Pre-Reading Week Twelve

Hip-hop could be used for social justice if it is used that way instead of how hip-hop is portrayed in the time period now. If the artists wrote songs that could do things that do some social justice in the world, then it would be accomplished. People are influenced by the media that includes music even if they aren't aware of it. If they heard more good things in the songs they listen to, they would most likely follow it. If the songs in the hip hop genre were portrayed more of good things, then more good would come out of them.

Hip-hop could be seen as both a tool for social justice and be a critique of it. The way it is viewed could be as both by different people. People who have no power or are trying to make a change in the world may see hip-hop songs about social justice as a tool for social justice. They would follow the lyrics or believe that what is being said is something for change. They would see it as a good thing. People who are in high power or have majority of the power will see hip-hop songs about that subject as a critique. They would most likely not want to see things change if they believe that it will bring bad results to the people. Those instances may not be the only way that people see it. People with little or no power may see it as a critique and people of high power may see it as a tool. It just depends on the person and their view of the songs.

A barrier that hip-hop artists face is the culture and the way that people see hip-hop. If people see hip-hop as the only way, then hip-hop artists wouldn't be able to deter much from what they consider the social norm for fear of not being able to market or sell their music. That social norm that people expect for hip-hop music to be would surely limit to what they could do with their music.

Word Count: 348