Spring Break
Gangster rap has negative impact on society
Sam Leary
Issue date: 11/8/02 Section: Commentary
Children may respond to the message a little differently than a college student would. Less educated people might be more likely to take the message more seriously. Also I do agree that rappers, as well as all people, should be able to say what ever they want to and that people should be able to listen to what ever the want, but I wonder why anyone but an aspiring criminal would want to listen to or create, "gangster rap." One can only imagine the effect that a Jay-Z or an Eminem could have in our society if the listening public decided that unity, peace or acceptance were the messages they think are cool. I also agree that many of these "gangster" rappers are extremely talented.
Similarly, I know that Hitler was a talented leader. It is time for people who say "As long as there is violence and drugs in our society there will be gangster rap" to consider that as long as we have gangster rap promoting these behaviors, the reverse might be true as well. I am not saying "gangster rap" fans should be forced to stop listening to this music, but I am instead hoping they will stop lying to themselves about its effects on our society as a whole.
Similarly, I know that Hitler was a talented leader. It is time for people who say "As long as there is violence and drugs in our society there will be gangster rap" to consider that as long as we have gangster rap promoting these behaviors, the reverse might be true as well. I am not saying "gangster rap" fans should be forced to stop listening to this music, but I am instead hoping they will stop lying to themselves about its effects on our society as a whole.