Hip Hop, Scholarship & Race: Interview w/ Michael Eric Dysonby Davey D
Michael Eric Dyson is by far one of the most spirited, passionate and sharpest people you will come across. Dubbed a Hip Hop Intellectual, over the years he's made is mark with a string of books (14 in all) that have covered all sorts of topics including 2Pac (Tupac Shakur), Marvin Gaye, Martin Luther King, Hurricane Katrina, and of course his favorite topic - Bill Cosby.
He just released his latest book called 'Debating Race' where he focuses on the current state of race relations here in America. In this book he takes on everyone from Civil Rights leader Jesse Jackson to Black conservative Ward Connerly to George Bush' lap dog Condoleezza Rice to racist blowhard Bill O'Reilly and that ditzy airhead Ann Coulter. Dyson also weighs in on key issues like Hurricane Katrina, Manhood, Mexican Immigration and Reparations.
During our interview we started off by talking about the politics of academia and role Hip Hop plays on University campuses. We talked specifically about the types of challenges faced by professors who must publish certain types of books written in very specific and often times 'heady' language in order to be accepted and make progress in Academic circles. Dyson explained the struggle he once faced and what many emerging professor face now face where they get criticized and penalized for writing material that is easily understood by the masses. Its not considered rigorous scholarship by those can grant tenure or access. Dyson felt that Hip Hop scholars are now positioned to play important roles and can add immensely to the discussions that need to be taking place.
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