Michael Eric Dyson shared humor, knowledge and social commentary while many were spending time with their special someone on Valentine’s Day. As the Black Student Alliance’s Black History Month Keynote Speaker, Dyson touched on such topics as the feud between Jay Z and Nas, “patriotic correctness” and the legacy of blacks in America.
“A legacy is something very important in preserving human achievement,” Dyson said.
He was quick to point out the importance of a legacy, but noted that there are many contradictions and problems facing the black community when forming it.
Dyson, a Baptist preacher from Detroit, asked what traits of today will be reflected in 20 years? Instead of quoting bands like the Stylistics and Marvin Gaye, people will be quoting Juvenile and Snoop Dogg.
Are the icons of today promoting the acquisition of a Rolex or a degree, and what are the effects of a “bling-bling” culture? Dyson made his points by noting that many rappers wear numerous diamonds, while the stones were mined under the apartheid of South Africa.
He also said that rappers, such as Jay-Z are perceived to represent black culture, but degrade women at the same time. Later pointing out that the only black women in the song are either portrayed as coming out of the jungle of Africa or the ghetto.
Despite his attack on a few, Dyson notes that Mos Def, Outkast and the late Tupac Shakur provide a high degree of social conscience to their music. However, these contradictions did not end with hip-hoppers. “Preachers are part of the `bling-bling’ movement as well,” Dyson said.
Dyson claims that many “abuse the name of God.” He points out that too often these liturgical soothsayers tell people to pray, but not to take action. When nothing occurs, supposedly the faithful are not praying enough.
Dyson also touched on “patriotic correctness.” “You can’t say anything about the government now,” Dyson said.
While referring to the reign of patriotism that has followed since the Sept. 11 attacks, he pointed out that people still need to criticize and critique the government. However, he calls for people to look at the reasons why the attacks occurred and where these groups start.
“The U.S. backed Saddam [Hussein], propped up the Shah [in Iran], and Reagan funded bin Laden in the ’80s,” Dyson said. He occasionally referred to the U.S. as the “United States of Amnesia.”
The government was another big part of his speech, as he noted that blacks have entered high positions, such as Condoleezza Rice and Clarence Thomas. However, he questions whether or not the two represent black America.
He finished by answering audience questions that ranged from black representation among political parties, Affirmative Action and the impact of Hip-Hop on culture.
The event began with a few opening words from Annette Jackson, BSA activities chair and the Melody and Praise Gospel Ensemble sang “Hold Me Now,” by Kirk Franklin and the Nu Nation.
After the hour-and-a-half long speech, and a thank you from Ricardo Fernandez, BSA president, Dyson signed books and talked with students.
The event was co-sponsored by the Great Issues Committee, but was planned by the BSA. “We had listed a group of speakers and felt that he [Dyson] was the best,” Jackson said.
Dyson is a professor at DePaul University in Chicago and the Ida B. Wells-Barnett University in Chicago. Over the course of his career, he taught at Brown University, Columbia University and University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
He has been published in Rolling Stone, Vibe, the New York Times, and has written several books (I May Not Get There with You: The True Martin Luther King, Jr., The Myth and Meaning of Malcolm X, and Race Rules: Navigating the Color Line).
