Still Keepin' It Real?

“I don't want black people to be disappointed in me for putting that [message] out there... It's a complete moral dilemma." – Dave Chappelle, The Oprah Winfrey Show

Music and comedy distort our sense of reality. It’s easily arguable that this is exactly what entertainment is supposed to do, but the age-old question remains: At the root of art is truth, so what is its effect on actual life? In particular, how does art’s depiction of race affect its target demographic – us, the college community?

In comparison with America’s early history, this generation was born into a relatively equal playing field. It’s not completely even, but we’ve come a long way; views of equal value are encouraged, and equal opportunity is possible. Unfortunately, as our generation grew up – like those before us – we were informed of the facts of our past. But why do we continue to carry the burden of our ignorant history?

Simultaneously, we are confronted with conflicting images and influences from the arts and the media. For whatever reason, we start to compare ourselves and doubt our self-worth. We search for what we’re supposed to be, and unite with others who seem to be just like us on the surface.

The Music Machine

Hip-hop artists like Curtis Jackson (a.k.a. 50 Cent) provide what may be the relatable image some people are looking for. They understand the hardships some people are going through, and have managed to make a successful, appealing lifestyle – with money, women, and undefeated spirit.

For those not living with hardships, they still create a fantasy that can easily be adapted to other situations- every time they play the artists' music while getting ready to go out for the night, to a place where the music will then follow you.

In May of this year, in an interview with EURweb, Jackson explains:

“Music is a mirror, and hip hop is a reflection of the environment that we grew up in. It’s the harsh realities that end up in the music. If I ask you to paint a picture of the American flag and not use the color red, you’re gonna have a difficult time. To capture what we try to capture in the art form, I’m sure some conservative Americans can’t [identify] with it because of their lifestyle and the way they’ve actually been brought up, and they haven’t been exposed to those realities.”

But what is his goal; why wouldn’t he want social improvement?

The continuous misrepresentation of an entire race is at stake. Those at a young age searching for what they should be will think this is it. This is the way to make a life. Other options are not cool. Other options are not widely accepted for me.

And what about socially conscious rappers, like Common and Mos Def? Is their view of life really less appealing? In a letter to Curtis Jackson, hip-hop mogul Master P. admitted that he was once part of the problem, but that he saw it was time for a change.

Originally, racial-oriented music was used as an uplifting tool. Think of the great works of the early jazz and blues artists. They were telling of their hardships, but were also trying to inspire and rise above. “A man…He wants a chance to give his kids a better life, Well hello brother, hello,” sung Louis Armstrong. The rappers of today are purely exploiting the situation.

Rutgers student Vince Bruno notes, “The businessmen are savvy…It's revolting how they could be so selfish as to prevent their own race's advancement in the wake of their greed.”

Bruno has also created a Facebook group “Students Against Racist Groups.”

“Thankfully, there are people who are intelligent enough to say, ‘Listen, this isn't what my race values’,” he says.

Towards the end of 50 Cent’s interview, he was asked if he would make a decision to turn around and set a positive example, as Master P. has done. He responded, “Well, Master P. doesn’t sell CDs anymore. You can tell him I said that.”

The Comedy Train

Comedy throws in an entirely different issue. It’s not so much about misrepresentation or stereotyping, but what the intent of this stereotyping is. As with the Jewish culture, jokes are not really intended to prolong stereotypes, but to counteract them. Point them out in such an obvious way, and people realize how ridiculous they are.

So, can this be applied to race?

During the third season of the Chappelle Show, Dave Chappelle had to question this. It was in the middle of a skit that he looked over and felt that a white man was not laughing with him, but at him. At that moment he had to question whether he was “dancing, or just shuffling.” He didn’t want the message he was sending out to be misinterpreted.

Widely respected comedian and actress Whoopi Goldberg sat down with CNN correspondent Anderson Cooper in April of this year to discuss a topic of racial concern: Radio talk show host Don Imus had recently blamed the African-American community for inventing a slur, which he was criticized for using in a joke aimed at a college basketball team. While speaking about the team, he referred to the female players as “nappy-headed hos.” Regardless of where the slur originated, it clearly should not have been used. Unfortunately, Imus did not explain the intent of his joke. But since he is white, it would not be widely accepted as an attempt to overcome a racial stereotype.

“If you're a comic, then you know that there is a line that you walk. And, every now and then, you go, whoop, and you're over the line, and consequences happen…there's always that price,” Goldberg says.

“The best advice I can give to him, get over to that campus…talk about whatever was happening, what you thought you were doing, and be honest.”

I guess in the end, it’s all about what you want art to do – reflect your life, or inspire a new one. Then it’s up to the individual – what reality do you want to subscribe to? As for the jokes, the audience needs to be mature enough to realize the intent, and the entertainer should be wise enough to know when his audience just can’t handle it.

But even beyond that, why does there need to be a division between races? By uniting as a group, it only excludes others, thereby perpetuating the race issue. Haven’t we come anywhere since the ignorance of our past? Let us remove the burden. Maybe we can’t forget the past, but I believe forgiveness is realizing your adversary’s limitations, and this is possible.