Hip-hop culture, not racism, poses a true danger.

The Deadly Impact of Hip-Hop Culture on African-American Males

It’s a shocking statistic: according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, homicide is the leading cause of death for African-American males aged 1 to 44. No other racial or ethnic group in the US has murder as the top cause of death for these age groups. And this doesn’t even include the murder of the unborn, which is also a leading cause of death in the black community.

As a black man who grew up in a predominantly black community, I’ve reflected on this information and the most significant influence in my life before I came to know Jesus Christ: hip-hop culture.

Recently, NBA player Ja Morant was caught on camera brandishing a handgun at a nightclub and in a car. On both occasions, Morant and his cohorts were clearly listening to hip-hop music. NBA player Patrick Beverly stated that music has a lot to do with this behavior, especially in this culture where “shoot ’em up, bang bang” is the norm.

“The culture now is, ‘Shoot ’em up, bang bang, bang bang, shoot ’em up.’ … That’s what the younger generation is, sadly to say. It shouldn’t be based on our music, but it is mostly based on what we listen to.”

He’s right. Founding Father Benjamin Rush once said, “We are able to discover the virtues and vices of different nations by their [music] as certainly by their laws. The effects of music upon the passions are powerful and extensive.”

Hip-hop music illustrates this well. Its lyrics, melodies, and beats can conjure incredibly dark and evil energy. Let me be clear: hip-hop culture does not discriminate. It affects racial and ethnic groups across the board. However, proportionately, it affects African-Americans the most. The majority of the artists and producers are black.

The Impact of Hip-Hop Culture on African-American Males

• Homicide is the leading cause of death for African-American males aged 1 to 44.
• No other racial or ethnic group in the US has murder as the top cause of death for these age groups.
• Hip-hop culture can conjure incredibly dark and evil energy through its lyrics, melodies, and beats.
• Proportionately, hip-hop culture affects African-Americans the most, as the majority of the artists and producers are black.

It’s time to recognize the deadly impact of hip-hop culture on African-American males and take action to change it. We need to promote positive role models and messages in our music and media, and encourage our youth to pursue education, entrepreneurship, and community involvement. Let’s work together to create a brighter future for all.

Why Hip-Hop Culture is Evil

For starters, you have a drug subculture that popularizes becoming a junkie or drug dealer, resulting in many of our youth becoming addicts at an early age or imprisoned. There is a sex subculture that normalizes promiscuity and the exploitation of women. And, of course, the fruits of promiscuous lifestyles are unwanted pregnancies, abortions and parents who are not equipped to be parents. Then you have a violence subculture that lands many young black men in prison or leaves them dead.

These subcultures that flow from the umbrella of hip-hop culture are just added fuel to the fire. What do I mean? Every human has a sinful nature and falls short of the glory of God (Genesis 3, Romans 3:23). In short, we all (even apart from the influence of hip-hop culture) naturally want to rebel against the law of God.

However, when you have a culture that popularizes and promotes sinful behaviors to already cursed people, it makes an already bad situation worse. Moreover, because the content that pervades hip-hop culture is profoundly lawless, in my view, it is dominated and inspired by demons (1 Timothy 4:1, 1 John 3:8).

The Solution

Ironically, with the above staring the black community in the face, many race activists, politicians, pundits, educators and even church leaders will emphasize that the central problem afflicting the black community is racism while ignoring the obvious. This is a smokescreen, distraction and delusion.

While there will always be racial prejudice on some level within individual people because of their sinful nature, it is not the core issue affecting the black community. Personally, I am more concerned about our youth becoming ensnared by the influence of hip-hop culture than a white supremacist group burning crosses in black communities.

So what is the answer? There are no quick solutions as hip-hop culture is deeply ingrained in society. However, I have several suggestions:

1. For those in the black community, you have a choice to make. Either continue to entertain this evil and allow society to degenerate, or stand against it. We must recognize hip-hop culture for what it is — evil. Ask Jesus Christ to deliver you from its influence and renew your mind.
2. Parents, you need to sit down and talk with your children about how this culture is unacceptable and goes against your values.
3. Church leaders (especially black church leaders) must take a stand against hip-hop culture and its influence on our youth. We need to provide alternatives that promote positive values and behaviors.

Why Hip-Hop Culture is a Real Threat

Hip-hop culture has become a dominant force in our society, but it’s not all positive. In fact, many of the behaviors promoted within this subculture are destructive to both individuals and communities. As Christians, it’s important to recognize this and take action.

Here are some steps you can take:

• Educate yourself about the subcultures within hip-hop culture and show from the Word of God how these behaviors are destructive.
• Don’t be a hypocrite. Even if you’re not religious, promoting murder, drug use, and promiscuity is wrong, especially for youth.
• Boycott the industry. Refuse to buy or consume the music.
• Be proactive. Promote sound moral values, work ethic, and the importance of love and truth within the family and the community.
• Pray diligently. Ask God to establish Christ-centered righteousness within our homes and communities and to protect against the demonic forces that promote these destructive behaviors.

Change won’t happen overnight, but it’s never too late to take a stand for what’s right.

Join us in promoting positive values and rejecting the harmful messages of hip-hop culture.

The post Op-Ed: Hip-Hop Culture, Not Racism, Is the Real Threat appeared first on The Western Journal.