Kickin' the Ballistics: Reflections on the Hip Hop Generation, Poverty and Power - Tapa blanda

With the removal of the economic life base of once stable inner-city communities, the introduction of crack cocaine, the mass incarceration of young black and Latino men, the high school dropout crisis, high rates of gun deaths for young black and Latino men, misogynist views of black women and the HIV/AIDS crisis, the Hip Hop Generation has continuously been pushed close to the edge. Invisible in mass media, the Hip Hop Generation has used rap music and Hip Hop culture as a means to both navigate and communicate the jungle that is far too often the realities of high poverty urban communities. Kickin' the Ballistics uses rap music as a means of exploring the Hip Hop Generation and its thoughts on poverty, sexual orientation, relationships, crime and education. Kickin' the Ballistics explores the historical impact of economic and public policies on the Hip Hop Generation and argues that issues of poverty, crime and education are not an indication of laziness or immorality on the part of the Hip Hop Generation, but is in fact the consequences of a unique mix of both deliberate and unintended harsh and discriminatory public policies. By using the lyrics of old school and more recent Hip Hop artist like Grand Master Flash, KRS-One, Ice Cube, Kayne West, Jay Z and Lupe Fiasco as a powerful tool to explain the unique circumstances facing the Hip Hop Generation, Kickin the Ballistics is a realistic look at the past, present and future of urban America and a page turner for anyone interested in social justice and equality.

Ralph E. Godbolt is a respected author, professor of public policy and sociology and an advocate for social justice and equality. He is also a renowned public speaker on issues of poverty, the Hip Hop Generation, community based advocacy and breaking down barriers. With his passion for social justice and equality, his ability to motivate and inspire and an engaging stage presence that serves to excite and ignite crowds, Ralph E. Godbolt, has become a powerful voice of his generation. As a professor and researcher on the “sociology of the HIP HOP Generation”, Godbolt is in-tune with some of the most pressing public policy and cultural issues of our times. As Co-Founder, President and CEO of HIP HOP Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting low income youth, Godbolt is committed to sharing a message about the importance of serving others and building better communities. As the author of the powerful book, “Kickin' the Ballistics: Reflections on the HIP HOP Generation, Poverty and Power”, Godbolt is working to address issues of literacy across the country. Due to a unique ability to engage audiences, ranging from school aged children, to college students and faculty, to community members and parents, to educators and professionals, Godbolt is focused on spreading a message of community empowerment, the benefits of quality education and a reminder of the importance of public policy in the struggle for social justice and equality. Godbolt challenges his audiences to not only work to better themselves, but to work to form partnerships and coalitions that will serve to strengthen communities and institutions. Godbolt has been educated at Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, the University of Delaware and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.