Gangsta talking heads...
Two of the things I hate most about modern media: The Rush Limbaughs, and the Gansta Rappers. But only recently have I realized that they are the exact same creature.
Both exist as tightly controlled media illusions.
Both appeal mostly to the ignorant.
Both are constantly engaged in a series of ludicrous stunts of one-upmanship in a desperate attempt to be perceived as either truly "right-wing" or truly "street".
Both really don't care about what they are saying, only if it makes them money.
Both explicitly dumb down and destroy the discourse they were originally intended to explore, and understanding in our society in general.
Both exist to make huge multinational media corporations money at any and all costs.
Both inevitably oppress and betray their fans, while claiming the opposite.
And, unfortunately, both have created out-of-control movements. Once a cycle of competition and an opportunity for money is revealed, the originators of the movement, who may have had an ounce of credibility, but as more opportunistic rappers/blatherers appeared to try to steal the thunder of the originators via increased sensationalism, any realism and true depth is rapidly paved over.
Rap, a once common area for improving discourse on the stagnant state of race relations in America, has become instead the opposite. A pointlessly violent divisive force among blacks. A glorification of a destructive lifestyle rather than a portrait and testament of an oppressed society. All while simply lining the pockets of a select few record producers, and providing nothing back to the communities they pretend to represent.
The blathering heads, once existing to provide speculations or thoughtful depth to various positions on political issues, now only serve to rally/inflame a particular side's army of voters, to disparage the other side, and therefore totally destroy any potential for consensus and agreement. All the while, the politicians and corporate lobbyists have their way with the federal and state governments, waste our money, and slowly destroy our country.
Two of the things I hate most about modern media: The Rush Limbaughs, and the Gansta Rappers. But only recently have I realized that they are the exact same creature.
Both exist as tightly controlled media illusions.
Both appeal mostly to the ignorant.
Both are constantly engaged in a series of ludicrous stunts of one-upmanship in a desperate attempt to be perceived as either truly "right-wing" or truly "street".
Both really don't care about what they are saying, only if it makes them money.
Both explicitly dumb down and destroy the discourse they were originally intended to explore, and understanding in our society in general.
Both exist to make huge multinational media corporations money at any and all costs.
Both inevitably oppress and betray their fans, while claiming the opposite.
And, unfortunately, both have created out-of-control movements. Once a cycle of competition and an opportunity for money is revealed, the originators of the movement, who may have had an ounce of credibility, but as more opportunistic rappers/blatherers appeared to try to steal the thunder of the originators via increased sensationalism, any realism and true depth is rapidly paved over.
Rap, a once common area for improving discourse on the stagnant state of race relations in America, has become instead the opposite. A pointlessly violent divisive force among blacks. A glorification of a destructive lifestyle rather than a portrait and testament of an oppressed society. All while simply lining the pockets of a select few record producers, and providing nothing back to the communities they pretend to represent.
The blathering heads, once existing to provide speculations or thoughtful depth to various positions on political issues, now only serve to rally/inflame a particular side's army of voters, to disparage the other side, and therefore totally destroy any potential for consensus and agreement. All the while, the politicians and corporate lobbyists have their way with the federal and state governments, waste our money, and slowly destroy our country.
posted by constance eustace at 10:53 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home