What’s Killing Our Culture? III: Ignoring the Illness

What’s Killing Our Culture? III: Ignoring the Illness

by Adia “Dr. Dia” Winfrey, Psy.D. & David Banner | special to NewBlackMan (in Exile)

What’s Killing Our Culture? III is a collaborative piece co-authored by Grammy award- winning artist/producer David Banner and mental health professional Dr. Dia. David Banner’s song and video “Swag” embody the true power of Hip Hop, addressing topics  from police brutality to saving our youth. What’s Killing Our Culture? III will further explore the question by highlighting the poignant messages expressed in this revolutionary song.

“If that’s the only thing they hear then that’s the only thing they’ll be”

~David Banner, “Swag”

Disrespectful and ambitionless, violently engaging in illegal behavior…the symptomology describing our youth is well known. In the court of public opinion, these behaviors are blamed on Hip Hop culture. In professional circles, environmental factors are identified as the problem. The symptomology has been discussed through grant funded studies and countless journal articles and books. But our youth have yet to be healed, because the illness, our poor self-concept, has been ignored.

“I’ll never let a mutha***** think for me”

~David Banner, “Swag”

Self-concept, a person’s view of their overall self, is a highly sensitive internal process impacted by both passive and active interactions. From our own perceived abilities to our aspirations, it drives our own beliefs about who we are as individuals.

“Let a white cop shoot a black kid, You’ll see a few tweets, that’s it”

~David Banner, “Swag”       

Too often the environmental messages Black Americans receive propagate poor self-concept. Hollywood typecasting says “You’re the constipated-faced drug dealer.” The industry says, “You’re a video hoe.” Local news says “You’re the week’s most wanted.” Family says “The darker you are, the less attractive you are.” Teachers say “You’re not as smart.” Neighbors say “You’re suspicious.” Social media says, “You’re ghetto.” Police say “you fit the description.” American history says “You’re a slave.”

These messages constantly communicate Black life is less valuable, and are the source of the illness, poor self-concept. As problematic as the behavior is, it is the illness that fuels the symptomology we see in our youth, as well as ourselves.

“More like a thinker, dreamer, believer – pick one”

~David Banner, “Swag”

Positively shaping the self-concept of our children, and ultimately our communities is an individual and collective undertaking. It is as much about celebrating us, as it is redirecting behavior. Children are a reflection of adults, and we have all been subjected to the same messages. Redefining their self-concept requires we re-examine ours. The beauty of self-concept is it changes as one’s thinking changes. We have the tools to empower ourselves, claim our space, and re-build our communities. Black Americans are walking miracles that have made unbelievable achievements in the face of insurmountable obstacles. Imagine the power and healing we can achieve when we go to the source of the illness, as opposed to focusing on the symptoms! Now is the time!

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David Banner holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Southern University and is a semester and thesis away from earning a Master’s Degree at the University of Maryland. He’s been awarded various honors for his community initiatives, and testified before Congress at a hearing titled, From Imus to Industry. David Banner recently released the album and launched the 2M1 Movement. Learn more at davidbanner.com.

Adia “Dr. Dia” Winfrey, Psy.D, is the author of H.Y.P.E.: Healing Young People thru Empowerment (African-American Images, 2009). She’s been featured on NPR, in JET Magazine, and endorsed by syndicated radio personalities Tom Joyner and Michael Baisden. Learn more at letsgethype.com, and check out “What’s Killing Our Culture? It’s Not the Mainstream and Tight Jeans” and “What’s Killing Our Culture? II It’s Bigger than Hip Hop” on NewBlackMan (in Exile).

What’s Killing Our Culture? II: It’s Bigger Than Hip-Hop

What’s Killing Our Culture? II:  It’s Bigger Than Hip-Hop

by Adia “Dr. Dia” Winfrey, Psy.D.  | special to NewBlackMan

On June 21, 2012, my piece “What’s Killing Our Culture? It’s Not the Mainstream and Tight Jeans,” was published on NewBlackMan (in Exile). Within a week, it was heavily circulated. The piece  prompted “Turn Up the Dial? The Cultural Values of Black Youth Culture,” by esteemed composer and author Professor Bill Banfield. This second installment of “What’s Killing Our Culture?” will continue to explore the question. I will also reference social media accounts of scholars, youth, artists, and journalists in recognition of “Remixing the Art of Social Change,” Words, Beats, and Life Inc.’s Teach-In at Howard University.

Child literacy expert, Nikolai Pizarro (@BE_PURE), recently alerted me to the Facebook status of a high school student. Within three minutes of posting, it received seven “Likes” and the comment, “I juss gotta steal this.” The following status is a reality for many of our youth, and is the motivation for my life’s work:

Im Tired Of Yelling
Im Tired Of Being Sad
Im Tired Of Being Alone
Im Tired Of Pretending Everythings Alright When Its Not
Im Tired Of Being Alone
Im Tired Of Being Angry
Im Tired Of Feeling Crazy
Im Tried Of Feeling Stuck
Im Tried Of Missing Things
Im Tired Of Missing People
Im Tired Of Feeling Empty Inside
Im Tired Of Not Being Able To Jss LET GO
Im Tired of Wishing I Could Start All Over
But Most Of All Im Tired Of Being Tired !

The geographic origin, gender, and race of the author are irrelevant. Though initially created for Black males, I’ve conducted my Hip Hop-based group therapy program, H.Y.P.E.: Healing Young People thru Empowerment, with male and female youth of varying races across the country. This Facebook status reflects the voicelessness I consistently witness. Before they’ve had a chance to live, our youth are simply “tired of being tired.” We can’t waste time focusing on youth fashion trends, or Hip Hop debates about “underground versus mainstream” or “conscious versus gangsta.”

“Give me a gifted trap rapper over a wack "conscious" n---a any day. It's hip hop. Form >>>>>> content.” ~@Phonte via Twitter (Recording artist)

As stated in the first “What’s Killing Our Culture?” the architects of Hip Hop culture were Black and Latino youth who claimed their voices and space in spite of. Freedom of self-expression is at the heart of Hip Hop’s appeal across elements. But with this freedom comes a harshness that can become difficult to stomach. Like the litany of “gangsta” or more recently dubbed “trap” rappers before him, 17 year old Chief Keef is at the center of the “music is killing our kids” conversation. With lyrics boasting of “playing Russian Roulette, with n----s heads,” it’s easy to understand the attention Chicago’s Chief Keef is garnering.

In his piece, “Chief Keef is the Bomb,” recording artist and community activist Che “Rhymefest” Smith (@RHYMEFEST) states, “A Bomb has no responsibility or blame, it does what it was created to do; DESTROY!” Smith goes on to state, “Notice, no one is talking about the real culprits, the Bomb maker or the pilot who is deploying this deadly force.”  Via Twitter, noted journalist Ferrari Sheppard (@stopbeingfamous) declares, “…Chief Keef makes me want to cry for real because it's not his fault and what he represents is a reality.” This is the power of Hip Hop Culture…it gives voice to everything, including the most heinous realities of our society. How do we respond?

History shows us the general methods being employed are futile. I vividly recall images from my childhood of pastors bulldozing 2Pac and NWA albums and tapes. Over twenty years later, these rap artists are cultural icons. Clearly this method did nothing to silence the messages or messengers. Even when the physical manifestations of its elements are disfigured, Hip Hop Culture will not be destroyed. What’s left?

“Open minds, open doors.” ~@TheRealMarcSee via Twitter (Recording artist/Producer)

Through years of research and professional experience, I’ve found Hip Hop Culture, the very source many consider to be the problem, holds the solution. When combined with time and love, which we often undervalue, Hip Hop culture can improve the outlook so eloquently expressed in the aforementioned Facebook post. Hip Hop culture opens the door forjudgment-free, engaging interactions with our youth, which reinforce their brilliance, validates their experiences, and harnesses their potential. Our youth are being targeted and destroyed from all sides, and too many continue to focus on their symptom-ology rather than the real issue, which is their pain and voicelessness.

Dr. Guthrie Ramsey (@DrGuyMusiQology), University of Pennsylvania professor said it best in a Facebook post, “Sagging? We talking about sagging?” If we continue to be lured by distractions, and subscribe to such thinking, our youth will continue to be spiritually dead, and we will only have ourselves to blame. Now’s the time…let’s get H.Y.P.E.

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Adia “Dr. Dia” Winfrey, Psy.D, is the author of H.Y.P.E.: Healing Young People thru Empowerment (African-American Images, 2009) and has been featured on NPR, in JET Magazine, and endorsed by syndicated radio personalities Tom Joyner and Michael Baisden. Learn more at letsgethype.com.

What’s Killing Our Culture? It’s Not the Mainstream and Tight Jeans

What’s Killing Our Culture? It’s Not the Mainstream and Tight Jeans

by Adia “Dr. Dia” Winfrey, Psy.D. | special to NewBlackMan

Hip Hop’s current fashion trends and “the mainstream” are not killing our culture. Despite popular belief, “the mainstream” is not and has never been the enemy of Hip Hop culture. Unlike our now clichéd recollection of its birth, Hip Hop culture was not made popular because it went against the mainstream. To the contrary, the culture became a movement, because it allowed marginalized groups to claim mainstream spaces. Hip Hop culture was born of Black and Latino youth who did not veer too far from behaviors exhibited by all teens and pre-teens. They embraced music and fashion that highlighted their uniqueness.

The difference between Hip Hop’s architects, and “mainstream” youth was their audacity to demand and claim their space using the limited means at their disposal. In generations past, Hip Hop’s architects would have been teens attending sock hops or juke joint parties, as opposed to park dwellers using street lights to power booming sound systems. But like many double standards still in place today, Black and Brown youth are held to criterion their white counterparts aren’t, and demonized for engaging in similar behavior. We see it in the criticisms of popular or “mainstream” Hip Hop culture, and the Black youth who embrace it.

While it’s been known for decades the primary purchasers of rap music (Hip Hop culture’s most popular element) are white, it is Black youth that are seen as the victims and destroyers of Hip Hop culture from music to fashion. Many adults whom I refer to as “Hip Hop elitists,” persistently criticize Black youth for wearing popular, trending fashion. Whether it was mini-skirts, bell bottoms, or Hammer pants, youth have never sought fashion approval from adults. And like gazelles and polka dots, this too shall pass…and likely return again. But clothing has little to do with our ailing culture and struggling communities. Even if every teenager in America wore tailor-made pants above their wastes, we’d still be in trouble.

The aim of our concern shouldn’t be on fashion, but our youth’s lost voices. The genius of Hip Hop culture lies in the power of those youth who demanded to be seen and heard. Yes, social consciousness in public figures is admirable, but is not more powerful than the voices of our youth. Holding “the mainstream” accountable for the apathy within Hip Hop culture is equally as futile, only creating abstract enemies while relinquishing our power. It’s time to take lessons from the youth who are Hip Hop’s architects and strategize.

Instead of touting Hip Hop culture’s rage against the mainstream, let’s use mainstream resources and old-school tactics to initiate action that will empower our communities. Rather than nostalgic reminiscing sessions about the Golden Era of Hip Hop in comparison to the culture today, let’s use our connection to the culture to connect with our youth. Lest we forget Tupac and NWA, Hip Hop legends today, were initially viewed as liabilities to the culture. We see what is happening to us. Waiting for artists to spark a movement or youth fashion to change only ensures our slow death continues. It is our individual and collective responsibilities to revitalize Hip Hop culture and our communities. Now’s the time…let’s get HYPE!

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Adia “Dr. Dia” Winfrey, Psy.D, is the author of H.Y.P.E.: Healing Young People thru Empowerment (African-American Images, 2009) and has been featured on NPR, in JET Magazine, and endorsed by syndicated radio personalities Tom Joyner and Michael Baisden. Learn more at letsgethype.com.

What Would Tupac Do? Revamping 21st Century Education

What Would Tupac Do? Revamping 21^stCentury Education

by Adia “Dr. Dia” Winfrey, Psy.D. | special to NewBlackMan

There’s a war being waged on education across America, as budgets are slashed and schools are closed. These unprecedented actions must be a rallying cry for our communities. As we celebrate Tupac Shakur’ 41^st birthday, I am reminded of his brazen ability to use his voice, while inspiring others to do the same. These qualities made him legendary, and like Tupac, we must use our voices and influence to navigate through these educational challenges. This starts with classifying education as a broad experience not limited to a classroom.

The term “educator” must include those formally trained, as well as community members, parents, local entrepreneurs, professionals, and area businesses. As Tupac stated in countless interviews, schools aren’t preparing youth for life.  In his deeds and lyrics, Tupac recognized our individual stories and experiences as resources, which too often go untapped. We can no longer afford to ignore the “educators” in our communities.

Broadening our conceptualization of education also means redefining the student to include children under 5 and their parents. By expanding our pool of educators, and recognizing the presence of “classrooms” throughout our communities, such action is feasible. But expanding the definition of educator and student is not enough. A 21^stcentury education must place special emphasis on student engagement.

In the song “Me Against the World,” Tupac highlights the importance of acknowledging our youth and their voices stating, “what’s the use, unless we shootin’ no one notices the youth.” In this line, Tupac reminds us acknowledgement of our youth is a necessity, and will lead to our demise if ignored. In the classroom, acknowledgment occurs when youth are engaged and encouraged to share their thoughts. As Tupac declared in lyrics, interviews, and poems, silencing the youth voice is criminal, and hurts us all. In this war on education, emboldening students is of the utmost importance.

Throughout his life, Tupac challenged those in power to engage with the community. As we debate, dialogue, and refine public education through conferences, town halls, and web chats, the inclusion of community action in 21^st century education is crucial. As the school to prison pipeline grows, it’s imperative we embrace Tupac’s spirit of activism.

On June 16^th we celebrate Tupac’s 41^st birthday, but let us also follow the path he charted by boldly using our voices, and inspiring others to do the same. 

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Adia “Dr.Dia” Winfrey, Psy.D, is the author of H.Y.P.E.: Healing Young People thru Empowerment (African-American Images, 2009) and has been featured on NPR, in JET Magazine, and endorsed by syndicated radio personalities Tom Joyner and Michael Baisden.