The News Argus May 1997 Page 3
SECOND OPINIONS
Does Rap Music Portray Violence, Crime?
With the deaths of Tupac Shakur and
Christopher Wallace, the world of hip-
hop faces a big problem. Society has the
perception that rap music portrays
violence and crime. Let’s take a look at
the situation from the perspective of a fan
of both Wallace and Shakur and not
people in society who constantly give rap
a bad image.
As we all know a majority of the
people who listen to rap are black or
Hispanic. Most of the youth of other
races only listen to rap because they want
to socialize or be cool. Today, many
rappers can relate to black or Hispanic
kids because they are young and have
been through many of the same
experiences. By telling these young
people about their experiences, rappers
Underwood
smooth transition for him to carry out his
new responsibilities at WSSU.
Captain Patrick Rimron, the
Commandant of Cadets at WSSU and
WFU, is also an armor officer said that
Underwood is “ truly a professional who
works tirelessly to bring the WSSU
ROTC program back from the brink of
shut down to make it one of the strongest
elements of the Demon Deacon
Battalion.”
“Capt. Underwood was very helpful
to me since I was a freshman,” said
Jeannette Clark, a freshman political
want young people to learn and not make
the same mistakes in life. They are also
informing youth about what is going on
in their neighborhoods because there is a
lot of negative things going on there
everyday.
What is the difference between
James Brown singing “I’m Black and I’m
proud” in the 60s and KRS One rapping
about the same subject in the 90s? There
really isn’t a difference. Some people
believe that rappers are nothing but thugs
that pollute society with talk about guns
and drugs. These people should realize
that all most rappers have seen in their
lives are guns and drugs. Why would a
person rap about something that they do
not have any idea or clue about. Life is
reality and that is what rappers like lo
From Page 1
science major. “Anything I needed to
speak to her about she would help me
make the right decisions for myself.
She also helped me learn what is
expected of me in this ROTC program.”
Cindy Ramirez, a junior majoring
in nursing said, “Captain Underwood is
a real motivator and a high-speed officer
who looks out for the well-being of her
cadets.” Underwood leaves WSSU’s
ROTC program knowing that she has
taken it from having only three cadets
when she arrived to 40 cadets.
focus on in their music.
Is rap music is being targeted
because of its popularity? If youth did
not listen to rap music, a majority of the
people who are against rap would change
their opinions about rap music.
Obviously, Shakur and Wallace were
two of the top rap music artists in the
industry because of record sales. They
had to give the fans what they wanted to
hear in order to be successful.
If rap music contributes to crime and
violence, then what about the millions of
kids who listen to hard core rock music
that involves cults, devil worship and
drugs? People today just want to pick on
rap and not rock. If a person does not
like rap music, then he or she should not
listen to it. People shouldn’t criticize rap
because they don’t like it. Whatever
happen to Wallace and Shakur did not
involve the entire hip-hop community. If
two players in the NBA were killed in a
drive by shooting, no one would say the
NBA is bad and influences kids in the
wrong way.
Rappers are not thugs, but they are
hard working citizens who want to be
successful and show kids who are
interested in music how to be successful.
Rap music is the only form of music that
is under a microscope and people should
listen to the messages in the music before
criticizing it.
3ermet Wiggins
1997 National Black Theatre Festival
A.n Tnternationot Celebration &> Reunion of Spirit
Entertainment for tfve Entire T'amiCy
August 4 - 9, 1997
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Larry Leon Hamlin
Producer & sArtistic Director
For Additional Information, call the
North Carolina Black Repertory Cornpany
(910) 723-2266 or 723-7907
SUMMER SCHOOL FOR PEOPLE
ON THEIR WAY TO THE TOP.
If you didn't sign up for
ROTC as a freshman or
sophomore, you can still
catch up this summer by
attending Army ROTC
Camp Challenge, a paid
six-week course in
leadership. Apply
now. You may qualify
Uv.tj' ■
ARMY
for a $4,000 schoiarship
and advanced officer
training when you rerurn
to campus in the fall.
You'll also have the
self-confidence and
discipline you need
to succeed in college
and beyond.
ROTC
THE SMARTEST COLUCE CODRSE TOD CAN TAKE
For details, call Wake Army ROTC at
759-4546 or (SOO) 448-2137.