Does hip-hop have a place at Ohio Wesleyan?

Here I am a week later writing to you again about what is on my mind. I didn't take any pictures seeing that I have not been able to conjure up any good areas to take a picture. Hopefully, I can go to some areas in the surrounding suburbs of Cleveland to provide you with a glimpse of what they have to offer providing I give myself some time. In this sense, stay tuned.
From a week ago, there has been one fabulous change: I am officially employed again at Parker. That is right. I got my rehire at Parker and currently trying to educate myself on the new job. This is a very good thing because of the recent economic recession where more people are finding themselves out of a job or are having problems trying to find work. I am one of the fortunate ones, I guess.
Away from school for the second straight summer, I began to ponder some things. One of these things is hip-hop. Now, I consider myself an urban person who is privileged to live in Cleveland, one of the metropolitans of the country. In my area, many people especially children under the age of eighteen consider this their neighborhood or hood for short. This is not something I consider is bad even though bad connotations may or may not come from the word depending on your experiences. In my neighborhood, there are some things that seem prominent such as music. Whenever I am around my neighborhood, particularly on weekends, I hear music, mainly rap. Not particularly good conscious rap but the "I'm about to go to a party and get my dance on." You know, the 50 Cent variety. Now, I know that I did not grow up in the old school of say KRS-1 or EPMD, but some days I thrive to listen to more conscious music.
At Ohio Wesleyan, there is not a lot of Blacks in comparison to students of other races. Obviously, there is not a lot of genuine hip-hop presence on campus. At times, I do hear some music that tends to be conscious and has roots to authentic hip-hop but not daily. I have some tunes on my Ipod and other individuals that I know have some tunes. What I usually hear on campus is rap music. Not that I am totally against rap music but most people only seem to listen to this at least on campus. Of course this begs the question: "Does hip-hop have a place at Ohio Wesleyan?"
I want to say yes because of the diversity that Ohio Wesleyan consistently pushes. However, I believe that it will take some true hip-hop heads to really put it back on the map and advocate to students and others that are willing to hear why they should integrate hip-hop with rap. Not all rap is bad. Hip-hop is the source to good things. I hope that hip-hop can make a resurgence in the minds and the hearts of people especially who haven't heard what true hip-hop is.
I am just venting. Is hip-hop dead? No. Is it being forgotten in favor of rap that promotes materialism and other things especially to the younger generation. You betcha. Well, that is my take on it. I would love to see hip-hip thrive at Ohio Wesleyan for everyone. That is one of my wishes for next term.




Dreamin' for wishful thinking in college communities,
Hasani Wheat
Class of '10