Learning from the Thoughts of Kolis

After watching Chris's final presentation, I was very intrigued to see the relationship between rap and violence. I never knew that hip-hop was started in the 1970s, or that one of the purposes of it was to reduce violence and give kids on the street an alternative to it by beatboxing or breakdancing. There are many activities today that appeal to other adolescents if they want to stay busy and stay out of trouble. Like many activities that start out harmless, society usually finds a way to make it so that it is more risque, and that is normal for us now. I agree that artists should tone down their language about "shooting hoes" and "smokin' dope". It is kind of pathetic that rappers don't want to change their music to something more appropriate just because they will lose their image that way. In this sense, rapping seems to be like a drug. While it may not have a healthy benefit to society, those that make it are enjoying success too much to worry about what is right and what is wrong. That also appears to be happening more often in American society, and it is sad that awe can't really change it without taking money out of others' pockets.