# Does not liking rap make you racist? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 27, 2013, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789 "2013-09-27T10:50:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dervorin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Dervorin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dervorin)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/1 "2013-09-27T10:50:10Z")
I was linked to this extremely humble man’s [list of requirements](http://jezebel.com/delusional-man-child-has-most-incredible-list-of-dating-1382052948?fb_action_ids=10100395568120165&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%2210100395568120165%22%3A657643037586953%7D&action_type_map=%7B%2210100395568120165%22%3A%22og.likes%22%7D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D) for a female life partner over on Facebook, and while the list itself is very amusing and he probably deserves all the trolling he’s bound to get, one comment struck me as being a bit strange. > [@](#): > > It’s like guys on OKC who say they love “all music, except rap.” I know you THINK you’re being subtle, dude, but I’m 100% sure you’re not some huge zydeco or Argentinian pan-flute aficionado, either. Coded racism is still definitely racism! Now, I don’t like rap. I am well aware this makes me un-cool, but I had no idea it made me a racist. I honestly don’t like the sound of it at all. If it helps, I’m a big fan of Argentinian pan-flute music, but had to Google a “zydeco” to find out what it was. Is expressing a dislike for rap really coded racism, and would you actually see it that way, or is this person merely delusional? ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/2 "2013-09-27T10:58:23Z")
If someone claims to like ALL types of music except rap like the commenter said, that’s just stupid, although not necessarily racist because along the same lines a lot of people do say “everything except rap and country”. But if you just like certain genres and rap just isn’t among them, then obviously there’s nothing wrong with that. The people who insist it’s “not really music” and shit like that are likely racist and definitely idiotic. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/3 "2013-09-27T11:12:30Z")
The way a lot of folks say it does come across as coded racism. If you say something like, “I’ve never heard any rap I like,” that’s a bit better. If you don’t bring it up, that’s fine. Me, I like all music except, I’m ashamed to admit, Tuvan throat singing. That shit’s just awful. ---
**Author:** ![huesos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7ab992/32.png) [@huesos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/huesos)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/4 "2013-09-27T11:18:23Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > The way a lot of folks say it does come across as coded racism. So what? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/5 "2013-09-27T11:19:28Z")
Talking about your musical likes and dislikes is basically telling a bunch of strangers how you wear your pants and what kinds of pants you prefer they wear (when you/they are wearing them). Rap: baggy and down around your ass. Country: tight and high, cinched with a great big belt buckle. Pan flute: hiking pants that convert to shorts. Zydeco: baggy washed out chinos of no identifiable colour. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/6 "2013-09-27T11:21:44Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Me, I like all music except, I’m ashamed to admit, Tuvan throat singing. That shit’s just awful. Would you date a Tuvanian? ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/7 "2013-09-27T11:33:12Z")
There’s a radio station here that plays contemporary pop of the milquetoast variety. Whenever it’s promoting itself, it plays a recording of a woman saying, “I like nice people. I don’t like mean people. I don’t want to hear _rap_ music.” Then cue another loop of Maroon 5, Train, or John Mayer. I don’t get this. There are a lot of genres out there that sound “harsh” to the unsuspecting ear. Why go out of your way in your promo to bash rap? I’m a “nice” person too, and yet I can listen to rap without turning into a “mean” person. Fortunately I only have to listen to this stupid radio station when I’m sitting in my doctor’s waiting room. Seems to me a lot of the “I hate rap” people have not learned that 99% of the rest of us don’t give care. At all. You made it pretty clear the first million times you mentioned it. So please give it a rest. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/8 "2013-09-27T11:48:27Z")
> [@huesos](#): > > So what? Yes, we got it, you’re cool with racism. Congratulations. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/9 "2013-09-27T11:56:27Z")
I hate rap except for Eminem and Vanilla Ice. Is that wrong? ---
**Author:** ![huesos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7ab992/32.png) [@huesos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/huesos)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/10 "2013-09-27T12:07:47Z")
> [@Blackberry](#): > > Yes, we got it, you’re cool with racism. Congratulations. I’m indifferent to it. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/11 "2013-09-27T12:14:07Z")
> [@huesos](#): > > I’m indifferent to it. Intriguing. Please do respond to as many threads as possible pointing out how indifferent you are. ---
**Author:** ![huesos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7ab992/32.png) [@huesos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/huesos)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/12 "2013-09-27T12:20:14Z")
> [@Blackberry](#): > > Intriguing. Please do respond to as many threads as possible pointing out how indifferent you are. Apparently, it bothers you enough that you feel the need to continue responding… ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/13 "2013-09-27T12:22:38Z")
> [@huesos](#): > > Apparently, it bothers you enough that you feel the need to continue responding… Racism does bother me, yes. I’m not the one claiming to be indifferent. ---
**Author:** ![huesos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7ab992/32.png) [@huesos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/huesos)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/14 "2013-09-27T12:25:19Z")
> [@Blackberry](#): > > Racism does bother me, yes. I’m not the one claiming to be indifferent. Why does it bother you? ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/15 "2013-09-27T12:26:40Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I hate rap except for Eminem and Vanilla Ice. Is that wrong? No love for Beastie Boys? ☹ > [@Blackberry](#): > > The people who insist it’s “not really music” and shit like that are likely racist and definitely idiotic. I like rap but think plenty of it is crap too. I can definitely see why someone would say it’s not really music. I think it likely comes from ignorance, or listening to it expecting to be unimpressed, especially when so much of it (like one or two other genres) _is_ so talentless and bland. However, **Loach’s** jokes aside, I’ve yet to hear someone say they dislike rap without them also expressing a particular dislike for Eminem, if it comes up. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/16 "2013-09-27T12:33:44Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > I like rap but think plenty of it is crap too. Of course. A lot of it is definitely crap. > [@](#): > > I can definitely see why someone would say it’s not really music. I think it likely comes from ignorance, or listening to it expecting to be unimpressed, especially when so much of it (like one or two other genres) _is_ so talentless and bland. But that’s the thing, it’s idiotic to make that assessment without having enough information. There are lots of genres I know next to nothing about and what little I’ve heard, I think sounds stupid, but I wouldn’t say the whole genre is not real music. > [@huesos](#): > > Why does it bother you? Mainly because I’m not a bad person. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/17 "2013-09-27T12:33:58Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I hate rap except for Eminem and Vanilla Ice. Is that wrong? Eminem is cool, but Vanilla Ice? That is wrong in [so](http://toddbridges.net/tale-of-the-tape-todd-bridges-vs-vanilla-ice-video/) many [ways](http://www.unrealitytv.co.uk/dancing-on-ice/vanilla-ice-jorgie-porter-ray-quinn-todd-carty-chris-fountain-kyran-bracken-returning-for-dancing-on-ice-2014/). [This being this worst way.](http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-207_162-57581120/vanilla-ice-goes-amish-in-new-reality-tv-series/) ---
**Author:** ![Neidhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Neidhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neidhart)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/18 "2013-09-27T12:35:50Z")
Of course not. If you don’t like heavy metal, does that mean you hate working-class white people? ---
**Author:** ![huesos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7ab992/32.png) [@huesos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/huesos)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/19 "2013-09-27T12:40:14Z")
> [@Blackberry](#): > > Mainly because I’m not a bad person. Does arguing with strangers who disagree with you on Straight Dope make you a “good person”? ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Shine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr_shine/32/464_2.png) [@Mr\_Shine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Shine)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/20 "2013-09-27T12:43:00Z")
I think saying you like “all types of music except rap” is something you can easily say without being racist/stupid. People, when making a general statement like that are just thinking about large genres. So a thought “I like some pop, some rock, some country and some classical but I’ve never heard a rap song I like” can just get translated as liking everything except rap, rather than a detailed analysis of every sub-genre. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789.md?page=2)