How did black culture in America become the way it is today?

It seems to be that in the earlier part of the 19th century, African Americans were just more real. And in the 60's...When did this whole sideways hat, big jacket, I have bling bling, culture come around? I live in a suburban area and all the black kids here seem to think that they have to get bad grades, dress a certain way (ghetto), listen to a certain type of music and act tough even though they come from nice houses and normal parents. I just want to know when the afro and the jazz/blues got lame and the swearing about hoes and bitches got cool. And why.





I don't mean to stereotype or offend! I do know some black people who aren't like that at all. I just want to know how black culture came to be portrayed the way it is today.|||good question. Its sometimes hard not to look at yourself as "racist" when you try to ask such a question. Put the shoe on the other foot, and you might ask why do "white people" or any one else care about what we do. Sometimes when you try or want to change someone they resist, I found it best to let the natural order of things take care of such so called "non conformity" of 80% of the rest of the population.|||Wouldn't it be a wonderful world if we could just look beyond color and see the person? After all not one of us are the same.|||I have to agree that the whole rap thing has created a generation of cartoon characters (blacks and whites) who dress and act a certain way which to me is a cross between really funny (like a clown) and a little scary. The thing about it is that these people do not get very far in this world except for the 1% that might strike it famous in the music business. They are a pitiful bunch.|||The gangster rap became mainstream and popular. People try to emulate that. Kids buy into it without realizing using your mind will get you farther and more respect in life.|||This is such a complicated question that can take you in many directions. If we were to narrow it down to a type of music that is common to a given subculture then we might have a basis to start with. I do find it interesting that most people, especially teens, can be associated with the genre of music they listen to. Why do white suburban kids try to emulate rap and rappers as well? It is certainly not just a "black" thing. Are they really defined by the music or does the music define them?|||OMG! I would love to know myself. Do you think their ancestors would be proud, considering the suffering they endured?|||Fool! Let me axe you a question, my brotha! Why you gotta be so racist, dawg! I like the letter F and I love my homie-G Snoop Dogg yo! And what about my bling bling? You jealous that you crackas can't afford it? I even got a gold grill, whatcha got cracka? I Huffy bike... I got bitches and my hos dawg! And I'm only 10! Don't be a playa-hater dawg, hate the game! Oh, and vote for Obama 2008!|||They stood up for themselves, so they can get the freedom they have today.