Obviously, Jay-Z is one of the greatest entertainers of the world today. Not only is he a remarkable rhetorical genius, he's also a man of deep sympathy and empathy for those who are lost and vulnerable, but especially under-educated youth of all cultures and stripes.
Interpretation
The quote highlights Jay-Z's exceptional skills as an entertainer and his compassion for underprivileged youth, particularly regarding education.
Michael Eric Dyson emphasizes Jay-Z's multifaceted genius, pointing out not just his rhetorical talents but also his profound empathy towards those who are marginalized, especially young people lacking educational opportunities. The quote suggests that Jay-Z uses his platform to raise awareness about the struggles of these individuals, showcasing the importance of compassion and understanding in the face of societal challenges.
In practice
During a graduation speech, one might reference this quote to inspire students to support one another.
Hip hop scholarship must strive to reflect the form it interrogates, offering the same features as the best hip hop: seductive rhythms, throbbing beats, intelligent lyrics, soulful samples, and a sense of joy that is never exhausted in one sitting.
Oprah Winfrey represents the most ingenious and creative expression of black spiritual genius in the public mainstream that we've had in quite a long time, if ever.
My ambition didn't grow out of nowhere. It was planted in me by a community that nurtured me.
When Dr. King was murdered, I had no idea who he was. But as soon as I heard his words on television that night when I was 9 years old, I was dumbstruck, awestruck by their power.
I grew up in Detroit. I was a teen father. I lived on welfare for three years. I have a brother serving life in prison, though I believe he's innocent.
George Bush ran a campaign where he bragged about being an anti-intellectual, dismissing his Harvard and Yale pedigree, pretending he was an American every day, ordinary everyman, and as a result of that, played up his fumbling speech because it signified that he was a good guy. That is deeply and profoundly anti-intellectual.
Without knowledge and understanding, one tends to become a passive spectator rather than an active participant in the great decisions of our time.
The faster you go, the more students you leave behind. It doesn't matter how much or how fast you teach. The true measure is how much students have learned.
Unless children have strong education and strong families and strong communities and decent housing, it's not enough to go sit in at a lunch counter.
Travel stories teach geography; insect stories lead the child into natural science; and so on. The teacher, in short, can use reading to introduce her pupils to the most varied subjects; and the moment they have been thus started, they can go on to any limit guided by the single passion for reading.
I grew up at a time in Hawaii where there were trans women around, so there were visible role models for me. At the same time, as a low-income trans girl of color, there were so many things that I didn't have access to. I didn't have access to a great education. I didn't have access to affordable healthcare.
Nothing is more terrible than to see ignorance in action.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.