Just Looking ...

Lately there has been a lot of controversy about the language used in hip hop videos, especially after Don Imus' comments about a black women's basketball team. Russell Simmons (founder of the Phat Farm clothing line) has stated strongly that words such as bitch, whore, and nigger should taken out of hip hop videos all together. However, the problem with this is that it creates a paradox in which the historical importance of hip hop is lost. Hip hop is a well known medium for self expression, which will be lost if censored. Yes, hip hop is violent and sexist, but it also represents freedom of expression, which is GREATLY important in today's society where everyone is more concerned about how we are seen in (our "faces", if you may) than who we really are. So I say, until there is a way to satisfy every aspect of hip hop...live and let live!