Writings | DomingoYu.com - Hip-hop Education | Identity | Music

Identity/Culture Journal Entry: Laying claim to the throne

Often compared to Chicago’s more widely known jukin’ or footwork, jittin’ actually has deep roots firmly set in African-American history. Until recently, this Detroit style of dance has not been known to the masses, although websites such as youtube have done wonders to spread the word of this frenzied, highly skilled form of expression. Yet as its popularity continues to grow, will it become another fad that gets exploited, used up, and discarded? Does it have the potential to even go mainstream? Unlike L.A.’s crumping, which caught the attention of a high profile director, Chicago Steppin’, which benefited from being highlighted in R. Kelly videos, or breakin’, which was birthed in the media center of New York, jittin’ hasn’t had a major outlet outside of the Detroit. But whether it goes pop or stays underground, the main groups holdin’ it down are putting out DVDs, traveling overseas, and basically, trying to make some money and maintain control of their art! While there are many crews in Detroit, I was fortunate to connect with one of the best, the X-Menn, due to our mutual connection with Submerge Records. They took some time out to share their thoughts on the state of jittin’ and its extensive history. Be on the lookout for upcoming music video “Foot Wars” by Underground Resistance, which will feature the fellas at their best.

On a broader note, to the youngsters busy hating on each other’s crews and cities, your focus is on the wrong place! You all need to be having fun and there’s too much money out here for ya’ll to be fighting over crumbs. Different doesn’t mean garbage, and when it comes down to it, all of your dances, whether it’s jukin’, jittin’, poppin’, turf dancing, or whatever, have common roots. Learn your history and promote your craft so everyone can benefit!

OK, enough lecturing. Check out the interview you came to read!

Identity/Culture Journal Entry: Does hip hop hate women?

Recently, Barkari Kitwana’s “Rap Sessions” panel came to Stanford University to discuss gender-related issues. This panel brings together some of the brightest minds in the hip-hop world for dialogue on contentious topics in a town hall-style setting. For the Stanford panel, authors/professors Dan Hodge (Auzusa Pacific University and Citrus College), Marcyliena Morgan (Executive Director of The Hip Hop Archive), Mark Anthony Neal (Duke University), artists/activist Invincible, and author and former Executive Editor of “Essence” magazine, Joan Morgan participated. Kitwana hosted the panel. I jotted down key points from the panelists and the crowd, which included noted journalist Davey D, Dr. Dawn-Elissa Fischer, and author Adam Mansbach (Angry Black White Boy). Some panelists spoke quite a bit while others listened and reflected. Some great points were made and while the following aren’t direct quotes, I think it’s good for more people to have a chance to know about these dialogues. On a side note, Invincible later came to conduct workshops at my high school and Kitwana and I are working on bringing Rap Sessions to our school.

Identity/Culture Journal Entry: Chinatown seniors follow cowboys steps

For those of you who are frequent visitors to this site, I'm a huge fan of dancing, particularly couple dancing. Beyond salsa, I'm into Midwest-based styles such as Chicago steppin', Detroit ballrooming, and bopping. Yet there's also a vibrant hustle scene in the D, which is more commonly called "line dancing." It's kin to the country-style dances, but it's definitely a different vibe and there are countless more styles than The Electric Slide, The Cha Cha Slide, and the Cupid Shuffle. At any rate, while many of these styles have originated in the African-American community, a couple of years ago some friends and I stumbled across a dance in Oakland, CA's Chinatown. They were jamming! While this recent story in the Oakland Tribune highlights a different event, it does bring attention to the power of dance and the arts.-D. Zarazua

Identity/Culture Journal Entry: DREAM Act Protest

On October 4, 2007 young people from all over California converged on the capitol building in Sacramento in an effort to persuade Governor Schwarzenneger to sign the DREAM Act into affect. Among other things, the federal version of this act would allow undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children to earn permanent residency through military service or attending college. Many students from my school, Oakland Unity High, attended and I had them send me reflections on the experience.

Identity/Culture Journal Entry: Black power means more than a t-shirt: Jena 6

I borrowed that line from the rapper Paris, who's by far one of the most politically charged artists out there. Ironically, he might bump heads with me on this piece. Basically, I share some critical thoughts about the Jena 6 case. Not out of malice, but rather out of a desire for us to be sophisticated in our approach to racism, as well as not losing our ability to think critically!

Identity/Culture Journal Entry: Chess, hip-hop merged to help youth

If rapper GZA of the Wu-Tang Clan devoted an entire album "Grandmasters" to chess themes, and chess International Grandmaster Maurice Ashley is a hip-hop fan, there's gotta be some connection. From The Oakland Tribune newspaper. BTW, I realize that's a picture of RZA, not GZA!

Identity/Culture Journal Entry: Dancing Into History

While Detroit is known for its music legacy, including Motown and jazz, what is often forgotten about is the city’s rich dance heritage. Undoubtedly, Detroit is one of the dance capitals of the world with top-notch dancers in styles ranging from salsa to swing calling the area home. Yet beyond a few bootleg DVDs of shows such as The Scene, few outside of Midwest really appreciate what Detroit has to offer. Detroit’s sister city of Chicago has benefited greatly from R. Kelly featuring Chicago-style stepping in his music videos while more youth-oriented dances such as L.A.’ crumping gained fans through Hollywood. Taking a lead on making sure that Detroit isn’t forgotten in the annals of history is Kevin “Flash” Collins. With more than 30 years of experience all over the country, as well as being winner of numerous competitions, Kevin has no shortage of energy or confidence, yet respects those who paved the way for him. Anyone who’s spent time around Kevin knows that he has stories for days. He was a bit more subdued for this particular discussion, but the words documented here are hopefully only the beginning of more to come from him and others in Detroit’s ever-flourishing scene.

Identity/Culture Journal Entry: Off the Cuff

Oakland teens share their thoughts on growing up in Oakland, including violence, peer pressure, and White people!

One thing that has stood out to me over the past three years of teaching at Oakland Unity High School in California is the high level of discussion that we have in class. I really wish that people, including policy makers and other teachers, could hear the students share their thoughts on topics ranging from the war in Iraq to universal health care. Just as important have been the numerous informal conversations that have taken place. During one particular violent weekend in Oakland it was obvious that many of the students I work with wanted to talk about what happened. We decided to get together one afternoon so I could interview them. Interestingly enough, while our school is pushing 80% Latino, the three students who showed up were all African American. They had worked all day and it was a blazing hot so they were a bit more reserved than usual. Yet it was an interesting conversation nonetheless. I was tempted to write an article but decided that it would be best to let them speak for themselves. While it doesn’t really come out in this conversation, these three are quite involved with activities such as Upward Bound, fashion shows, out of state college visits, and Tech Bridge, a science and engineering program for teenage girls. Next time we’ll have to focus on those accomplishments.

All three will be seniors for the 2007-2008 school year.

Identity/Culture Journal Entry: Happy Birthday, YK Lounge!

The Yuri Kochiyama Lounge at the University of Michigan celebrates it's 10th anniversary and author Denny Chen gives a brief history of the lounge and its influence. This article is set to appear in U of M's Fall 2007 Proactive magazine.

Identity/Culture Journal Entry: Just a Glimpse

During a visit to Ogaki Kita High School in Ogaki, Japan I shared lunch with Miki, a senior aspiring to attend one of Japan's most competitve universities. During our conversation I began thinking about how interested my students in the States would love to speak with someone like her. I asked her if I could interview her and she agreed. This actually motivated me to do a series of other interviews. I originally had no intention of interviewing anyone but this conversation proved to be the catalyst, which I'm grateful for as they've been invaluable tools in the classroom and I learned quite a bit. Alas, Miki and I had limited time and just as she began warming up, she had to return to class. I sent her an e-mail with follow up questions but my message was bounced back. Nonetheless, she makes some interesting points that were worth documenting. My group did a lot of observation at different schools and heard from some great speakers, but it's always great to hear from the students themselves.