Langston Hughes and El-P

Just a short assignment written for a sociology class.  Everyone else wrote a few lame sentences. Not me.


"Democracy" is one of my favorite poems that I have read in the book so far.  We live in a country that may be a federal republic, but it is thought of as a democracy--more appropriately--it is thought of as being founded upon principles of democracy. Hughes' poem is about the disconnect between democratic ideals and how such ideals are able to be put into practice (or not).  It is likely impossible for true democracy to prevail in a stable, organized society.  However many educated people including sociologists will tell you with self-assurance that social change takes time.  If it is true that a democratic system cannot be perfect it follows that some people, especially those tagged as being members of marginalized groups, will not enjoy as many democratic freedoms and liberties as others. As Hughes' says, people are expected to live with fear and compromise.  For members of marginalized groups the compromise is usually quite unbalanced (more compromise expected of the marginalized group member) and the level of fear is high because of discrimination and mistreatment.

Intrinsic to the values of a democratic nation like ours is the hope that no one should have to live like this.  This is something I believe as well.  Sometimes people expect that this should be easily remedied (i. e., somehow things should magically be easy for them), but that idea couldn't be more wrong.  It is not rooted in rationalism or empiricism.  It is a tired way of thinking and not very dissimilar from the kind of thinking that Hughes' says he is tired of; "Let things take their course." Both of these ways of thinking are centered on inaction.  In fact, the most powerful, and arguably the most beautiful, component of democracy is the right to act.  Protecting democracy includes working for freedom and liberty.  Social change does not happen by some intangible force.  It is, like Margaret Mead said, the product of a "...group of thoughtful, committed citizens..." and that they "...can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Though some people may disagree with Hughes' sentiment, this is a very powerful poem.  That sense of awareness of quality of life for oneself and others may be the fundamental core to taking appropriate action, even in small ways of everyday life. We do not all have to be examples of perfection, but awareness we owe to ourselves and others.

I am a huge fan of music, and one of my favorite genres is what can be called underground or alternative hip-hop.  My favorite hip-hop artist is El-P and below is a song by him called "Up All Night." I have set in bold font the most relevant lyrics.  Here is a link to the song on YouTube.


This song has the same sentiment as the Hughes poem.  El-P is angry because he knows that American society does not do its best to facilitate the true values of democracy.  By saying that he "stayed up all night" he means that he has done his best to inform himself because a culture which treats us like we've been born yesterday requires such.  This kind of culture is represented by the concept he borrows from George Orwell of Newspeak. El-P seems to feel that we live in a culture that encourages consumption, laziness and thoughtlessness in order for society to be easily controlled.  When he makes the comment about being high, I feel this is commentary on encouragement for relief from inevitable angst through zoning-out--which can be relieved by drugs, television, and video games along with the rest of the "I want it right now" staples of our culture.  Surely a society which uses zoning-out methods will avoid organized, thoughtful rebellion.  It will be quieter and easier to control. 

El-P says that he sees through all of this and knows what the lies are.  Like Hughes, he knows that we deserve more.  We deserve a pursuit of happiness that may be more true and long-lasting; more than symptomatic.  He is angry like Hughes was.  How could he not be? He wishes he could carry hope.  By the nature of hope he is probably like others who find it rekindled.  After all if Hughes and El-P became forever without hope, why would they write what they do?  Perhaps El-P would say that when Hughes speaks of fear it is also to say that people are afraid of having anger and securing hope.

I'm from Brooklyn
Vandal bedrock
Scandal bedlam
Broken burnt up
New New York speak
Newspeak, true speak
Universe dirt, burnt to loose leaf
Bomb the Casbah
Bring the bleeders
Sanity fistfuck such allegiance
Born a trashman
Grew in garbage
Mutant hostage
Do the knowledge

(Chorus)
I see you all regardless
I know what lies are like
I might have been born yesterday, sir
But I stayed up all night
I see you all regardless
I know this time's a fright
We might have been born yesterday, friends
But we stayed up all night, right?

I'm a young man
I want happy
We deserve that
Dream collapsing
I'm just one man
So damn angry
True confusion
Scared what truth is
Hydrofoil
Hide ya face
Say "hi, horseman"
Highest stakes
High again
Well, how 'bout that?
Well, how the fuck else can I react?

[Chorus]

El, you're too preachy
You don't reach me
Right and wrong's hard
You say easy?
Look, they made me
I was normal
On some rap shit
Up rock back spin
Pause, collapse then
Back to windmill
Innocent thrill
So old-fashioned
We're all deranged
I'm no different
I wish my hope still existed

Run the blades
Nexus six shit
Life span program final digits
You're my daddy
You'll protect me
I need guidance to live correctly
I can't fight you
Feed me ether
I'm your servant
You're the teacher (Yo, what the fuck, El?)
Oops, so sorry
That's the implant talking for me

[Chorus]