The Negative Influence Of Hip-Hop's Place In Schools

Since the 1980s hip-hop has influenced the world greatly. Artists like Tupac and Biggie have helped make hip-hop the mainstream phenomena it is today. The hip-hop culture is everywhere today and it affects people of all ages. In discussions of hip-hop's, one controversial issue has been hip-hop's place in schools. On the one hand, many teachers argue using hip-hop in schools to educate young students because of the negative influences most hip-hop music today exists. On the other hand, other teachers contends hip-hop is a good resource to educate students. Among students hip-hop is widely popular. Students look up to hip-hop artists and spend there time off rapping to hip-hop music. Clearly, hip-hop has a large influence on today's youth. Despite,

Hamilton is a show about Alexander Hamilton life as a Founding Father of the United States. The show’s use of hip-hop has contributed to the show’s popularity. Rapping about history has never been done and is quite revolutionary. Teachers have used this show historical accuracy to their advantage by incorporating it in their American history lesson. Many teachers have used the show’s songs to teach students about events like the Constitutional Convention, the Federalist Papers, and the 1800 presidential election between Adams and Jefferson (Jackson). No kid enjoys learning about the gritty details of American history, however, Hamilton’s hip-hop has changed the perspective kids have about hip-hop. In other words, kids enjoy things more when something they like is incorporated. Teachers have not only utilized playing the music of Hamilton in the classroom; teachers have found other ways to incorporate Hamilton’s hip-hop into the classroom. In one classroom, a teacher played a song from the show about the creation of the US National Bank. This historic moment highlights the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. Thus, the teacher made her student’s create their own rap battle for and against the creation of a national bank (Flanagan). This educational tool forces students to analyze a historic debate and use there creativity to understand the complex details of American history in their own way. Students can be more engaged in the learning process now because of hip-hop. This is one of the many great effects the use of hip-hop has created in schools. Students are unique and do not all learn the same way. Hip-hop allows students to see boring American history in an engaging way. Students are no longer passively receiving information but rather making more of an effort to truly understand of nation’s great history. Hip-hop in the classroom is great in classrooms and