Billy Wimsatt

[acamus]

for those interested in the history of Gen X progressive politics, take a look at Billy Wimsatt's blog, read his new book "Please Don't Bomb the Suburbs: A Midterm Report on My Generation and the Future of Our Super Movement" and spread the word. (the boys and related friends get a mention in it.)

if you haven't already read his first book and you're interested in what Tupac called "the best book i read in prison.", go back and read "Bomb the Suburbs". (there's an interesting take on the boy's position in culture as well.)

his second book, "No More Prisons" is a great book too. Jeff Chang said, "Chuck D called it one of the best hip-hop books ever. he was wrong. it is the best hip-hop book ever."

if you can, please buy the book at an indie shop or here:

akashicbooks.com/pleasedont.htm
amazon.com/Please-Dont-Bomb-Suburbs-Generation/dp/1936070596

contact Billy:

billywimsatt.wordpress.com
facebook.com/billywimsatt
twitter.com/BillyWimsatt

[gumkojima]

Here's the pull-quote from the book:

"I do these rankings in my head for leaders of my generation. Not an exact ranking. But I generally want to know who's in the Top 10 or Top 100 for my generation. ... There was Erin Potts working with the Beastie Boys and Lhadon Tethong from Students for a Free Tibet."

[p-branez]

You know, I read both his books as a teenager. I haven't returned to them since. I don't remember them being particularly noteworthy, but I know I still have them and may return to them - I know they are very thin. I think it was some Beastie Boys link that got me to him in the first place.

I didn't know he is now a big name in Democratic circles and talks at Yale, Stanford, Columbia and Harvard. I thought the whole idea of the books was to be an underground part of a counterculture.

[gumkojima]

You know, I read both his books as a teenager. I haven't returned to them since. I don't remember them being particularly noteworthy ...

I didn't know he is now a big name in Democratic circles and talks at Yale, Stanford, Columbia and Harvard. I thought the whole idea of the books was to be an underground part of a counterculture.

I remember very few books, but "Bomb the Suburbs" is one of them. For what it's worth, Tupac, Chuck D, Jeff Chang and others both in Hip Hop and otherwise highly regarded both. I used them as texts in a high school Hip Hop class I taught, and the kids ate them up. I recommend giving them another go.

Yes, Billy has long been a major player in progressive circles. He's grown a lot since those first two books. The audience for the new one is this politically to the left of Jesus.

[p-branez]

A high school hip hop class - I would love to take that. Bomb the Suburbs is more thought provoking than any book I read in high school.

In rereading parts of Bomb the Suburbs I remember two aspects of the book that repelled me. First, Wimsatt boils a lot of his arguments down to the city-suburb divide. He correctly identifies that the physical separation among diverse people and lack of interaction leads to social separation. In certain places generic city-suburb reference seems like a simplistic reduction of complex issues. Also, I didn't grow up in the city or suburbs. And lots of Americans are like me in that regard.

Second, I feel that Wimsatt reaches an overly-universal message of unity & understanding but employs a mismatched tone. The confrontational and abrasive writing style didn't make me feel included the broader social movement Wimsatt is a part of. And while attempting to reflect on a movement bigger than himself, he explains that he's writes to ten different but specific audiences. He then mentions his friends and influences in the back of the book. The tone, combined with the fact that he writes from a specific City and upbringing, makes Wimsatt's hip hop more insular. And maybe that's what he tried to do, but I do like the representation of early 1990s hip hop and the first-hand accounts of Chicago.

Maybe your students brought up these two issues as well.

[gumkojima]

In rereading parts of Bomb the Suburbs I remember two aspects of the book that repelled me. First, Wimsatt boils a lot of his arguments down to the city-suburb divide.

Second, I feel that Wimsatt reaches an overly-universal message of unity & understanding but employs a mismatched tone.

Maybe your students brought up these two issues as well.

Wow! I wish I'd gotten that kind of deep analysis in class. Makes me think I should be visiting the political boards more often.

You make valid points. His city/suburb dichotomy has matured a lot in his new book and he addresses this very complaint. As for tone, again I think that can be attributed to a firey youth at work. I'd be interested in your re-reading now and your take on his new material -- the tone is very different. Either way, thanks, p-branez, for your thoughtful response.

[p-branez]

I think we'd all benefit with more comments from a high school hip hop teacher. Did you teach in a public school?

The tone - yeah, that's just who he was - writing as a youth, and in that context, it makes sense. He says, in fact it's the only tone that works for Bomb the Suburbs because it reflects the reality of his subject matter.

Here's a book I'll suggest in the same area: The Window 2 My Soul: Transformation from a Zone 8 Thug to a Father & Freedom Fighter, A Political Memoir (http://www.amazon.com/Window-My-Soul-Transformation-Political/dp/1604611332) by Yusef Shakur. I especially like this book because, like The Autobiography of Malcolm X, there's an extensive discussion about the role of reading and writing that helped the author grow & self-learn in prison. I love reading books by people who also love to read books.

[gumkojima]

No, it was an elite, private school. I don't use that appellation to brag or to denigrate the institution. It just makes for a very interesting story that I'll tell one day.

Thanks for the book recommendation. It's now in my queue. I have one waiting called "Loosing My Cool: How a Father's Love and 15,000 Books Beat Hip-hop Culture". Sounds like something that might interest you.

BTW, after re-reading this thread, I realize that this post could come off as spam, so let me be clear: I do not work for Billy. I am helping him secure a lecture in my town, but I am not paid. I'm doing it because I like many of his causes, and his books have resonated with me. Whew, full disclosure feels good. :)

[p-branez]

I figured it would be that type of school - near where I live, I can't think of any public school that would teach hip hop class or allow that sort of reading.

I thought perhaps you knew him, that's all - and it sounds like you slightly do. I hope you get that lecture lined up with him!