what's the rap on rap?

by Andrea

How does rap music affect us in this time today? At one time, rap music was a way to express yourself. It was the social concious of the community. They were words about justice, poverty and civil rights. Has it changed? Does rap still reflect a social concious? Nowadays, rap is very popular in our time today, but many people, especially parents, think it should go away.

One reason for people to think that is because of the words they use in their lyrics. Nowadays its all about cussing, sex, drugs, drinking. No wonder most people don't want it around their children. There are many children though that do like this type of music, especially the older ones like teenagers.There are those big rap singers that everyone listens to. There is a misconception here. People think that the children listen to it because they agree with the lyrics. The reality is that we listen to it despite the lyrics. It's the beats. It's the hooks. It's the feel of dancing and it's the fact that it is forbidden.

Drinking,sex,and drugs are influenced in this type of music. Theres all this talk about just drinking and getting drunk. Now there are some children that will follow but there are most that won't be influenced by it. Perhaps it's because they realize that rappers aren't "promoting" a lifestyle as much as they are describing it. The rappers give the fans what they want to hear and they think drinking is one of them. They know that fans want songs about a wild life.

Is it that the fans want this music because they are into the partying lifestyle? Do they party as a result of the music? Or is it simply an escape? Is it that people are bored with "the good life" and are attraced to the danger described in rap music? Maybe the answer is all of the above.

Not only are there lyrics promoting sex, drugs and drinking but there's also racism. Rappers put thought into their lyrics. Racism is a major issue right now.There is racism against every race of person. You never know if the rappers really want you to go out and be racist or if they are just expressing their frustration about race. Are they promoting an open dialogue or are they promoting hate? Perhaps the answer is found in the use of stereotypes. Does rap music resort to racial stereotypes? It does seem that every time they mention minorities, they portray them as violent and overly sexual and angry.

In my opinion rap music doesnt affect everyone in any aspect. The people who have been influenced by it, it is their own fault. If you are so weak-minded that they fall into the racism, the drugs and the partying lifestyle, they need to grow a backbone. Then again the rappers should put a little less of sex, drugs, drinking, racism and cussimg words. It's not all everyone wants to hear. Give us a song or two about what really matters in the world. We'll listen and maybe make the world a better place.

Photo Credit
Flickr Creative Commons
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dantje/2049027313/

bailing out the world

by ASV

GM is not an American company.  It's global and transnational.  AIG is not an American company. They invested money in banks throughout the world.  Citigroup cannot claim the red, white and blue as its home, because its home is the world.  However, when it comes to media coverage of the bailout, globalization never enters the picture.  

The reality is that all the companies we are bailing out are transnational corporations.  Sure, GM has plants in Michigan and workers have their pensions tied up.  But GM has plants all over the world.  The forces of globalization now mean a GM car has parts made in Asia, Africa and Latin America.  Still, they implore us on propaganda to buy American.  It's some kind of act of patriotism.

News flash: It's not my fault that GM made crappy cars.  It's not my fault that AIG screwed over the financial community.  Why are my parents paying taxes to bail them out?  Why will my generation be the ones who bail out the world? 

Photo Credit

Minnesota Public Radio

http://images.publicradio.org/content/2009/03/17/20090317_aig_33.jpg

Podcast: Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X

Two students discuss the ideas of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.

You can download it at:
http://www.archive.org/details/MalcomXAndMartinLutherKingJr



Photo Credit
Flickr Creative Commons
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oriol_llado/185459369/

Reflections on my Flower Pot

Students created flower pots that we will deliver to a nursing home within a few months. Mackenzie wrote a service reflection about the experience.

My flower pot represents happiness. The flower pot has a blue sky and flowers. When the recipient looks at my flower pot I want him or her to feel happy and calm. Hopefully when they feel bad, they'll look at it and be happy again. even though it has one flower on it, it should still be effective. I want this to go to someone special.

I know it seems like it's just an art project, but it made me think about life and death. It made me think about the way people live and the way we treat the elderly. Hopefully this small thing can make a difference.

Why Racist Humor?

by Jesus

Racial  Jokes are very offensive. Often, people make jokes about other races with out noticing.  They also make racist comments subconsciously  (with out knowing ).  People do this to try to be funny but they wouldn't like it if they did the same to them behind their back.  Racist jokes are almost always hurtful, because it is humor at someone else's expense.
   

People make jokes about another race because they feel insecure about their own identity. They can't find another way to feel secure. They just tease and tease and the result is the continuation of stereotypes. For example African American they say that they have big butts and big lips.  Latinos they say we mow lawns and fix cars.  Whites are labeled as racist people who can't dance and act nerdy.  Blondes are called airheads.  Asians have to fit the stereotype of fixing computers and driving tricked-out Hondas. These are just  a few stereotypes that people laugh about.  Except it's pretty hard to laugh when it becomes an expectation of what you are supposed to do. 

 

                              Where it all comes from
    All this comes from way back in history when there was a little thing called segregation. This was when the "colored" people African Americans,Latinos,and other races that weren't white had to stay in one area and experience socialization separately.  This was when all other races than white were separated. The drinking fountains that the "colored" had were dirty and small. The drinking fountains that the whites had were the complete opposite, pristine and clean. Whenever a "colored" went to a restaurant the had to sit at the back. Some places wouldn't serve him.

So in the process, we had to create the "other" and make general statements.  "See those guys, they're real dark and real loud," and it was an issue of judgment.  Then these judgements became the lens for viewing the race forever.  Humor became one of the things that reinforced these ideas.  So radio shows like "Amos and Andy" included two whites who made fun of black stereotypes.  Old movies and t.v. shows ignored the Latino population. Then, when there were finally "black" shows like Family Matters, they continued with white stereotypes that minorities could mock. 
 
I think the civil rights activist worked real hard for our rights.  I can't believe some of the things they fought for are still going on in our country; especially here in Arizona where there are many laws against the Hispanics . Dolores Huerta fought for the farm workers right and yet today there are bosses who threat the workers that they are going to call "la migra" which is the border patrol.  Countless African-American civil rights leaders helped transform race relations through groups like SNIC and SLCC and leaders like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr. Groups such as AIM helped Native Americans fight for civil rights as well.  

When we turn race into a joke, it's a slap in the face to the heritage of the Civil Rights movements.  When we laugh at stereotypes we reinforce old ideas in the name of humor.  

Photo Credit 

Radio Revisited 

History Through a Feminist Lens

by Monique

Do women in America have the same rights as men? According to our constitution, we do. In reality, though, we find that there are bigger barriers we cannot always cross. Over the years, women have had fought to ensure equal rights between both genders. If you look real closely you'll see that we don't have the promised equality. Even when the law says we are entitled to equality, social norms prove that we are really not that equal.

Men have had more rights than men throughout the history of our nation. Early on, men always told women what to do. The women were told what jobs they could and could not have (often not getting equal pay in the process). They were usually forced to stay at home as a stay at home mom and watch over the kids and house. We can't guess how much they would have "earned" to do that job, but the hours would certainly be higher than most men's jobs. Many of the men were perfectly happy with this arragement. On the other hand, the women were not okay with this. Some women would have gladly stayed at home, but they yearned for the right to make that decision.

With this reality seemingly set in stone, many women fought to chip away at the stone. Although growth was slowly, they succeeded in eventually procuring our rights. For example, Susan B. Anthony contributed to the cause of women's suffrage, helping women to get the right to vote. She was one of the countless feminists who fought for women's rights. Although her face is famous, there were thousands (perhaps millions) of women who joined protests and demanded equality. They fought to ensure simple rights, like the chance to avoid abuse, inherit land, get a divorce, maintain childhood custody and have equal wages.

Although we have made progress, it is still not enough. In many instances, men still get jobs because of informal connections when female candidates are just as qualified. Many men still hold onto the view that they are of more importance than women. In reality, neither gender is more important. Yet, women still face an invisible barrier that says, "you can't succeed" in jobs that require math and science. Or consider politics. Just look. Every president has been a man. Although we can elect a minority, we still have not made progress in terms of gender. How else could you explain that there is still less than half of Congress who are women and currently only one Supreme Court Justice is a woman. Yes, we're getting somewhere, but we're getting there very slowly.

Even though women have gained rights over the years, they still hanve't gotten all the rights they deserve. Men still wield their power in the guise of "knowing what is right." A culture of machismo still rules in many parts of America. This is a reality that we must face. There is a lot we can do to become equal and gain the rights we deserve. Women don't just have to sit back and take what is handed to them. They can fight to prove that men and women should be equal.

Photo Credit
Flickr Creative Commons
http://www.flickr.com/photos/looking4poetry/2319465610/

Three Metaphors

"The heart of Israel is the heart of all the world, and the world wants to kill the heart."

This metaphor is very deep to me. It explains how all of this started just because of names and territory. A certain group wants to be another certain group, and another certain group wants some territory from another certain group. All of this isbad Israel must remain in tact and in order to keep this world alive. If it is destroyed, since it is the heart everything will stop working.
-by Isaac

"The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict is a drug war"

Both sides claim that they are selling a legitimate drug, but people are abusing it. The drug is their religion, but it's been ruined by hatred and violence. It's a dirty batch. They are pushing it like crack on the streets. One side shoots another and the victims are the neighborhoods. Kids die. Families are broken apart. All for power and territory and money. Their foot soldiers are like small time dealers who are just trying to survive in a ghetto called the Holy Land. It doesn't have to be this way. If a drug can be addicting, it can also be used for healing. The people themselves need a doctor to show them the healing power of religion.
-by Carlos

The conflict is a huge wave that crashes against the shore.

I chose this metaphor because it is kind of true. It is true because whenever the Palestinian and the Israeli sides go to war everyone around it can feel it. There are even ripples that reach America. The people can feel it and will know that they will get a win and they will not leave without one. They are so determined to victorious but they miss the reality that neither side actually wins. This is a wave that will knock down everyone in the path of destruction. America does our best to stop this wave. We set up bunkers that work for awhile, but eventually it crashes down on everything. Occasionally people believe that the conflict has stopped. The waves subside and all is calm, but eventually the waves crash back and destroy those who are standing on the shore.