It is no secret that we black folk have problems…big problems and lots of them.  But is hip-hop music really one of them?  None of us are proud of the rate at which we as a group commit violent crimes, get incarcerated, fail to achieve academically, abuse illegal substances or see our teens become pregnant.  These problems have never been a secret, especially to us, but they have never been more visible to others.  Of course, in the information age, everything is more visible to everyone.  Twenty-four hour news channels have plenty of airtime to fill and the negative side of the African-American experience gets at least its share of the coverage.  Further, African-Americans are becoming more willing to discuss our issues “outside the family.”  One of our most prominent entertainers Bill Cosby has apparently retired from the entertainment business to tour the country putting African-Americans and our self-destructive behavior “on blast.”  Despite Mr. Cosby’s good intentions, his message has not always been greeted warmly.  No one likes to look too closely his or her flaws.  There is no question that our “stuff” is out there in the open. 

So apparently, it is not difficult to for many to believe that we blacks are more susceptible to the negative influence of entertainment media than are our white counterparts.   It has been argued even among blacks that the choices that black teenagers make are governed by the “hip-hop heroes” they witness living opulent, enviable life styles.  As the argument goes, we must fight this influence by battling the rap industry to be more responsible in their messaging.  However, millions of white teens see the same glamorization of criminal behavior on The Sopranos and in hip-hop music and culture (white teens love Biggie too), but no one seems to feel that these influences preclude this teen from getting an education, staying out of prison and contributing to society in a positive way.  The inference here is that black teens are just ignorant enough to set their moral compasses, not by the positive influences that may be present in their own homes, families, churches or communities, but the negative influences provided by entertainers.   Are we ready to accept that characterization?  Is the answer that easy?  Are we that pitiful?   

There is one inescapable fact that the “hip-hop problem” discussions and all of the “scapegoat studies” avoid.  Despite our best efforts, we cannot build an environment sanitized to the point that it guarantees the success of its inhabitants.  We will all be faced with undesirable situations and we will be forced to take action and make choices based upon the environment with which we are presented.  In life, two people can experience the same stimuli and have completely different reactions.  Oprah Winfrey turned childhood sexual abuse into the motivation to become one of the most successful business people in the America’s history.  Conversely, many would-be violent criminals turned childhood sexual abuse into the foundation from which they became violent.  Life can be terribly unfair, but we still get to help determine its outcome.  Individuals make choices.  Some turn tragedy into triumph while others turn tragedy into more tragedy.  Regardless of circumstance, the outcomes of our lives ultimately depend on the action we take above all else.

Similarly, different individuals experience hip-hop music and culture and have different reactions.  We cannot predict any music will effect anyone well enough to draw simple cause-and-effect solutions.  Many people hear hip-hop music and see hope, encouragement, passion and a reason to achieve.  Hip-hop music and culture has spawned business titans that sell its music and other products and teach others to strive for similar success.  Hip-hop has served as a positive choice for countless individuals, individuals who chose to make music rather than make mischief.  Some will hear hip-hop as a beats, rhymes and unintelligible lyrics.  Others will hear it and take it as entertainment and even positive inspiration.  Some outlying individuals may hear hip-hop and be inspired to develop a plan for mayhem.  Do we really believe that these people would have chosen the church choir over the streets were it not for hip-hop?  Ultimately, hip-hop does not define the mission of the individual, but instead the individual defines the mission of hip-hop in his or her life.

The point that “scapegoat studies” miss is that people make choices for which the world will hold them responsible regardless.  The “hip-hop-made-me-do-it” defensive will not reverse court decisions or biological laws.  So if we want to solve problems, we need to seek answers, not excuses.  Goodness knows that we have plenty of problems that need solving.  How do we curb violent crime, misogyny, the destruction of the family unit?  These are the real questions, not how do we “stop hip-hop” or exonerate it.  Hip-hop artists are not developing their ideas in political think-tanks.  They are singing what they know, what they see.   If life experience drives musical content and we are displeased with the content, the better question to address is how we can change the experience of the artists who eventually make the music?  We must address the problem, not the symptom.  The longer we foolishly seek a Utopia, in which our young people’s minds are shielded from reality, the work we do preparing them for that reality or creating a better one.  No matter how damning the case appears against hip-hop, a song has never pulled a trigger nor committed a sex act. 

Perhaps Bakari Kitwana made the most profound statement on the subject included in this New York Times article.  This should be no surprise, as Kitwana is the author of “The Hip-Hop Generation,” seen by many as the definitive book about hip-hop culture.  Mr. Kitwana said. “Hip-hop is a generational phenomenon that has united young people.  If that’s not understood, you’re going to miss a lot.”  Rather than attempt to diminish the power of hip-hop, perhaps we should try to understand, as Mr. Kitwana suggests, the minds of our young people.  This understanding will help us all develop powerfully positive messages that speak more effectively to them.  If our country is ablaze in an inferno of moral decay, hip-hop is not the wildfire, but some of its attendant billowy smoke.  Let’s fight the real fire.  Until we do, we will continue to miss the real point.