Noise N the Hood: John Singleton, Ice Cube and the Fire This Time
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No. The rap is: injustice.
Ice Cube’s lyrics to “Black Korea” simply promoted violence against Korean-Americans. And the targeting of their businesses was racism, pure and simple.
Fact is, Korean-Americans had bravely conducted commerce in a hostile environment and, as the black community will realize, provided a much-needed service.
What service have rappers brought to their communities?
Outside of their marketing lyrics that champion violence, racism and, all too often, misogyny, I have never heard of any attempt on the part of now-wealthy rap “artists” to provide a small, black-owned grocery store, bakery or even so much as a Popsicle stand.
Cube’s final paragraph, in which he says the black community must work together and build businesses, rings true. I challenge him and other rappers whose profits are generated by the black community to aid in the funding of black-owned businesses in their communities.
In so doing, the money will stay in the community, as will the jobs. And a portion of the profits can be pooled to repay the initial investment or rolled into other enterprises.
That’s how you’ll become partners in this country.
CHRIS BROMS
Los Angeles
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