History of Feminism

He was something


I was not a huge fan of rap once it hit mainstream. The message of oppression from breakthrough groups like Grand Master Flash or even Run DMC, was lost on radio rap-- although from what I understand, the people who really know the genre still get to hear a strong social message. My son told me about an artist who would rap from prison--over the phone.

But I'll tell you a story

When I was about 18, I wanted to be be anything but a white girl. Through events to long to tell, I ended up with my son's father--something over half Cowachin Indian. He was a "street" Indian, as opposed to a "Rez" Indian. Both of us talked "street".

Anyway we were at this party, mostly Indians, a few mixed folk, but nobody black. That was the year Sugerhill Gangs "Rappers delight" came out. They played it over and over and over; and I swear to you that I knew then I was in the presence of history-- that silly breakthrough song that I know by heart to this day.

It was quite a feeling, watching how Rap/Hip/hop resonated with them, these terribly damaged disenfranchised lost boys and girls. No few are dead now, including my sons father.

The relationship didn't last, and I ended up back into hard rock and metal and punk, but I never forgot that feeling. When I hear powerful lyrics I recapture it--Hip/Hop shook the world, and continues to do so.