A coalition of boys and men arose in Jamaica in the 1960’s to revolt against their government’s oppressive regulations, which they often called “isms and skisms,” a negative term denoting Jamaica’s classificatory system. Their attitudes and actions were thought of as a burden on Jamaica, for they were looters, robbers, and fighters. Yet, this was the only way they knew of to get money to stay alive and support their families. In the midst of their revolution, they took on the title “rude boys”; this title has permeated through the U.K. and into the U.S. The Slackers, a band from New York, carry on the meaning of the Jamaican rude boys through their music of the ska genre. Traditional ska originated when the original rude boys emerged, because it was fit to dance to in the hot Jamaican weather.
“I asked my father for some advice, He answered quickly, he didn't think twice. He said a thinkin' man don't do too much, Know what you're doing and do as you must. And learn to be rude and reckless, Don't make a fuss. You have to be rude and reckless, Do as you must. You have to be hard and callous In your heart and your hands. Learn to be rude and reckless, It'd make you a man. I said now Papa, I'm just a boy. I want to get groovy, I want to bring joy. He said that's well and good for the son of a richer man, But that ain't you now sonny, please understand…”
~The Slackers
The culture and music that arose in Jamaica in the 1960’s due to intense poverty is almost comparable to the ties between rap music and culture in the U.S. today. The Slackers, for instance, have carried on ska music as their way of expressing their frustration with our economy. Every night the newest gang uprisings, murders, and thefts are plastered all over the local news of my city. Although I have been robbed before, the question of whether the thief needed the money more than I still popped into my head. So many are born into families of poverty; they are born into a hole that they have to dig themselves out of, many without reasonable accommodations.
After watching the presidential debate tonight, it is obvious that this country is in dire need of help and reform, whether that consists of a budget freeze or reallocating funds. One of the presidential candidates said something along the lines that Americans are angry and frustrated at Washington D.C. and Wall Street. In my city, as of the year 2000 statistics, 6.3% of whites under age 18 were in poverty. 30.8% of under age 18 Non-Hispanic Blacks were in poverty (http://diversitydata.sph.harvard.edu/profiles.jsp?ma=3760).
Our country is supposedly heading into a depression that has not been seen since the Great Depression, and while so many people don’t have the money to even build 401k’s or invest in stocks, our government is bailing out Wall Street. For years now I’ve watched my city, block by block, close up stores and businesses, while the suburbs are flourishing with cookie-cutter homes and corporate strip malls. In my eyes, everything has been going south for years, and the violence and retaliation often pinpointed to gangs is misrepresented. Americans are angry, and some are desperate enough to turn to drugs, violence, and theft. Poverty has been an issue practically since this country was founded, yet only now, when we have spent billions in Iraq and our housing market is failing, does it illicit such a great response.
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