Activists Hold Hip-Hop Political Convention

[wyldwolf]

Young black Americans -- the "hip-hop generation" -- need to turn their emotional rhetoric into political action, most importantly by voting on Election Day, a gathering of black activists said on Saturday.

The activists were among 3,000 people who met in Newark, New Jersey, for the National Hip-Hop Political Convention, which ended on Saturday. Their mission: educate, motivate and unite young black Americans so they can elect more black politicians.

We are telling young people: 'If George Bush still wins, that does not mean you should never vote again,"' he said. "The 2004 Election Day is just one piece of the puzzle."


Delegate Hashim Shomari said: "2004 is the calling, but 2008 will be better, and in between we will make an impact at the state and local levels. ... In the '80s, the group Public Enemy would say, 'Fight the Power,' but we now have to 'Be the Power' to create a different set of circumstances."

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040619/us_nm/campaign_blacks_dc_3

[union_maid]

1. That's really wonderful

I'd heard about it. Other communities are doing things, too. There's a website called www.headcount.org which has formed partnerships mainly in the jamband and related music communities. They're going to be at shows, registering people to vote. They're non-partisan, but the bulk of these people are not going to be pro-Bush. As you say, though, the idea, though, is to reach out to the alienated and encourage them to insist on having a voice in their country.

On a related note, my son, who has not done overtly political music up to now, has written an excellent anti-Bush song. He said he hadn't plannned on it, but it was just there waiting for him to write it. It's still in rehearsal and I can't wait until it's ready for prime time. Reading the lyrics - I was just a proud mom. :)

[westsidexview]

2. this is wonderful

if everyone would simply vote, this country would go beyond anyone's wildest dream

[Gold Metal Flake]

3. Any DUers there?

Is there an associated website or blog? I'd love to know what is going on and what is being said. What I have heard about this on Unfiltered over the last couple of weeks makes this out to sound quite important. Must be exciting!

[Cheswick2.0]

4. Terrific

I heard about this. I think getting musicians involved is an idea which can be very effective. I never see a kid without a portable CD player anymore. Music and sports are all they pay attention to.

[BevHarris]

5. Russell Simmons "Hip Hop Summit Action" is a group

that's been very involved in this. They hired former NAACP director Chavez to head it.