Thanks to these great folks who visited with my class on hip hop, sex, gender and ethical behavior this fall:
Bakari Kitwana, author, "The Hip Hop Generation"-- helped us understand hip hop history after we went to see the movie "Straight Outta Compton"
Dr. Karen Dill Shackelford, media professor, Claremont Graduate School-- she testified before Congress in the Imus aftermath; helped us understand media as culture.
Dr. Monica Miller, religion professor, Lehigh University-- discussed the idea of new black godz and hip hop's God complex
David Banner, rapper and activist-- discussed how Black people have been programmed, so how do we reprogram to love ourselves and see the God in each other
Big KRIT, rapper-- discussed his values and why we need to hear a variety of voices
Dee-1, New Orleans hometown hero rapper-- made us think about why positive lyrics can get banned
Karrine Steffans, NY Times best selling author-- made us question why women can't tell their stories like the men can, or why no one protects women when male rappers use their actual names in songs
Rajul Punjabi, journalist-- explored the idea of cultural appropriation
Carolina Dirty, South Carolina MC and member of group Heresy-- you need to watch this video for their song "Da Call Out" and ask how do we get MORE hip hop like this!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SJJ0076bx4
Lady Leshurr, UK rapper-- helped us talk about differences between America and UK for rap and why she wants to be valued based on her flow and not her appearance.
These folks made for a GREAT semester. Working now to line up new MCs for spring 2016.
The Prez
