N-Word Please !

Dr. James Watson, a renowned geneticist, landed himself in hot water last week for racist comments he made in British newspaper The Times. Watson gained recognition as co-discoverer of the structure of DNA, winning him the Nobel Prize in 1962.

In the interview, Watson says that he is “inherently gloomy about the prospect of Africa [because] all our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ours - whereas all the testing says not really."

The assertions of racial superiority are downright offensive - Watson's statements are creepily reminiscent of the justification for the African Slave Trade. Watson's words are especially alarming because they come from the mouth of someone so highly regarded in the intellectual community.

What's clear though is that recent controversies, such as the movements to ban the word "nigger" (including Nas' new album), entirely miss the point of racially progressive dialogue.

While we are quick to be outraged the ignorance of others, we are still reluctant to address our own prejudices. To borrow Mos Def's metaphor, racism is not a giant living in the hills coming to visit the villagers. It's a reflection of the interactions that take place between all of us. Until we learn to confront our personal discriminations on an individual basis, who are we to criticize media whipping boys like Don Imus and Michael Richards?

photo: Markus Schreiber of the AP

Download: A Tribe Called Quest - Sucka Nigga

Hammer > Tribe ?

I've been wrestling with my feelings about the direction of hip-hop for the past couple years. On one hand, the expansion of the music into the mainstream is great in terms presenting opportunities. The intent of the music is to uplift and to celebrate according to my boy Justin. He continues that hip-hop has reached an international scale where it has become the face of young America and an alternative to Bush's America.

But on the other hand, its important that the culture stay true to its roots. As the garbage poppy hip-hop is promoted, the positive, conscious rap is further neutered. People say that there is no market for socially conscious music are letting the record industry pull the wool over their eyes. The cream rises to the top unless outside influences (Viacom, Univesal Music, Clear Channel, Radio 1) keep pumping out ignorant shit.

Lupe Fiasco was quoted in Vibe stating:

"[Tribe] didn’t sell 10 million records, so why would people think they had a blanket on the world like that? MC Hammer was way more popular to me than Tribe Called Quest."

The quote was taken out of context to make Lupe look like an asshole, but the point still resonates. Hip-hop has become a mainstream, populous culture with a bunch of idiots in front making everybody look bad. Hotness is determined by record sales and MTV (don't even get me started on that bogus 'Best Rapper' list). What hip-hop needs now is a restoration of perspective and culture.

So kids, keep the music alive. Stop listening to trash!

Download: 2Pac - Old School