Hurricant Katrina Freewrite

Ilene Lee
English 1B
TTH 9-10:50

Hurricane Katrina Freewrite

Hurricane Katrina was an unforgettable natural disaster that caused tragic living conditions and deaths for innocent Americans. The United States was not prepared for the results of this catastrophic event, nor were they ready to take on the responsibilities that were needed to save the lives that were affected.

Hoping to spark change and motivation, hip hop artists began to release songs that were relatable to the people of Hurricane Katrina. Their music sought out the voices of millions of Americans witnessing the victims of Hurricane Katrina and vocalized their concerns towards the issue. It brought a new perspective towards the voice of the hip hop industry and showed that celebrities, just like us, had concerns and fears over the tragedies sweeping the nation.

The hip hop industry was never the typical outlet for social response towards political issues and concerns. It was rarely a place where people looked to for social reform and activism within their society. The subject of many hip hop songs focused on drugs, women, sex, and gangs – typical characteristics that Americans were used to.

When artists utilize their abilities and fame to fight for a cause, they are going against the norm of typical hip hop artists and taking a stand for what they believe in. As society is used to listening to similar subjects, it is obviously an unexpected stance for artists to share their perspectives in political reform and justice. It shows that artists today have gone above the roles that they are expected to play and grasp the idea of reaching out to the public through the most engaging method- using entertainment as a link to conveying powerful lyrics and influential messages.