Television Review: My Block
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that while this rap-centric reality
show highlights strong role models, creativity, and positive
ambition, it also includes discussions of gang membership, drug
dealing, and crime. Gang signing, while fuzzed out, is briefly
but prominently displayed. Scenes of homelessness and
alcoholism are seen in the background of some segments.
Families can talk about whether the show's positive portrayals
of rap and hip-hop artists help counter the often-negative
media focus on some musicians' illegal activities and
misogynistic attitudes. Why do the media tend to emphasize
these negative characteristics in the first place? How do the
artists contribute to these depictions? How does the show
counter that perception?
The folks at MTV offer a positive rap-centric reality show with MY BLOCK. In each episode, host Sway accompanies famous musicians like Ludacris and DJ Qualls to their home neighborhoods in cities like Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, and Puerto Rico. The artists introduce Sway (and the audience) to the positive community role models and childhood haunts -- from skateboard parks to local record shops -- that in some way inspired them or kept them from negative influences. Most episodes include a subtle emphasis on the role of family and community in shaping a person's outlook against sometimes staggeringly negative odds.
If you judged this series solely on its title and focus, you could easily assume that it's yet another Pimp My Ride. But as My Blocks's cameras follow the featured artists around their 'hood, it becomes clear that the show has at least somewhat nobler goals. Particularly interesting is how -- as in the movie Rize -- the show portrays hip-hop and rap music as positive influences on neighborhood kids and teens, giving them an alternative to a life on the streets. The show's humanizing and grounding effect on each artist's image is something that parents will particularly appreciate -- and it might also help bring teens' image of their heroes closer to their own reality.
Seeing how these artists grew up and the choices they made to seek out positive community role models -- as well as how many of them have come back to their neighborhoods -- gives both teens and parents an alternative view of these musicians. Ultimately, My Block is a surprisingly enjoyable and enlightening "travelogue" that provides insight as well as opportunity to discuss potentially difficult subject matter.
RizeTrial by Choir
Ice-T's Rap School
Mad Hot Ballroom
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