Hip-Hop Encourages Youth To Accept Some Wrong Ideas

Bakari Kitwana of The Cleveland Plain Dealer weighed in on the reaction to Kobe Bryant being charged with sexual assault and the disturbing beliefs that have boys and young men thinking women are not to be valued in today’s materialistic, throw-away culture, and the notion that among girls and young women that good looks and sex with a wealthy man are the key to the good life. Kitwana says, “Both are dominant themes in commercial hip-hop. Whether it’s Cam’ron’s ‘On Fire to Night,’ David Banner’s ‘Like a Pimp’ or 50 Cent’s and Lil’ Kim’s ‘Magic Stick,’ the messages are the same: Women are only good for sex, and the only thing men are good for is money.”