Harvard vs. The Hood

2. Will Obama's rise shift black youth away from thug-rapper role models like 50 Cent and toward black high achievers? NBC's "Today" explored the "Harvard vs. Hood" debate over black role models. It was outrageous to find correspondent Jamie Gangel sympathetically painting the gangsta-rapper 50 Cent thusly: "Behind the trademark scowl and explicit lyrics is a smart, soft-spoken businessman who can be very different in private." He doesn't smoke and doesn't drink, she underlined. "Do you think you're misunderstood?" she asked hopefully.

After getting a nod, she changed the subject to commerce: "But he knows what sells. You scare people." 50 Cent agreed: "I know I scare people. That's actually my job. That's why they buy my music. I scare them for $16.99, and they -- and they buy the records and they're entertained by it." Gangel suggested it was all unreal, and therefore innocent. Does this woman fail to understand this guy was a crack cocaine and heroin dealer before being "discovered" by Eminem?

Sadly, when Gangel proceeded to ask young blacks whether President Obama or 50 Cent would be a stronger role model, most picked the rapper, as one said, "because he's cool. I mean, he's what's in. Yes, the highest leadership position in American has changed, but society has still not changed yet." Another added: "I do think that the life experiences of 50 Cent cannot be dismissed, and I think a lot of African-Americans can relate to 50 Cent's experience."

This is where some fatherly fuddy-duddies are desperately needed. Would a "businessman" like 50 Cent have met the favor of Michelle Robinson's father before she brought home Barack? It's nice to visualize a tough old-school dad that would dare to look down his nose at a wildly successful gangsta rapper as more of a menace than a man.

These kids still tried to pay tribute to Obama -- by calling him "gangster." It's partially President Obama's fault. He's been very tight-lipped and cautious about disparaging rappers. He's done it only when pressed, and always with great caution and tributes to rap artistry. He's tried to display how he's down with hip hop. He has copied Jay-Z's moves and invited him to perform at a concert after the Inauguration for his staff party in Washington. What wonders he might work if President Obama would sound much more like Bill Cosby now that he's standing in a powerful bully pulpit. But who will press him to try it?

With reports by Emily Feimster.