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THE HIP-HOP GENERATION
FIGHTS BACK
NEWYORK UNIVERSITY PRESS
New York and London
www.nyupress.org
2012 by New York University
All rights reserved
References to Internet websites (URLs) were accurate at the time of writing. Neither the author nor New York University Press is responsible for URLs that may have expired or changed since the manuscript was prepared.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Clay, Andreana.
The hip-hop generation fights back : youth, activism, and post-civil rights politics /
Andreana Clay.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-8147-1716-5 (cl : alk. paper)
ISBN 978-0-8147-1717-2 (pb : alk. paper)
ISBN 978-0-8147-2395-1 (ebook)
ISBN 978-0-8147-6374-2 (ebook)
1. Youth United States Social conditions 21st century. 2. Youth United States Social life and customs 21st century. 3. Youth Political activity United States. 4. Social movements United States History 21st century. 5. Hip-hop. I. Title.
HQ796.C5943 2012
305.2350973 dc23 2011052261
New York University Press books are printed on acid-free paper, and their binding materials are chosen for strength and durability. We strive to use environmentally responsible suppliers and materials to the greatest extent possible in publishing our books.
Manufactured in the United States of America
c 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
p 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
CONTENTS
1. Youth
Crisis, Rebellion, and Identity
2. Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
The Contemporary Struggle
3. Its Gonna Get Hard
Negotiating Race and Gender in Urban Settings
4. Hip-Hop for the Soul
Kickin Reality in the Local Scene
5. Queer Youth Act Up
Tackling Homophobia Post-Stonewall
6. Big Shoes to Fill
Activism Past and Present
7. Conclusion
Sampling Activism
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The completion of this book has been a long and rewarding process, much of which has been collaborative. I have been nurtured and sustained by community, in all forms. From my first introduction to the two organizations and the youth I write about here to the writing groups that encouraged me through the final push, I have many people to thank. I am indebted to the youth that I met through my research and activism who allowed me to me hang out in their spaces, gave me extra time to ask them invasive questions, and communicate the stories that have shaped not only this book but my perception of and commitment to Oakland, California. Their organizing frameworks, creativity, and integrity has enriched my life more than they know. Thank you for the work you have done and continue to do.
John Hall, Laura Grindstaff, Belinda Robnett, and Herman Gray supported, encouraged, and advised me as a doctoral student. As a group, they never questioned my work with youth of color and the interdisciplinary frames I used to explain my research. Belinda, in particular, has answered numerous emails, had lengthy discussions about social movements and activism, and provided mentor-ship to me as a junior scholar and woman of color since that time. I also must thank Ilene Kalish and Aiden Amos at NYU Press, who encouraged me every step of the way as I wrote, rewrote, put forth new ideas, and changed things, including deadlines. Ilene, in particular, has been supportive of my work for many years prior to my coming to NYU, which has meant a lot. The enthusiasm and critical feedback of the anonymous reviewers also helped me make important decisions about this book.
My colleagues at San Francisco State University have also been a steady source of support. Each member of the Department of Sociology has encouraged my work by reading chapters, using my work in their courses, setting up dialogue around youth, culture, and social movements, and providing me with an academic home. Jessica Fields and Ed McCaughan, whose work on youth and cultural movements has informed and nurtured my own, have provided some of the most support in the form of ongoing conversations, formal and informal, about these topics, and they remind me about the importance of being a scholar activist. They have also become my good friends. Other friend-colleagues, like Chris Bettinger and Allen LeBlanc have accompanied me to the nearby mall for some much needed shopping therapy. Outside of Sociology, past and present colleagues on campus, like Nancy Mirabal, Tiffany Willoughby-Herard, Dawn-Elissa Fischer, and Catrina Esquibel have also provided immense support, feedback, and friendship in this endeavor. Juan Hernandez and Felicia Gardner provided invaluable research assistance, feedback, and conversation. And Joel Kassiola, in the deans office in Behavioral and Social Sciences also provided financial and academic support at San Francisco State in the form of academic release time and summer support. Finally, research funding from UC Regents, San Francisco State University, and the Csar Chvez Institute has provided additional financial support at various stages in the research and writing process.
Perhaps most important is the amazing community of friends/family that has been there for me through every stage of this process. I would not have been able to complete any of this work without them. I received writing feedback through various writing groups and one-on-ones with Anna Muraco, Clare Stacey, Nadine Naber, Darshan Elena Campos, Ana Maurine Lara, Nancy Mirabal, Maylei Blackwell, Marcia Ochoa, Luz Calvo, Catrina Esquibel, Dana Wright, Tamara Roberts, Tiffany Willoughby-Herard, Mako Fitts, and Dawn-Elissa Fischer, which kept me going in some of my hardest times as a scholar. Much of this community has also provided me with the solid friendship necessary to engage in and complete this work. Each person read chapters and coached me through conversation and created a strong woman of color community for me in the academy. Maylei Blackwell and I added writing partners to our friend/family relationship and talked every week during the last year of revisions. Her feedback and encouragement pushed me in places I didnt know were possible, and it has made me a better writer and scholar. Nancy Mirabal and Anna Muraco allowed me to call them whenever necessary, literally, or leave messages about particular chapters and/or freak outs. They also have added stomach-busting laughter like Ive never experienced when I needed it most. Tiffany Willoughby-Herard is one of the best cheerleaders (for lack of a better word) Ive ever encountered, and Mako Fitts has been my girl/scholar/friend in all things hip-hop, youth, and activismyou girl. Finally, Marcia Ochoa has been a dear friend who has challenged me to remember that I can push the interdisciplinary line even more (not to mention, surf!).
