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Blogs Inside the Iceberg Is It Cool To Be Smart These Days? by Robert Williams | Is It Cool To Be Smart These Days? by Robert Williams |
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| Written by Rob Williams | |
| Thursday, 19 July 2007 | |
In recent dialogue with colleagues and co-workers, family and various friends from all walks of life, I presented a question that challenged each person asked to give me a thoughtful answer that shed light, on what has proved to be an often hushed and hidden question, from both sides of an intellectual fence. Butta.
The question posed to each individual was whether or not it’s cool or even socially acceptable to be smart anymore. Honestly, we are told from a young age to study hard and give 110% effort towards increasing our skills and knowledge base which is a good thing, but if done correctly takes time and effort. This being said, my neighborhood and surrounding areas allow me to see teenagers, whose leadership and fresh young ideas we hope to benefit from in the near future, choosing not to attend school when its in session and using the summer to increase their already extended drought from an educational oasis. Butta. I used to blame their parents for this neglect of personal progress, but upon further observation, I was able to see, that what these youth model themselves after what they grow up with and ultimately learn to glorify. The neighborhood dopeman turned idolized, multi-platinum recoding artist: Spokesman for the whole black community. So what now is their motivation to go on and succeed and look for bigger and better opportunities that come with benefits and some stability, the ability to save for their children even? I couldn’t come up with many reasons. They are taught and inundated with images that portray the exact opposite of what is pushed across the classroom floor. Butta. Ultimately, this has led to low test scores and the surge of more and more precious and valuable black youth away from the classroom and back to the mean and often unforgiving streets. In no way am I lessening the hustle, dedication, sacrifice, and hard work that it took for these “trapstars” to make it. Entertainers like T.I., whose album I am growing to like more each time I listen to it, 50 Cent, Jay-Z, and Ludacris have become very successful outside of rap. They own clothing company’s, have mult-million dollar revenue coming in from endorsements, and influence us as consumers in everything from brand of car to choice of soft drink. Butta. This being said, when will we portray this side of the hustle as the mainstream, “cool” thing to do and to strive towards. When will the length of time spent in the streets and the ability to make your earnings float through the air in a motion that causes women who remove their clothes for a small payment to run towards you and dance as you shower them with more, not represent what we as a people are presented as and ultimately held responsible for. When will the media and even more of the entertainers make a push to push intellectual progression and the forward progress of their people, their biggest fans and large source of income. Or will they? Butta. Comments
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 written by Cortez a.k.a Gangstaville , July 19, 2007
It is ALWAYS cool to be smart. This has to be taught as soon as the child comes out of the womb. My parents made me go to school as soon as I could talk and this made all the difference in my life. I always wanted to be the smartest in the class. This is why educational programs for our youth are so important. I give it to TI for saying its cool to be smart. And smart doesnt only mean book smart, street smarts are crucial as well. 50, TI, and Jay all didn't have formal education but they are all intelligent in their own right. We don't have to necessarily teach the kids to slave in a 9-5 but we should encourage higher education so they are on the same playing field as everyone else. After they are educated, they will be able to make the decision whether they want to be a rapper, accountant, fashion designer, whatever, but education always enhances the road to success.
Great article Rob. I think you touched on a lot of good points. I think the one thing we neglect in society is self esteem. I think that sets the foundation for you to be able to have and achieve goals in life. If you know your self worth and value yourself, you won't let society warp your mind into thinking that its "cool" to be a wannabe thug when your living in a $250,000 home with parents who are educated. You can only blame TI and Jay for so much. The key word to these entertainers is that they are ENTERTAINers. Why we should look up to them and appreciate their struggle and success, know that are not going to let their upbringing determine the outcome of their lives. Education has always been and will always be the key to success, rather it be at an Ivy league school or a trade school. To know more is to grow more and if you can't appreciate that then.....
I think it is definitely cool to be smart...and I think you're average middle class young black male knows this....the numbers show that more of us are enrolling and graduating from college each year so I think the general populace knows that being smart is cool...
The discussion turns though when discussing those in impoverished surroundings and low income areas...being street smart is cool...because it means you SURVIVE...being book smart isn't that cool...because it means you get beat up....plus a lot of the homies back home (LA stand up)...didn't study books because the money wasn't in there...there was no instant gratification...you go to school to earn more money in the long run...your eyes have to be focused on the big picture....and some people just couldn't get with that... This reminds me of that hyundai commercial that I saw in the movie theater the other day about smart people...I think it's a great commercial...until they start talkin about hyundais.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XewCSdHnvTs&eurl=http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/dear_ladies_youre_dumb_love_hyundai there's the link...Rob you shoulda put this in your blog...
if kids wanna be smart, becoming a rapper isn't the way to go; if u were really smart, you'd become a white girl that drinks, does coke, gets d.u.i.'s, gets arrested, goes to rehab, and do a couple dozen days in prison, duh! i'm beginning next week.
I believe that the statement ignorance is bliss is one held by many of our community members. However, there are more and more people (thank goodness) that see the importance of gaining knowledge to combat those intolerable moments in reality. Rather than going out partying to forget their troubles, more and mroe people are stepping up and facing their problems. Now if we can only get the rest of the community to do the same
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 07 August 2007 ) |
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