actually in Africa I have been Ghana, Senegal, Morocco, Togo, and the Ivory Coast, so pretty much stayed on the west. Yes I notice the baggy clothes, hats, etc. I even ocassionily notice the fake bling on some kids. I hear the rap music, etc. As a teacher in a high school that is 87% white, I guess I see it on more white kids than black kids. As well as see the white girls fight over the few black boys. I hear the music from black and white kids.(the stuff I see and hear) As a cheerleading coach with only 3 minority students (all are mixed or adopted) they typically want to dance to the rap and the hip hop and dress like Brittney Spears and Christina. I see the frustrion as some of them try to learn how to "ghetto dance". Hell I remember when they thought grunge and goth was how they should dressed. What I am saying is it is mostly a youth thing. Every generation has it. When I was in school I listened to rap tried to dress like Madonna but as an adult I would like to believe I didn't look as stupid as this generation does.Today it is about "getting their party on" even if they are home on weekends. My generation got it on and moved on. So will they.
As far as those who can't teach..I am not going to respond because that is not the issue at hand as I will try not to take this post too far off.

Chicken you are right about the media as most of us can point to people in the real world who do and don't live up to the images in the media. I can name many people in the real world who are black that the media never put up who don't fit that image.. I can also name many that the media also does put up that do fit that image. Maybe it is the image that stays with us that paints our reality. Which should in no way lead us to label a whole group.

BTW.. Brian looks like an idiot...I will give you that...gold teeth look idiotic but someone explained to me that it is a southern thing...so I guess I wouldn't understand. But then again..is it important for me to understand?