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Between God and Gangsta Rap: Bearing Witness to Black Culture
Between God and Gangsta Rap Bearing Witness to Black Culture Author:Michael Eric Dyson A former welfare father from the ghetto of Detroit, Michael Eric Dyson is today a critic, scholar, and ordained Baptist minister who has forged a unique role: he is a compelling spokesman for the concerns of the black community, particularly with urban youth. In his essays, lectures, sermons, and books, he has emerged as one of the leading Afric... more »an-American voices of our day. Dyson's passion for contemporary black culture informs Between God and Gangsta Rap, his latest foray into the ongoing debate about African-American identity which embraces the hopes of the church and the cool reality of hip-hop. Bringing together writings on music, religion, politics, and identity, and offering a multi-faceted view of black life, the book charts the progress of Dyson's own soul, from his roots in the Detroit ghetto, to his current status as a Baptist minister, professor, cultural critic, husband, and father. Arguing that the richness of black culture today can be found in the interstices--between god and gangsta rap--Dyson charts the progress and pain of African Americans over the past decade, showing that brilliance and beauty, pain and drudgery are components of this changing culture. As a compendium of his thinking about contemporary black culture Between God and Gangsta Rap will find a wide audience among black and white readers.« less