Muted Microcultural Groups:The Rap Music Generation

“An identifiable group of people who share a set of values, beliefs, and behaviors and who possess a common history and a verbal and nonverbal symbol system that is similar to but systematically varies from the larger, often dominant cultural milieu”

Microcultural groups often develop their own language for communicating outside the dominant or majority culture’s context or value system.

The terms “minority group” or subculture are often used to refer to microcultural groups, however these terms carry negative connotations.

By definition, sub- means “beneath,” “below,” and inferior”.

Social scientists generally recognize five characteristics that distinguish microcultural groups from the dominant culture.• 1) Ethnicity/Gender/Language/Distinctive Dress

Habits, e.g., Rastafarians • 2) Microcultural membership is usually not

voluntary• 3)Microcultural group member generally

practice endogamy (i.e., marrying within the in-group)

• 4) Group members are aware of their subordinate status

• 5) Such groups often experience unequal treatment from the dominant group in the form of segregation and discrimination

The manifestation of the muted group theory is that microcultural groups’ speech and writing are not valued by the dominant cultural group.

• “Moreover, microcultural groups experience difficulty expressing themselves fluently within the dominate mode of expression; that is, they may not speak the same language as the dominant group, and hence “micro-macro interaction is difficult”.

Written by Homeboy Sandman, who identifies as a hip hop artist.

These words, and others, are given more media attention in the hopes that more people will use them or embrace them. • There are many negative stereotypes of this

microculture, which leads to oppression of the group. Those who embrace this lifestyle are also

embracing all the negative stereotypes, and become easier victims of oppression

The author of “How to Build a Universe That Doesn’t Fall Apart in Two Days,” said:• "the basic tool for the manipulation of reality

is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use the words." This shows the importance of language, language

usage, and content of language. The intended meaning of language may not be the

meaning interrupted by the listener.

Children will often rely more on the judgments, like stereotypes, about people that what the person is actually like or has done.• Example : “How did the idiot get all of the

questions right” Children will accept that he is an idiot, wonder

how he managed, and not ask why he’s an idiot. Rap is being marketed and aimed at

children more and more.

Hip Hop music is basically telling children to become people that others feel aren’t even worthy of respect.

“Metacommunication -- implanting subliminal messages by stressing certain key words." • Which came from a list of ways to control society

In the long run children that identify with hip hop culture grow to not respect themselves

There is a greater issue of, institutional racism, that certain practices, and attitudes are brought about by the majority group, to keep the minorities inferior. • Like hip hop music and culture being used

to sell those cultural beliefs to children. • With the difference in the punishment for

those found with drugs, specifically crack.

Sandman, H. (2012). Words are weapons: Rap's self depreciating lexicon. Huffpost arts & culture. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/homeboy-sandman/words-are-weapons-hip-hop_b_2156846.html

Neuliep, J. (2012). Intercutural communication a contextual approach. (pp. 95-99, g-3). Thousand Oaks, California: SAGE Publications, Inc.