(Above is the historic photo of the 1968, Sanitation workers protest in Memphis for better working conditions.)

The Men of the Tenth Inc.

Kanye West is More Than a Rapper

In 2004, the platinum-selling artist Kanye West stepped

onto the scene as a rapper from Rocafella records. His

debut album The College Dropout was an instant classic.

Throughout the years Kanye’s music and artistic ability

have changed America, specifically Black culture.

However, there are many that suggest Kanye is “just a

rapper.” Today, I want you to know that Kanye is more

than a rapper; he is a social justice leader. Moreover, he

is critical about the world we live in. Kanye uses his

upbringing and formal education to make others aware

of racial problems that African Americans encounter. He

is also relentless at speaking out against inequality.

The topics Kanye covers in his music are great indicators

of how racial consciousness influences children.

July 2011 Teaching the truth to the youth.

More inside!

You must never stop learning. The world’s greatest men and

women were people who educated themselves outside of

the university with all the knowledge that the university gives, as [and] you have the

opportunity of doing the same

Life Lessons from Marcus Garvey

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Moreover, the education he has received from his

family has influenced him to write powerful lyrics.

Kanye is unlike most rappers, his mother has a PhD in

English and had taught at the university level until her

tragedy death in 2007. Her influence has caused him

to create powerful messages and enlighten others

through songs. For example, in the song, Never Let Me

Down, Kanye states:

I get down for my grandfather who took my momma Made her sit that seat where white folks ain't wanna us to eat At the tender age of 6 she was arrested for the sit in With that in my blood I was born to be different

If you are not aware of the civil rights movement then

you can not understand the history lesson that Kanye

has infused into the first and second line. Within these

lines, Kanye reminds us about the historic struggle

African-Americans had to overcome just to have a

decent meal to eat in America. The next line asserts the

results of trying to eat, while the last line suggests his

family’s heritage has provided the platform for him to be

unique.

Life Lessons (cont.)

thing the university student does- read and study.

Every six months you should read

over again the science of the language that you speak, so as not to forget its rules. People judge you by your writing and your speech. If you write badly and incorrectly they

become prejudiced toward your intelligence, and if you speak badly and incorrectly those who hear you become disgusted and will not pay much attention to you but in their

hearts laugh after you.

(Excerpts from “Marcus Life and Lessons,” 1987)

Artwork of the Month Born in Massachusetts then brought by his family to live in New Jersey at an early age, Frank Morrison was reared and spent his formative years there, an affable, precocious and inquisitive youngster whose curiosity about everything around him seemed limitless. Then, as an energetic pre-teen, he was interested and enthused by the youthful fads, interests and activities, which marked his world: he decided to place his art skills on a canvas and uses local characters to illustrate the daily highlights of urban life.

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Definition:

Social Justice Leader

A social justice leader improves conditions of

people in low-income communities and

addresses other basic needs of society at the

local level. Social justice leaders help engage

others in effort to reach levels of human

awareness and relations. They speak the

simple terms about basic dignity of every

human being.

(Excerpt from “Defining a Citizen Leader” in

The Leader’s Companion: Insights on

Leadership Through the Ages,” 1995)

Therefore, if you have never

experienced, urban life, racial profiling,

or visited a black church, you would

probably think Kanye is just good at

putting together words. However, often

times Kanye provides critiques in his

music about the media, society, and

people of influence. So, for those of you

who think Kanye West is just a rapper.

Just remember that his lyrics and actions

as a rapper have made President Obama

voice “he is a jackass” and President

Bush claim Kanye’s opinion of him was

one of the lowest moments of his life.

Overall, Kanye’s work is not the work of a

rapper, but a social justice leader.

The Men of the Tenth Inc. The Men of the Tenth Inc., is a non-profit organization that believes in W.E.B. Dubois’

philosophy that the upliftment of a community will be saved by its exceptional men and women.

The Men of the Tenth Inc. provides workshops and presentations to arm students with the skill-

set and tools to eliminate unwanted conflicts and challenges that may occur. Our goal is to reach

young people and motivate them to do better. For presentations contact us at :

The Men of the Tenth Inc.

Website: www.themenofthetenth.org

Email: Info@themenofthetenth.org

Phone: (518) 657-9594

750 Faile Avenue Suite 2E Bronx, New York 10458