‘When we lose our right to be different, we lose the privilege to be free’

Apparently, some people in our Valley have a little catching up to do. Or perhaps they just gripe because they like to hear themselves complain.

Such is the case with a unique story from a local school featured in Tuesday’s Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman. We reported on the educational hip-hop troupe ReadNex Poetry Squad, which began a Valley visit Monday at Burchell High School. The group of young men and women travel the country presenting workshops to students. It’s a message of education and learning with a fresh, modern tone that relates to youth today. And they are reaching a group of students who ordinarily struggle with academic mastery.

For the past decade, ReadNex (pronounced rednecks) have been visiting schools to “use hip-hop and spoken work poetry as a vehicle to enhance the learning experience for youth,” said Freeflowin, a member of the group. It’s a fresh voice for students, one they can relate to, that emphasized educational concepts in a way teens like and paid attention to. It’s a powerful educational tool.

Many adults, however, aren’t “down” with hip-hop music and don’t understand its allure with the younger generation. Like the axiom says, we tend to fear what we don’t understand. Still, we were taken aback at the negative reaction to the group in our online comments.

“I be different. You be different. We speaks poor grammar. You speaks poor grammar,” mocks one commenter.

Another calls the presentation “an insulting load of garbage. These kids would benefit from, and probably learn more, watching paint dry.”

While we vigorously defend everyone’s right to express their opinion (which is why we allow comments on our stories online), the negative backlash from some over this story misses the mark. It’s no secret that hip-hop poetry or music has never been a bastion for correct grammar. However, it is refreshing to hear rhythms that promote strong educational values without strings of profanity, without degrading women and without advocating violence. Without groups like ReadNex, this is often the type of hip-hop and rap music your children are listening to every day. Part of the group’s presentation included a video, which closes with a quote from Nelson Mandela: “When we lose our right to be different, we lose the privilege to be free.”

We also feel compelled to point out the hypocrisy related to this school activity in comparison to other events. For example, nobody complained when the U.S. Air Force band performed recently at a local elementary school. And the bleachers and stands at middle and high school sporting events are always lively with parents and fans cheering their teams. Like ReadNex, these activities have a place as wholesome events that carry good educational messages. Athletics promotes physical fitness while music — in many forms — feeds interest in the arts.

Given our druthers, we would prefer to see groups like ReadNex in our schools than the often-repeated yo-yo demonstrations. For decades, yo-yo companies have sent representatives to thousands of schools, including the Valley, to perform tricks. It’s fun for kids to watch, but generally has little educational value (unless you count the subtle advertising for the yo-yo companies).

The bottom line is, we appreciate seeing diverse and fun ways to promote strong values in our schools, and ReadNex is one of them.

But you don’t have to take our word for it. The group will present a public performance from 2 to 4 p.m. today at Burchell High School. We invite you to find some time to check it out.