Blog #6: Discourse Community Rhetorical Analysis and Peer Review Access

Creator: Daniel Brenner, Credit: AP

The Associated Press

For this rhetorical analysis, I chose the Associated Press News article titled “Hip-hop and justice: Culture carries the spirit of protest, 50 years and counting" (Morrison, 2023). This article goes over how hip-hop has always been used as a powerful tool for social and racial movements, and for protests over the last 50 years. The article is for the general audience who may have some interest in music, culture, and activism. It's also for those who love and respect hip-hop culture. He wrote it for the purpose to show that hip-hop has always been more than music. Hip-hop has always been a way for the Black and Brown communities to speak out against unfair treatment and to come together to fight it. Something has always been very prevalent in our communities. The article was published during the 50^th anniversary of hip-hop, when many are celebrating and reflecting on the impact of the genre.

 

Supporting Paragraphs

One rhetorical strategy that I picked up on in this article was pathos, or the emotional appeal. You can see it in the way Morrison’s writing connects with the struggles of the hip-hop community.  Morrison uses lyrics from Chuck D and Kendrick Lamar to showcase the emotional weight of hip-hop’s message. He also quotes prominent figures in the black community like Former President Obama and civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton. He mentions how songs like Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” became an anthem for the Black Lives Matter protests because the rappers themselves are from the very communities that are experiencing these protests. Hip-hop for the black and brown communities have always had an emotional connection, especially when speaking about truth and the uplifting of the communities.

Another rhetorical strategy I picked up on was ethos, or credibility. Morrison has credibility because he’s able to reference hip-hop’s origins in the South Bronx, name respected artists, and speak about the struggles in the community throughout the article. He does a great job referencing how hip-hop has had a long history with social activism through different lyrics and songs. This gives the feeling that Morrison is authentic, and he’s speaking from experience and not just an outsider looking in. Authenticity is one of the most important factors in the hip-hop discourse. It’s what keeps us grounded. It what we gravitate to and when it’s absent, we reject.

 

Conclusion:

Truth, resistance, and authenticity is something the hip-hop community values, and the author has effectively used rhetorical language to present that. The article connects well with me and, I believe, the bigger hip-hop discourse because Morrison points out the emotional and historical importance of hip-hops protest roots. He proves through different artists and lyrics that hip-hop is not just for entertainment, but for survival and social change.   

Citation (APA):

Morrison, A. (2023, August 10). Hip-hop and justice: Culture carries the spirit of protest, 50 years and counting. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/hip-hop-social-justice-protest-50th-anniversary-5351511d2cd79ffe0b10d70db7772357