I was given the opportunity to speak on a panel during the Association of Black Psychologist national convention This past week at the Hyatt McCormick in Chicago. The topic of the panel I spoke on was "the effect of hip hop music on black youth and its implications on the future of black culture." I was blessed enough to be able to take the place of Rhymefest on the panel and join professor lance williams (northeastern illinois), Rita J, Phenom (hip hop detox) and Haki Madhabuti (Third World Press) in the 2 hour summit on hip hop culture. It was an interesting debate because it allowed for open dialogue from a inter-generational perspective. Often we look at hip hop from such a sociological perspective, the elders in the black community often forsake the entertainment value and the artistic integrity that hip hop is capable of. We had panelists that ranged from 22 all the way to 69 years of age and I believe the 200 or so people in attendance also were enlightened by the dialogue. I think I may have found a second calling as a "hip hop scholar." Stay tuned... Paz.
