Monday, June 25, 2007

Stop Listening to Trash - Another Attack on Hip-Hop

Today in Chicago, 20 new billboards featuring the slogan "Stop Listening to Trash!" and the names of several hip-hop artist like, Ludacris, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Snoop Dogg and so on were put up in predominantly black neighborhoods. The Saint Sabina church put up these billboards. The billboards are in response to all of the post-Don Imus controversy and to denounce artist that demean women and perpetuate violence. Rev. Michael Pfleger, pastor of Saint Sabina church said, "If we are going to end the violence and the disrespect of women, we must fight every form of negativity, including the music industry."



I'm surprised by the actions of black leadership, because this is such a counter active move to publicly condemn this music. This is the best publicity for these rappers. It is like when the Parental Advisory stickers went on Metal Music in the 90s and all of those records went instantly platinum. If they were really trying to make a message they should be promoting rap that has a more positive message instead of condemning anything. Condemnation leads to division, and that is the last thing that needs to happen in the black and latin communities. I'm wondering what is going to happen next and how many more displays like this are going to be put up around the nation.

No comments: