HIP-HOP, EDUCATION, DRESS CODE

Hip-Hop music one might say is arguably the most popular music in the country right now. "The Miseducation of Hip-Hop—Discrimination in Education” by Jamilah Evelyn is an interesting article exposing some of the prejudices "Black" individuals deal with on a daily basis. As Americans we have the great fortune and pleasure of living in a country that embodies freedom of speech and freedom of expression. While it is believed we have the freedom to express ourselves in the way we speak and dress, society does not believe it is ok for young individuals to go to school looking like they just walked out the club or rolled out of bed. A lot of young men and women confuse "club attire" for "business attire." When reading the article "The Miseducation of Hip-Hop—Discrimination in Education” by Jamilah Evelyn  it does not state whether the college that Jason Hinmon transferred too has a specific dress code mandated by the college. Neither does the college he came from. However there are those colleges that have a dress code policies and it stipulates that men be dressed a certain way and women also have to be dressed a certain way, and that’s to the discretion of the school. Dr. Thomas Earl Midgette’s stated that, “These rap artists influence the way they dress” (Eveyn, Jamilah, 2008) He continues "They look like hoochie mamas, not like they are coming to class..." When you compare this generation with generations of past one cannot help but notice a dramatic difference. However, change is not always a bad thing.  It’s all in the eyes of the beholder as to how good or bad that change is. The sad part of this whole matter is, you will come across people who will subject you to some form of discrimination no matter where you go. It is inevitable. Either you will be the subject of discrimination or you will be doing the discriminating yourself. Corporate America is corporate America; it is not going to change. When it comes to certain aspects in our lives one should dress the part. We have all heard the term “Dress for success” that goes for the college scene and the work environment. In the business arena there is a term used “The Professional Code of Conduct” it is necessary to any profession as it maintains the standards of that profession by the individual that adheres to it. Dr. Midgette has every right to express his thoughts and opinions just as we all do. Whether he is right or wrong in his assumptions and judgments is left to be seen. Someone once said “A teacher's purpose is not to create students in his own image, but to develop students who can create their own image.”  ~Author Unknown.

                                                                   

                                                                  REFERENCE

Postman, N & Powers, S. “The Miseducation of Hip-Hop-Discrimination in Education”. Pop Perspectives: Readings to Critique Contemporary Culture. McGraw-Hill. New York, NY. (2008), p. 559-565