Hello everyone! How are you doing? I have not been able to post on this blog for a little while because I have been on vacation (I may write about my travels in a future post) to the Bahamas. Through the week I thought about my next post off and on. Allthough I wanted to come up with somthing good, I did not want to ruin my trip by banging my head against the wall in an attempt to think up a blog idea. However about halfway through the trip, on the top deck of the cruise ship, my next post walked up to me....
As my brother and I played chess on a large mat, using plastic pieces that were half as tall as us, I heard a voice from behind. As i turned, i saw that it was a teenage boy, slightley shorter than me. I said hi to him and we began talking. After a few minuetes I found out that he was 16, lived in Florida, and his name was Justin. Although he didnt say it out loud, I could tell that he thought he was pretty tough. The way that he walked reaked of rebelion and self love. The gym shorts that he wore sagged below his beltline. A large, baggy t-shirt adorned his shoulders. The black and white hat with the super-man sign on the front was turned around backward on his head. The clothes that he wore, instantly made me wary of him, for I have known boys like him in the past. As we contined to talk I could sense that he wasnt satisfied. The joy of the Lord was not burning in his heart. This boy was definently not a Christian. As we continued to talk, he soon revealed the fact that he enjoyed smoking, drinking, and rebeling against authority. Another thing that I learned about him was his favorite type of music....Hip Hop.
In this day and age, boys do not look up to the figures that boys from the past once did. While boys from the past wanted to be a great warrior, or a leader of some kind, the boys of the 21st century want to be just like the next rapper. These artists that produce most of the hip hop music give an image of being tough, being bad. The days of being a nice young artist and rhymeing words to create clever phrases and lines are over. Today, you must be part of the "Thug Culture" to make it with the younger generation. It baffles me why someone would want to dress, act, and look like the rappers of today. I am going to let you in on a secret....THEY LOOK RIDICULOUS!!!!
The Thug Culure started with artists like Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. They founded somthing that would help to crush society as we know it. In the mid-20th century, gangs were looked on as what they were, kids without a home. Now, it is a great honor and privalage to be in a gang! Young kids think that they can only be accepted if they are in a gang. In this age that we live in, girls are largly attracted to the guys who put on the gang/thug look.
While the early hip-hop/rap artists subtly hinted about things such as drugs, violence, and casual sex, the artists of today blatantly spell out their message. Allthough it is no surprise that the music industry is moving down into a pit of sin and vulgar conduct, it is a shame that society on a whole (including kids) has moved with it. Just think what this generation will be like when we are adults! When everyone on the streets is a rebel and a thug we might as well go back to the dark ages. And as time goes on, the human condition always gets worse. Think about the next generation after this one. What will they be like?
The "Thug Culture" has influenced America and the world in such a powerful way that I do not think we will ever recover from the toll that it has taken on the youth of this generation and the generations to follow. When we quit lifting up soldiers, doctors, preachers, leaders, and especially God, and start replaceing them with delinquents such as Wiz Khalifa, Lil Wayne, and Eminem, the entire way of living turns upside down!
Lil Wayne (This is his mug-shot from when he was arrested, by the way)
Wiz Khalifa
Eminem
Snoop Dogg
-AaronU
