Today’s reading covers topics of critical pedagogy and hip-hop pedagogy. In particular, it uses hip-hop to form a basis for students to analyze and comprehend issues. These may be historical, but they would be prominently current to grasp students’ attention. But more specifically, how can hip-hop be used to help social justice in youth? As well, how does this relate to being critical like in critical pedagogy?
I see hip-hop as a great tool to promote social justice and youth activism. Akom (2009) goes on to explain, schools are having to and should interact with hip-hop. I agree with this statement, and hip-hop brings a lot of value to problems that need to be addressed. In relating this to critical pedagogy, hip-hop would be a fantastic way for students to become engaged with important content, and become interested in ways they can make a change. By using songs and videos as tools from artists in hip-hop, we can have students analyze what they mean since many artists can critique society, government, and national issues. When students analyze these topics in hip-hop, they may agree or disagree. This will open discussion in classrooms because it is a modern topic students will talk about. This will result in more interest and possible engagement outside of school. I believe it is a natural way for educators to implement critical thought in classrooms with high levels of engagement. Since many analyses are easy to implement in English class due to figures of speech and essays, this would be simple to make students excited for class and create educated opinions about current events. Also, Akom (2009) suggests that it is easier for students to speak about issues from hip-hop. This is presumed from students being able to interpret material from research, not fact. This is also important because it shows the students that teachers, and society as a whole, do not have the answers. We all need to think critically if we want answers, especially to the complex problems in social justice.
The relationship between hip-hop and critical consciousness involves many different topics of society and social justice that make people aware of what is happening. We can develop critical thinking easily with anything, especially if it is interpretable. Since this is something possibly current too, not something having basic principles from the 1500s we learn in society, students are given a chance to research and form their own opinions about issues they will face. Not only that, if we relate hip-hop and thinking critically with students, it can become a lifelong ability because of association. After English class, I always analyze books and look for foreshadowing and figures of speech to emphasize a story’s impact. This would be similar to songs and poems in hip-hop. As well, Akon (2009) suggests even teachers have to be watching what they should be giving students because it has to be current and related to students. If these issues are able to be seen in society by the teachers, students will see them too, and it will result in a dialogue between both students and teachers. Additionally, the content given can develop students’ critical thought in several areas including social, historical, or cultural aspects. Naturally, students want to understand the songs trends and songs they are surrounded by, especially in a world full of advertisements and social media. These are all reasons why hip-hop is related to critical consciousness, but it also displays the importance of critical pedagogy and hip-hop pedagogy in the classroom.
References
Akom, A. A. (2009). Critical Hip Hop Pedagogy as a Form of Liberatory Praxis.
Equity & Excellence in Education 42(1), 52-66. DOI: 10.1080/10665680802612519
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