Hip-Hop Activism... For What?

With Black culture used to sell everything from albums to automobiles, it's no surprise the Democratic Party is trying to climb on the hip-hop bandwagon. In the last presidential election, there were a slew of "hip-hop mobilizations." With his typical dipshit shtick, Sean Combs launched Vote or Die!  Russel Simmons Inc. presided over the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, and the League of Pissed Off Voters played up the "youth vote" as a way of engaging the "political process." In Newark, the National Hip-Hop Political Convention promised to chart a relatively independent, "progressive" course -- with many of the speakers wary of getting juiced by right-wing democrats.

All and all, hundreds of thousands were registered to vote with the implicit promise that they would turn the tide for John Kerry (and the right-wing DLC) against universally despised George W. Bush. We all saw how that turned out.

What didn't happen was any serious discussion of why the Democratic Party shits all over Black people and has fundamentally betrayed the desperate faith so many have placed in them. There was no building of a counter-power. Instead of viewing popular youth culture as a vehicle for liberation, it is to be another "constituency" for professional Democratic Party hacks to fleece come election time.

The question for activists looking to engage mass work is: Who do you serve?

The Nation has a big, sympathetic article in their current issue about the spate of hip-hop voter mobilizations in the last election and where they're at today. The Nation also endorsed John Kerry, and will go on to endorse any Democrat regardless of the effect their politics have on oppressed people. They're rich, so I don't blame them for recognizing their interests as the liberal bourgeoisie. But the rest of us need to take a hard look at who made the bed we're supposed to lay in.

The best of the hip-hop mobilizations initially promised the creation of an independent hip-hop pole that would represent the interests of urban youth. Instead, they all worked overtime to organize "increased civic and political participation" on the terms of white-power capitalists. Each of the major projects effectively volunteered to be the hip-hop face for the very un-hip Democrats. As registered not-for-profits, they are not allowed to make partisan endorsements, but do the math.

If hip-hop activists don't engage basic political science, and fall into traditional "constituency" games, what will the people be left with? Some individuals may get their piece, but the rest will be left exactly where they are... lied to and politically impotent.

Whether generated by the grassroots or the whim of cultural capitalists, none of these formations is engaging a mass discussion of who rules America and why. With more or less cynicism, they preach participation in the very system that has shown itself to be the enemy of not just African-Americans, but of all people. If they could effectively endorse the DLC leadership in an election where Kerry promised Black America literally nothing, what will it take for them to break with the system and start building some people's power?

Voter rates are incredibly low among African-Americans, young people and the poor. Why? Because people are lazy and apathetic? Or is it because tens of millions already know right in their gut that the system doesn't work for them? Facing the problem of political disenfranchisement, what is the way forward? Telling the cold truth about capitalism and white supremacy, or joining the system's machinery and promoting what can only be called illusions?

The Democratic Party is not a "field of struggle." Reformism won't even get us reforms. The tail doesn't wag the dog. If we know that the endgame involves some real regime change, then why tell half-truths along the way? Train the youth in opportunism, and we'll just get a new generation of opportunists. That's the last thing we need. A foolish treatment can be worse than the disease.

Movements are judged by who they serve and how. Working for the Democratic Party serves the Democratic Party. No amount of "empowerment" talk can change that fact.

Comments

[Giant Living in a Mountain]

Creating a hip-hop based political organization that is up from the grassroots is important. George Bush is the worst and activists have to respond. The revolution isn't coming tomorrow.

[hiphop big head]

It is easier to steer a moving train than to get it in motion. Don't you (whoever wrote this) think it's a bit harsh to rip into these projects that are trying to get young people with no experience into motion? I held my nose and voted against Bush. What choice did we have?

[hiphop big head]

It is easier to steer a moving train than to get it in motion. Don't you (whoever wrote this) think it's a bit harsh to rip into these projects that are trying to get young people with no experience into motion? I held my nose and voted against Bush. What choice did we have?

[tc]

it's hard to find a way forward. if we have to play defense, admit Bush is particularly bad. fascism is in fashion...

if good activists can put their allegience on hold and make a hard, but necessary sell, what would it take to bring people together to carry out that same kind of canvassing and face-time conversations about radical possibilities?

maybe put some of those contact lists to a different kind of use.

we don't need to be desperate. we need to stand up straight.

[tc]

OMG. I followed the first comment's link to Davey D and found this hilariosity.

http://p076.ezboard.com/fpoliticalpalacefrm57.showMessage?topicID=388.topic

you can't make this shit up. if you think hiphop electoralism is devious, check this.