#HipHopEd Chat is a weekly cyber cypher (chat) where stakeholders within Hip-Hop and Education come together to discuss issues that impact the youth and adults within our local, national and global communities. #HipHopEd Chat is a virtual form of professional development for Educators, workshop for Parents and other Adults and a brainstorming session of Hip-Hop practitioners. Our #HipHopEd chats are every Tuesday from 9-10 EST. on Twitter.
Call for Proposals: Free Your Mind: A HIP HOP Education STEAMposium brings Hip Hop as critical pedagogy and STEAM. Theme: Recognizing and Resisting Oppression. Gr 2-6 & 7-12 Deadline Jan 18th https://t.co/KrM3oCeuSC#HipHopEd#STEAM
Happy to be back with the #hiphoped fam after a busy and stressful semester dealing with my Stats class. I'm happy to say after all the headaches and homework I passed with a 98. #NeverAgainTho
The ad is a great example of why context matters. I call the kids i love "monkey" all the time, and its a term of endearment. But on that shirt, on that child, next to the white savior kid, with historical context in a public discourse, the meaning totally changes. #hiphoped
Ad reminded me of "colorblind" educators or those that claim to not see color. If you saw color, maybe you would have seen the racism in the ad. #hiphoped
I began my day with the H&M ad on my projector and just started to ask my 7th graders questions. If within 5 minutes they ALL saw how intrinsically wrong the ad was, how did H&M not? #HipHopEd
The H&M ad type of aggression is perpetrated everyday in our schools. Our students are subjected to it from classmates, teachers, admin... It's unrelenting #hiphoped
I began my day with the H&M ad on my projector and just started to ask my 7th graders questions. If within 5 minutes they ALL saw how intrinsically wrong the ad was, how did H&M not? #HipHopEd
Yup. This and other adds are simply pushing a historically problematic narrative. One that has been obvious or blatant to many, but continuously ignored/rejected by others. #HipHopEd
There are so many levels of psychic, civic, and spiritual transgression at work here. It continues a narrative of white male patriarchy, slave to master, animal to human. #hiphoped
My uncle's stepkids were called "monita" and "monito" when they were little, not in reference to their race, but their hyperactiveness. But I'm not letting any white person call them monkeys. #HipHopEd
I also hear white people call their kids monkey so they will try to act like they don’t see what’s wrong. Yes, the white boy in his survival shirt added a while ‘nother level of ignorance! 😡 smh #HipHopEd
The ad is a great example of why context matters. I call the kids i love "monkey" all the time, and its a term of endearment. But on that shirt, on that child, next to the white savior kid, with historical context in a public discourse, the meaning totally changes. #hiphoped
If you are a global entity then there must be sensitivities on a global landscape. Let's not forget what the "hoodie" has become in America for youth based on the perceptions of many adults #hiphoped
My guy, I wish I had recorded my session with my youngins' today! Some 12 year olds have as much critical consciousness as grad students. The good thing is...convo don't stop at one lesson #HipHopEd
I hope that my intuition regarding why some adults, like actual professionals at advertising and packaging messages to masses would allow that to pass through is wrong #HipHopEd
This H&M ad really is nothing brand new. It’s really another log on the fire of raced advertising, especially in the European market. Let us not forget the adidas slave sneaker. #hiphoped
"I call my kid monkey" is the equivalent of "I have a Black friend" in this case. Its not about the word but about the story H&M is telling with those ads. #hiphopedhttps://t.co/SO8QJhYv7g
I also hear white people call their kids monkey so they will try to act like they don’t see what’s wrong. Yes, the white boy in his survival shirt added a while ‘nother level of ignorance! 😡 smh #HipHopEd
The ad is a great example of why context matters. I call the kids i love "monkey" all the time, and its a term of endearment. But on that shirt, on that child, next to the white savior kid, with historical context in a public discourse, the meaning totally changes. #hiphoped
Was there nobody along the way who saw this & said “no”? Exactly. There was nobody there to say “no”. This is what I mean when I say #RepresentationMatters#hiphoped
Agreed however that requires enough of us to be in positions of influence to get the topic into classrooms. Too often the focus is on test prep instead of current events and social issues like this one. #HipHopEd
Society is not colorblind, educators must stop ignoring color. If we ignore color in the classroom, we risk continuing the cycle of adults who are unable/unwilling to address race #HipHopEd
If you are a global entity then there must be sensitivities on a global landscape. Let's not forget what the "hoodie" has become in America for youth based on the perceptions of many adults #hiphoped
I think we'll be doing our students an injustice if we only frame this as a conversation about consumerism... confront it head on with students and talk about the highly feared R word... RACISM #hiphoped
The only way i can make sense of it is that (1) there were no PoC in the room when those decisions were made and (2) the normalization of racism didn't make this seem weird to anyone else. #hiphopedhttps://t.co/gAqeskKIq1
I hope that my intuition regarding why some adults, like actual professionals at advertising and packaging messages to masses would allow that to pass through is wrong #HipHopEd
The word “Monkey” sparked an outrage but as educators and critical thinkers, we should take issue with the word “Coolest” and examine what attributes are defined as being “cool” #HipHopEd
My third graders immediately knew that the H&M ad was wrong. The question that we continue to unpack is, why do we continue to let things like this happen? #HipHopEd
Here is the sad part, what if there WAS POC at the table. Even if they were a POC at the table, does it mean they were African or African American. Skinfolk ain’t always kinfolk. #hiphoped
I hear you. But we can’t wait for “enough power” to have convos of this gravity with young people. We just have to find ways to do it anyways #HipHopEd
You don’t think the mom/dad/guardian should have put a stop to this...or make a public statement? It’s so important to be present. If your child is a model, you better be on set and calling a few shots. Especially, after all these celebs are reporting abuse. #HipHopEd
I miss being in my school studio right now. Group counseling sessions on H&M with the final product of a mixtape of full of diss tracks would be in the works. Where my school counselors at? #HipHopEd
The "Where were the parents?" response to the #boycottHandM fiasco is looking to absolve the company of its responsibility. Don't loose focus #HipHopEd#Nothelpful
I'm seeing a few posts from those who use "monkey" as a term of endearment which is really interesting me because I've never used it as such. I've always been taught "monkey" has a negative, racial connotation. I'd love to hear more about this #hiphoped
Especially those of us that write or are creators. We must value affirming language and imagery, but then actually show it speak it celebrate it #HipHopEd
Especially those of us that write or are creators. We must value affirming language and imagery, but then actually show it speak it celebrate it #HipHopEd
To truly dissect the Ad and it's racist theories we have to break down the white boy and his sweatshirt as well. What is he an expert in surviving a jungle/community where he tames monkeys (blacks)? #HipHopEd
Ironically, those who lack it are the most likely to be the gatekeepers within these companies who push it. Another example of implicit control of our culture. We see it in music all day #HipHopEd
While we need to open up these conversations in our classrooms we also need to take action in countering these false narratives through our teaching practices and by visually displaying our kings and queens in the midst of their greatness. #hiphoped
What too often gets ignored about us is that we are most of the time both cool and intelligent. Too many educators feel it impossible to be both when it comes to Black youth. I've seen it too many time. #HipHopEd
We can all make a commitments in our domains of influence to affirm positive identities and contest not only stereotypical images but dehumanizing narratives.
This ad was discussed in my Pop Culture class today. It is not strictly just this ad which clearly is alarming. Let’s face facts, we are in the midst of a culture war in America at least. #hiphoped
I agree. I think the 3rd option I'm hearing of "reverse marketing" or whatever seems shortsighted and absurd. This will not help their business #HipHopEd
I will admit that being dark skinned I wouldn't be able to process "monkey" being used as a term of endearment. There is colorism that has to be addressed within our community from this ad as well #HipHopEd
Except I didn't say "enough power" I said positions of influence. That can br a school teacher, dean, director, after school program coordinator, behavior tech, literally anyone in a school who a demonstrated track record of positively impacting kids. #HipHopEd
Too often this question is used in education to absolve educators of responsibility. Educators must be willing to reflect & ask how they can better connect with students rather than simply deflecting responsibility. #HipHopEd
The "Where were the parents?" response to the #boycottHandM fiasco is looking to absolve the company of its responsibility. Don't loose focus #HipHopEd#Nothelpful
What's happening in this corporate/retail sphere also happens in education: microaggressions like this are propagated and there aren't enough/any representational voices to speak up and say, "Hey, this is a bad idea." #hiphoped
What too often gets ignored about us is that we are most of the time both cool and intelligent. Too many educators feel it impossible to be both when it comes to Black youth. I've seen it too many time. #HipHopEd
What too often gets ignored about us is that we are most of the time both cool and intelligent. Too many educators feel it impossible to be both when it comes to Black youth. I've seen it too many time. #HipHopEd
In our post Obama era, sensitivities to matters of race and the politics of representation are no longer “trendy” or fashionable through a hegemonic lens. The era of critical thinking has come to a dead stop. Unless. #hiphoped
Except I didn't "enough power." I said positions of influence and that can be anyone in a school from a dean, teacher, director, after school program coordinator, behavior tech, literally anyone who has demonstrated they can positively impact kids and reach them. #HipHopEd
Society is not colorblind, educators must stop ignoring color. If we ignore color in the classroom, we risk continuing the cycle of adults who are unable/unwilling to address race #HipHopEd
I appreciate the artistic reactions because it is another example of how powerful visual communication is but the portrayal of "King" can be empty once we begin to address what are the qualifications and areas we declare someone a "King" of #HipHopEd
In our post Obama era, sensitivities to matters of race and the politics of representation are no longer “trendy” or fashionable through a hegemonic lens. The era of critical thinking has come to a dead stop. Unless. #hiphoped
I also found it interesting that when I brought this image up on the projector, intro'd it & asked "what is wrong, right..or simply what is this?"..The 1st response was from the ONLY white kid in my class who directly went in on it's racist undertones w/o hesitating #HipHopEd
I began my day with the H&M ad on my projector and just started to ask my 7th graders questions. If within 5 minutes they ALL saw how intrinsically wrong the ad was, how did H&M not? #HipHopEd
Let's not forget that the word "Jungle" became part of the Hip-Hop in 1982 with "The Message." It's like a jungle sometimes it makes me wonder how I keep from going under! #HipHopEd
Exactly. It minimizes the host of people who greenlit this idea from the company to the ad execs to the commercial director. This idea was consigned by numerous ppl long before kid was cast. #HipHopEd
I remember when I worked at a particular place. Students brought us a fruit basket. Me and another brother were eating the bananas and apples. Our boss a white woman said we need more bananas, they eat them up like monkeys. #hiphoped
Super facts! Another way to take action in addition to these necessary conversations we must engage our students in is to show students in action. I argue that displaying students working is better than displaying student work. #hiphoped
In reply to
@Ianplevy, @amilcook, @themorganrpt, @chrisemdin
I appreciate one of the artist's whose renditions of the ad was featured in various media outlets today @ItsHippyPotter He is also one of my former students #HipHopEd
I was in a meeting today where they were talking about some high-level hiring. I asked if they'd diversify their all-white leadership team & was told by the CEO "I don't see race or gender." I bet you their next hire will be white. #hiphopedhttps://t.co/bwRZyqYpHF
Society is not colorblind, educators must stop ignoring color. If we ignore color in the classroom, we risk continuing the cycle of adults who are unable/unwilling to address race #HipHopEd
It reminds me of the children of white America watching Logan Paul. The scary thing is that those kids, and kids that consume clothing like this, aren't told to be racist and are learning important lessons on what it means to be white. #HipHopEd
In reply to
@HRHGloriaSantos, @OkemaForever, @KingAdjapong
When I complained about it, because of institutional practice of racism, my complaint fell on deaf ears. I share the story because, it’s not just the perpetrator of the aggression that needs to be addressed but also the structures as well. #hiphoped
Go see some of the IG post regarding this issue and scroll through the comments. There are a lot of racist people out here still. These are facts. This is scary #HipHopEd
And think about how this translates to other contexts: Tamir was a threat, Mike was dangerous, Trayvon was suspect, Freddie was scary... #hiphopedhttps://t.co/659LmvXwJL
The parent, allegedly a kenyan living in Sweden, already posted on social media several times. I'm not posting her response on my TL, but ppl cando a quick search on lipstick alley or Google. #HipHopEd
Go see some of the IG post regarding this issue and scroll through the comments. There are a lot of racist people out here still. These are facts. This is scary #HipHopEd
ALSO: There's some chance these kids were wearing something else completely, and that the graphic designers superimposed the designs on the digital images. Unlikely, but possible. #hiphoped
If you think about what we marvel at when observing monkeys it is often their physical abilities. We call it science fiction when their intelligence is featured. Sadly, is this too far from the hierarchy of what is celebrated among black/brown boys? #HipHopEd
Nah. Nah...I'm not in the advertising business but, ain't no way a company like H&M would let this clear on the last look of a graphic designer. #HipHopEd
What we have to do, which is unfortunate is equip students in k-12 media literacy skills and for Black boys, strategies for coping and combating microagressions. #hiphoped
"Has anyone had problems with the computer accounts?"
"Yes, I don't have one."
"Okay, you can send mail to one of the tutors ..." #HipHopEdhttps://t.co/raqtZlnFZi
While racism and white supremacy exists in almost every corner of this planet, people need to do research into what that looks like in *insert city/country and context here* and how these things shows up in various Communities that may or may not differ from your own #HipHopEd
My wife and I was having this same conversation and we placed a huge level of accountability on the boy's parent(s) because he is a minor, they were probably present and definitely had to approve #HipHopEd
And the apology stated the ad pulled in the United States only. Reminds me of a Scandinavian friend who recently told me the first Black film she saw brought to the theaters in Finland was Mandigo Man. And not too many more Black films for a long time after its run! #HipHopEd
The parent, allegedly a kenyan living in Sweden, already posted on social media several times. I'm not posting her response on my TL, but ppl cando a quick search on lipstick alley or Google. #HipHopEd
What also struck me during this H&M ad fallout is how similar it is to McDonalds advertising of today and the Colt 45 ads of yesterday. All this advertising targeting the "urban community" that is nothing more than anti-blackness on full, public display #hiphoped
Yeah, I'm sure you're right. As a parent, trying to get past the "what were the parents thinking?" question, despite the fact that it's not a productive question. #hiphoped
The marketing folks at H&M probably used The Message as a part of brainstorming the ad outcomes...trying hard to be COOL ... thinking they are "trendingly" integrating HH to attract young people... #HipHopEd
While racism and white supremacy exists in almost every corner of this planet, people need to do research into what that looks like in *insert city/country and context here* and how these things shows up in various Communities that may or may not differ from your own #HipHopEd
H&M has a US marketing team and Ultimately, they are responsible for how their brand shows up globally and how they portray models of color in their marketing campaigns. #HipHopEd
While racism and white supremacy exists in almost every corner of this planet, people need to do research into what that looks like in *insert city/country and context here* and how these things shows up in various Communities that may or may not differ from your own #HipHopEd
Society is obsessed with the notion of White survivors & Black monkeys. H&M simply tapped into this obsession. NFL, Urban Ed, Trump/Obama #SameGame#HipHopEd
I often think societal expectations have been set up to not consider anything BUT physical abilities... I now consider... when we look in STEM, in what areas have we "allowed" some of us to be represented - and yet have that "science fiction" attitude in other areas. #HipHopEd
In my district we are discussing adding an AA-Lit elective to our curriculum. The H&M ad, the Dove ad, and others like them need to be evaluated as texts right alongside Ellison, Morrison, and Baldwin. #hiphoped
Have we even addressed the use of the hoodie in this ad. In my opinion this is the capitalization of tragedy. When I saw this ad, I thought I’d #Trayvon#hiphoped
Sorry to get a little real here, but if we didn't bark about a shirt, many would still feel no ways about walking up on young blacks in hoodies and gunning them down #HipHopEd
I agree! Children's' innocent sprits are broken every single day in schools when they are not allowed to be their true selves. When they are 'trained' to be the model student #HipHopEd
Thanks for bringing this back to the conversation tonite. Media Literacy should be an integral part of almost everything we teach & engage youth about. Media today, on all levels, warrants this because of its pervasiveness. #HipHopEd
Sorry to get a little real here, but if we didn't bark about a shirt, many would still feel no ways about walking up on young blacks in hoodies and gunning them down #HipHopEd
Dang, if that was those folks marketing strategy..I know a hundred kids I've taught over the last several years that could replace them tomorrow #HipHopEd
It is definitely worth dissecting and we also have to look at how we as a community informally influence culture on a world wide stage so we have to me critical of making sure that we don’t present norms that actually are kindles for the fire of racism & hate #HipHopEd
We live in a country where a genius like #TaNehisiCoates felt this way about school: "The classroom had always been the site of my most indelible failures and losses" #WeWereEightYearsInPower#HipHopEd None of this is new - we've got work to do!
To me, as a parent raising a young Black son, got mad and then anxious because of the association mainsteam American folks have made with Black boys, hoodies, Thugs, deviancy and even hiphop. #hiphoped
I was taken aback initially when I seen that this was an actually ad being used, representation amongst children of color is so important ", so I chose to redesign it in a way that would bring new narrative to the ad
It is definitely worth dissecting and we also have to look at how we as a community informally influence culture on a world wide stage so we have to me critical of making sure that we don’t present norms that actually are kindles for the fire of racism & hate #HipHopEd
I agree! Children's' innocent sprits are broken every single day in schools when they are not allowed to be their true selves. When they are 'trained' to be the model student #HipHopEd
"The Jungle" = spaces where there are low resources, poor education & white flight. The folks who create it, escape it, then claim to save those who remain in it #HipHopEd#BoycottHM
Right. We need to address this attitude in all arenas. We have to do a better job preparing teachers & reaching out to veteran teachers, having conversations about how to address race in the classroom - maybe begin the conversation with the HM ad #HipHopEd
I totally understand and the visuals that have been created are awesome. It is on us as a community to write and rewrite the narrative behind the new images created so that they tell a story just like there is a story behind the original ad #HipHopEd
While racism and white supremacy exists in almost every corner of this planet, people need to do research into what that looks like in *insert city/country and context here* and how these things shows up in various Communities that may or may not differ from your own #HipHopEd
I think #Trayvon didn’t receive justice and was never given humanity in death, every month we have “The Talk” this ad was pure brutal insensitivity #hiphoped
To me, as a parent raising a young Black son, got mad and then anxious because of the association mainsteam American folks have made with Black boys, hoodies, Thugs, deviancy and even hiphop. #hiphoped
Cultural + ethnic diversity is not only for the inclusiveness of ideas but it provides insight + sensitivity to the stereotypical labels: reducing unintentional insults #hiphoped
So many people talking abt this childs parent without taking into account how the parent experiences, views and addresses racism and white supremacy within their unique immigrant experience and within the context of xyz experiences. #HipHopEd
Cultural + ethnic diversity is not only for the inclusiveness of ideas but it provides insight + sensitivity to the stereotypical labels: reducing unintentional insults #hiphoped
Trickle down outrage doesn't remove ads or provoke apologies (empty or not). We can go back to not buying their child-labor produced clothing after their hands are sufficiently slapped. #HipHopEd
So now we have to write the back stories that will give a life to the images of our boys as kings to really combat the narrative that exists of them being monkeys. A visual has to be the beginning but not the ending #HipHopEd
Heres the link to @hm board of directors where there are no people of color. Im going to assume that their marketing team is similar https://t.co/p63B9wBsLd#HipHopEd
It's one thing to be portrayed by someone who doesn't look like you in a negative way. The danger is when you begin to see yourself the way that you are being portrayed. We have to begin a revolution of imagery and perceptions #hiphoped
Nope. Not if the only black model in their newest catalogue was wearing the shirt that said monkey on it. Lots of blacks with racist logic..lots #HipHopEd
We can also say that the jungle is filled with bountiful resources, undiscovered beauty, and a multitude of vibrant life forms... We can always reframe and claim "us." #HipHopEdhttps://t.co/pCRXbpS17D
"The Jungle" = spaces where there are low resources, poor education & white flight. The folks who create it, escape it, then claim to save those who remain in it #HipHopEd#BoycottHM
We can also say that the jungle is filled with bountiful resources, undiscovered beauty, and a multitude of vibrant life forms... We can always reframe and claim "us." #HipHopEdhttps://t.co/7L7ofy35Jz
"The Jungle" = spaces where there are low resources, poor education & white flight. The folks who create it, escape it, then claim to save those who remain in it #HipHopEd#BoycottHM
Teach youth to differentiate variations of cultural offenses: Racism, Ignorance , Crude jokes. KKK, H&M, Don Imus; each require a different approach and response. #hiphoped
In response to @hm go out and support a local/national clothier that presents wears that portray you in your God given and not man defined excellence #HipHopEd Now that’s making “Money Moves”
Teach youth to differentiate variations of cultural offenses: Racism, Ignorance , Crude jokes. KKK, H&M, Don Imus; each require a different approach and response. #hiphoped
Teach the youth to be critical and to make critically conscious decisions. If students across the nation were on this chat, many will not support @hm#Hiphoped
And it is not the responsibility of the child model or his family to monitor the appropriateness of the ad nor to anticipate its reception in the US. That's H&M's job. #HipHopEd
What about for the young people that H&M are actually targeting? I mean, there are too many youth who have no sense of such words and what the historical context is. They would wear it and it’d mean nothing
