's Harold Washington Cultural Center was an appropriate community for a panel discussion on Youth Violence and one that could benefit from more serious "community organizers" or youth mentors.Fox News anchor Robin Robinson, actress, fitness trainer A.J. Johnson, New York Knicks NBA star Quentin Richardson, actor and comedian Michael Colyar, entrepreneur, community activist and high-ranking member of Gangster Disciples Noonie "G" Ward, hip hop music artist Shawnna and Pastor Phil Jackson of "The House" on Chicago's west side rounded out the panelists for the two-hour session that was moderated by 107.5 Tony Sculfield and simulcast live on that station.
Hundreds of students-athletes packed into the auditorium to hear from all the panelists including Atlantic recording rap artist T.I. and join in the discussion. T.I. who is the father of six children talked candidly about his own immature actions, various run-ins with the law and what could only be described as Divine intervention in his life to date that he's living a free man or even a living man.
There was a testy exchange about street credibility and the idea that some rappers are emulated because a real history of criminal behavior somehow makes for authentic gangsta credentials in the hood. This type of behavior and ensuing trouble makes money for the rappers that have a real rap sheet so it's a vicious cycle.
This has become so important to rappers that some like Rick Ross have deliberately set about to create a phony thug persona in order to cash in on street credibility and money that real thug rappers can command because of the number of altercations, number of times arrested or time spent incarcerated.
Chicago native and NBA basketball star Quentin gave an account of his own personal experience of having two brothers killed over a senseless truck theft. He talked about the thoughts of revenge and retaliation that can overwhelm when faced with violence in your own family.
The discussion switched to negative messages and images in hip hop music and it was rightly pointed out that it's the consumer's responsibility to demand better from their favorite rappers. Although there are rappers that rap about positive things, like Common, Jair Dynast and Kanye the consumers still prefer to support the gangster rappers. T.I. told the audience to buy positive rap at record shops including rap music stores online.
He explained that in any business it's about supply and demand and if they create a different demand then there will be a different supply but as long as there's demand for gangster rap music that demand will be supplied so it's ultimately the consumer that needs to create the changes in hip hop culture.
