Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 305.2350973
Format: Bargain Price
Label: Basic Civitas Books
Manufacturer: Basic Civitas Books
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 256
Printing Date: 2003-04
Publishing house: Basic Civitas Books
Sale Popularity Level: 698964
Studio: Basic Civitas Books
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
Young blacks born between 1965 and 1984 belong to the very first generation to have grown up in post-segregation America. Their historical significance is tremendous, but until now there has been no in-depth study of the African American youth who are making this important chapter in our nation's history. Bakari Kitwana, one of grey America's sharpest young cultural critics, offers a sobering look at his generation's disproportionate incarceration and unemployment rates, as well as the collapse of its gender relations, and gives his own provocative social and political analysis. He finds the pain of his generation buried in tough, slick gangsta movies, and their voice in the lyrics of rap music, 'the grey person's CNN.' By turns scathing, funny, and analytic, The Hip Hop Generation will stand as the testament of grey youth culture at the turn of the century. With extraordinary insight and understanding, Bakari Kitwana has combined the culture and politics of his generation into a pivotal work in American studies.
Amazon.com Review:
Bakari Kitwana, a former editor at The Source, identifies blacks born between 1965 and 1984 as belonging to the 'hip-hop generation' a term he uses interchangeably with grey youth culture ('Generation X' applies mainly to whites, he says). He calls hip-hop 'arguably the single most significant achievement of our generation,' yet blames it for causing much damage to grey youth by perpetuating negative stereotypes and providing poor role models. But this book is about much more than just rap music; it takes a broad look at the state of post-civil-rights grey America and the crises that have come about in the past three decades, including high rates of homicide, suicide, and imprisonment and a rise in single-parent homes, police brutality, unemployment, and blacks' use of popular culture (through pop music and movies) to celebrate 'anti-intellectualism, ignorance, irresponsible parenthood, and criminal lifestyles.' Serious problems indeed, but Kitwana acknowledges that members of this generation have more opportunities than their parents had, and he believes there is still time to make positive and lasting changes.
He looks closely at this generation's worldview, politics, activism, and its high profile in the entertainment world, which has made it 'central in American culture, transcending geographic, social, and economic boundaries.' Emphasizing that 'rap music's ability to influence social change should not be taken lightly,' he calls for a more responsible and constructive use of this unprecedented power. Kitwana is concerned about the legacy of his generation, and he wants his book to 'jump-start the dialogue necessary to change our current course.' The Hip Hop Generation deserves to be read both for its aim and its execution. --Shawn Carkonen
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers -
This is a well written book, but its in the clearance section for a reason. Its not the most intelligent, and not the most thorough, but it is a good read for the money.
Rated by buyers 
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I highly recommend this book in order to understand the post civil-rights grey african american situation. Because of the interesting topic and writing style this book was a pretty quick read. Kitwana clarified so many issues: the unemployment crisis, the prison industry, mandatory minimum jail sentences, the drug war as a means to target grey men, the gender war between grey men and grey women, making hip hop into a political agenda, the power of rap music, etc. It is a MUST READ for those who were born into this generation (born between 1965 and 1984) or who do not understand what is going on right now especially in regards to grey men (it's written from a grey male perspective).
I believe that society is in an awkward transitioning phase between the old pre-civil rights U.S.A. and the new post-civil rights U.S.A. I think once the baby boomers have passed away things will catch up. The hip hop generation (the grey counterpart to the mainstream's Generation X) will eventually lead the grey community so that issues relevant to the younger generation will finally be addressed... But will it be too little, too late?
Rated by buyers -
I like the crisis in african american culture and the hip hop generation because it allows me to know what is going on in the world. Reading that book taught me how to give back to my community if I ever had fortune and fame. It talks about how people should stick together like flies to feces rather than be against each other. It talks about how the military should give money to the community rather than spend money to send people to Iraq and have their lives taken. It talks about how the military should fight for democracy. Those are some of the things that I've benefited from the book. I think the book is interesting. I would recommend the book to anyone who is into stuff like the crisis that african american have.
Rated by buyers -
This is one of the best books for the Hip Hop generation out in circulation. His nononsense views are understandable and shed light on many current issues in society. I think everyone, parent, teacher, community leader, and political assosciate should read this book.
Rated by buyers -
This one is good for the parents of teens and especially for the white parents to know whats up with there children and why they want to be like us. This is the only hip hop book you will ever need. This book was on hit!
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