 "Photo: Josh Baumann")
From his opinion on the Rev. Al Sharpton and Oprah Winfrey to the issues affecting black college students today - artist, producer and philanthropist Levell Crump, better known as David Banner, spoke his mind in Clayton Hall Tuesday night in his lecture "Cope, Conform or Resist? A Lecture on the Double Consciousness of Young African-Americans."
The lecture was presented by the Black American Studies Participatory Action Research Team, a group of students dedicated to the evaluation of the experiences of black students at the university. Many of the issues brought up during Banner's lecture were the result of much of BAMS PAR research, including maintaining an "authentic black identity" within the college atmosphere.
PAR team member, Carl Suddler, gave an opening statement to introduce Banner and warned audience members that judging Banner based on what has been heard on the radio, does not create an accurate portrait of the Hip-hop icon.
"We tend to take pieces to develop our own understanding of something rather than examining the whole picture," Suddler said. "I say all of that to say this: just because you've heard one or two lyrics and watched the YouTube clip, doesn't mean you understand the man speaking here tonight."
From beginning to end, Banner presented himself in an energetic, humorous style all his own. However, between calling out Al Sharpton and Oprah for being sellouts and having a white cameraman in the room perform a "James Brown step" on stage, Banner had a serious message to deliver.
"I tell so many jokes because it keeps me from crying," Banner said.
Banner covered an array of topics affecting young people today, both black and white. From American politics, to what is causing young black America to be what it is today, Banner shared his opinions freely, claiming that he was "just telling the truth."
"The problem is with young black men and women - we don't give them options," he said.
Banner raised controversial issues that hit close to home when he said the university did not want him to visit and he had his theories about why this was.
"A lot of people in power didn't want me here," he said. "But black people pay tuition too, why can't we pick the things that we want? It shouldn't be an option."
Banner explained the fear of knowledge is what has caused people to be hesitant about him visiting universities.
"I got to be honest, when I heard there was problems about me coming and speaking, it hurt my feelings because what are you afraid of?" he said.
Banner had an answer to his own question.
"Right here in this university they are teaching you how to maintain the status quo in power, not teaching you how to be an individual thinker," he said. "That's why they don't want me here."
Banner went on to explain his theory of "double consciousness," an idea in which black students will lose their black identity in order to conform to the college lifestyle which is more or less dominated by a "white" environment. Banner explained to the audience that while college is an environment that shapes young men and women, it's important to be in control of your own identity.
"Knowledge is true power," he said. "You can go to school, but until your conscious is raised, you truly don't have an education."
Banner also spoke of many problems facing blacks in America today. Banner explained how slavery and the way parents raise their children today are among some of the many reasons why black men and women are the way they are today.
"We have truly lost our identity," he said.
Banner said it is the pressure to conform to a mostly "white" society that often suppresses black identity in young men and women today. An example of this "white conformity" can be seen in the perming of a black woman's hair to make it "more white," he said.
Banner said this occurs because for blacks, the belief is the more you look black today, the less likely you are to get "that Exxon job."
He also touched on issues concerning Hip-hop culture and rap music, including his own. Banner said he once spoke on C-Span and commented that "Hip-Hop is sick because America is sick." He defended his music, saying that it is not a direct reflection of the work he does or what he stands for.
"If Stephen King can do horror movies, why can't black people do horror music?" Banner said. "It's all just a song."
Banner also said it was rap music that saved his life. When he was younger, instead of getting angry, he said he would listen to rap instead of doing something he would regret. He said while rap music often receives negative attention for the messages it delivers, it often does not get recognized for what it stops listeners from doing.
During his lecture, Banner told the audience it is important to remember that each individual is responsible for themselves and his or her own freedom. He said the people who hurt him most happen to be black people, because blacks often do not see the worth in themselves that many others do. Banner said to find one's identity it is all about the individual.
"In order to truly gain knowledge, we must learn who we are as individuals separate and apart from our families, our churches and our race," he said.
The lecture ended with a question-and-answer session in which audience members were able to ask Banner questions. Banner said he wanted the "hard" questions, and took off his jacket, saying he was ready to debate. He encouraged audience members of every race to speak with him.
Many students participated. Questions ranged from his views of the upcoming election, to more sensitive, controversial subjects like the objectification of women. Some students even agreed to disagree with some of the things Banner had to say.
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