GEMS (Gender, Education, Music, And Society)
Volume
6, Number 3, November 2013
Exploring The
Distinct Hip-Hop Culture
Of Urban
Students
Dr. Leslie J. Ward
Abstract: Despite Hip-Hop culture's
transition from urban ghettos to the mainstream, it is often viewed as
deficient or deviant and not appreciated as a formal culture. This view on the
part of educators has resulted in an unwillingness to deliver culturally
relevant pedagogy to this distinct culture, contributing to the academic
achievement gap between urban students and their peers. Effective urban
teachers recognize this distinct culture and overcome dominant cultural
assumptions in order to understand the communities in which they teach. This
article focuses on a qualitative study designed to provide urban educators with
a description of the Hip Hop culture, as well as identify skills and
competencies associated with cultural competence. Findings from this study
highlight the need for recognition, acceptance, understanding, and respect for
Hip Hop culture, and the significance of building relationships by penetrating
urban students' "street tough" persona (often mistaken for lack of
interest).
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