National Hip Hop Political Convention
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[edit] Introduction
The National Hip Hop Political Convention (NHHPC) is a political organization founded in 2003 and operating in 20 states throughout the United States working on issues facing the hip hop generation. Their keystone event is a biennial National Hip Hop Political Convention, where delegates and local organizing committees from the Hip Hop Generation vote on, adopt and endorse a political agenda for the Hip Hop Generation "to funnel the political and cultural power of the hip hop generation into mainstream political activities."
The work of the NHHPC is grounded in the following: Grassroots Activism, Civic Education, Economic Self-Determination, Voter Participation and Cultural Inspiration. The founding members of the National Hip Hop Political Convention identified eight social issues that would serve as the foundation around which we would organize.
These eight issues are: 1) Criminal Justice 2) Economic Justice 3)Educational Empowerment
4) Equality (racial, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc.) 5) Global Issues 6) Health, Wellness, and the Environment 7)Media Regulation 8) Organization and Mobilization of Organizers and Activists
[edit] The 2004 Convention: Newark, New Jersey
In June of 2004, 6,000 people, including 600 delegates from 20 states, attended the first ever National Hip Hop Political Convention in Newark, New Jersey. The four day event was held from June 16 – 19 and consisted of trainings, workshops, concerts, town hall meetings, a film festival and the convening of a national assembly that put forth a 5 point agenda that listed the concerns, desires and political demands of the Hip Hop Generation.
The convention highlighted the important historical, cultural and political elements of hip hop culture while also generating an estimated $4 million dollars for the New Jersey/New York economy during over the 4 day convention period Many of the young leaders associated with the planning and hosting of the convention took on integral roles with national organizations in facilitating the tremendous upsurge in youth and young adult participation in the 2004 presidential elections, and they continue to drive the Hip Hop Generation’s steady evolution into engaged citizens with an active interest in addressing the issues affecting their communities.
DemocracyNow featured on article on the first convention[1]
[edit] After the First Convention: Forming the National Organization
Following the 2004 Convention many of the activists/organizers left Newark feeling like something was still missing. Even though history had been made, a living document was created and a plan was made to come back together in two years. Among the group, there remained a sense that something more was needed.
Aside from the main organizers of the 2004 convention, Local Organizing Committees (LOCs) were formed in various areas across the country to promote the convention and mobilize youth to attend. After the convention, LOC leaders called for a regrouping to discuss the next step.
A grant was awarded to this loose formation of LOCs to gather in Atlanta Georgia in February of 2005. That gathering brought back together over 40 LOC reps and several of the “Founding” members of the original 2004 Convention. The question was posed whether a national organization can and or should be formed by uniting all of the LOCs under one national organization, and if so, what would it look like and how would it function. Since the LOC leaders wished to have their respective LOCs to decide on the format of the National Organization, the final decision on the format of the national group was not made at this gathering. However, this group devised a general outline on what such an organization should look like, and this plan was taken back to the respective LOCs.
At this gathering an Interim Steering Committee was formed to carry on the work of a national body until an official leadership structure could be created and agreed upon. Upon return to their respective LOCs it was unanimously agreed that the LOCs would begin to work as part of something much bigger than just a coalition of local organizations. It was also agreed that this new national organization would continue to go by the same name as the event that brought us all together; the National Hip Hop Political Convention (NHHPC).
The purpose of said organization was to work towards the continued development and implementation of a National Agenda on a local, regional, national, and international level. It was also agreed that the organizational structure of the NHHPC would work from the bottom up, keeping true to the principles of grassroots organization, with the strength of the organization and the majority of its work coming from the LOCs.
[edit] The 2006 Convention: Chicago, Illinois
The 2006 National Hip Hop Political Convention was held July 19 – 23 in Chicago, IL and organized and hosted by the Chicago LOC (ChiLOC). One of the focuses of the 2006 Convention was to build upon the Hip Hop political movement by connecting the agenda created at the 2004 Convention with that of the larger hip hop community, and strengthening the national infrastructure that is needed to coordinate and facilitate the movement.[2]
The 2006 National Hip Hop Political Convention was successful in:
1. celebrating, encouraging and energizing the national work of the Hip Hop political community, 2. shared, supported and developed successful strategies to be implemented and duplicated in various areas across the country, 3. provided training and organizational support for Hip Hop leadership, 4. introduced and invited youth and young adults to join the community empowerment efforts of the Hip Hop Generation, and 5. supported Hip Hop Generation organizing efforts by raising funds and awareness to support both a national and local infrastructure while facilitating the coordinated interaction of the various groups and individuals doing work across the country.
[edit] The 2008 Convention: Las Vegas, Nevada
The 2008 convention was chosen to be hosted in Las Vegas from August 1-3, and organized by the Las Vegas Local Organizing Committee (LV-LOC). Las Vegas Local Organizing Committee is a page that does not exist yet.
This year's convention will host the townhalls, sessions, workshops, etc. that were at the last two conventions for the purpose of formulated the National Agenda.
There will also be pre-convention events from July 28-31, these events will focus on the various elements of Hip Hop culture.
Pre-convention events include:
"Beyond Styles" B-boy/Girl Summit and Dance Exhibition
This event will feature exhibitions of dance styles including locking, popping, Krumping, and Hyphy.
There will be a 2on2 B-Boy/Girl battle for a cash prize
The finally, a much-anticipated 7 on 7 exhibition battle between two top-rated crews: The Knucklehead Zoo (Las Vegas) and The Gamblers Crew (South Korea).
Hip Hop Academic Symposium
Featuring a day long academic conference with panels, workshops and presentations addressing several issues, including but not limited to: the incorporation of Hip Hop elements and culture as a learning tool in grade school, Hip Hop related courses on the College and University level, Hip Hop research related degrees.
Confirmed guests include:
Jeff Chang, author of Can't Stop Won't Stop and Total Choas: The Art and Asthetics of Hip Hop
Marc Lamont Hill, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of American Studies, Temple University Professor
Kristine Wright, Ph.D., Sociology & African American Studies, University of California, Riverside and University of California, Irvine
Karin Stanford, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, California State Univerity Northridge
Jadiam Wilson, Street Academics Radio, 8th grade teacher, Davenport, Iowa
Roderic R. Land, Ph.D., University of Utah
"THE ART OF INDEPENDENCE"
Independent Artists Seminar & Showcase. Features workshops and panel discussions around small business and independence from corporate mainstream monopolization and exploitation of hip hop culture, including but not limited to: record labels and recording, distribution, radio, graphic design, promotions and marketing.
Hosted By: Bay Area Local Organizing Committee (BayLOC)
THREE DAYS OF GRAPHIC ARTS- Hosted By: Iceberg Slick
July 31st: "Toyz II Kingz" A panel discussion exploring the differences between vandalism and true graffiti art. Panelists include some of the hottest names from the graffiti art world.
August 1st: "Culture Rock" A celebration of art, music and culture featuring live performances from Camp Lo, Haiku D' Tat and many more. B-Boys, D.J.'s, close up magicians and live graffiti.
Augugst 2nd: "All Kings" An art show featuring young up and coming artists influenced by graffiti. This show will offer the chance for these young people to show their work alongside some of the biggest names in the world of graffiti.
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