McClendon Report - Anti Intellectualism in the Hood 2

[Inessarina]

Ohw mehn, this is so sad to say, but really, you shouldnt call yourself an educator when you yourself are missing "the big picture". The only way for you to get some real answers, in a way that anyone can understand and acknowledge them, is by having a real intellectual explain the situation to you (without misusing big words). And thats certainly not this guest.

[LAKUINA22]

the problem is the system. many biased people including some blacks who have disdain for the masses. they call ebonics wrong without evenknowing its history. black people are shut off by the government. the network are not strong in black communities. when white felons have a lower unemployment rate than blacks without a felony education isnt the problem its racism and whether we like or not the unfair advantages in society most whites have over most blacks from birth to death. we cant deny it

[lunchboxboy]

i wonder what these people would say about obama :)!

[TheStepson]

This is a problem that is almost too fargone.  Applauding the achievements of an academic scholar is good within that program. But that applause may not translate outside of that program.

What it takes is new black leaders, and role models for these children to model themselves after. It can't always be rappers and ball players.

No Child Left Behind needs to be repealed too and an alternative federal education plan enacted.

[Solowizard]

The sad part is that too many black people look at you as trying to be white, or, acting white if you use proper English.

[nias1865]

@Solowizard The fear of being labeled and Uncle Tom is real for me.

[infidelguy]

ALSO:

It's time for a black mythbusters show. We need to catch the hell up. Also, let's get real here, anti-intellectualism is very strong in conservative church communities. "All we need is Jesus." Barf! Just an excuse not to think.

[garybooker]

Word up.

[infidelguy]

Thinking is hard. Not intrinsically, but because critical thinking isn't something that's pushed within the public school system, nor seen in the popular media. We need fresh new icons to show our kids that thinking is fun. Like me! :)Science is fun! The truth should be something we are all passionate about. We have all heard, "The hard, cold truth." It's time for.. "The awesome, warm truth."

[kamiiyathepoet]

This is a great video.

[emulateandsurmount]

Once black men get more educated we will see change

[murphycline]

I wouldn't call Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, The Roots, Del the Funky Homosapien, and a slew of other rappers anti-intellectual. It's like any form of poetry or music throughout history; there were probably ballads in Shakespeare's time about dueling and whoring.

[deathtouchtom]

Shakespeare did deal with those subjects but dealt with them in proper English, with witty expression and double entendre. Neither he nor any of his peers dealt with baudy subjects in colloquial terms for purely provocative effect. When the subjects were broached they furthered the plot line or gave depth to the character using the speech.

[deathtouchtom]

Rap and the like are not clever or witty and they are certainly not being used to further any plot. Why would any culture attempt to defend the people that are exploiting and promoting the worst and most destructive attitudes and actions of the thugs and criminals in their community?

[steveinamerica]

it's not the culture defending the people. it's definately the people trying to eradicate the culture

[fmcneillii]

@deathtouchtom Mos def even wrote a song called mathematics. I would definitely not called that anti-intellectual. Commerical rap is far more simplified(and on purpose).

[deathtouchtom]

Writers dealt with the subjects but every time the person with negative behavior; whoring, brutality, deceit was punished in the writing - not made role models. They were shown to be the destructive force that they were and are. So it is not like any other form of poetry or music throughout history. This is the first generation where negative behaviors are applauded - those that are promoting it and those that support it are taking garbage and trying to convince the society that it is cuisine.

[Jerogai]

Not all hip hop is bad. Its just that our society focuses on the bad. Not only that its unfair that rock music gets away with everything. Real hip hop must make a breakthrough.

[lajablesse]

Jerogai, rock does not get away with everything. Punk rock and heavy metal def does not. Marilyn Manson gets a whole lot of pressure. They tried to blame him for the Columbine shootings. The Goth subculture and style is highly looked down upon by mainstream culture. Rockers are usually assumed to be druggies, anarchists, atheism, or devil worshipers.

[fmcneillii]

@deathtouchtom The problem with people like you is you don't understand that rap you hear on radio is NOT hip hop music. Rappers like nas have written many song and poems praising intellectualism. Lil wayne is not a hip hop artist or emcee. It's amazing that you don't understand that. Talib kweli and the like have always wrote empowering and intellectual music. Sometimes they wrote about surviving the ghetto but definitely never glorified it at all. Please step off!