Hood and the Wood: Rap Music as Environmental Literature
In this article, “Hood and the Wood: Rap
Music as Environmental Literature”, suggests that hip-hop rap lyrics can be
compared to the green world of woods, and to linking the two will extend more
understanding of ecological literacy; Environmental Literature is defined as
writing responsible comments on the environment such as its relationship
between man and society. According to writer Lawrence Buell there are four
characteristics that can be used to determine whether or not literary work can
be considered environmental literature; 1) the nonhuman environment is present
not merely as a framing device but as a presence that begins to suggest that
human history is implicated in natural history, 2) the human interest is not
understood to be the only legitimate interest, 3) human accountability to the
environment is part of the lyrics ethical orientation, and 4) the lyrics would
have to have some sense of the environment as a process rather than as a
constant. It is understood that not all rap music fall into this category, but
studies have been done on some rap music that do (Rosenthal, 2006, p. 666).
The fact that the literary culture is
studying or discussing rap as environmental literature shows just how far rap
music has come. If rap music and lyricist had not blown up the way it has,
would anyone be considering rap as any type of art? Absolutely not, when one
think of the environment you would think of the trees, woods, beautiful
mountains, and flowing seas and oceans; well, this is an environment that very
few rappers get to see; their environment is very different from much of the
literary art that related the environment with human interest, but it is their
environment. Rap artist have found a way to connect with the environment in
which they live in and at the same time, introduced the world to a part of this
particular environment that many do not get to see or hear about. The journal
article compared the works of Grandmaster flash and the furious five (The Message)
to the works of Henry David Thoreau (Walden Pond); Grandmaster Flash rap, The
Message, title communicates the experiences of a particular environment and
determining ones identity (Rosenthal, p. 667).
I do agree with the author’s main points
in the article. Because rap music has such a huge influence, I think it’s
important that every aspect of it is examined. The author argues that not all
rap music is the same, just like all literary work is the same; not all
literary work refers to the environment/society and the human connection with
it, with that being said, a lot of poetry or literary work is about love, sex, and
relationships with others. The author made some valid points in enlightening
the reader to the different types of environments in which rappers write about;
although not always the best environment. She compared the jungle (trees,
flowing water, and high mountains) to the jungle of one’s built environment
(violence, drugs, homelessness, abuse); the point was finding who you are and
your place in it and to write responsibly about it so that everyone can connect
with the environment in their own way. “It was determined that with its emphasis
on the environment and humans’ relationship to the nonhuman world, rap music
can fulfill Buell’s requirements as ecological literature” (Rosenthal, 2006, p.
672).
This article is important because it puts
rap music on a different level, in which the young generation can relate and
connect with, rather than focusing on the violence of it or what some people
perceive rap music to be. Rap has become a way for a new generation to express
themselves and if it is expressed responsibly, other people will take noticed
of what is being expressed. I’m a firm believer of the saying, “it’s not how is
said, but what is said”; if rap makes a point about the environment or
societies connection to, it’s important. How else can we get young people to
watch and pay attention to what is going on around them? Rap music has a huge following, and one would
have to admit, parents are not always the biggest influence with today’s youth.
References
Rosenthal, Debra J. (2006). Hood and the Woods: Rap Music as Environmental
Literature. The Journal of Popular Culture. Vol. 39 (4), pp. 661-676. Retrieved
from http://0-journals.ohiolink.edu.olinkserver.franklin.edu/ejc/pdf.cgi/ROSENTHAL_DEBRA_J______.pdf?issn=00223840&issue=v39i0004&article=661_atwrmael
No comments:
Post a Comment