Maybe I missed the sarcasm, but Racism (see Fear and/or Lack of Understanding) is built into every living creature, including us. What sets apart us from Apes, or fish if you'd like (or insert a random territorial animal if you're mad I didn't mention it over apes), is that we can (if we are willing to) overcome that basic ignorance and fear, and learn to appreciate and incorporate what we like from something, and thus become something better.

Racism is protected under the law, by means of Free Speech, Religion, etc. You can think, feel, say, whatever you like, as long as it's done through socially acceptable means.

What is legislated against are things like Hate Crimes. That is done because statistics have shown that Hate Crimes lead to repeated Hate Crimes, and are thus treated more seriously because most of the time they lead to more violence and obstructions of the law. It's the same idea as drug use. Hard Drugs aren't banned and illegal because they can hurt you, they are banned because the addiction can lead you to hurt others while under the influence or to feed the addiction. It's a very simple concept I'm sure everyone graps.

Promoting and reveling in ignorance is exactly what many people do, and why there are so many rifts in society.

I'm not trying to be, Kodiak888 explained the point that I believe quite elequantly.  I'm quite open to a discussion which disagrees with the point, and I only think it from my own experiences.

I actually believe that's how evolution works and how species end up branching.

I also believe what Kodiak said that overcoming that ignorance is a sign of a good upbringing or being intelligent.

I really don't like being called ignorant because I try my best not to be.

I only said that stuff about rock because it pissed me off the way how people were generalizing rap. But I realized it's wrong, still I don't like rock/metal and I never will.

Sorry, u do sound like a racist to me...   Where are u from exactly???  I'm guessing either a small town or a white color suburb...  Do u actually think inner city violence is caused by gangster rap??  I grew up in a bad neiborhood  and there were guns, drugs, and hookers..  I am 30 years old so this was before "gangster rap"  Rappers are just reflecting the world around them thru their music...  Don't get me wrong I don't care for gangster rap,  but I love hip-hop and it is a part of the very fabric of America so don't cut on it.....

virgil_tracy

I don't think you meant to address me, however quoting me makes it look like you did.

fixed

Sydney Australia. There's a hole in your logic for you huh...

Im not saying this without basis, the number of kids who brought guns/knives/drugs to school, and claimed they did it because 50 Cent or tupac does it, is staggering.

maybe i am a little rascist. i believe the majority of asians cant drive well if their lives depended on it. but i dont go persecuting them for it. Im jewish, so i know the gravity of that. i believe that "Mainstream" (to keep all you politically correct whiners happy) rap, which, yes, happens to be dominated by black people, is a cause for alot of social degradation. i dont know about underground or atlernative rap. i think i might actually like it if it is what i think it is, but as it stands, mainstream rap is just bad, and promoting social anarchy. it is NOT the sole cause, but it certainly helps.

and dont get me wrong, im no prude, but there is a way to do it and a way not to, and Rap just screws it all up

Uh, yes, you are. Do you have numbers and studies to actually back this up? This same damn argument about corrupting children is used against video games and movies. But in reality, people are just stupid.

  A lot? Oh no, a small number of children are calling each other bitches and niggas! Guess what? Most of them grow out of it by the time they're in their twenties. It's just another childhood phase.

The same thing could be said about [insert popular music genre here].

And it does this how? By using bad words? If that's the case, then music in general promotes social anarchy.

....This doesn't even make sense. Screws what up?

More to share, first is a remix for the upcoming World Cup 2010, good fun!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULNQRwI09Rk

Second is Tinchy Stryder ft. Amelle - Never Leave You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AU-J6J8_Ytk

Guys if you don't like rap, then stay away from this thread, yeah? Seems the easiest thing to do.  

Australia...that makes sense you guys still have a HUGE problem with racism!!!

http://rawstory.com/news/afp/UN_envoy_slams_entrenched_racism_in_08272009.html

Rap as related to violence?

Here is the latest:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090920/ap_on_re_us/us_virginia_killings

Okay, I'll bite. A child who is obviously mentally unstable(although to be frank nothing in that artcle states there being any real evidence against him, and he hasn't been convicted) seeks out violent content and expresses himself with it. In this case it's "horrorcore" rap(which hardly counts as real rap) and in other cases its been video games, movies, and violent writing in general.

I'm sorry but what's your point? Do you want to ban all types of violent media or something?

Why are we trying to pin a couple of extreme acts or racism on what kind of genre of music a person listens to.  Imo this is counter productive and missing the point of the OP.  I listen to all types of music and don't feel like any of it can be held responsible for any of my actions.  Ultimately we need to move away from trying to lay the blame on anything other than the individual.

Also Virgil though you and I may share some interests in music.  I think that though you will find racism in either of the aforementioned places.  They don't hold a monopoly on such views.  I live in one of the most remote places in the US and I don't feel I'm racist.