Rap’s Message

I was displeased with the March 7 Counterpunch by Eric Taylor, “Gangsta Rap Is Deferring the Dream.” His outlook seems out of focus to the reality of rap music’s message. While I do agree that gangsta rap is a negative message for our youth and women, saying that it’s delaying the dream or setting it back has nothing to do with the lyrics.

Taylor mentions that some great leaders have striven to make lives of African Americans and others more desirable and comfortable. But only allowing black conservatives that want to be accepted to jump on the bandwagon is to keep matters the way they are!

I can remember at a young age listening to songs with lyrics that were nonsense, non-positive and negative, and this was before the rap era. The flamboyant terminology of rappers is common in their ‘hoods. And if you tune in to local or premium networks, you hear the same topics.

I can’t speak for Snoop Doggy Dog, but there are more rappers than R&B; artists that are giving back to their roots and not to mainstream society. So let’s try to coordinate our values and thoughts to make our world a great place to live and honor instead of criticizing the ones of easy prey.

GRIFFIN L. WEAVER

Lancaster