Baker speaks on rap and multiculturalism

Over 50 people crowded into the Philomathean Society library yesterday afternoon to hear Houston Baker's ideas on theory, rap and multiculturalism. The director of the Center for Study of Black Literature and Culture spoke at this Philomathean Society-sponsored event, the finale to the society's series of seminars about literary theory. Baker read two pieces of his current literary works, which led to a discussion about them. He later talked about the multicultural movements, their integration onto campuses and their development into academic disciplines. "There is an irreversibility in this change," Baker said while he talked about the cultural changes on campuses. Baker talked about the evolution of rap music in depth. He said the 25-year-old practice of rap is an ongoing tradition, rather than a fad. Baker expressed his opinion that rap, in conjunction with MTV, would be the future basis for poetry and other means of expression. Baker described rap as being a "transitional cultural phenomenon." He made reference to many rap artists such as L.L. Cool J, Third Base, Public Enemy, and Queen Latifah. "I think that [rap's] going to be getting younger and younger," Baker said. "It's going to become continually innovative." The guest speaker captivated his audience with witty anecdotes and vivid visual performances. He actively let loose and jammed as he rapped his second piece of work. Baker used new and cool words such as "def" and "hip" to add to his powerful presentation. The audience responded positively to this entertaining performance. "I think Houston Baker is a magnificent performer and is doing a very important and difficult balancing act between the highest of high culture and the hippest of pop culture, Graduate Student Michael Strong said. "And he talks about two things in ways that make them important to each other." "I loved the rhythm of his speech," said College sophomore Gabriel Ledger, a Philomathean Society member. The discussion ended with a question and answer period which mainly covered the topic of rap. According to Baker, rap will soon be integrated into all literature, and multiculturalism will expand in universities. Like many other people on campus, Baker said he feels strongly that Locust Walk must be diversified in order to expand multiculturalism on this campus. "The campus itself seems to have unfortunately segregated itself," Baker said.

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