Fight the Power

Sensei Dave was the first Hip Hop activist I ever met. I’m not sure the term was used back then, or if he would describe himself in that way, but that is how I see him. After becoming a Black belt, he opened his dojo in Harlem to benefit youth who could not afford the high prices of martial arts instruction in other sections of Manhattan. He charged between $10–$15 per month and there were times when some of us could not afford that small fee. However, he never kicked anyone out of class. He knew what was happening in the streets and he knew that keeping us training helped us avoid trouble. His activism was not in the form of marches or releasing political rap songs. He saw a need in his community and used the principles of Hip Hop and martial arts to meet those needs.

My experience with Sensei Dave and his dedication to our Harlem community had a profound impact on my life. I am now a community engaged, Hip Hop generation, sociologist and much of what I do is a result of watching Sensei Dave’s selfless service and dedication to uplifting the community. I’ve been fortunate to use sociology and Hip Hop to bring about research-driven social change while working with marginalized youth in urban schools, men in prison, men and women reentering society after serving time in prison, and Dominican and Haitian youth living in poor sections of the Dominican Republic. I use Hip Hop culture to center the experiences of the most marginalized members of our community. I see Hip Hop is as a tool to speak truth and amplify the voices of those who have been victims of attempts to silence.

The work I’ve done throughout my life is similar to the engagement of the activist authors in this book. They use Hip Hop activism to transform lives and social institutions. They see Hip Hop as a tool to deconstruct and reconstruct systems of power and oppression and use the culture to strive for liberation. This book is timely. This book is necessary. Youth culture has always been at the forefront of social change. The work discussed in this text is a shining example of the transformative possibilities of Hip Hop activism.

The masterful selection of these personal stories highlights the many ways Hip Hop and activism blend to bring about social change. The authors’ examples of infusing Hip Hop into art activism, mindful film production, critical pedagogy, feminist methodology, and political strategy serve as roadmaps for those of us looking to be socially active while staying true to Hip Hop culture. I hope this text serves as a catalyst for self-reflection, personal development, and a dedication to using Hip Hop activism while blazing a path towards justice.