Hip hop music is important precisely because it sheds light on contemporary politics, history, and race. At its best, hip hop gives voice to marginal black youth we are not used to hearing from on such topics. Michael Eric Dyson blackcontemporaryhear share on social
The methodologies of examining hip hop are borrowed from sociology, politics, religion, economics, urban studies, journalism, communications theory, American studies, transatlantic studies, black studies, history, musicology, comparative literature, English, linguistics, and other disciplines. Michael Eric Dyson americanblackborrow share on social
I don't think you can bury words. I think the more you try to dismiss them, the more power you give to them, the more circulation they have. Michael Eric Dyson burycirculationdismiss Change image and share on social
I'm a 'tweener,' man! I couldn't march with Dr. King and them. And I'm too old to be a hip-hopper. But I've been granted honorary status in each generation... I see my tongue as a bridge over which ideas can travel back and forth. Michael Eric Dyson backbridgegeneration share on social
Oprah Winfrey represents the most ingenious and creative expression of black spiritual genius in the public mainstream that we've had in quite a long time, if ever. Michael Eric Dyson blackcreativeexpression Change image and share on social
I think that Michael Jackson, just as an entertainer, as a figure who embodies the contradictions of black identity and the possibilities of R&B music in the '70s and '80s, will continue to be one of the most recognized and formidable human beings that we've ever produced in our tradition. Michael Eric Dyson 70s80sbeing share on social
George Bush ran a campaign where he bragged about being an anti-intellectual, dismissing his Harvard and Yale pedigree, pretending he was an American every day, ordinary everyman, and as a result of that, played up his fumbling speech because it signified that he was a good guy. That is deeply and profoundly anti-intellectual. Michael Eric Dyson americanantibrag share on social
Bill Cosby is a famous black guy who has a bully pulpit the size of the world; it's global. He puts his colossal foot on the vulnerable necks of poor people, and as a result of that, we don't have a balanced conversation. Michael Eric Dyson balancebillblack share on social
When Dr. King was murdered, I had no idea who he was. But as soon as I heard his words on television that night when I was 9 years old, I was dumbstruck, awestruck by their power. Michael Eric Dyson awestruckdumbstruckhear Change image and share on social
I have no interest in romanticizing poor black people, having been one of them myself in our beloved hometown of Detroit. Michael Eric Dyson belovedblackdetroit Change image and share on social