Objective Analysis - "The Miseducation of Hip-Hop – Discrimination in Education"

In “The Miseducation of Hip-Hop – Discrimination in Education,” written by Jamilah Evelyn, Jason Hinmon and Dr. Thomas Earl Midgette share their opinions on Hip-Hop and its effects on minority students. Jason Hinmon, a student at University of Delaware, argues that he shouldn’t automatically be judged by the faculty, as a student who isn’t interested in learning, just because of his appearance. He explains, “‘they took one look at me and thought that I was some hip-hop hoodlum who wasn’t interested in being a good student’,” (Evelyn, p. 559) and Jason expresses how he doesn’t believe that this treatment is just. Dr. Thomas Earl Midgette, the director of the Institute for the Study of Minority Issues at North Carolina Central University, opposes Jason Hinmon’s argument, saying how “‘they look like hoochie mamas, not like they’re coming to class. Young men with pants fashioned below their navel. Now, I used to wear bell-bottoms, but I learned to dress a certain way if I was negotiating the higher education maze. I had to trim my afro’ ” (Evelyn, p. 559). He feels that students trying to achieve a higher education should dress the part, and be young, professional adults.

Freedom of expression is an important factor when debating this argument. However, how far can one truly take freedom of expression without being penalized by society at some point? Of course, the work place, and sometimes school, can have dress codes which society sets based on what is appropriate or professional. Dr. Thomas Earl Midgette may not be all that understanding of Jason Hinmon’s argument, but he does have a point. Even though technology has expanded and media has a stronger effect on one’s identity, older generations understood that you can still express yourself while being socially acceptable.

 Jason Hinmon doesn’t deserve the stereotype that he received from faculty. However, if you dress like a stereotype, strangers are going to automatically place you within that stereotype. The same goes is you see a grungy-looking guy outside a gas station begging for money. One’s first thought would be that this guy is probably too lazy to work, and probably drinks all of his money away. That’s just the way society works, unfortunately. Even, if that same guy was once a millionaire, who lost everything due to a fire or some other tragedy.

Dr. Thomas Earl Midgette does have a right to maintain that higher education students dress and behave appropriately for the classroom. The classroom is a learning environment, and inappropriate behavior and inappropriate dress can be distracting to some students. So, in the end, Dr. Thomas Earl Midgette is right. One’s appearance does play a role one’s education or job placement, and the more professional or socially acceptable you appear, the more serious someone will take you.

Reference:  Evelyn, Jamilah. (2008). The Miseducation of Hip-Hop – Discrimination in Education. In Laura Gray-Rosendale (Ed.), Pop Perspectives (pp.  559-566). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies.