Noise N the Hood: John Singleton, Ice Cube and the Fire This Time

No. The rap is: injustice.

Ice Cube’s lyrics to “Black Korea” simply promoted violence against Korean-Americans. And the targeting of their businesses was racism, pure and simple.

Fact is, Korean-Americans had bravely conducted commerce in a hostile environment and, as the black community will realize, provided a much-needed service.

What service have rappers brought to their communities?

Outside of their marketing lyrics that champion violence, racism and, all too often, misogyny, I have never heard of any attempt on the part of now-wealthy rap “artists” to provide a small, black-owned grocery store, bakery or even so much as a Popsicle stand.

Cube’s final paragraph, in which he says the black community must work together and build businesses, rings true. I challenge him and other rappers whose profits are generated by the black community to aid in the funding of black-owned businesses in their communities.

In so doing, the money will stay in the community, as will the jobs. And a portion of the profits can be pooled to repay the initial investment or rolled into other enterprises.

That’s how you’ll become partners in this country.

CHRIS BROMS

Los Angeles