This article gives a great insight on the foundations of Hip Hop and the challenges faced during this time period. Contrary to most people I understood and connected to this article very well. However, I have to agree with Dr. Bogad that this was different time and Hip Hop has evolved since then.
Rose’s article identified key points in the development of Hip Hop. She talks about how “Hip Hop replicates and reimagines the experiences of urban life and symbolically appropriates urban space through sampling, attitude, dance, style and sound effects.” The problem with the replication of such images is that it has taken this notion to the extremes. It has been difficult for entrepreneurs in this industry to draw the line on “its complicity with commercialism.”
One thing I did not understand from the reading was how she talked about the use of commodity in Hip Hop but she failed to express the use of women as commodity in Hip Hop videos.
My direct experiences in the Hip Hop world have been very limited. Shamefully when I came here and learned about Hip Hop it was at Hope High School from the African American students there. I would hear them singing songs that I did not understand and my brother’s friends watching the videos in BET. I respect those who enjoy Hip Hop but ever since high school I have overlooked it because of the subliminal messages that I disagree with, especially those reflecting women.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Jordan Pruitt Lyrics "Teenager"
I like stayin' up all night I think it's my right sleepin' noon I love watching
scary movies I could stay shopping all day Gettin' my way Tryin' on shoes Don't tell me what I should be doin' Give me a break.
I'm just a teenager I like putting things off til later Just hangin' out Havin' fun Takin' my time Give me a break I'm just a teenager I'm automatically attracted to danger I can't help myself Can be no one else I'm just a teenager I dread making my bed I wish I could get out of cleanin' my room Cause I hate keeping my friends waiting Fast cars Playin' it by heart Googling stars And searching for tunes Does anyone here get what I'm saying?
[ring ring][Speaking phone conversation][Jordan:] Hello, this is Jordan[Girl:] Hey what's up?[Jordan:] You'll never guess who called me yesterday[Girl:] Who?[Jordan:] You know that guy that's taking me to homecoming?[Girl:] Yeah[Jordan:] He was like, "you took my breath away when I saw you."[Girl: laugh][Jordan:] He called me sweetie too![Girl:] Aww[Jordan:] I don't know if I like him though.
I need more minutes on my cell phone I wanna credit card of my own I want the keys to the Mercedes-Benz Yeah I wanna wear what I wanna wear I wanna copy when I think it's fair I wanna chill at the mall with my friends(at the mall with my friends) Does anyone here get what I'm saying?Just hangin' out Havin' fun Takin' my time I can't help myself Can be no one else.
I'm just a teenager Give me a break I'm just a teenager I like putting things off til later (til later)Just hangin' out Havin' fun Takin' my time Give me a break I'm just a teenager I'm automatically attracted to danger I can't help myself Can be no one else I'm just a teenager Give me a break I'm just a teenager.
scary movies I could stay shopping all day Gettin' my way Tryin' on shoes Don't tell me what I should be doin' Give me a break.
I'm just a teenager I like putting things off til later Just hangin' out Havin' fun Takin' my time Give me a break I'm just a teenager I'm automatically attracted to danger I can't help myself Can be no one else I'm just a teenager I dread making my bed I wish I could get out of cleanin' my room Cause I hate keeping my friends waiting Fast cars Playin' it by heart Googling stars And searching for tunes Does anyone here get what I'm saying?
[ring ring][Speaking phone conversation][Jordan:] Hello, this is Jordan[Girl:] Hey what's up?[Jordan:] You'll never guess who called me yesterday[Girl:] Who?[Jordan:] You know that guy that's taking me to homecoming?[Girl:] Yeah[Jordan:] He was like, "you took my breath away when I saw you."[Girl: laugh][Jordan:] He called me sweetie too![Girl:] Aww[Jordan:] I don't know if I like him though.
I need more minutes on my cell phone I wanna credit card of my own I want the keys to the Mercedes-Benz Yeah I wanna wear what I wanna wear I wanna copy when I think it's fair I wanna chill at the mall with my friends(at the mall with my friends) Does anyone here get what I'm saying?Just hangin' out Havin' fun Takin' my time I can't help myself Can be no one else.
I'm just a teenager Give me a break I'm just a teenager I like putting things off til later (til later)Just hangin' out Havin' fun Takin' my time Give me a break I'm just a teenager I'm automatically attracted to danger I can't help myself Can be no one else I'm just a teenager Give me a break I'm just a teenager.
Digital Natives Digital Immigrants
First of all, what an excellent connection with the title. The correlation with immigrants and natives just makes it so clear.
I agree to some extent with Prensky’s points on the need to confront the issue of Digital Immigrants not adapting to the needs of Digital Natives. He argues through his piece that “Today’s teachers have to learn to communicate in the language and style of their students.”
Still, I have to disagree to some level with his argument because some of the technological usage that these “Digital Natives” are using is not serving an educational purpose that will help them move forward in their educational path.
Being involved with the Providence school system through my job I have seen how the usage of technology has affected the performance of students in their classes but also how the schools lack the resources to provide a more digital class environment where students can engage more and feel that they are being understood.
My questions would be:
To what extent are teachers and educators willing to re-adjust their lessons to a more “digital friendly” environment for the benefit of the students?
How many resources such as training, software, computers and so forth would this state be willing to provide?
Lastly, how can the technology teenagers already know and use could be used to engage them more in their educational life?
I am pretty sure there are ways of coming to a middle ground where both parties would be satisfied.
And as Prensky’s says “They will succeed in the long run-and their successes will come that much sooner if their administrators support them.”
I agree to some extent with Prensky’s points on the need to confront the issue of Digital Immigrants not adapting to the needs of Digital Natives. He argues through his piece that “Today’s teachers have to learn to communicate in the language and style of their students.”
Still, I have to disagree to some level with his argument because some of the technological usage that these “Digital Natives” are using is not serving an educational purpose that will help them move forward in their educational path.
Being involved with the Providence school system through my job I have seen how the usage of technology has affected the performance of students in their classes but also how the schools lack the resources to provide a more digital class environment where students can engage more and feel that they are being understood.
My questions would be:
To what extent are teachers and educators willing to re-adjust their lessons to a more “digital friendly” environment for the benefit of the students?
How many resources such as training, software, computers and so forth would this state be willing to provide?
Lastly, how can the technology teenagers already know and use could be used to engage them more in their educational life?
I am pretty sure there are ways of coming to a middle ground where both parties would be satisfied.
And as Prensky’s says “They will succeed in the long run-and their successes will come that much sooner if their administrators support them.”
Hispanic Teens & Pregnancy
After I had looked at the movie I was looking for info on teen pregnancy online and came across this article about Hispanic teens rise with pregnancy. Just to give you a little taste of the article:
"Teen pregnancies, especially among Hispanics, is discouraging news - not only for the ill-equipped young mothers, but for the economic well-being of the entire region."
http://www.masslive.com/editorials/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1203063777269040.xml&coll=1
"Teen pregnancies, especially among Hispanics, is discouraging news - not only for the ill-equipped young mothers, but for the economic well-being of the entire region."
http://www.masslive.com/editorials/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1203063777269040.xml&coll=1
Juno Impressions
I loved this movie!
Juno is a film about a young teenage girls who with the help of her best friend attempts to find a home for her unborn baby after learning she was pregnant. I was very impressed with the way Juno handled herself through the pregancy.
At some points in the movie it really made me feel uncomfortable proably because of the way I was brought up and my beliefs about pregnancy. She got pregnant by Bleeker and it was kind of like nothing happened. I was just thinking throughout the film how freaked out I would have been if I was her.
I think the most important lesson for Juno was to learn how difficult life can be at times, the importance of family and enjoying her teenage years which goes back to what I had said the first day of class about how some teenagers in this generation want to jump that stage of being a teenager and most of the time this is when they encounter situations that they have to face.
My hopes at the end of the movie was that Juno with her family's support was going to keep the baby and move on. However, I was also impressed with her mature decision since she found out about her pregnancy to give up her baby to individuals who would care for the baby. Not every teenager has that capability to understand the challenges that would have come from keeping that baby. Smart move!!!
I think the most important lesson for Juno was to learn how difficult life can be at times, the importance of family and enjoying her teenage years which goes back to what I had said the first day of class about how some teenagers in this generation want to jump that stage of being a teenager and most of the time this is when they encounter situations that they have to face.
My hopes at the end of the movie was that Juno with her family's support was going to keep the baby and move on. However, I was also impressed with her mature decision since she found out about her pregnancy to give up her baby to individuals who would care for the baby. Not every teenager has that capability to understand the challenges that would have come from keeping that baby. Smart move!!!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Unlearning the Myths that Bind Us
This particular reading was very interesting to look at. I have had discussions about cartoons and the impact on children in some of my Communications classes. What I did not seem to comprehend was the connection with the topics we are currently discussing about teenagers in the media. This reading seemed to discuss the impact of cartoons on a younger audience.
What I did understand from this reading was the importance of identifying these subliminal messages and dissecting their meaning to comprehend more effectively their impact on our myths of racism, sexism, power, realtionships and family.
"Most of the early information we recieve about "others"-people racially, religiously or socioeconomically different from ourselves does not come as a result of first hand experience. The secondhand information we recieve has often been distorted, shaped by cultural seterotypes, and left incomplete."
I loved this quote from our reading... It is so real that even scares me. Most of the people I have met that have made ignorant comments about other ethnic groups have been individuals with no first hand experience. Emerging yourself to the unknown sometimes is the best way to learn about it.
I also liked the authors comment on Kenya and Sabrina about the "Black Cinderella" where both girls wanted more women of color playing leads in cartoons. However, Christensen hit it home when she explained that regardless of the number of white vs black women portrayed on cartoons, one underlying theme is the gender inequality in ALL classic cartoons.
NEWS FLASH:
Disney to introduce first black princess in 2009.
For more information on this groundbreaking moment visit:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17524865/
What I did understand from this reading was the importance of identifying these subliminal messages and dissecting their meaning to comprehend more effectively their impact on our myths of racism, sexism, power, realtionships and family.
"Most of the early information we recieve about "others"-people racially, religiously or socioeconomically different from ourselves does not come as a result of first hand experience. The secondhand information we recieve has often been distorted, shaped by cultural seterotypes, and left incomplete."
I loved this quote from our reading... It is so real that even scares me. Most of the people I have met that have made ignorant comments about other ethnic groups have been individuals with no first hand experience. Emerging yourself to the unknown sometimes is the best way to learn about it.
I also liked the authors comment on Kenya and Sabrina about the "Black Cinderella" where both girls wanted more women of color playing leads in cartoons. However, Christensen hit it home when she explained that regardless of the number of white vs black women portrayed on cartoons, one underlying theme is the gender inequality in ALL classic cartoons.
NEWS FLASH:
Disney to introduce first black princess in 2009.
For more information on this groundbreaking moment visit:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17524865/
Monday, February 4, 2008
The Rise and Fall of the American Teenager
Talking Points:
This week’s reading was helpful to put into perspective the views of a teenager now in comparison to views from years ago and to realize that unfortunately attitudes of what a teenager is have not changed.
· “Youth is seen, especially by adults, as a time without compromise…”This part of the reading really connected because that is the attitude that parent’s believed about their teenagers. They think that their kids are irresponsible and don’t care about anything besides their “world” but the reality is that most teenagers feel compromised by their behaviors and it reflects later on in their lives.
· The stories of the young girls who gave birth and killed their babies were horrific and a great signal of the pressures of pregnancy of that time and lack of communication of relationships and sexuality. “She proved herself physically capable of bearing a child, but not mentally, emotionally, or morally mature enough to handle it. She had, in a word, shown herself to be a teenager.” Furthermore, this example shows how adults over generalize that teenagers lack emotional, moral and mental maturity.
· “Sometimes young people could display learning skills, or religious inspiration that would force their elders to acknowledge maturity.” This happened to me when I became a religious leader in my town. It was a stressful stage because I had to keep up with expectations.
· “The weakness we see in youth are our own, and we know it.” I believe this is one of the explanations why adult are so contradictory on their understanding of what makes a teenager. They measure teenagers to what their personal experiences as a teenager regardless of the differences.
This week’s reading was helpful to put into perspective the views of a teenager now in comparison to views from years ago and to realize that unfortunately attitudes of what a teenager is have not changed.
· “Youth is seen, especially by adults, as a time without compromise…”This part of the reading really connected because that is the attitude that parent’s believed about their teenagers. They think that their kids are irresponsible and don’t care about anything besides their “world” but the reality is that most teenagers feel compromised by their behaviors and it reflects later on in their lives.
· The stories of the young girls who gave birth and killed their babies were horrific and a great signal of the pressures of pregnancy of that time and lack of communication of relationships and sexuality. “She proved herself physically capable of bearing a child, but not mentally, emotionally, or morally mature enough to handle it. She had, in a word, shown herself to be a teenager.” Furthermore, this example shows how adults over generalize that teenagers lack emotional, moral and mental maturity.
· “Sometimes young people could display learning skills, or religious inspiration that would force their elders to acknowledge maturity.” This happened to me when I became a religious leader in my town. It was a stressful stage because I had to keep up with expectations.
· “The weakness we see in youth are our own, and we know it.” I believe this is one of the explanations why adult are so contradictory on their understanding of what makes a teenager. They measure teenagers to what their personal experiences as a teenager regardless of the differences.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
