Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Yo Mama's Dysfunktional!
Book review: Yo Mama's Dysfunktional! Fighting the cultural wars in urban America, Robin D.G. Kelley
Kelley takes on right-wing sociologists and academics to defend black popular culture, affirmative action and black studies programs. Written in 1997, this meant defending gangsta rap, 'welfare queens' and Afrocentrism.
Kelley's a Marxist. Which means he roots hip hop in the deteriorating economy of urban America, as a response to marginalization. He also takes culture seriously, and recognizes play as a vital element of hip hop (something most white observers of black culture miss.) Gangsta rap is not meant to be taken literally - it's a fantasy narrative, about one-upping the other rapper. Which horrified parents everywhere would do well to note.
The loose collection of essays takes swipes at white Marxists ignoring the destructive side of the Enlightenment; 'negrocons' preaching black self-improvement while the economic supports of black neighbourhoods collapse; and insular academics. The links are a little hard to follow at times. But the strongest essay, by far, is Kelley's rough sketch of the new multi-ethnic working class. Poor blacks, Hispanics & whites are the basis of a radical new trade unionism that isn't afraid to challenge unjust laws in the streets.
Justice for Janitors organized low-wage custodians into an L.A.-wide union; the Bus Riders Union forced the L.A. transit authority to re-fund bus lines in poor black neighbourhoods. It's so inspiring, and that's why this book is worth reading: more than a critique of the Right, it shows some ways forward for the Left, small steps to transforming the entire system.
Song of the day: The Last Day of the Miner's Strike, Pulp
Pulp's defiant ode to working class struggle. Beautiful in its intensity. Jarvis Cocker roots the rise of pill culture in the miners' defeat:
Kelley takes on right-wing sociologists and academics to defend black popular culture, affirmative action and black studies programs. Written in 1997, this meant defending gangsta rap, 'welfare queens' and Afrocentrism.
Kelley's a Marxist. Which means he roots hip hop in the deteriorating economy of urban America, as a response to marginalization. He also takes culture seriously, and recognizes play as a vital element of hip hop (something most white observers of black culture miss.) Gangsta rap is not meant to be taken literally - it's a fantasy narrative, about one-upping the other rapper. Which horrified parents everywhere would do well to note.
The loose collection of essays takes swipes at white Marxists ignoring the destructive side of the Enlightenment; 'negrocons' preaching black self-improvement while the economic supports of black neighbourhoods collapse; and insular academics. The links are a little hard to follow at times. But the strongest essay, by far, is Kelley's rough sketch of the new multi-ethnic working class. Poor blacks, Hispanics & whites are the basis of a radical new trade unionism that isn't afraid to challenge unjust laws in the streets.
Justice for Janitors organized low-wage custodians into an L.A.-wide union; the Bus Riders Union forced the L.A. transit authority to re-fund bus lines in poor black neighbourhoods. It's so inspiring, and that's why this book is worth reading: more than a critique of the Right, it shows some ways forward for the Left, small steps to transforming the entire system.
Song of the day: The Last Day of the Miner's Strike, Pulp
Pulp's defiant ode to working class struggle. Beautiful in its intensity. Jarvis Cocker roots the rise of pill culture in the miners' defeat:
By now I'm sick & tired of just living in this hole,Which is the best, shortest piece of sociology I've ever heard. This'll bring tears to your eyes. If you're into that sort of thing.
So I took the ancient tablets, blew off the dust,
Swallowed them whole.
