Submissions:2016/Spirituality and Empowerment: The Untold Story(s) of Hip-hop

When we think about the ongoing rise of global technology and the spiritual exploration of youth and young adult due to the continuing skepticism toward mainstream religious institutions throughout the United States, we should consider the socio-spiritual and transformative strides that Hip-hop culture is continuing to make both in the U.S. and in the world. From an outsider looking in, he/she may only see what the naked eye sees, a party or loud music. However, when people from the Hip-hop Diaspora utilize the culture as a platform for self-expression—both artistically and verbally—they organically transform divested spaces while simultaneously reaffirming their spirituality as co-creators of the Divine through the use of Hip-hop cultures elements of djing, eMCeeing, dancing, graffiti, fashion, beat boxing and in this specific case, knowledge of self. From the streets of its birthplace in the South Bronx to the barrios of Colombia in South America; Hip-hop is both redefining and re-imagining what sacred spaces look like to suffering youth and young adult street populations. For the spiritually inclined, Hip-hop cultural gatherings become part of our everyday being and therefore provide us with purpose in our own lives. And, when there is an acknowledgement of purpose in oneself, the spiritual journey begins and the space that Hip-hop culture creates no longer is viewed as normative but instead as transformative. From an ecclesiological perspective, Hip-hop’s role as a community facilitator is no different than that of the ekklesia, which is the Greek word for Church and translates to mean “a community gathering and assembly of the people.” Remember, H.I.P.- H.O.P. means Her Infinite Power Healing Our People and whenever these communities come together in peace, love, unity and having fun, ideas—and concerns—are exchanged both artistically and dialectically and subsequently allows room for communal growth, empowerment and transformation from old to new.