What Does The Comedian Paul Mooney Mean By The Phrase'stolen Culture

Documentary: “Blacking UP: Hip-Hop’s Remix of Race and Identity” (2010)

1) What does the comedian Paul Mooney mean by the phrase “stolen culture”? What are the issues is he responding to when he uses that phrase?

When Paul Mooney says “stolen culture” he is referring to African American culture being stolen just like how they were stolen from Africa and how this is not a new thing. The issues he is touching base on is racism, Mooney says that white people did not pay their dues and therefore don’t deserve to even attempt to be a part of a culture they have no right in.

2) Why does he think that white rappers are extensions of black face? Why does he prefer them to wear blackface?

In the mindset of Paul Mooney white rappers are the black face

of the new millennium and for them to act black is just a new way for white people to minstrel.
3) What is a “wigger”?

How have you heard the term used? Do you think it is a problematic term?

A Wigger is a Caucasian that is usually born and raised in the suburbs with a comfortable lifestyle but has a burning desire to emulate African American Hip-Hop culture. They are basically donning a persona as one would do to a Halloween costume. In my opinion the word “Wigger” is not as offensive as the word it is derived from. The term doesn’t have a history of racism and oppression tied to it. Wigger is insult to disassociate white people from black

people.

4) Who are some of the “white boys who stole the blues”? Why are they perceived as having stolen the blues?
Elvis would have to be one of the “white boys who stole the blues”. His music was heavily influenced with his surroundings which at the time was with black people. He populated music that black artists created but didn’t have the range of popularity or access that he achieved for being white at that time.
5) Why is authenticity important in hip hop culture? How do the filmmakers seem to define authenticity in hip hop?
Authenticity has a major role in Hip-Hop culture because the lyrics behind each rapper is their life. Rap is all about authenticity and being real. So, when a white rapper from the suburbs is rapping about the struggle of living in the “hood” it is laughable at best. It is a lie and that rapper is a fraud and a poser. You speak your truth when rapping and live it.
6) Who is Al Jolson? Explain the two arguments about his use of black music
Al Jolson was a racist singer who wore black face and appropriated what the black man symbolized. He was often called the poster boy political incorrectness. He made black music that was acceptable to white people
7) One of the members of Two White Crew states that hip hop should be shared. What do you think is difference between sharing and stealing as some have accused Al Jolson and other white musicians who have used black music?

Hip-Hop is black culture and it stems from black experience but the music can be listened to by other cultures as well as performed. I think it should be shared in sense that you are inspired by it and make it your own however if you are emulating black people every single time you rap like “Two White Crew” then you are just mimicking. Al Jolson is a prime example of stealing music from black people, it is said that Jolson didn’t find his true voice until he put on black face. Another example would be Eminem in the film, it was said that he “took rap and sold it to White people. He’s a good writer but who does he represent? Himself and the rich white executives who backed him when he came out the suburbs.”

8) What do you think Greg Tate meant when he stated? “It is kind of absurd for people to say they weren’t thinking about race. It’s like, your subconscious working overtime?”
Do you think Crack’d Owt was performing black face?

When Greg Tate said “It is kind of absurd for people to say they weren’t thinking about race. It’s like, your subconscious working overtime?” I think he meant that people should know what is offensive and what is not. It is not that hard to understand what is acceptable and what can be perceived as racist. The group “Crack’d Owt” in my opinion was performing in black face because they were imitating black people in such a stereotypical way that it is just as exaggerated as black face.

9) Paul Mooney states, “I’m black because you’re white” What does he mean by this?
Paul Mooney is referring to the fact that we are being separated by these words and separated through institutionalized racism as well. “I’m black because you’re white” is the divide that will always separate the two and how they can’t be the same.
10) When is imitation innocent and when is, it degrading?
In the documentary, the rap acts “Crack’d Owt” “Two White Crew” are perfect examples of how imitation can be degrading.

By day they are so called respectable members of the community and then they transform into their costume. Donning chains, grills and holding alcohol because that is black culture in their minds. A complete narrow notion of what it means to being black in America is.

11) How is authenticity complicated in hip hop music? in other words, what are the complexities involved with ascribing authenticity to hip hop music

Hip-hop is a culture, a community, and a social and political movement that began in the 1970’s as an attempt to channel the voices of anger into something other than the life of the streets. Authenticity is complicated in Hip-Hop in the sense that people that people remember the history from where it started and hold on to it. So, when a white rapper starts rapping some of them are perceived as novelty acts because they don’t seem real enough to understand or even imagine what the burden it is to be black in America.

12) Summarize the conversation that is happening in this film who are the Who are the conversant? What are their arguments? How are they responding to each

other?
The documentary brings up multiple questions, one of the take away was that what happens when white youths get enamored with rap and Hip-Hop culture? Is this just America being the blending pot its claims to be or is it an example of appropriation and culture mockery? The film raises questions on the authenticity of white rappers and how the Hip-Hop community is based on values of being real. The best way to describe the film would be a quote from it, authenticity in Hip-Hop culture is a paradox because it is black culture however people from other cultures appeal to it.