation linked in some way to good character? I think so! Being able to listen to (without drowning out the sound with complaints and belly-aching as my students do) and perhaps even enjoy music of genres outside of the mainstream- mainstream as in rap and r & b, specifically- is quite similar to respecting people who are different from the mainstream and different from oneself. While the works of artists representing the best of hip hop clearly show the influence of artists and genres other than hip hop/rap, my students are so resistant to hearing and feeling other music. The familiar booming bass, melodic hooks, and references to pop culture stereotypes- Dollar Bills, Extra Expensive Car, Clothes, and House, and Club Scenes- lull them into a secure narrow mindedness, the kind that creates and perpetuates glass ceilings and is indignant about how far in the past one might find nooses hanging from trees...

Here are some artists who provide important lessons both in music and in character while integrating their wide array of interests, experiences and (musical) influences.

Disclaimer: This list is by no means exhaustive. The artists are not all rappers and some could be considered "mainstream." The key is that they exhibit the talent and creativity to be fully integrative (and they are some of my favorites!).


Outkast
Anthony Hamilton
Alicia Keys
Kanye West
India Arie
Jill Scott
Soulive
Gang Starr
A Tribe Called Quest
Queen Latifah
The Roots
Common
Talib Kweli
Mos Def
De La Soul
Public Enemy

Hip Hop gets a bad "rap"

People are always surprised when I tell them, "I love hip hop." They figure that since I am highly educated, I speak standard English, and I am a teacher that hip hop must be excluded from my consciousness... However, hip hop is the reason why I continue to strive for excellence as a teacher. It provides a mode of expression of injustice and oppression and call to action to make a difference, but it also demands appreciation for the art that it is.

When I break down elements of hip hop in terms of core content areas in a formal educational setting (using refined definitions from the Temple of Hip Hop website) it includes:

emceein= language arts, mathematics, social studies, science
beatboxin= vocal music
deejayin= instrumental music, physical science
graffiti art= visual art, mathematics (esp. spatial reasoning and geometry), chemistry, language arts
breakin= dance, (biological) science
street entrepreneurialism= social studies, mathematics, language arts

Still, there are some (of my colleagues) who argue that hip hop does not have a place in school as it promotes violence, the objectification of women, the glorification of money, drugs and alcohol. There is definitely some truth to their claims, however, this all or nothing mentality is precisely what continues to strip our children (as they are ALL our children- urban, suburban, rural, rich, poor, of all races) of the valuable lessons hip hop has to teach.

Hip Hop is Global Education- Part I

Since I believe that hip hop culture and global education are very closely linked in application and require culturally competent educators and I think it is useful to state some of the learning outcomes I hope to encourage...

Upon graduation from high school students should be able to:

• recognize global interdependence and its impact on their lives as well as their impact on the world,
• research countries, cultures and peoples in a realistic, broad but deep way, understanding that the process is often as important as or more important than the product,
• demonstrate and promote respect of all people, regardless of race, gender, age, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, mental or physical ability, or socio-economic status,
• communicate with people from multiple regions of the world as the capability to communicate in several languages and across various cultural differences is an essential skill,
• see issues from a variety of viewpoints to aid in problem solving and conflict resolution and
• analyze themselves while discovering other cultures.

Of course, the question is "How do we promote and ensure the achievement of these goals?" And so the journey begins!