Editor,
I am writing in response to the letter by L.H. Crum in Thursday's issue of the Daily Lobo. I am enrolled in one of the two classes taught by David Hilliard, entitled "Black Panthers to Hip-Hop: Community Activism and Service Learning." I want to start by saying that this is my last semester at UNM, and I could not be luckier to have this opportunity to take a course with Hilliard.
Crum says that he does not know who Hilliard is, so in my opinion he can't understand the historical importance of what Hilliard is bringing to UNM. Hilliard has qualifications that far surpass any academic degree. The history of the Black Panther Party belongs to Hilliard. Personally, I would rather be given the opportunity to learn from someone who had a part in making that history than from someone who learned about it secondhand.
It is clear that Crum doesn't understand the intention of Hilliard's course. It is not a course intended to make "rap music experts." The course requires both reading and writing. Music has always been an outlet of expression, and the relationship between hip-hop and the Black Panther Party is no different. There is a lot of rap music with a real message, a call for activism and a call to actually do something about the things many simply complain about. Music serves as an inspiration to many, and rap and hip-hop music are no different.
In this first week of class, Hilliard has driven home the message that we in this generation need to do something productive about those things we want to change. I believe that this message was the core foundation of the Black Panther Party.
Although Crum is probably correct in his assumption that most companies aren't interested in one's knowledge of rap music, it is true that most companies are in fact interested in those who have a drive to better themselves and participate in their community. I believe this is what students lucky enough to take either of Hilliard's courses will take away.
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Hilliard's qualifications for teaching these courses should not be called into question. If another professor were teaching these courses, Hilliard would be at the forefront of the history, so why not take this course from Hilliard himself? It is unfortunate that those who don't even know who Hilliard is feel so comfortable discrediting his ability to teach.
Magdalena Sharpe
UNM student
