by Derek Booker
There is a saying that goes something like this: “art imitates life,” and if this is true, then the reverse can also be said, “life can imitate art.” We see this with our “pop culture” today, and the question is, what are they imitating?
The first time I heard the term “son” used out of context was in the mid-1980's at the Brooklyn House of Detention (jail). It was used by a correction officer toward an inmate, however, it was not meant to be flattering or endearing. On the contrary, the term was to foster an unwritten rule that affirmed the inmates position and status to the correction officer and the Department of Corrections. Even now I recall questioning a C.O (correction officer) out of curiosity, and asking why were the inmates referred to as “son?” “Because he depends on me for everything,”he continued, “they can’t do anything on their own, and they depend on us for everything.”
As time when on, I began to realize, how true the C.O.’s statement was. The inmate depends on the C.O. for things people take for granted, for instance: toilet tissue, an aspirin, or a telephone call to love ones. The C.O. wakes the inmate up, and tells them when to go to bed, and everything in between; they are responsible for what is termed “care, custody, and control,” so I guess in some respect “son” might be applicable. However, the bottom line is an “immaturity issue”.
What about those of us who are not in jail, those of us who have our freedom? We hear it used all the time, “yo son,” “son” this, “son” that, from our young people, and sometimes from our not so young people. Even girls are calling each other “son,” can you imagine? Well, just be aware of a group of girls conversing or speaking on their cell phones and you will see what I mean. Did you know “son” ranks 3rd just behind the words bitch and hoe, one referring to a female dog in heat, and the other a garden tool? As you can see, not only have we redefined the term, but we have also integrated genders with the word as well.
Also, why are young men foolishly wearing their pants on their thighs exposing their underwear, where did it come from? Baggy clothes were made popular by the so called “Hip-Hop” culture (who, in turn, got it from the jail environment). To be more specific, three of the special housing units in jail; the “New Admissions,” an orientation unit for new arrivals, the “Mental Observation” unit, for inmates with psychological issues, and “Punitive Segregation” unit, where inmates are locked in their cells for 23 hours a day. What they all have in common is that their personal items are confiscated to protect them from hurting themselves with combs, belts, shoe laces, etc. Which creates the unkept, roll-out-the-bed, loose clothing look that you see. They are constantly under suicide watch.
I believe it is safe to say that a significant number of Hip-Hop legends past and present have had first hand experience with the penal system in one in respect or another. So it is normal to see the language, clothing, and even the attitude reflected in their medium. However, mainstream, lets not continue to have the tail swag the dog.
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