[Marxism] 'Negroes with Guns' - prologue and Chapter One

[Benjamin Morgan]

Comrade Ben:
   
  David wrote:
  "Most killing with guns is the result of criminal activity, such as drug sales, etc. Crime doesn't come about because of "Hollywood".
   
  I agree and disagree. The root of Gun violence is intrinsikly related to the ruling classes exploitation. In many cases Gun violence is the result of "Ganster Capitalism" which eminates from poverty and depraivaty. However, this is just the root. Takinging a page from situationism, Guy Debord raises an intresting problematic of the spectaclization of society by the ruling class. Keeping with this line of thought gun violence can be viewed as a systematic function. Hollywood and corporate rap music desensitize minority communities to violence as a means of propagating multi-billion dollar industries. A growing tendency especially in the US minority communities is the influx of gangs and music condoning the actions of gangs. From the standpoint of a poor urban minority, participating in the spectacle of depravity may appear glamorous or as the only option. Think about it we live in a time when music "artist" can talk about being shot and make a million dollars.
   
  From Wikipedia:
   
  Curtis James Jackson III (born July 6, 1975)[1] is an American rapper commonly known by his stage name 50 Cent. He rose to fame following the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin' and The Massacre. 50 Cent achieved multi-platinum success with both albums, selling over twenty million records worldwide.[2]
  Born in South Jamaica, Queens in New York, 50 Cent began drug dealing at the age of twelve during the 1980s' crack epidemic.[3] After leaving drug dealing in favor of pursuing a rap career, he was shot nine times in 2000. After releasing his mixtape compilation Guess Who's Back? in 2002, 50 Cent was discovered by rapper Eminem and signed to Interscope Records. With the help of Eminem and Dr. Dre—who produced his first major commercial successes—he became one of the highest selling rap artists in the world. In 2003, he founded the record label G-Unit Records, which signed several successful rappers such as Young Buck, Lloyd Banks, and Tony Yayo. 50 Cent has engaged in numerous feuds with other rappers including Ja Rule, The Game, and Fat Joe.
  50 Cent also pursued an acting career, appearing in the semi-autobiographical film Get Rich or Die Tryin' in 2005 and the Iraq War film Home of the Brave in 2006. He plans to release two solo albums by February 2008.[4]
    


“Whenever death may surprise us, let it be welcome if our battle cry has reached even one receptive ear and another hand reaches out to take up our arms.”
   
  ~ Ernesto "Che" Guevara
       
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