2008 Woodie Awards
Professor berates rap music in 'last lecture'
Bernie Hayes encourages women to protest misogynistic lyrics
By: Angela Riley
Issue date: 9/27/07 Section: Lifestyle
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the occasion.
Wearing a brown suit with a peach tie and handkerchief in his pocket, Hayes gave his lecture entitled "Is thou Art Great?" to approximately 45 people. The lecture predominately discussed the language, violence and degrading nature of rap music and how we as individuals can help change this.
"I was thrilled and honored when I was asked to be part of (the Last Lecture Series)," Hayes said. "I picked the discussion of rap music because it is a pressing issue in the community at large. There isn't enough attention to it, and it is an issue that many students care about. So many people are concerned about music."
Hayes encouraged women to take a stand against rap music because it specifically demeans them. He said women are the largest buyers in the buyer's market, and ethnic women will have one trillion dollars in buying power by 2008. He told the crowd to imagine the power women would have over the music industry if they didn't buy rap music or let their children listen to it.
"We've given too much power to men, and men haven't led," Hayes said. "It's time for women to step up. We don't realize their potential. Have you ever had your mama slap you? If she tells you no, you'll listen to her."
After Hayes' lecture, he took questions from the audience. Many were concerned about how they can try to influence a change in
rap music.
Senior arts and sciences major Josh King asked Hayes, "We know things aren't right and that music needs to change. How do we challenge this and tell them we're not going to take it?"
Hayes told him to organize and surround himself with a body of like-minded people. One person can make a difference, he said.
"I tell my classes that if they live, in five years they have the power to make changes," Hayes said.
The crowd responded well to Hayes' message, which he said surprised him because he thought more would disagree with his position on rap music.
"I thought it presented a lot of honest and clear-cut information," said Johnetta Cunningham, a sophomore political science major. "A lot of people who have respect for Bernie will use it."
Seville Fletcher, a Campus Activities program manager, said she was surprised by how well the
event went.
"At first, when the idea for a lecture series was presented, I thought people wouldn't come to a lecture outside of class, but so many people showed up and (Campus Activities) had great feedback," she said. "Bernie was very powerful. It was interesting that he picked rap music as his last lecture, but it showed where his heart is and how he's always trying to influence students."
Wearing a brown suit with a peach tie and handkerchief in his pocket, Hayes gave his lecture entitled "Is thou Art Great?" to approximately 45 people. The lecture predominately discussed the language, violence and degrading nature of rap music and how we as individuals can help change this.
"I was thrilled and honored when I was asked to be part of (the Last Lecture Series)," Hayes said. "I picked the discussion of rap music because it is a pressing issue in the community at large. There isn't enough attention to it, and it is an issue that many students care about. So many people are concerned about music."
Hayes encouraged women to take a stand against rap music because it specifically demeans them. He said women are the largest buyers in the buyer's market, and ethnic women will have one trillion dollars in buying power by 2008. He told the crowd to imagine the power women would have over the music industry if they didn't buy rap music or let their children listen to it.
"We've given too much power to men, and men haven't led," Hayes said. "It's time for women to step up. We don't realize their potential. Have you ever had your mama slap you? If she tells you no, you'll listen to her."
After Hayes' lecture, he took questions from the audience. Many were concerned about how they can try to influence a change in
rap music.
Senior arts and sciences major Josh King asked Hayes, "We know things aren't right and that music needs to change. How do we challenge this and tell them we're not going to take it?"
Hayes told him to organize and surround himself with a body of like-minded people. One person can make a difference, he said.
"I tell my classes that if they live, in five years they have the power to make changes," Hayes said.
The crowd responded well to Hayes' message, which he said surprised him because he thought more would disagree with his position on rap music.
"I thought it presented a lot of honest and clear-cut information," said Johnetta Cunningham, a sophomore political science major. "A lot of people who have respect for Bernie will use it."
Seville Fletcher, a Campus Activities program manager, said she was surprised by how well the
event went.
"At first, when the idea for a lecture series was presented, I thought people wouldn't come to a lecture outside of class, but so many people showed up and (Campus Activities) had great feedback," she said. "Bernie was very powerful. It was interesting that he picked rap music as his last lecture, but it showed where his heart is and how he's always trying to influence students."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Benjamin Fasching-Gray
posted 9/27/07 @ 4:42 AM CST
There is lots of attention to "Rap Music" (otherwise known as Hip Hop), contrary to Hayes's assertion, and much of it is negative. The other genres of pop music are just as degrading and misogynistic. (Continued…)
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