By Adia “Dr. Dia” Winfrey, Psy.D.
| With thanks to NewBlackMan
Sunday, 28 April 2013.
For months,
our timelines, statuses, and inboxes have been overflowing with responses,
opinions, and petitions related to Hip Hop Culture. Every week there seems to
be a new story resulting in outrage or support for a particular artist. To add
to this, we are watching events unfold nationally that have us at our wit’s
end. Like many of you, I too am questioning what is going on socially, culturally,
and politically. And similar to a family affected by alcoholism that ignores
the addiction and focuses on “the problem child,” members of Hip Hop Culture
are overlooking the big picture.
Lately we’ve put pressure on major corporations and
have seen results. Now what? We raised our voices until the President of the
United States made a speech about gun violence in Chicago. Okay. The scholars
debated and weighed in. Facebook and Twitter were on fire. But where do we go
from here? Many outside the Culture recognize Hip Hop’s positive attributes.
But how do we view ourselves? We are what Hip Hop looks like when it’s grown
for real, and now it’s time for us to realize our full potential.
The seventh principle of the Hip Hop Declaration of
Peace, accepted by the United Nations May 16, 2001, states:
The elements of Hiphop Kulture may be traded for
money, honor, power, respect, food, shelter, information, and other resources;
however, Hiphop and its culture cannot be bought, nor is it for sale. It cannot
be transferred or exchanged by or to anyone for any compensation at any time or
at any place. Hiphop is the priceless principle of our self-empowerment. Hiphop
is not a product.
We must let go of the weightless clichés limiting
our progression. “Hip Hop” is not an exclusionary label, and rap will always be
part of Hip Hop Culture. Women have been a constant presence in the Culture
since its inception. From the outset, adults have never understood the Street
Fashion element of Hip Hop. Southern artists have shaped the Culture for
decades. And rap music has always included a wide array of subjects from the
entertaining to the enlightening. Too often we are focusing our “debates”
around what’s missing or different with Hip Hop. Our dialogue is sounding more
and more like those who are outside of the Culture. Enough is enough. It’s time
to shift our focal point to what’s right.
Hip Hop, as we know it, evolved into existence as
the result of young people finding their voices. It is critical we remember our
power has been present since the beginning. Hip Hop Culture was created by us
and we still call the shots. It is time to reclaim our voices and elevate our
impact within the Culture.
As members of Hip Hop Culture we must be proactive,
and not reactionary. According to the ninth principle of the Hip Hop
Declaration of Peace, May 3rd is Rap Music Day, the 3rd
week of May is Hip Hop Appreciation Week, and November is Hip Hop History
Month. At these times, let us celebrate with intention, while working on behalf
of our Culture teaching lessons that will propel Hip Hop forward. Whether it
was in the 70s, 80s, 90s, or 00s, let us remember why we fell in love with Hip
Hop.
We must trade alibis and judgment for authenticity
and purpose so our greatest impact can be realized. Now is the time!
***
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.