"Gangsta rappers, are they street heros or negative role models? To a frustrated generation of inner-city youths they are both" ("Gangsta rap reflects an urban jungle," USA Today). These "hard" storytellers of inner-city life have influenced the way teens walk, dress, and think. Unfortunately it has influenced the youths in a negative way. Gangsta rappers, thinking they must uphold their gangsta image, often act what they rap about. What impact does this have on our young people? The answer is that teens are picking up guns as a way to emulate these stars. Unless something is done these youths will be shooting at each other and at us tomorrow.

It may seem crazy to link gangsta rap music to behavior, but as a keen listener of rap there is definitely a correlation.

I first became aware of this gangsta rap correlation back in 1988. I remember my friends telling me that a new group called NWA (Niggaz With Attitude) had released an album called Straight Outta Compton. Curious to see what this "hype" was about, I ran out to Sam Goody Music Store and bought the album.

I celebrated my new-found music by playing the tape in my parents' stereo system. As I adjusted the volume and the bass on the stereo, I began to think to myself, "What was I in store for?" I really wasn't sure how I'd react after hearing all the much talked-about profanity and violence on the tape. I heard rumors that this gangsta rap had changed the way people acted and thought. I heard it often left people edgy, angry, and in the mood to kill somebody.

Sitting back on my dad's bed, I waited impatiently for the tape to begin. Suddenly, I heard a rough voice say, "You're now about to witness the strength of street knowledge." The tape's rhythmic sounds of bass and treble filled the air of my household. As I listened, I became captivated like never before. I began to sporadically dance. I began making hand gestures as if I were a member of NWA. I began reciting the lyrics. Repeatedly I kept reciting, "I'm that type of Nigga that built to last if you fuck with me then I'll put my foot up your ass."

After hearing the whole album I was adrenalized, hyped up, and in a way ready to imitate the lyrics that NWA has said. I was fantasized by NWA's sense of power and authority in their lyrics. I idealized how they could call girls "bitches and hoes" and not be slapped. I idealized NWA even more because after they called the women "bitches and hoes," they were able to get sex from those same girls. I was also fantasized by the talk of guns and gang warfare that NWA engaged in. It made me want to join a gang, because to me it was symbol of glamour and glory. It gave an image to people that I was "hard" and "wouldn't be somebody to mess with."

Mainly I wanted to be a gangsta because at the age of twelve I was small and weak. I was a frail little boy at five-foot three-inches and barely weighing a 100 pounds. I was often picked on at school for being so small. I thought if I became a "G" (a gangsta) I'd be big because I had a gun. That would symbolize to me and other teens that I had power and authority. This would symbolize to the girls that I was the so-called "Mack Daddy."

A few weeks after my gangsta rap experience, I began wearing black sneakers, black clothes, black hats and black bandanas to imitate NWA. To me this was the closest that I could become to a member of NWA or a member of a gang. After a few weeks I became edgy and short tempered over stupid things. Friends began to notice that I wasn't that sweet innocent little boy anymore but an alleged "G."

My friends weren't the only ones who noticed this behavior but my parents did too. In response my dad had a "man to man" talk with me about my slight change in bahavior. We discussed the importance of right and wrong. We talked about the difference about fact and fiction.

From the conversation I learned that I didn't need to be a "G" to have power. If I used my brain and I worked hard I could get brain power and purchasing power.

While the majority of teens can put negative rap into perspective, some of our vulnerable ones are influenced. Melvin Williams, interim comissioner for DC Commission on Mental Health Services said, "Those young people who have faulty parenting or no parenting at all are particularly vulnerable to the influence of negative rap (gangsta rap)" (Washington Post). Without parenting, a problem exits for young black teens. The problem is there isn't an authority figure to tell kids that this gangsta rap is fiction that is detrimental to them. Luckily for me in my story, I had concerned parents who helped me learn right from wrong.

Unfortunately these vulnerable teens are looking up to gangsta rappers to replace their faulty parents.

In history it is common for kids to hero worship or fantasize about being a doctor, a basketball player or a lawyer. It is part of development and growth. It gives teens a sense of hope and direction in life. In the past, teens have fantasized about positive role models such as Michael Jordan. They have gone as far as shaving their heads bald, wearing black sneakers and eating Wheaties in their effors to "be like Mike." (Washington Post) These steps to emulate Mike are fine because they are innocent. Michael Jordan not only plays well on the court but helps kids off the court with the United Way, Nike and the NBA. He fits the criteria of a positive role model.

Emulating role models can be beneficial to teens, as stated before, if the role models are positive. But many black teens are looking up to bad role models such as gangsta rappers. Black teens who have been oppressed by society by means of child abuse, drug abuse and violent racism look to gangsta rappers for power. Many teens who are left powerless because of society turn to gangsta rap as a solution to the problem of powerlessness. Teens just like in my story are fascinated by the glamour and glory of gang life, the power of guns, and the thrill of having money and girls.

Teens, because they don't have concerned parents and positive role models, feel that the only way they can be recognized or make it in society is through drug dealing, murder and prostitution. This is stated in gangsta rap. To these teens they will never be doctors, lawyers or a basketball player, the next best alternatives are working in McDonalds or gang life.

My proposal to the problem of gangsta rap and teens, is relatively easy if everyone cooperates. The first step we can take as concerned citizens is to declare war on the record companies who produce gangsta rap. In the world today money is a source of power. We as consumers have purchasing power. If we stop buying gangsta rap albums we'll hurt the record industry. AFter the record industries are hurt by a decline in record sales they'll go out of business, thus persuading gangsta rappers to produce less albums. After all, rappers are in the business for the money. When Eazy E (former member of NWA) was asked about the violence in his music he said, "It's good for record sales. If you can sell four million records off shooting somebody I'd do it." ("Criminal records: Gangster rap and the culture of violence," Newsweek).

If you don't think this approach is possible, it is. For exmpale National Political Congress of Black Women, a critic of violence and sex, had staged a boycott at "Nobody Beats the Whiz" in Washington, D.C. This act caused "Nobody Beats the Whiz," the largest seller of gangsta rap to cut back its supply of detrimental rap, after being hurt by the boycott. After the victory the NPCBW said, "We intend to take profit out of musical pornography." ("Groups battle against gangsta rap," Billboard).

The second approach we can take as citizens is not listen to radio stations that give air play to gangsta rap. Radio stations are free to play what they want to play but we are free not to listen. THis approach will hurt radio stations' pockets. If we don't listen to the radio we'll won't be able to hear the radio's sponsors. The sponsors will be upset becasue we consumers are their potential profits. In effect the sponsors will stop sponsoring gangsta rap stations. THus putting radio stations out of business. Again we have purchasing power. THis same scenario can be used for television.

THe third approach that we as citizens must take is educating the young teens who are influenced by these negative role models. Many of these gangsta rappers degrade women, promote sex and glorify violence. THey teach our kids that women are play things, and teach disunity among blacks. WE as citizens must teach these teens the consequences of the gangsta rappers' action and lyrics. This will help teens learn right from wrong, it will help teens depict fact from fiction.

For example, prominent rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg last summer was arrested for allegedly driving a get-away car as his bodyguard shot at a local gang. Snoop is now being charged for accessory to murder. If we use this exmple it shows teens that crime doesn't pay. THey will have less power in jail.

Another example that might hit home for teens is the conviction of 19-year-old Ronald Ray Howard. Last year Howard was given the death penalty for brutally killing a Houston police officer. In the teen's defense his motie was gangsta rap.

The most crucial approach that must be taken is to fulfill young balck teens' feeling of powerlessness. It's not an easy solution to answer but my fourth approach can maybe chip away at the problem.

We as citizens are parents or future parents. WE must teach our kids that the most influential power is brain power and hard work. THis power opens door for people to be recognized in society. It may be tough for an inner-city teen to believe this, but to have hopes and dreams are the key.

The last part of my proposal goes out to the gangsta rappers or future gangsta rappers. I understand you argument that your lyrics are a social realism or a six o clock news. But you're not addressing the problems that inner-city youths are facing. I grew up in the hoods you rap about. You're only adding to the problem. Rap more about the effect of poverty and unemployment. Rap more about social programs that can eliminate these problems, like the rap group Public Enemy. Your rap teaches disunity. Without unity these kids will never get out of the hood, because everyone is in the fight together.

As I state my proposal there are many people who oppose my plan and say it won't work. They say what's different about this plan than any other plan? And what's in it for me?

I like to think that my plan is different from other plans because it doesn't call for censorship. Personally I think the act of removing or prohibiting lyrics is unconstitutional. Everyone should have the right to express his or her opinion because of the First Amendment. I believe this because the same constitution that produced freedom of speech, produced the right to votes for African-Americans and women. The Constitution enables African-Americans to mobilize in the 1960s. My plan doesn't call for a ban of rap, but an action not to listen to rap. This in effect rids gangsta rap itself.

I feel my proposal is different because it doesn't call for people to picket, form sit-ins, marches, or riots. It just asks people not to listen to the garbage of gangsta rap. My plan is relatively cheap because it doesn't cost any money, or time not to listen to gangsta rap.

THe integral part of my plan is unity as consumers and citizens. My plan doesn't just ask one particular group to solve the problem. My plan asks all consumers to help black and white. After the freedom movement of the '60s had biracial unity to achieve their goals of equality. Our unity of the '90s is "Purchasing Power."

In conclusion my correlation between gangsta rap and teens may seem extreme in some people's opinions. I challenge you the next time you go to the shopping mall to look around you. Look at the little girls who dress provocatively trying to emulate their favorite rap star. Look at the little boys on the corner block who dress like rappers, who say every four-letter word reciting rap lyrics. Look, they are this nation's future, we must help them before they have no more future. This music does have an influence on them and it must be stopped before the future is gone.