The Rap On Rap
Source: Miami man arrested after two men are shot dead | Daily Mail Online
It’s not clear from this story why the man arrested for this shooting is being characterized as a ‘rapper’ as if it’s a legitimate occupation like plumber or waiter. Presumably, at one time he had been involved in stringing a series of unconnected words together which happened to rhyme. It’s possible that he was once paid some money to perform this bit of artistry at some bar. Since the perp is only nineteen years of age, unless he had years of performing such artistry for money, labeling him with the moniker of ‘rapper’ seems presumptuous, the same as calling Karaoke crooners, singers.
It’s also unlikely that at only nineteen, he would have accumulated the kind of conspicuous wealth that ‘rappers’ are known for. More likely, he had to supplement his lifestyle by other means, legal or otherwise. If legal, why wasn’t this guy labeled as, say a grocery store bag guy? Or if not legal, why not just label him as for example, petty criminal? Actually, how do we even know he was ever employed? Judging from his mugshot, I’d bet 20 bucks on never.
In the manner of today’s liberals, the characterization of Mr. Alexander is racist any way you look at it. To be characterized as a rapper simply because he happens to be black, is racially presumptuous. On the other hand, if Mr. Alexander simply liked to hang out and dabble in the odd bit of crime, it’s equally racist because labeling him a rapper implies that he’s an entertainer not a thug. I wonder if a bookish Jewish kid who happened to be able to string three rhyming words together to beat box timing would be called a rapper if he had shot people?
The glamorization of rappers is essentially crack cocaine for young black men. To be drawn into the faux glamor world of violence and conspicuous wealth is no doubt alluring for them, but let’s not perpetuate the myth that there’s any artistry involved. It’s not art. It’s an industry and there are many that profit from its proliferation and acceptance for mainstream consumption. Most kids who fall for the aura of rap culture are tragically misled since as we know, there are no old rappers.