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Coach has strong message for youth, parents
Sunday, June 10, 2007
In his latest book, Alfred Powell draws a psychosocial link between commercialized gangsta rap and the Ku Klux Klan.
"It grabs attention," Powell said. "It turns heads."
With the Dunbar High School trophy case as a backdrop, Alfred Powell, a longtime Dunbar assistant coach in track and football, has written a book, 'Hip Hop Hypocrisy,' about the bad messages in commercialized hip-hop music. He is an adjunct professor and nationally known speaker. Staff photo by Jim WitmerNope, he's not your average high school coach.
Nationally known for his work regarding street culture, Powell surprises friends when he pops up on television, radio or in print.
"When I'm at a national conference, someone from Dayton will say, 'I didn't know you were that deep. You're the keynote (speaker).' I'm just a coach; coaches are not deep thinkers or social activists."
The twin brother of Albert Powell, Alfred has been on sabbatical the past three school years to speak around the country and deal with his wife's illness. He plans to be back at Dunbar High School this fall as a track and football assistant.
Powell's book, Hip Hop Hypocrisy: When Lies Sound Like the Truth, explores how hip-hop music does anything but "keep it real."
In his words
What shaped the book: "Six years ago, hip-hop was at its apex in sales. Commercial hip-hop is overwhelming a message in negativity. It's what I call the arrival of the bling mentality. We have to try to get the truth out about this. Hip-hop once was rap, which was a political message with self-esteem building. To see it denigrate into self-hatred and a disease state was heartbreaking."
Copying the culture: "For one group, (hip-hop) is entertainment. For another group, males who are fatherless, you see copycat behavior. People don't identify with their schools, but they'll yell out their area code or neighborhood or project."
Artists playing a part: "Some of the artists I talk to say they're just playing a part, that they're actors. In the videos, if you act like this and you dress like that, the image you're showing becomes reality to a group that receives it. ... Like I said to one, 'If you're so gangsta, why are you paying taxes?' "
The dress code: "I'll let the cat out the bag. I've been involved with the NBA and NFL. I had kept my name low, but I was part of the policy for the NBA to deal with hip-hop culture. I had a role to play with that dress code."
Yes, a role model: "Athletes are role models whether they want to be or not. Like I tell them, it's time to model the role. The same ballplayers who said they'd never adhere to the NBA dress code came to work according to the code. Millionaires (players) don't tell billionaires (owners) what to do."
Demand better: "We can't keep saying we'll make it better for the next generation. It's fourth-and-long, and we have to go for it. Parents and educators need to stand up and demand that the product (youth) looks like you."
Powell's latest book
What: Hip Hop Hypocrisy: When Lies Sound Like the Truth
Where to buy it:amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, some local book stores
More info:acoachpowell.com
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6951 or mgokavi@DaytonDailyNews.com.
