Maultsby
Assumptions about the negative effects of rap music's violent and explicit lyrics may not stem entirely from the lyrics, according to Indiana University South Bend's Carrie B. Fried, assistant professor of psychology. Fried contends in a recent study that public outcry against rap music comes from personal biases and subtle racism.
"Bad Rap for Rap: Bias in Reactions to Music Lyrics" details Fried's research of how stereotypes and social perceptions influence people's views of music. The research is encapsulated in the July/August issue of Psychology Today.
Bad Man's Blunder, by the 60's folk group Kingston Trio, and Cop Killer, by the Ice T-fronted metal rap group Body Count, were compared by subjects in her research. The songs were dissected and presented anonymously and the results were "somewhat predictable," according to Fried.
| New forms of expression are often viewed as dangerous by society; the introduction of the waltz, for example, was viewed as an obscenity by some. |
"(Cop Killer) just isn't that much different from folk or country music," Fried said.
Her research indicates that people's perceptions are affected by several factors such as age, race and social stereotypes. Concerning rap's lyrics, which some people blame for violence in society, Fried pointed out that new forms of expression are often viewed as dangerous by society. She cited the waltz as an example.
"People thought it was obscene and wanted it banned."
Fried also surveyed responses to lyrics depending on the variables given. Lyrics of the two songs were randomly accompanied by a photo of a black man or of a white man, that were used to depict the artist. It was predicted that if the artist is thought to be African American, then a more negative reaction toward the song would be registered. Subjects were asked to rank the offensiveness of the lyrics and whether they should be banned. In every case, reactions were considerably more negative when subjects thought the artist was black. "(Research is) showing that our judgment and reactions are divided by race," Fried added.
| The German delegation to IUB wants to incorporate African-American music into the curriculum of German schools. |
Rap's lyrics and expressions of social discontent apparently are not as great an issue outside the United States. Europeans love African-American contemporary music, including rap/hip-hop, and a dozen adults seriously interested in this and other African-American music traveled earlier this month from their native Germany to the Archives of African-American Music and Culture on the IU Bloomington campus simply for the purpose of learning more. The group included musicians, teachers, journalists and theologians.
"Rap/hip-hop is very popular in Germany, which even has its own groups," said Frie Brasen, the German pastor who arranged the visit. "But our knowledge of the music is limited." He said Germans are aware of some of the stories about "possible criminal activities" that have been associated with the music in the United States, but they're really more interested in the music itself and its context in African-American culture.
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Maultsby |
The teachers in the group had their own different agenda, she noted. "They're looking to incorporate African-American music into their curriculum in German schools, which is additional evidence of its impact on contemporary European culture."
Maultsby said the Germans' visit "opens the door" to acquainting other Europeans with the archives' resources. "I'm sure word will spread and we'll have more interaction with Europeans fascinated with African American music."
Visit the Archives of African-American Music and Culture:
http://www.indiana.edu/~aaamc/index.html
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