What makes a 'black person' black?
I am far from being a racist person. I believe everyone should be treated equally regardless of skin colour or the language they speak. However while at a clinic today, I overheard some African American people talking to each other. One was a younger female mother, with a daughter in tow. The other was an older nurse, who must of been almost 70. I really was not paying attention, however my ears perked up when I heard the younger woman say 'negro'. Apparently they were discussing radio or music. The younger woman was trying to convince the 70 year old nurse that she HAD to listen to hip-hop and/or R&B because those music styles were what defined a 'negro' these days. The nurse simply shook her head and said that this new stuff is too loud for her, and she simply listens to 'old people music'. The young woman disagreed, saying she didn't know what she was missing, but the nurse ended the conversation by pretending to be busy and walked off. Now, I personally do not enjoy hip-hop and/or R&B. I think it is too loud and often too oriented around violence and drugs. I live in Buffalo, people are getting shot right outside my front door, and there is a crack house around the corner which the cops are too afraid to bust. So I really do not want to be reminded of the shitty neighbourhood (or city) I live in. When I listen to music, I like to relax, and let the music take me on a journey which I can imagine while listening to it. But that being said, I do know some white people listen to it - it is becoming more popular then any other form of music these days. I am sure it can't be proven that violent and drug oriented music tends to act as an encouragement towards violent and drug related behaviours. People have tried hard to prove that violent music makes violent people for many many years, without gaining much ground. I know that if I am angry or pissed off, I generally listen to some 'angry' or violent music myself. It helps me feel that I am not alone, and that any actions I do while listening to said music would be justified. Likewise, a majority of the police calls I hear on the local police radio are related to black suspects. I am sure one could research violent crime statistics, and you will likely find that people from minorities, will likely be the suspects in a majority of cases. That being said, I really can't link this to the music at all. but it is just an interesting side note. I think it would be an interesting study to ask all inmates what their favorite type of music is, and see what they say. I am curious how many will reply that they enjoy classical music or the 'oldies' - likely not many. Believe me these are only my observations and notes in a general nature. I have only once been threatened by a black person. Yet I have twice had a white person(s) threaten to kill me. So the fact is that I do not judge anyone until I meet them. I know African Americans are very sensitive to such things, so I am trying to be careful here. I am truly curious if indeed most (or the average) African Americans believe that Hip-Hop and R&B defines their culture? If not, how do they view Hip Hop and R&B? I would really like to know.