Straight Outta Compton

When you say the word music the last thing people think is the subliminal messages, hardships, and feelings the artist has put into their work.  “Our art is a reflection of our reality” a quote given by Ice Cube in the movie Straight Outta Compton is a perfect representation of these hardships and feelings one goes through to make a certain kind of music.  I feel that by this quote Ice Cube meant that people hear the music they make and think of angry black men trying to fight the system.  Which is not what N.W.A intended their music was meant to be an eye-opener, a chance for others who haven’t lived in Compton to see just how tough times were.  Every day police brutalized the minorities, and used their prejudice misconceptions to excuse their actions.  Whites automatically assume that African Americans are in the wrong in the event of a crime and even go as far to say that police brutalization of minorities is acceptable in certain crimes.  “Nigga’s With Attitude” made it their business to feed off of the wrong-doings of the majority and turn that raw power into an effort to change the world they lived in.  Ideas are bulletproof; you can’t touch it or kill it.  Ideas are like fire, with enough oxygen you’ve got a full scale change.

 “…A reflection of our reality”, N.W.A. rapped about change, about standing up against oppressors no matter the cost.  This was their reality, a time when the minorities of Compton could live without being discriminated against, and brutalized for their color.  People often saw this attempted movement as defiance to law, which isn’t exactly the case.  N.W.A.’s song “F*** the Police” led most minorities to rioting which wasn’t what was actually intended, the group intended on making people see they were being oppressed and wanted people to stand up against this peacefully.  Why exactly are blacks always the ones who are judged for standing up for what they believe, because they are rioting or because they are black?  I believe that if whites were oppressed and began rioting no one would bat an eyelash because they are white.  Every white has a prejudice towards blacks no matter how minute and therefore see a problem with blacks trying to get equality.

 N.W.A. wanted to end this racial block, and bring people together for a common cause.  Sadly their message was confused by the common people who understood the message to condone violence.  Just for clarification I am in no way, shape, or form, defending African Americans by claiming they were in the right by rioting to express their concern with minority discrimination.  I believe that discrimination of a minority is based off of previous actions and behaviors that are direct representations of a person’s personality and morality.  There are much simpler and more productive ways to protest police brutality than blowing up your neighborhood.  Often-times peaceful protests go much further than violent ones, the message sent by a calm and collected attitude makes a greater impression.  In my opinion this is no different than the Muslim extremists blowing everything up in an attempt to appease their God.  It is ignorant, childish, and shouldn’t be tolerated by any race.

 African Americans claim to be the most oppressed race and the most discriminated against race, which is absolutely ridiculous.  Certain places require certain actions to balance the negative attitudes and actions of a minority.  I am no way condoning police brutality, but if someone is breaking the law, regardless of color they need to be punished.  Usually the reputation given is a reputation earned, people don’t just develop an idea that someone is bad, there are often facts that they have witnessed or heard that influence their judgement.  It is completely acceptable to judge a criminal because they have earned the reputation of being a lawless individual; however it is unacceptable to judge a black individual in a drug neighborhood.  For whatever reason African Americans expect to receive no judgement for the lifestyle they live or the reputation they have earned. 

African Americans have made whites their scapegoat for years, acting as if the world owes them something for unfair treatment.  Yes, It was bad, no it wasn’t fair, and no we aren’t going to give you caviar and a silver spoon.  Suck it up, life is cruel, mean, and nasty, sometimes things happen in this world that we don’t agree with; sometimes an entire race suffers due to the ignorance of another.  The Irish and Asians were taken to American to work on the railroad, treated absolutely terrible, and given a poor wage.  Rather than getting mad and protesting for equality they worked even harder and through their actions made a fair environment for themselves.  African Americans are the exact opposite, they feel they should be able to do the least and receive the most.

Now that both sides have been analyzed I feel that despite the police brutality the African Americans were in the wrong.  Rioting, drugs, race wars, these things have earned them a reputation with no respect and therefore you reap what you sow.  “Our Art is a Reflection of our Reality” is a conflicted way of saying that through our songs you can feel the sadness.  You can hear the sorrow in our voice, due to the reality we have earned.  Through our actions a dilemma has been reached and has developed into a vicious cycle of hatred and unfairness.  The blacks will always hate the whites because of the constant judgement they have earned through poor choices.  Gunnar Myrdal was correct in believing that racism is a cycle and it will always exist, because whites will always judge, and blacks will always hate the judgement.    African Americans hope to one day not be discriminated against because of their actions, but until then “F*** The Police” is the loudest voice they possess to express their hatred of unfairness.