“Read a Book” Rap Song
I came across this video, encouraging youths to READ A BOOK, and thought it was both amusing and didactic. This video is necessary to combat popular rap anti-intellectualism, such as the tripe spewed by rapper Lil’ Wayne, who openly admits he does not read:
See also Harrison Ford’s ‘Read’ poster.
Ernest Hemingway Action Figure
Found via Halloween kook: Baseball guy on Flickr, this is a hilarious action figure of literary figure Ernest Hemingway. Is it a DIY/MAKE or is it a production model?
This is a one-of-a-kind prototype of a 12″ action figure (doll) of Ernest Hemingway. It comes with a typewriter and a shotgun. A child can roleplay, pretending to roam in Africa, fish in Cuba, hunt in Michigan, and write the great American Novel. Much more fun then GI Joe and Barbie.
Rapper Lil’ Wayne Doesn’t Read
In an interview with XXL Mag, LIL WAYNE:SPACE ODDITY 2001, the up-and-coming American rap star claims that he doesn’t read books because of his innate intelligence:
What are you reading right now to help you…
I don’t read a damn thing. That’s why I don’t write music. I’m too cool to be reading and writing…I’m a very intelligent nigga. I can read like a motherfucka. I don’t want motherfuckas to think I’m illiterate.
You’re in college so…
I don’t read, other than that shit.
But we talking about books for leisure.
Nah, I’ve done that like once or twice. It’s just not my thing. I’m not into made-up stories.
You know how people get together and they like, “Yo, you read… ?”
I’m not even in that conversation circle. That would be crazy, I can’t answer nothing so why would I sit there and talk? I ain’t read no books. I sit and watch ESPN all day. I can tell you what happened in sports. I do what floats my boat. If you trying to figure out where I get this talk, that’s me. I’m born with that. I don’t have no brothers, no sisters. My brother is 6-years-old. My dad ain’t never had one of those. And the one I called pops, he passed. My momma, she do her cooking thing. I’m an intelligent nigga,. I just refuse to be dumb.
It looks like Little Wayne has about as much social responsibility as brains. Unlike the other celebrity heroes who promote positive, intellectual lifestyles, the only thing Lil’ Wayne is good for is convincing America’s children a life of drugs, violence, misogyny, and illiteracy is the best way to live.
