April 6, 2007 :: No. 166

“Hip-Hop: Myth or Reality” is the theme of Cal State Fullerton’s April 17 community dialogue, part of an ongoing series on issues that are critical to the African American community.

The free event from 7-9 p.m. the Titan Student Union’s Portola Pavilion will provide a forum for hip-hop’s critics and supporters alike to engage in dialogue and enjoy entertainment by local artist jaMal.

A panel discussion will focus on how hip-hop is defined, how it is real and “mythical, and explore its concepts of love and gender relations.

“Hip-hop is credited with shaping values, attitudes and styles of young people throughout the world,” said Lezlee Hinesmon-Matthews, assistant professor of Afro-ethnic studies. “Though hip-hop doesn’t ‘belong’ to any specific race, it is dominated by black youth in both mainstream and underground venues.”

There is concern in the African American community that the public equates the often- negative images presented in some forms of hip-hop with African American culture. Critics believe it perpetuates negative stereotypes and communicates an inaccurate view of African American life. On the other hand, supporters believe it provides marginalized communities with a way to express their views on life, love and politics.

Serving on a panel to address these issues will be Tricia Rose, professor of Africana studies at Brown University and author of “Black Noise: Rap Music and Black Culture in Contemporary America.” She will be joined by Bakari Kitwana, co-founder of the National Hip-Hop Political Convention and author of “The Hip-Hop Generation: Young Blacks and the Crisis in African American Culture and Why White Kids Love Hip-Hop: Wankstas, Wiggers, Wannabees and the New Reality of Race in America.”  Also presenting will be Ayo Alabi, a lecturer who teaches the “Introduction of Hip-Hop” class at CSUF; Tim Singleton, president of CSUF’s Afro-Ethnic Student Association; and local hip-hop artist jaMal (Jamal McCoy).

Additional information is available from the university’s African American Resource Center at 657-278-3230 or by e-mail at africanamercenter@fullerton.edu.

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