Panel Will Explore Pros and Cons of Hip Hop

The public is invited to take part in a panel discussion entitled “What Are We Dancing To: Hip Hop, Rap or Death Music,” this Thursday, Feb. 28 from 1:30 to 2:40 pm at Weequahic High School, 279 Chancellor Ave.

The panel, which will include students, teachers, journalists, activists and others, will explore questions surrounding the musical genre, such as whether hip hop is a positive force promoting unity and empowerment or a negative one glamorizing black self-hatred, crime and misogyny.
 
Panelists include Jah Jah Shakur, hip hop scholar and activist; Ras Baraka, principal of Central High School and South Ward Councilman; Al Tarik Onque, hip hop artist and community activist of Stop Shooting music; Sharif Amenhotep, community activist of the Newark Anti-Violence Coalition (NAVC);  R.A.P. Phenomenal, BET’s 106 & Park  Freestyle Retired Champion; and student leaders of Weequahic High School.  Math teacher Kycied Zahir will moderate the event.     
 
The Black History Month Committee was created by history teachers to organize programs and activities for February’s Black History Month at Weequahic High School under the supervision of the social studies department headed by Ms. Yvette King.
 
For more information call (908) 956-3523or (973) 705-3795.