Dr. James Braxton Peterson is part of a new generation of black public intellectuals,” President Walter M. Kimbrough said, and added that Braxton has been able to provide creative analysis regarding today’s issues, from politics to Black Lives Matter. “In addition, he is conducting serious scholarship around hip hop, a culture that daily influences American lives.” Peterson is a guest lecturer in Kimbrough’s #PHI 444: Hip Hop, Sex, Gender and Ethical Behavior.
Peterson is a media contributor, a graduate of Duke University and the University of Pennsylvania, and also the founder of Hip Hop Scholars, Inc., an association of hip hop generational scholars dedicated to researching and developing the cultural and educational potential of hip hop, urban, and youth cultures.
An adamant proponent of educational reform, Peterson is a strong advocate of integrating youth culture into classrooms as a way of transgressing the historically divergent borders between lived experiences and the formal educational system. He has trained teachers for the better part of a decade, working with them to integrate innovative methods for teaching students from all backgrounds, chiefly those from minority groups. Based on the four elements of hip hop culture — djing, mc-ing/rapping, breakdancing/bboying, and graffiti art – Dr. James Peterson conceived “The Fifth Element of Hip Hop” in which he argues that knowledge is an additional element.
He has interviewed the likes of Gil Scott Heron, Dr. Manning Marable, Sistah Souljah, Snoop Dogg, Dead Prez, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Nas, and Lupe Fiasco.
Kimbrough’s philosophy class, #PHI 444: Sex, Gender and Ethical Behavior seeks to look at this sexual revolution through the lens of the musical art form which is arguably is the most sexual- hip hop. This course provides an opportunity for substantive reflection and review of ethical principles and their relevance today in light of the creation and growth of the hip hop culture. Join in on the class discussions on Twitter #PHI444.
