Due to an reporting error, this story misstated which day Chuck D spoke on campus. He appeared Monday. The Daily Tar Heel apologizes for the error.
Rapper and Public Enemy front man Chuck D returned to UNC on Wednesday for the fourth time to dispense advice on issues from education to communication, and everything in between.
“Everyone comes to school with some sort of talent,” said Chuck D, 49.
This is Chuck D’s 19th year giving public lectures.
Conducted as a conversation, he spoke with about 50 students giving life and career advice or answering their questions.
Amy Zhang, social commentary committee chairwoman for Carolina Union Activities Board, said she hopes the event will become a series and plans to invite future guests such as J.K. Rowling.
Topic: Public apathy versus corporate responsibility
Chuck D’s answer: As much as we are in the information age, we’re in the disinformation age. …
The difference between now and the ’90s, in real time, it’s 30 years. From here to 2013 and 2014 is another road of transition that we hope a four-year education is able to straddle. You’ll learn your major in the same old way, but, will you apply that major to a fast-moving society? That’s the question. Maybe six years is what you need. …
I try to attack situations and areas of corporate entertainment and culture who are built up for tricking kids and young adults.
Topic: How to encourage political activity in youth
Chuck D’s answer: This generation right here is familiar with the pimp game, which is ridiculous because corporations pimp young people.
They’re always trying to sell and they can’t to people who are smart and understand themselves. Youth has been sacrificed. …
The platform and groundwork to understand what’s to be done is always moving like a conveyer belt. That has to be conveyed and understood. Should that be taught in school systems? I think media and net literacy should be taught in high schools.
Topic: How to manifest our passions in our career
Chuck D’s answer: No man or woman is an island; you got to know people. You’re in a society that emphasizes quantity over quality. …
Know your friends at least. Get into the details of what your friends are about, and that may be the beginning of how you get the most out of your degree. …
Get the most that you can get out of your campus life, not just for the social activities. This campus is a perfect microcosm of the world itself. The world begins here at Chapel Hill. Exhaust your opportunities. Don’t waste your time.
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
