Are organizations like the Urban League and NAACP still relevant today?

Recently the Urban League of Champaign County was closed due to a loss of major federal funds that were pulled from the organization based on allegations of theft and misappropriation of their use. In recent years, organizations like the Urban League and NAACP have come under attack as being irrelevant in today's society because it appears that racism is not as prevelant as it once was and now that a black man has been elected to the presidency, organizations like the ones mentioned above continue to perpetuate the idea that race remains a factor of inequity in the U.S.. Should folks of the Hip Hop Generation begin assuming roles of leadership in these historic organizations or should they develop organizations with missions reflective of issues that impact American society today?

How do you think President Obama will impact Hip Hop generations?

When was the first time you recognized that race, gender, or economic status mattered?

I want you to place this question in the context of your lived experience anywhere. How did it make you feel or think about your space and place in modern society.

What organizations or individuals work do you admire, particularly as it relates to strengthening society, and why?

I really want you to think about the work you admire that has made a difference in someone's life and/or community. Religious, civic, business, entertainment, education, or labor are just a few of the areas that you can consider discussing. It could be someone current or past. What is it about their work that makes you say "WOW."

If you had the resources of Russell Simmons, how would you address the condition of the African American male or community in general?

What did you learn at The Condition of the African American Male Town Hall and how can Hip Hop be used to address the five categories mentioned?

The Condition of the African American Male Town Hall was an opportunity for you to learn about the culture of policy initiatives or bills. In this instance, discovering the role that Hip Hop will play in the process is where you begin forming questions such as What sort of programs or projects have been used in the past to support African American men and how successful were they? What sort of funding will be availble to communities poised to address the issues?, Who will be targeted to do that work?, How authentic will they be to the population that they serve?, How will success be evaluated?

When you go back to Chang's book, you'll find similar reoccurring themes, themes such as poor housing, high unemployment, fatherless homes, etc.. Use the content of your reading to help provide a cultural context to position the bill as you develop your project proposal. Through your work or proposal you may be able to help recommend strategies for implementation on a local and statewide level.

In concluding Jeff Chang's book, what were consistent themes that continued to emerge in Hip Hop's evolution, and how has it impacted today's youth?

How did west coast culture impact Hip Hop?

What are the implications of the Reagan Administration's policies on Hip Hop?

In the readings, Chang does a great job illustrating how governmental policy at the local, state, and federal level impacts communities of color. Too often the oppressive nature of urban based policy initiatives displaces families, uproots employment opportunities, and undereducates communities of stranded individuals that get caught up in a spin-cycle of crimminal activity, substance abuse, and lock out of the political process.

As a result of the barrage of blight that is left behind, voices of dissent and disdain emerge to showcase the cultural baggage caused by their social condition. In the post civil rights era, society has witnessed this outcry through the various elements of Hip Hop Culture; DJing, Break Dancing, Graffitti Writing, MCing, and Knowledge seeking.

What role have politics played, historically, in the development of Hip Hop Culture?

Remember what we discussed in class Tueday.

HIP HOP AND SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

SYLLABUS

Fall 2008

Course Level: 398

Instructor: Dr. William M. Patterson

Course: AFRO 398, Hip Hop and Social Entrepreneurship: the collision of race, culture, and economics in social entrepreneurship

Course Description: This course functions as a lecture/discussion that critically examines the collision of race, culture and economics and their combined abilities to make social change. What will Hip Hop look like over the next twenty years? Will the indigenous people that created the culture reap the financial rewards and build stronger communities? Will the Hip Hop cultural industrialist become the great philanthropist of the 21^st century or will they exploit the working culturalist to maintain their own social economic status?

Course Goals

• Explore the origins and formation of Hip Hop culture.

• Examine the dichotomy of race, class, power, and privilege within U. S. history and how it forms infrastructures that perpetuates the development of various social activities and class structures

• Work with indigenous residents to develop an authentic project to address a social issue that impacts young people.

• Compete for $2500.00 dollar stipend to implement program in the Spring Semester through the African American Cultural Program.

Required Texts

• Chang, J. Cant Stop, Wont Stop: A History of Hip Hop Generation

• Simmons, R. Life and Def; Sex, Drugs, Money, and God

• Friedman, L., McGarvie, M.. Charity, Philanthropy, and Civility in American History

• Crutchfield, Leslie, Grant, H.. Forces for Good: The six practices of high-impact nonprofits

Method of Evaluation and Grading: This course is participant and scholarship intensive. Students are expected to adhere to the University’s policy on class attendance. Students are required to meet in-class assignments in a timely manner. Students are allowed only one unexcused absence per semester. Attendance, class participation, exams, and writing assignments will factor in your final grade. Hence, the following evaluation method will determine your final grade:

20%- Class Participation

20% -Quizzes

10%-Attendance

50%-Final paper/project

Participation in class discussions is essential to performing well in this course. It is the community of ideas that will help shape and form your scholarly development around this subject. Hence, in class and on-line discourse will be examined and evaluated to ensure that you are in compliance with grading structure for the course. You will be responsible for posting a weekly response to a question(s) that emerge from class on The Hip Hop Social Entrepreneur Network at blogger.com. You will need a gmail account (gmail.com) to activate your access to the blog. You are required to post your response by 5:00pm on Sunday evenings (10% of Class Participation)

Dr. Patterson will be available to discuss grades and other items of concern by during office hours on Wednesday’s from 10:00am-12:00p.m or arranged office appointments.

CLASS I

(AUGUST 26)

Class Introduction

Reading Due Next Week

Chang, J (2005) Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip Hop Generation (Chapters 1-4)

CLASS II

(SEPTEMBER 2)

Reading Due Next Week

Chang, J (2005) Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip Hop Generation (Chapters 5-10)

CLASS III

(SEPTEMBER 9)

Reading Assignment Due Next Week

Chang, J (2005) Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip Hop Generation (Chapters 11-15)

CLASS IV

(SEPTEMBER 16)

Reading Assignment Due Next Week

Chang, J (2005) Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip Hop Generation (Chapters 16-19)

CLASS V

(SEPTEMBER 22)

Reading Assignment Due Next Week

Simmons, R (2001) Life and Def: Sex, Drugs, Money, & God (Chapters 1-5)

CLASS VI

(SEPTEMBER 29)

Reading Assignment Due Next Week

Simmons, R (2001) Life and Def: Sex, Drugs, Money, & God (Chapters 6-8)

CLASS VII

(OCTOBER 7)

Reading Assignment Due Next Week

Simmons, R (2001) Life and Def: Sex, Drugs, Money, & God (Chapters 9-12)

CLASS VIII

(OCTOBER 14)

Reading Assignment Due Next Week

Simmons, R (2001) Life and Def: Sex, Drugs, Money, & God (Chapters 13-Epilogue)

CLASS IV

(OCTOBER 21)

Reading Assignment Due Next Week

Friedman & McGarvie: Charity, Philanthropy, and Civility in American History

(Pgs 1-90)

CLASS XX

(OCTOBER 28)

Reading Assignment Due Next Week

Friedman & McGarvie: Charity, Philanthropy, and Civility in American History

(Pgs 71-91 & 161-217)

CLASS XXI

(NOVEMBER 4)

Reading Assignment Due Next Week

Friedman & McGarvie: Charity, Philanthropy, and Civility in American History

(Pgs 217-240 & 341-363)

CLASS XXII

(NOVEMBER 11)

Reading Assignment Due Next Week

Forces for Good: The six practices of high-impact nonprofits

(Pgs. 1-54)

CLASS XXIII

(NOVEMBER 18)

Reading Assignment Due Next Week

Forces for Good: The six practices of high-impact nonprofits

(Pgs. 55-127)

CLASS XXIV

(THANKGIVING BREAK: NO CLASS)

Reading Assignment Due Next Week

Forces for Good: The six practices of high-impact nonprofits

(Pgs. 129-179)

CLASS XXV

(DECEMBER 2)

Reading Assignment Due Next Week

Forces for Good: The six practices of high-impact nonprofits

(Pgs. 180-207)

CLASS XXVI

(DECEMBER 9)

Reading Discussion and Presentation Review

CLASS XXVII

(DECEMBER 12-19 FINALS WEEK)

CLASS PRESENTATIONS

AFRO 398

HIP-HOP & SOCIAL ENTREPRENUERSHIP

TEAM PROJECT PROPOSAL

GUIDELINES

Introduction

Your final project/paper should be an 8-10 page document that demonstrates the process for creating a radical idea that will reclaim the true spirit and essence of Hip Hop culture. This project should focus on an issue or issues impacting Hip Hop generations. The theory for your radical idea should be grounded in the readings, movies, ( I expect to see them referenced well) and discussions we had in class that pertain to reviewing Hip Hop with a critical eye and determining how the culture could be better used to uplift society generally, and the African American community specifically. The outline of your paper should flow and follow the guideline presented below.

1. Executive Summary

2. Introduction

3. Rationale/Theory

4. Goals

5. Approach

6. Target Demographic

7. Staff

8. Marketing and Promotional Strategy

9. Intended and Unintended Outcomes

10. Evaluation Method

11. Budget

Project Development

In developing your radical idea please be sure to discuss the roles that organizations such as universities, community colleges, record labels, radio stations, web businesses, churches, financial institutions, public schools and youth serving organizations play in the project. Moreover, you should be able to discuss the rationale behind getting certain groups involved.

Project Presentation

During the last day of class you will have an opportunity to present your idea to the class. You will have five minutes to conduct this presentation. Please indicate what support tools you will need to present your idea. You are allowed to bring any supporting material or resources to support your presentation.

Evaluation

My goal is to evaluate how you construct your idea based on the various readings, lectures, and class discussions. I will pay particular attention to your rationale of how your radical idea will impact the academic, social, political, economic, and development, needs of your constituents. A well-developed plan should have the necessary structure for implementation based on documented clarity of ideas and work plan flow. Any activist or leadership minded individual should be able to understand your idea and why it exists, create propaganda, understand the intended outcomes, and use the evaluation tool to assess the effectiveness of the idea.

Closing

The paper should be typed and double-spaced with a title page (containing the course listing and class session), the body of your text, and your reference section. Final papers will not be returned. However, we can meet to discuss final comments if desired. Grades will be posted per university guidelines at the scheduled time. Papers are due last day of final.

1

What is Hip Hop?