Bandy
English I
2016
Critical Thinking: “Before Hip-Hop Was Hip-Hop” by Rebecca Walker
1. Respond: What did you enjoy most about Walker’s descriptions of hip-hop culture during her
youth? Explain.
2. (a) According to Walker, why did PS 141 “crackle” with energy?
(b) Analyze Cause and Effect: In what ways did hip-hop help Walker and her friends bridge
differences?
3. (a) Compare and Contrast: What differences does Walker find between the music of her youth
and today’s hip-hop?
(b) Take a Position: Do you think Walker’s judgment is fair or biased? Explain your answer.
4. (a) Draw Conclusions: Why was it so important for Walker and her friends to define themselves
through dress, special language, dance, and music?
(b) Generalize: What do teenagers use today to express themselves?