The Real Story Behind "The State of Hip Hop" Panel Discussion

MINNEAPOLIS - April 2, 2014 - PRLog -- List of things concerning the involvement of MPR, The Current and TPT associating any messaging around "HIP HOP" culture within the black ARTS community in Minnesota...

1 The lack of a Black music format, d.j.'s, staff, producers, editors, writers, administration, executives or targeted programming directed to the public interest concerns of the Black Community. The Current and it's parent organization of Minnesota Public Radio has less then 5 Black Staff out of an organization which employs over 100 people. TPT and it's mission to serve the public interest of the Black Community via television has the same disappointing staffing/programming concerns.

2. The historical symbolism and significance of denied access and unequal treatment of black hip hop artist/promoters of the culture within Minneapolis & Saint Paul Clubs and other performance venues.

3. MPR and it's other media partners selected ignorance regarding the cultural context and broader awareness of systemic challenges young black males face when demonstrating artistic excellence. (I.E. The Blues and the Elvis phenomena)

4. A lack of cultural appreciation and proper documentation of the Black Community's foundational development of Hip Hop within Minnesota's musical and artistic community. 5. The urgency to create specific platforms of recognition and opportunity for young Black Hip Hop artist to nurture exhibited talents and skills through the ARTS.

6. A call to accountability in the African American community regarding media, organizational, political, social, educational and artistic support to keep our stories and issues of youth culture and it's contributions ALIVE.

7. Hip Hop is a black Art form that was birthed out of the necessities created by struggle and challenges of inner city Black Youth from the South Bronx, New York. It is a story and culture that has traveled, impacted and laid legacies in the state of Minnesota but also, continues to do so throughout the entire world. Hip Hop at it's foundation and purpose has formed critical analysis of what artistic voices are in the ongoing self determination of African Americans dual reality to exist as equally human within an unequal unjust society.

The purpose of our unified collective stand here today is to bring out the continued gentrified re narrative of what Hip Hop is within the years of stimulation of minds, ears and broader stimulus in the communities making up the state of Minnesota, it's main soundtrack being Minneapolis & Saint Paul.

In the month of February last year at Hopkins High School, a small group of black students faced a violation in their identified rights of having equal access and a safe school educational climate. A school endorsed athletic theme known as "Ghetto Spirit Day" was allowed to function as an all day celebration in the suburban mostly white school. "Ghetto Spirit Day" was an activity where white students dressed up in the most stereotypical images of a fictional "Rapper" evoking additional overtly racist conversations that served as a disrespect of Hip Hop culture. "Ghetto Spirit Day" was a tremendous emotional attack on young black males trying to safely function in a school and a state where their Educational experiences has been documented as failing African American students and families.

This specific situation at Hopkins High School influenced a very small group of black male students to protest their denied dignity and lack of protected school rights. The group of students organized a peaceful non violent demonstration of the disrespect to "Hip Hop" culture and it's negative influenced imagery of young black males, (ironically the same group who laid the foundation of the culture). A decision was made to hang posters to reinforce positive messaging of black male identity on the walls next to other posters of the school spirit week.

As a result of this incident, a local radio station that covered some of the initial news of Hopkins High School's "Ghetto Spirit Day" participated in a form of irresponsible and unethical journalism. The young black male students were unfairly identified as participating in negative behavior and noted without proper investigation that the black male students did something criminally wrong.

That radio station was MPR, the Current is a media outlet of MPR. This same organization is now positioning itself as a communications outlet to authenticate Hip Hop and it's contributions created in Minnesota?

This is a call to accountability for all of us who profess to appreciate HIP HOP culture and specifically the ongoing struggle of young black males not only in the collective ARTS, but also including the conditions that create artistic expressions based on the real life experiences of:

Broken education systems, juvenile incarceration, drug infested neighborhoods, youth violence, broken families, job/education/home ownership disparities, homelessness, political/social/organizational exploitation, and the promising intellectual genius of our young black youth that can still excel within these conditions and make music for Minnesota and beyond....

With that we are organizing a collaborative community based effort to highlight our stories, our culture, and our youth to be enjoyed by all. We acknowledge MPR, the Current and TPT's right to tell their story but we question the sincere understanding and attention to the details of the many lives that have been cut short or ignored in the pursuit of Hip Hop's collective contributions. Minnesota's Black Community has shared it's culture for years it should be visibly included if not told and documented by those who authored it. It is a shame to all that it (Hip Hop) recently has been accepted by the identified Public Institutions of communications when it has become acceptable to the majority white youth who participate in it.

The power of definition is in those who write the word!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix0pgZDV4so