Bakari Kitwana: A Hip-Hop Response To Chris Brown & Rihanna

For nearly an entire week, the Chris Brown/Rihanna alleged abuse incident has dominated major news media headlines. Unfortunately, these sensationalized reports did less to elucidate the national epidemic of violence against women and more to cement into our national psyche the idea that the new face of domestic abuse is young, Black and hip-hop. Instead of accepting sole responsibility for one of America's most neglected pathologies, young Americans should turn this tragedy into an opportunity. Inthe last two election cycles, hip-hop led the way in making involvement in national elections fashionable among youth. Hip-hop political organizers could do the same in extending that influence into the arena of public policy with the goal of establishing an innovative solution to abuse that shifts the way the nation thinks about its treatment of women. The election of President Barack Obama, with young people across race supporting him long before even the African American community's vote ... (link)