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H.E.A.L.* The Nation · by R.H.S.
Alphabet soup … words, letters…
I’m not one to dis the earnest civical-minded denizens of the hip-hop nation for their raptivism but a recent post at the always excellent Grand Good that recaps an event in DC titled Remixing The Art of Social Change causes me to wonder whether or not our perpetual obsession with borderline nonsensical acronyms is destroying our progress. Included among the organizations that represented were H.E.L.P. (Hip-Hop Educational Literacy Program), G.A.M.E. (Grassrooots Artists MovEment), R.E.A.C.H. (Representing Education, Activism, and Community through Hip-Hop), and J.U.I.C.E. (Justice by Uniting In Creative Energy).
Now, before you go running to Jeff Chang and slandering OhWord’s good name (Outmoded Hacks Winging Obsolete Reviews Daily) among the sushi, dreadlocks, and advanced liberal arts degree having rap crowd, I am in no way questioning the integrity or logistical efficiency of these endeavors. These brothas and sistas will probably work it out, if their relatively user-friendly websites are any indication. All I am saying is to give [cool acronyms like] P.E.A.C.E. (Protons and Electrons Always Cause Explosions) a chance, duns! I’m all for teaching the babies to read pragmatic tomes like Invisible Man and When The Chickenheads Come Home To Roost, but “H.E.L.P.” just doesn’t smack of virtue, leadership, and competence at all. “R.E.A.C.H.” is at best, a stretch, and at worst, an unneccesary use of an acronym when ‘hood approved 5%er phrasing like “Each One, Teach One” is that much cooler and drives the point home. “G.A.M.E.” is just lazy, while “J.U.I.C.E.” is patently absurd given that a union of creative energy should theoretically result in a less anachronistic and more “with it” choice of acronym. Maybe make something out of “C.R.A.N.K. D.A.T.?”
To be fair, it can be argued that poorly constructed acronyms are an underappreciated element of hip hop. From the absurd (Beastie [Boys Entering A State Of Internal Excellence] Boys) to the blunted (Black Moon [Brothas Lyrically Acting Creatively Kicking Music Out Over Nations]) to the jignorant (Memphis – [Making Easy Money Pimping Hoes In Style] Bleek) to the idiotic (Tash [Tough-Ass Son Of Harold]), rap acronyms are unwieldy and embarassing the vast majority of the time. These name sof these activist organizations sound as awkward and overdetermined as Ed O.G.‘s socially conscious crew, Da Bulldogs (Black United Leaders Living Directly Off Grooving Sounds). Plus, the names of non-acronym sporting organizations weren’t much better – “The Midnight Forum” sounds like WBLS’ after-hours wine-and-candles mix hosted by a lonely thirtysomething vixen named after a planet or a state, “Freemix Radio” introduces a terrible neologism, and “Yo! The Movement“brings to mind the nightmarish scenario of an Ed Lover bid for the Oval Office.
I’m just saying, though…
Comments for "H.E.A.L.* The Nation"
Feelin the post, Witty and Unpredictable.
— Abe Beame Nov 14, 09:15 PM
Official Heady Writer Opining on Rap Dalliance
— Jay B Nov 15, 02:00 AM
Awesome post.
— David Nov 15, 02:42 AM
Indeed. Several consecutive awesome posts.
I’m thinking maybe I should extend my blogging holiday.
— Rafi Nov 15, 02:45 AM