Cathleen Rountree author of “In Defense of Hip-Hop” issued her article of the Santa Cruz Sentinel, May 19,2007. She believes that hip-hop shouldn’t be the scapegoat and blame of the violent acts that goes on. Her rhetorical tools such as evidence makes her argument very effective. It is not just negative music, without credibility never judge a book by its cover. Rountree starts off by talking about Don Imus when he called the Rutgers women’s basketball team “nappy-headed hoes” (212). Next she talks about Al Sharpton for blaming hip-hop for “all that ails contemporary pop culture”. (Rountree 212). Rountree states “Imus used hip-hop as an excuse for his long-standing and well-documented proclivity for his racial epitaphs” (212). Rountree
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She talks about people like Don Imus have “used hip-hop as an excuse for his long-standing and well-documented proclivity for racial epithets.” (Rountree 212). She points out that comedian Flip Wilson’s cross-dressing character claims “The Devil made me do it!” (Rountree 212). Rountree draws readers into her argument when she admits her guilt she had towards hip-hop is the blame without actually having a basic understanding of it. (212). After watching “Tupac Resurrection” changed her views on hip hop by stating “The two-hour screening time was for me an epiphany and an entirely new world opened up: a world of beats, words, images, insights, raw expressions that were positively transporting.” (Rountree 212). She also provides detailed examples, explaining how hip hop has inspired young people’s lives, mentioning the film “The Hip Hop Project.” Kazi helps youths overcome their personal issues in their lives by writing songs about issues that affect their personal lives. Rountree states that “It should be required viewing for both Don Imus and Al Sharpton.” (212). In saying this Rountree mention that two people who both blamed hip-hop for violent words and actions would learn a lot about the good that hip-hop does
She talks about people like Don Imus have “used hip-hop as an excuse for his long-standing and well-documented proclivity for racial epithets.” (Rountree 212). She points out that comedian Flip Wilson’s cross-dressing character claims “The Devil made me do it!” (Rountree 212). Rountree draws readers into her argument when she admits her guilt she had towards hip-hop is the blame without actually having a basic understanding of it. (212). After watching “Tupac Resurrection” changed her views on hip hop by stating “The two-hour screening time was for me an epiphany and an entirely new world opened up: a world of beats, words, images, insights, raw expressions that were positively transporting.” (Rountree 212). She also provides detailed examples, explaining how hip hop has inspired young people’s lives, mentioning the film “The Hip Hop Project.” Kazi helps youths overcome their personal issues in their lives by writing songs about issues that affect their personal lives. Rountree states that “It should be required viewing for both Don Imus and Al Sharpton.” (212). In saying this Rountree mention that two people who both blamed hip-hop for violent words and actions would learn a lot about the good that hip-hop does