The program was the nation's first full-time educational Hip Hop program for middle and high school students, using Hip Hop culture and Rap music as a way to help students develop "global awareness and critical thinking skills." Former student, A. Dominguez, raved about the class, saying, "Taking this class has made me realize how much I have changed as an individual and has given me the hope to pursue my wildest dreams. Everyone should be able to participate in such a life changing experience!"
However, earlier this month, program founder, Sebastien Elkouby, was told that "the school has to focus exclusively on getting kids to four-year universities, and not on arts or sports," and the program was shut down due to budget cuts .
Elkouby responded to this, telling the Los Angeles Times, "It's an understandable sentiment, but the class was helping students in other ways that are pertinent to their lives...Even 'A' students sometimes lack the awareness of what their responsibility is in this world, where they fit in, and what's their life purpose. We use hip-hop because it's attractive to them and a viable tool to explore those questions...The program has touched so many lives. I’ve had parents tell me that this is the most they've ever seen their students enjoy school, and the kids obviously love it."
While the article and website do not mention anything about the success rate of the program, the rate is irrelevant--a small part of a much bigger picture. Elkouby is one of many individuals around the world who are trying to reinvent the world's education system. The old ways of lecture-based, non-personal education simply reinforce the status-quo and notion of the typical, organized way-of-life. Divergent education is the way of the future, yet those who seek to reinforce the status-quo resist changing the education system with all their might, in order to keep the common person in their place and continue stripping people of their individualism and self worth. Elkouby's revolution is just another shut down with no real resistance. When will we realize that something is wrong?
