Capital New York

rmontoya2323 commented on Don't let the green grass fool you: The Roots are one of the most respected hip-hop acts in the world; why can't they leave the sad stuff alone?

Black people are the magical faces at the bottom of society’s well. Even the poorest of whites, gain their self-esteem by gazing down on us. Surely, they must know that their deliverance depends on letting down their ropes. Only by working together is escape possible. Over time, many reach out, but most simply watch, mesmerized into maintaining their unspoken commitment to keeping us where we are, at whatever cost to them or to us, (Bell, 1992). Derrrick Bell (may he rest in peace) opened his seminal book on critical race theory, Faces at the Bottom of the Well: The Permanence of Racism, with these biting words; words that sparked and ignited a new lens through which to view and examine race. As I read this article and finish listening to Undun for possibly the ninth time since getting it last Tuesday, I cannot help but making undeniable connections between Undun and Critical Race Theory. As discussed above, the essence and value of this album transcends the shear talent and creativity that is The Roots, but lies in the "counternarrative". A method of telling the story of those experiences that are not often told (i.e. those on the margins of society) and a tool for analyzing and challenging the stories of those in power and whose story is a natural part of the dominant discourse - the majoritarian story (Delgado and Stefancic). However, not only Redford represents this counternarrative, but The Roots' as a group embody this notion. They are a counternarrative to mainstream Rap and honestly Hip Hop and Boom Bap; an industry that focuses on financial effectiveness and marginalizes true talent. While critics will love the creativity and bravado that surrounds this album; sadly most apathetic and distracted hip hop fans (like the Dj who was interviewed) will sleep on this album because it is hard to digest and is a not a glorification of violence and thug life. And like critical race theory argues, racism and vilence is ordinary, the usual way that our society conducts itself, we are desensitized to the reality of it. Many people would rather not examine tragedy, classism and racism as Undun does; straightfoward and honestly. I applaud you for writing this article and examining the Undun album in a way that pays homage to the work ethic and perspective that define The Roots. Robert Montoya http://robertscriticalperspective.blogspot.com/

Posted on December 14th, 2011 3:42pm