Young Blacks and the Crisis African-American Culture
The crisis facing young blacks, also referred to as the “hip hop generation,” is one that is multifaceted and contains various layers. Young Blacks today are being faced with a number of challenges within their community and within society as a whole. These challenges include, rising unemployment, racial profiling, high levels of incarceration, the AIDS epidemic, an increasing generation gap, as well as a growing education achievement gap. When coupling these many challenges with the glorification of drugs, violence, money, and the degradation of women that is often promoted within the hip hop culture, the future of young blacks in today’s society remains at-risk and in crisis.
Therefore the question remains, how do we address the crisis facing African American youth today? There is no doubt that the answer to this question will not easy. We must first determine, who is this so-called “hip hop generation,” and look at the history and emergence of this generation of young people within African American culture. We must then explore how this generation was shaped. What are the events and occurrences that have shaped this generation and contributed to the crisis this generation now faces? This includes an examination of the society, culture, politics, and pop culture of the 1980’s and 1990’s, which the “hip hop generation” grew up in.
Once we examine and understand those issues that have fashioned this young generation of African Americans, we can then begin to explore solutions to the crisis that has negatively affected many of today’s black youth. Although the challenges are many, so are the possibilities of overcoming the crisis many young Black people face. The solution involves the African American community, as well as society as whole coming together to face the challenges this generation is battling. It involves an examination of public policy and a strong look at our government. And finally, it involves a serious critique of the hip hop culture and pop
Therefore the question remains, how do we address the crisis facing African American youth today? There is no doubt that the answer to this question will not easy. We must first determine, who is this so-called “hip hop generation,” and look at the history and emergence of this generation of young people within African American culture. We must then explore how this generation was shaped. What are the events and occurrences that have shaped this generation and contributed to the crisis this generation now faces? This includes an examination of the society, culture, politics, and pop culture of the 1980’s and 1990’s, which the “hip hop generation” grew up in.
Once we examine and understand those issues that have fashioned this young generation of African Americans, we can then begin to explore solutions to the crisis that has negatively affected many of today’s black youth. Although the challenges are many, so are the possibilities of overcoming the crisis many young Black people face. The solution involves the African American community, as well as society as whole coming together to face the challenges this generation is battling. It involves an examination of public policy and a strong look at our government. And finally, it involves a serious critique of the hip hop culture and pop
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