by Chris Alexion, Copyright July 09, 2005, all rights reserved. 256 views
LOS ANGELES, CA–Rock and roll may be a leading cause of racist thought processes, according to a study just released by UCLA. The study, which examined the effects of exposure to rock and jazz music for six months, used a control group which listened to no music and an experimental group which listened to contemporary beats for at least three hours per day, including during meals. "The study noted a twenty-percent increase in racism in the experimental group versus the control group," said Dr. Fred Carman, one of the researchers.
"One theory as to why," said Dr. Thomas Cohen, "is that the characteristic 'off-beat' of rock and roll, jazz, hip-hop, and other contemporary forms of music actually goes against our body's natural rhythms. This unnatural counter-rhythm then causes interference in the brain, which leads to racism. That's why plants have been killed by rock music in the past–they actually become racist plants."
Reaction in the pop scene has been dramatic. U-2's Bono has retired as an artist, calling on other singers to do the same, and pledging to use his personal fortune to spread the word about the destructive and racist influences of rock and roll. Madonna has sought refuge in the Jewish mystical tradition of kaballah. Others, while not as quick to react as Bono and Madonna, still expressed angst and ambivalence over the question. "Why does everything have to be so complicated?" lamented singer Avril Lavigne. "So much for my happy ending," she said. Artist Jason Mraz said that the study lays a difficult decision on him, but that he won't worry his life away. Gavin DeGraw concurred, saying, "I don't want to be anything other than what I've been trying to be lately."
The rap industry, particularly its African-American contingent, has been rocked by this revelation. Dr. Annette Cole, a sociologist at the University of Miami, says that the coincidence of music produced by blacks being part of the cause of racist attitudes is fascinating. "It's either really weird, or a conspiracy giving evidence of far greater white dominance than previously imagined," she said. "The thought that white America has lured blacks into producing racist music is horrific." Rapper Jay-Z expressed characteristic anger at the discovery, noting that society is trying to "give the [expletive deleted] shaft again" and "messing with my bio-rhythms 'cause I'm African." He has left the industry, and plans to open his own children's bookstore. "I've got ninety-nine problems, but racism ain't one," he said.
1 • Nathaniel Bluedorn • July 09, 2005 • 12:34 AM
Chris,
If rock music does this, did Vaguer cause Nazi Germany?
N
2 • Logan • February 04, 2006 • 12:03 PM
What are 3 leading causes to racism in canada?
3 • joe • April 14, 2006 • 1:26 PM
you must know that rock music was created in black, gospel roots churches right. they rhythmic chants and what not spawned greats like little richard, fats dominoe, james brown, and elvis presley. with that in mind, how can "black" music that the white folk adapted as their own become a cause of racism? if anything it united a nation in one of it's worst time of turmoil. you need to do more research bro…
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