Thursday, August 16, 2012

TOO LONG TO TWEET

I feel like saying we shouldn't export hip hop to other cultures because they don't have the same understanding of it that educated people do might be a little, er, condescending. For one, it's not like the culture is imported into a vacuum. What I have observed in China and Indonesia is that yes, Western popular culture is a big part of local popular culture but they usually project local values onto Western media- it's not like they absorb everything without question. And I am uncomfortable dictating what kind of music one culture I am not a part of should be making and another culture I am not a part of should be consuming.

Either way- of the two ways I see this argument going, I am more in favour of education than censorship.

I'm not saying that the common misogynistic/homophobic stuff is okay. I really don't think it is. I don't know what to do about this except to remain critical/be supportive of artists that go against the grain (eg Frank Ocean?) and a greater diversity of voices (more womenz). I'm not sure I'm the best person to make this argument as my understanding of hip hop and hip hop culture is not very deep.

You bring up an interesting point, though. And I will add "Influence of American hip hop on Chinese culture" to my list of potential honours topics. Surprisingly, not much research has been done on it already.

Also, what is the documentary? I want to watch it! I can never get enough media/identity politics.

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