Juan Williams

Juan Williams, a staff writer for the Washington Post, argues in this early critique of gangsta rap that the music's roots in real inequalities do not excuse violent or hateful language directed at other historically oppressed groups.

THE RAP GROUP NWA ("NIGGERS WITH ATTItude") sings happily "Expletive Tha Police." In their hip—hop rhythms they tell listeners that "takin' out a police will make my day," and advise fans to "beat a police outta shape."

Another rap group, Public Enemy, struts on stage with a security force in paramilitary garb. A group member, Professor Griff, told reporters that Jews are responsible for "the majority of wickedness that goes on across the globe." Public Enemy also sings to its young, mostly black listeners that antisemitic black Muslim minister Louis "Farrakhan's a...