"First, from my experience, this "sizable segment of the population" has dwindled. Most of the people that I know who used to listen to rap listen to something else now, leaving rap to the lowest of the low: the street thugs and the like ("respectable medium of expression??" Come on!)." Wow, I can't think of the last time I've seen a more offensive statement. First of all, I respect your decision to listen to whatever type of music you like, is it too much to ask for the same? I really take offense to the idea that only street thugs and the like listen to rap music. That statement reeks of racism more than just a statement of dislike of a particular genre of music. I'll grant that some rap is bad, but I won't critize those who do listen to it. I like most rap music, and I consider myself an educated and successful Black woman and I know of many other people like myself who also listen to rap. I also listen to a variety of other music that I do enjoy and there is music out there that I can't stand but I would never label someone who listens to country music a redneck inbred which is akin to your statement about street thugs. "Second, ever hear of the phrase "acting white?" I am white (just in case you didn't notice, I'm not orange) and I still am the object of such comments..." Yes, I've heard this phrase. I've had it applied to me. But what is your point? Are you saying that because you're white you are allowed to make racist statements? The phrases "acting white" and "acting black" are both used to make people think that they are wrong for daring to do or like something outside of their cultural norm. I am so sick and tired of being looked at oddly because I have chosen to broaden my horizons. I refuse to be told how to act, how to talk, and what to listen to, segregation went out years ago and don't try to bring it back through music. Your statement about only the lowest of the low listen to rap music is an attempt to make those you listen to rap feel bad about themselves "I must be a street thug if I listen to rap" and to make others avoid the genre "I don't want to be considered a thug, so I refuse to listen to rap" I can through this manipulation and I hope others can also. "Third, this stupid East Side-West Side crap is stupid, and in no other genre has any sort of division resulted in deaths (at least not to my knowledge). You don't see LeAnn Rimes trying to stab Trisha Yearwood or the Dixie Chicks with a knife, do you?" This statement has nothing to do with rap's validity as a musical style or pop culture. Yes this situation is unique to the music world, but it is not a unique situation overall. The war between East Coast and West Coast rappers comes down to economics, each side was fighting for listeners. The same thing happens all the time in other arenas. If one side perceives the other side of entering their economic territory they are going to retaliate. Eliminate the competition, that is a standard business practice, it wasn't the customers of rap that were being shot it was the artist themselves. If anything, it speaks to the economic power that rap has. "Fourth, as for Erik's slippery slope argument, it's just absurd. As much as you would hate to admit it, Sylvia Plath and Jane Austen have a place in academics and should be brought up sporadicly. There is so much music of better quality anyway that rap should only be used as a _very_ last resort (_way_ after John Tesh)." Love it or hate it, you have to admit that Rap and Hip-Hop culture has had the biggest impact on American society than any other musical genre. Everywhere you look there is a hip-hop influence, TV commercials and programs, movies, clothes, and language. In fact given the amount of influence that it has had, rap is probably underrepresented in Academic Competition. Just because you aren't familiar with a particular subject doesn't mean that it's presence should be diminished. <b
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