Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Mckee Misses Mark

I'm not sure what Mckee is arguing in his chapter entitled, "Spectacle." It seems like such an obvious argument that cultural difference should be accepted and visible in the public sphere. And last time I checked, they already were. At least in America, rap is no longer just a Black art form. Sure, predominantly Black people are the main rap artists, but the music is enjoyed by all races and ethnicities (and should I mention all parts of the globe). So who is Mckee arguing against?

His second point about rap being a form of political communication is a little outdated. Sure rap may have originally been a political medium, but anyone can see that it has evolved since then. Some types of rap have no political content and unfortunately that is what tends to be most popular in the public sphere today (just in America though). But Mckee seems to confuse art/music with serious discussion and communication. Its unfair to assume based on a historical context that Blacks prefers oral and performative traditions when it comes to talking rationally. Its music! It was never meant to be taken for true discourse. Its a form of expression. So why are we even justifying labeling it as spectacle.

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