linquana's+misunderstandings

Another key ingredient in racism is misunderstanding. A large part of this is the tendency of all people to put others (or anything i.e. an issue) in categories, or boxes. For example, one could say that all rap music is garbage and a bunch of people trying to make money by showing what is popular and doing bad. They could say that the epitome of rap music is hate, violence, and all appeals that make people see them as the bad, because bad is cool. Now, most rappers have lyrics that spew this out. It is true that rap degrades women, says the "n" word too many times, and talks about violence and gangs, and many other things. It is also true that not all rap is like that. To name a few, "I can" by Nas, "Hey, Mama" by Kanye West, "This moment of Clarity" by Jay-z, and several others are songs that cannot be included in the "box" people have made for rap. "I can" by rapper Nas tells young people to try to "be what they want to be" and warns them about problems with MySpace, HIV, drugs, and other issues facing them. "Hey Mama", by Kanye West, talks about the pride he has about his mother, who is currently deceased. He explains how she gave him strength and is his biggest role model, which reaches out to many and puts holes in the box people have made for rap music. Finally, "This moment of Clarity,” by rapper Jay-z is almost an autobiography. While it does include some of the concepts that people box in as rap, it does not brag, but tells the story many people face, especially in communities where poverty is prevalent. Some children's fathers end up in jail or deserting them in some fashion, leaving them without a role model. All three songs prove that peoples' prejudices are not always grounded in truth.