Rossing, Jonathan P.D'Souza, Ryan ArronDobris, Catherine A.Sheeler, Kristina Horn, 1965-2015-02-062015-02-062014https://hdl.handle.net/1805/5849http://dx.doi.org/10.7912/C2/470Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)Opposing the culture of différance created through American cultural media, this thesis argues, Arab hip-hop artists revive the politically conscious sub-genre of hip-hop with the purpose of normalising their Arab existence. Appropriating hip-hop for a cultural protest, Arab artists create for themselves a sub-genre of conscious hip-hop – Arab-conscious hip-hop and function as Gramsci’s organic intellectuals, involved in better representation of Arabs in the mainstream. Critiquing power dynamics, Arab hip-hop artists are counter-hegemonic in challenging popular identity constructions of Arabs and revealing to audiences biases in media production and opportunities for progress towards social justice. Their identity (re)constructions maintain difference while avoiding Otherness. The intersection of Arab-consciousness through hip-hop and politics of identity necessitates a needed cultural protest, which in the case of Arabs has been severely limited. This thesis progresses by reviewing literature on politics of identity, Arabs in American cultural media, Gramsci’s organic intellectuals and conscious hip-hop. Employing criticism, this thesis presents an argument for Arab hip-hop group, The Arab Summit, as organic intellectuals involved in mainstream representation of the Arab community.en-USAttribution 3.0 United StatesArab conscious hip-hopArab identityGramsciOrganic intellectualsArab Americans -- MusicRap (Music) -- Social aspects -- Research -- United StatesArabs -- Politics and governmentArab Americans -- Social conditions -- ResearchArab Americans -- Ethnic identity -- ResearchOther (Philosophy)Gramsci, Antonio, 1891-1937 -- Political and social viewsArabs -- Western countries -- Ethnic identityArab Summit (Musical group)Music -- Political aspectsStereotypes (Social psychology) in mass mediaArabs in popular cultureMiddle East -- Relations -- United StatesHegemony -- Social aspectsIdentity (Psychology)International relations -- PhilosophyOrientalismCritical pedagogy -- ResearchGroup identityIslamophobiaThesis