If you think Cosby is wrong, or that this is solely a problem of the supposed appeal of victimhood in the black community, think again. Clearly our expectations of any youngster are too low if the Worcester, Mass. school system thinks it’s ok to put Tupac Shakur’s “poetry” on the summer reading list: Rap Lyrics on Students’ Summer Reading List
The appeal of victimhood is quite paradoxical, because while for a child it may be based in fact rather than imagination, it leads the adult to be a victim of his own sloth, neglect for duties to self, to family, and to community. It’s reinforced by the diminished expectations of students in the public schools and the culture in general. When have you ever heard a rapper laud the virtue of getting his homework done, doing his chores, saying his prayers, and going to sleep early? That simply doesn’t sell music or movies. Indeed the appeal of victimhood is fueled by the entertainment industry. Cosby is right. Whether or not anything will come of his tirades is another matter. I’m glad Jesse Jackson is behind him on this now, though he has made a career of convincing his brothers and sisters believe they are victims of forces outside their own community.
Um… it’s TUPAC Shakur.
I know, a misspelled name is minor in blogworld, but you have inadvertantly discredited your critique of public education with a major shrill resounding wallop. *THWAP*.
Sigh.
Thanks for the help, Nick. I’m not really a moron, I just play one on this blog.
After he had one of his testicles shot off, Rush started calling him “Onepac.”
I apologize for my strong tone. I see you fixed it, so that’s great. My own shortfalling is incorrect grammar; go figure.
Oh come on, I’m sick of everyone whining about this book being on a summer reading list. While the poetry may be horrible, at least a few masters appreciate it (Nikki Giovanni being one of them).
If you guys can’t see the merits of engaging mature students with texts that are meaningful to them, then you honestly don’t understand hat it’s like to try to reach diverse populations.
Is it vulgar, no. Is it lewd, no. Is it crap, maybe. Either way I think we can see how mature high school students could critique these works, and thus learn more about their own culture as well as writing and reading.
http://tinyurl.com/2y7x5