During a period of time (most likely shift from 19th to 20th century) the social structures of women began to change. The things that women were allowed to do began to significantly differ from the old times to the coming century which sparked a whole new idea and personality of the “common woman”. The old “cult of domesticity” women were considered obsolete and the new age of women (called that due to lack of a better name) was ready to take their place. This is where conflict came in and these weren’t always pretty, as Fitzgerald described with the story “Bernice Bobs Her Hair”. The two main characters, Bernice and Marjorie, are symbols of the strong impact and influence on one towards the other.
Their conflict can be compared to a conflict between animals. When these two animals (referring to differing ideas) meet, one tries to get its influence over the other. Whoever is weaker, more passive, or not up to the challenge, must submit to the victor. This is much like the battle between the cult of domesticity and the new age. Marjorie continuously mocked the older women with her sarcasm and strict tone towards her argument with Bernice saying things like, “Yes they were—not!” and “The womanly woman!” (Fitzgerald 8). Marjorie had her ways of attracting people and Bernice had her own ways, but Marjorie was able to attract more people and just seeing the older ways of attracting made her sick. When Marjorie challenged Bernice she only had the choice of doing what she was thinking about doing in the first place, leaving, or submitting into the ideas and power of the new woman. Marjorie had a louder bark than Bernice so it influenced her. In this instance it was strong enough to turn Bernice into something she wasn’t, both literally and figuratively. Her desperate attempt for popularity caused her to cut her beautiful hair, and doing that was like cutting away at her soul or her confidence (much like the biblical tale Samson and Delilah). Bernice also became something she was not using her new methods given by her cousin to attract attention. It gave her the crazy idea of bobbing her hair. The best thing which Fitzgerald implied was that each woman should just live their own lives.
To conclude, “Bernice Bobs Her Hair” is a great symbol and story of the conflicts between the cult of true womanhood and the new age. These conflicting ages were sometimes very dangerous, but were necessary because there was no way the two could have compromised, being complete opposites. The cult of true womanhood was the general idea because men did everything else while the women sat around the house and pretty much served everyone else. The new age of women was much different because they were actually working women that could be independent and had more power to do things. This new privilege kept from them for so many years made them change their submissive attitude because men were no longer the focus of their attention. It was now getting/keeping a job, and with them doing this, they did not need to depend entirely on men. These two clashing forces were formidable opponents, but Fitzgerald made it seem that the new woman can overtake the old woman. There was one last message that was given out at the very end of the story though and it was shown through Bernice’s drastic action: Don’t ever count the old style of women out.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
MLK Answers
1. Alliteration- Repetition of consonant sounds in a series of words; Allusion- An indirect reference; Metaphor- Comparison that doesn’t use like or as; Simile- Comparison using like or as.
2. The beginning of his speech is an indirect reference to Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. This was really good because Lincoln was the president who freed the slaves, and his speech was about freedom from segregation. He referred back to Lincoln to refresh their memories. Lincoln was the reason they were there, not as literal slaves, but as slaves of oppression. MLK planned to finish what Lincoln started.
3. Bible: “Justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream,” (MLK 4). Declaration of Independence: “Now is the time to make real promises of democracy,” (MLK 3).
4. “…Color of their skin but by the content of their character,” (MLK 4)
5. “…Chains of discrimination,” (MLK 2)
6. “Justice rolls down like waters,” ((MLK 4)
7. This is a metaphor and it is a powerful tool because it reminds them of their suffering ancestors. He is also reminding them of their freedom, yet they are still enslaved. The same chains that kept them from their freedom in the cotton fields are holding them from freedom in society. He was making the inference that blacks are still enslaved, just not with literal chains. This should not be true after one hundred years of freedom and in a country that is supposed to be free for all. This must be fixed and that is what he planned to do.
8. a. “Now is the time” (MLK3) b. “We cannot be satisfied” (MLK 4)
9. One of the effects of his repetition is to stress his point. This method combined with his powerful voice was able to drill this idea into the minds and hearts of everyone listening to him. This is the “faith” he had and he wanted to make sure everyone both knew it and took it home with them (MLK 5). He also wanted to let everyone know how powerful their faith and to be in order to endure the suffering that is going on. They needed encouragement to get through the tribulations they had. Dr. King knew this would be tough and if he was going to lead these people, then he needed to get through to them and lift them up. Judging by the resounding applause that he received (a lot louder after the speech) he did just that.’
10. His most powerful method, I believe, was when he spoke of not solving this issue with violence. It takes a lot of strength for a man, a culture, to walk around their home, the one place you deserve to have peace in “exile” (MLK 1). Yet this man still resorts to nonviolence; he says he will not have their “creative protest degenerate into physical violence” (MLK 3). He uses the word degenerate inferring that it will lower the status of their already powerful battle and claims to keep their victories on high by using “Dignity and discipline,” fighting “physical force with soul force” (MLK 3). He is also teaching them (and us) not to give in to the typical idea of a violent black man. If we resort to nonviolence we can always defeat the “evil with the good” (Rom 12:21).
11. 100 years ago we were set free from slavery by the great man Abraham Lincoln. Well I am here to tell you that we are far from free. Our physical chains may be gone, but we still are figuratively shackled by the segregation of our own country. Our nation told us in the documents that all laws are based off of that all men are created equal. This, in fact, is an abandoned idea which the country believes does not apply to the black race. We will make sure that this phrase written by our forefathers will be followed to the fullest and if the nation believes we will quiet this then they are wrong. We will fight to the bitter end, not with violence, but with strength, determination and dignity. So have hope for one day every city, every county, and every state will become as one just as the people of the nation will become as one and then we all can sing our country’s national anthem with pride and the satisfaction of truth. One day we will all stand together as a people and be thankful to be fully free.
12. The world’s biggest crime was the ignorance of thinking that black people were not a human race, like whites are. Discrimination and segregation were the effects of this stupid belief. The world separated blacks as lower beings and this is not right, nor can be true. Skin color does not make a person any more or less than another person. If either one gets shot they can die the same, if either one gets an education they can teach the same, if either one had the skill they could do the same. We are all a people and splitting us up can only cause one thing as it did: revolution.
13. I believe the American Dream is the idea that anyone can have the opportunity and chance to succeed and do well for themselves. They can also live in a peaceful world that is not like any other on earth and is better than any other. In a nutshell, it’s the only place you can have your cake and eat it too.
14. Dr. King names the states that have the heaviest segregation and are the most dangerous for blacks. Knowing this it almost seems impossible to see such a time when these states walk with blacks instead of hanging them. This adds to the effect of what he is saying and adds a lot more hope to his speech. If the most segregated areas in the whole country become unified peacefully and equally, then there is not a single place that segregation can hide.
15. I would have been extremely moved. Just watching it on TV made your spine tingle. Also knowing the time that they were in and all the suffering that they had gone through, this would have been a big encouragement if I were there. The speech touched the hearts of every American there and woke up many people to the problems and solutions to these problems in that time. This would make a lot of people ready to go out there and suffer and work hard so that they could look forward to equal rights and no more discrimination.
16. Racism is the prejudice of one race towards another. It also creates the effect of looking down towards these people and hatred between them. This can create great wars, violent or nonviolent.
17. These people resorted to violence because they did not believe blacks were not supposed to be free. This was mostly hatred and rage toward black people that fueled their violence. They wanted to prove that blacks were lower beings as well as everything else that they thought black were: violent, ignorant, etc. Blacks did not resort to violence, I believe, because MLK was powerful enough to convince black people to resort to nonviolence. He was a great leader because he influenced the black race to follow his plan. They also were not going to give up when they came so far or give in to the oppression. They were determined to continue.
18. I don’t believe that they are as dangerous as the Nazis. They are still dangerous because of their beliefs and oppression, but they are old-fashioned. We are in a new age where there are too many people ready to move on to a better life for them to make such a drastic change. If more people are going to keep the new idea instead of giving up to oppression, then they are going to be shut down before they even start.
19. There is no more segregation at this time. The whole idea about separated water fountains, separate schools and bathrooms no longer exist. Blacks and whites can now walk down the same street, into the same buildings, and use the same bathrooms without it being illegal. A black man has even become president of the United States! We have come very far and Dr. King would be very proud to see this. His dream with these things is truly fulfilled.
There is still some work to be done though. This is the most difficult part of his dream. This is the part in convincing people that blacks are humans and are just as good as whites at doing anything. We are all equal and some people are just prejudiced in this idea. Black are not equal in their eyes. We still have to prove to them that we are just as good, if not better than they are. This may not be possible, since these people are too stubborn to realize what we have already done. Hopefully convincing them can be accomplished.
2. The beginning of his speech is an indirect reference to Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. This was really good because Lincoln was the president who freed the slaves, and his speech was about freedom from segregation. He referred back to Lincoln to refresh their memories. Lincoln was the reason they were there, not as literal slaves, but as slaves of oppression. MLK planned to finish what Lincoln started.
3. Bible: “Justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream,” (MLK 4). Declaration of Independence: “Now is the time to make real promises of democracy,” (MLK 3).
4. “…Color of their skin but by the content of their character,” (MLK 4)
5. “…Chains of discrimination,” (MLK 2)
6. “Justice rolls down like waters,” ((MLK 4)
7. This is a metaphor and it is a powerful tool because it reminds them of their suffering ancestors. He is also reminding them of their freedom, yet they are still enslaved. The same chains that kept them from their freedom in the cotton fields are holding them from freedom in society. He was making the inference that blacks are still enslaved, just not with literal chains. This should not be true after one hundred years of freedom and in a country that is supposed to be free for all. This must be fixed and that is what he planned to do.
8. a. “Now is the time” (MLK3) b. “We cannot be satisfied” (MLK 4)
9. One of the effects of his repetition is to stress his point. This method combined with his powerful voice was able to drill this idea into the minds and hearts of everyone listening to him. This is the “faith” he had and he wanted to make sure everyone both knew it and took it home with them (MLK 5). He also wanted to let everyone know how powerful their faith and to be in order to endure the suffering that is going on. They needed encouragement to get through the tribulations they had. Dr. King knew this would be tough and if he was going to lead these people, then he needed to get through to them and lift them up. Judging by the resounding applause that he received (a lot louder after the speech) he did just that.’
10. His most powerful method, I believe, was when he spoke of not solving this issue with violence. It takes a lot of strength for a man, a culture, to walk around their home, the one place you deserve to have peace in “exile” (MLK 1). Yet this man still resorts to nonviolence; he says he will not have their “creative protest degenerate into physical violence” (MLK 3). He uses the word degenerate inferring that it will lower the status of their already powerful battle and claims to keep their victories on high by using “Dignity and discipline,” fighting “physical force with soul force” (MLK 3). He is also teaching them (and us) not to give in to the typical idea of a violent black man. If we resort to nonviolence we can always defeat the “evil with the good” (Rom 12:21).
11. 100 years ago we were set free from slavery by the great man Abraham Lincoln. Well I am here to tell you that we are far from free. Our physical chains may be gone, but we still are figuratively shackled by the segregation of our own country. Our nation told us in the documents that all laws are based off of that all men are created equal. This, in fact, is an abandoned idea which the country believes does not apply to the black race. We will make sure that this phrase written by our forefathers will be followed to the fullest and if the nation believes we will quiet this then they are wrong. We will fight to the bitter end, not with violence, but with strength, determination and dignity. So have hope for one day every city, every county, and every state will become as one just as the people of the nation will become as one and then we all can sing our country’s national anthem with pride and the satisfaction of truth. One day we will all stand together as a people and be thankful to be fully free.
12. The world’s biggest crime was the ignorance of thinking that black people were not a human race, like whites are. Discrimination and segregation were the effects of this stupid belief. The world separated blacks as lower beings and this is not right, nor can be true. Skin color does not make a person any more or less than another person. If either one gets shot they can die the same, if either one gets an education they can teach the same, if either one had the skill they could do the same. We are all a people and splitting us up can only cause one thing as it did: revolution.
13. I believe the American Dream is the idea that anyone can have the opportunity and chance to succeed and do well for themselves. They can also live in a peaceful world that is not like any other on earth and is better than any other. In a nutshell, it’s the only place you can have your cake and eat it too.
14. Dr. King names the states that have the heaviest segregation and are the most dangerous for blacks. Knowing this it almost seems impossible to see such a time when these states walk with blacks instead of hanging them. This adds to the effect of what he is saying and adds a lot more hope to his speech. If the most segregated areas in the whole country become unified peacefully and equally, then there is not a single place that segregation can hide.
15. I would have been extremely moved. Just watching it on TV made your spine tingle. Also knowing the time that they were in and all the suffering that they had gone through, this would have been a big encouragement if I were there. The speech touched the hearts of every American there and woke up many people to the problems and solutions to these problems in that time. This would make a lot of people ready to go out there and suffer and work hard so that they could look forward to equal rights and no more discrimination.
16. Racism is the prejudice of one race towards another. It also creates the effect of looking down towards these people and hatred between them. This can create great wars, violent or nonviolent.
17. These people resorted to violence because they did not believe blacks were not supposed to be free. This was mostly hatred and rage toward black people that fueled their violence. They wanted to prove that blacks were lower beings as well as everything else that they thought black were: violent, ignorant, etc. Blacks did not resort to violence, I believe, because MLK was powerful enough to convince black people to resort to nonviolence. He was a great leader because he influenced the black race to follow his plan. They also were not going to give up when they came so far or give in to the oppression. They were determined to continue.
18. I don’t believe that they are as dangerous as the Nazis. They are still dangerous because of their beliefs and oppression, but they are old-fashioned. We are in a new age where there are too many people ready to move on to a better life for them to make such a drastic change. If more people are going to keep the new idea instead of giving up to oppression, then they are going to be shut down before they even start.
19. There is no more segregation at this time. The whole idea about separated water fountains, separate schools and bathrooms no longer exist. Blacks and whites can now walk down the same street, into the same buildings, and use the same bathrooms without it being illegal. A black man has even become president of the United States! We have come very far and Dr. King would be very proud to see this. His dream with these things is truly fulfilled.
There is still some work to be done though. This is the most difficult part of his dream. This is the part in convincing people that blacks are humans and are just as good as whites at doing anything. We are all equal and some people are just prejudiced in this idea. Black are not equal in their eyes. We still have to prove to them that we are just as good, if not better than they are. This may not be possible, since these people are too stubborn to realize what we have already done. Hopefully convincing them can be accomplished.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Hughes Questions
1. Hughes main point was that church can be deceptive. Although it was at the end, it was one of his strongest statements. He lay in a bed crying because of that and the fact that he lied to his aunt to be saved. All those who told him about the great feelings of being saved and his aunt's misunderstanding with his feelings were the complete opposite of how he felt.
2. Hughes saw his friend who lied and became saved which was a sin, but he was not punished for it. Also he felt guilty for making everyone wait, and since he did not see Jesus or feel anything, he just gave up and went along with them to be saved.
3. The first two sentences contradict the idea of being saved. If people are saved, why do they still sin? What is the point of being saved from sin if all humans do is sin? His contradiction plays throughout the passage when he was saved from sin by sinning. If this can happen, what is the sense in being saved?
4. I believe Langston wrote Salvation twenty years later to expose his miscomprehension of the bible’s ideas. The bible is a very hard book to understand because there is so much to pull from it. Everything in there is not literal; there are many symbols. In fact the very Bible itself is a symbol of God’s voice. Everything the adults said were shown figuratively, not literally. The very fact that he was crying after he did what he did and his hesitation of doing it gave a sign of good in him. He was also thinking about everyone else and how tired they might be. He was caring for others, concerned for his friend, and upset that he lied. He also shows significance of his crying since he said he only did it once more in his lifetime showing he doesn’t cry a lot. With this you can say he wasn’t touched by a Holy Ghost, but he knew right from wrong and for that you can see a lot of good in him.
5. He assumes that the audience knows about the gist of the ceremony because he jumps right into it. He does add detail though to describe the way his church does it, if it is done differently than another local church.
6. All of the ideas about him being alone, everyone waiting on him in paragraphs 3-10, as well as the fact it was getting late, made Hughes very anxious. He “began to be ashamed,” so the pressure got to him (Hughes). The most powerful was probably the song that was used about the lonely sheep that almost literally referred to him. This really got to him and hits the audience emotionally because you know when a song is about you it makes its way to the heart quickly.
7. With narration it had a better effect on the audience. An argumentative essay would have turned some readers away who had different beliefs. In the form of a story, it can attract anyone, even those who are not in this specific religion. The title would probably be “What Is Salvation?”
8. He shortens the time taken to get to the sermon as well as shortening the service of the church that day besides the altar incident. He skips all the people that went except him and Wesley. He drew out his part to add more expression to his experience. At the end he jumps to his home in bed, because it was the only thing that mattered at the time. When you are that upset as a child the only thing left for you to do is go in the bed and cry. This gives the ending of his reason for writing this chapter.
9. During the sermon, he uses shorter transitions that consider a shorter time period than days or weeks like then, finally, and suddenly, (Hughes). Then he once again uses “That night” as a jumper transition (Hughes).
10. This is the focal point of the narrative. This is the place and time he learns this big lesson so we must know how it works to get the full understanding of his experience.
11. I think he feels understanding. He now realizes what happened at this time and even though he was ashamed as a child, he may not have redone it any kind of way even if he could. In the beginning when he spoke of those who told him he would see Jesus and whatnot, he did not call them liars. He just merely said that he did not feel anything.
12. He is setting up the time period. His sentences are child-like because he is a child at the time in the story. It would be a little strange to have sophisticated, advanced writing as a 13 year old boy.
13. Hughes expected to see Jesus in the literal sense while his aunt expected him, not to literally see him, but feel his spirit come over him. It would be more accurate to say see as Jesus in the sense that he would be able to see what Jesus would do or “What is the right choice?” This is a very significant difference because it gives the contradiction of a literal and figurative sense of the Bible. It is also where they say the “Holy Ghost” comes in because eit is supposedly the spirit that guides you to the path of justice.
2. Hughes saw his friend who lied and became saved which was a sin, but he was not punished for it. Also he felt guilty for making everyone wait, and since he did not see Jesus or feel anything, he just gave up and went along with them to be saved.
3. The first two sentences contradict the idea of being saved. If people are saved, why do they still sin? What is the point of being saved from sin if all humans do is sin? His contradiction plays throughout the passage when he was saved from sin by sinning. If this can happen, what is the sense in being saved?
4. I believe Langston wrote Salvation twenty years later to expose his miscomprehension of the bible’s ideas. The bible is a very hard book to understand because there is so much to pull from it. Everything in there is not literal; there are many symbols. In fact the very Bible itself is a symbol of God’s voice. Everything the adults said were shown figuratively, not literally. The very fact that he was crying after he did what he did and his hesitation of doing it gave a sign of good in him. He was also thinking about everyone else and how tired they might be. He was caring for others, concerned for his friend, and upset that he lied. He also shows significance of his crying since he said he only did it once more in his lifetime showing he doesn’t cry a lot. With this you can say he wasn’t touched by a Holy Ghost, but he knew right from wrong and for that you can see a lot of good in him.
5. He assumes that the audience knows about the gist of the ceremony because he jumps right into it. He does add detail though to describe the way his church does it, if it is done differently than another local church.
6. All of the ideas about him being alone, everyone waiting on him in paragraphs 3-10, as well as the fact it was getting late, made Hughes very anxious. He “began to be ashamed,” so the pressure got to him (Hughes). The most powerful was probably the song that was used about the lonely sheep that almost literally referred to him. This really got to him and hits the audience emotionally because you know when a song is about you it makes its way to the heart quickly.
7. With narration it had a better effect on the audience. An argumentative essay would have turned some readers away who had different beliefs. In the form of a story, it can attract anyone, even those who are not in this specific religion. The title would probably be “What Is Salvation?”
8. He shortens the time taken to get to the sermon as well as shortening the service of the church that day besides the altar incident. He skips all the people that went except him and Wesley. He drew out his part to add more expression to his experience. At the end he jumps to his home in bed, because it was the only thing that mattered at the time. When you are that upset as a child the only thing left for you to do is go in the bed and cry. This gives the ending of his reason for writing this chapter.
9. During the sermon, he uses shorter transitions that consider a shorter time period than days or weeks like then, finally, and suddenly, (Hughes). Then he once again uses “That night” as a jumper transition (Hughes).
10. This is the focal point of the narrative. This is the place and time he learns this big lesson so we must know how it works to get the full understanding of his experience.
11. I think he feels understanding. He now realizes what happened at this time and even though he was ashamed as a child, he may not have redone it any kind of way even if he could. In the beginning when he spoke of those who told him he would see Jesus and whatnot, he did not call them liars. He just merely said that he did not feel anything.
12. He is setting up the time period. His sentences are child-like because he is a child at the time in the story. It would be a little strange to have sophisticated, advanced writing as a 13 year old boy.
13. Hughes expected to see Jesus in the literal sense while his aunt expected him, not to literally see him, but feel his spirit come over him. It would be more accurate to say see as Jesus in the sense that he would be able to see what Jesus would do or “What is the right choice?” This is a very significant difference because it gives the contradiction of a literal and figurative sense of the Bible. It is also where they say the “Holy Ghost” comes in because eit is supposedly the spirit that guides you to the path of justice.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Paraphrasing Songs
“The 6th Sense” Common
The time is now
We’ll show you how
The window to the soul is open now,
So listen up
The times were hard, yet I took charge
Came out on top despite the odds
Everyone’s in a struggle, but some don’t make it
These visual perceptions were crazy, strange to me
“There’s no need to care, at least you made it” I heard
But the truth will never lay inside me undeterred
Review where I came from, taking a glance
Where all people need is a decent chance
Giving back my own knowledge
To the young scholars
Who don’t know their potential of spitting rap for dollars
Can’t begin until they breathe in and read into
Where they been, what they did, and it’s too late for breaks
A message of truth, something you can relate to
Realize it, realize it
The stories of the ghetto-bound slaves
Yeah, Yeah
The barrier between me and the world that fuels my mind
The inner soul of my girl, and the words that I find
I do business with only the ones that accept our lives’ design
The revelation of rap now lasts forever
With me as the headliner “Common Brought It Together”
What I say is nothing simple to disregard
This is hardcore realism, times are hard
God brings this word of mouth through me as I speak it out
The perks and riches I’d love to take
Not just for me but for the children’s sake
Dealing with my culture and problems
The difficulties that are easily seen in them
So much is breaking me down
You can’t live forever in this town
I am the greatest one training others to watch for the false rap nation
A message of truth, something you can relate to
Realize it, realize it
The stories of the ghetto-bound slaves
Yeah, Yeah
I travel sometimes to walk with reality
Found a girl reciting rhymes that blew thoughts at me
What has this music done for the world
Reviving the forgotten while unity begins to unfurl
But what can I say?
What I don’t like I don’t try to see
This is no disrespect, that’s just me
I come to help with what I say
Preaching what I see and know everyday
Letting those on the street know that I pray
With them, the rich the poor, the famous athlete
They all know what I spit is me…
This version of “The 6th Sense” is a little more sugarcoated than the original song. It has a similar message, but not as serious. The audience is somewhat changed as well. The first refers to all people in poverty but the revised one is more about black people in poverty more than anyone else.
“Iris” GooGoo Dolls
Eternity means nothing without you
You understand this as well
If I don’t get to Heaven, all I need is you
I wish us together where only God can tell
I feel it in all 5 senses
I feel it all around my soul
I know that I can’t last forever
But please baby don’t let me go
Our secrets must be kept between us
Criticism is not now what I need
My heart can’t take the pressure
My inner soul I only want you to see
Sadness can’t be faked in this life
Nor facts be surrounded by lies
This isn’t fantasy although it may feel like it
Use pain to open up your own eyes.
Our secrets must be kept between us
Criticism is not now what I need
My heart can’t take the pressure
My inner soul I only want you to see
Our secrets must be kept between us
Criticism is not now what I need
My heart can’t take the pressure
My inner soul I only want you to see
Our secrets must be kept between us
Criticism is not now what I need
My heart can’t take the pressure
My inner soul I only want you to see
I open my heart to you
I open my heart to you
I open my heart to you
This song has changed in the way that the couple knows who each other are. In the original song the woman was unaware because her admirer was afraid to reveal himself to the world. The changed song is more of a secret romance where the couple are aware of each other. It is similar to a teenage rebellious love.
“Ghetto Heaven” Common
Looking through the ghetto for the one
Ladies got no sense, they just wanna have fun
A third type, no specifications, but special
Got the right mind and the clothes to match my mind’s image
My baby mama is lost
But my girl I got always
The spirit speaks
As the young searches for the meek
Given the cluelessness of a hidden, wandering man
When all that is tall sinks as low as it can
What’s left is me, with the right guide patrolling me through
And through hard times and temptation, I recognize what I came here to do
My mission is more important than riches and pleasure
I spread peace, happiness and spiritual pleasure
Peace of mind
Surrounding me with the peace of mind
Peace of mind
Surrounding me with the peace of mind
Listen miss, don’t put all your hopes and dreams with one man
You are independent to do whatever you can
You’re looking for the right guy money is not the key
Because those who spoil you are obsessed with their greed
Troubles from generations are handed down
Always reawaken and end up worse than when they were found
Know yourself, then search for the one
You have plenty of time and mistakes to learn from
Don’t’ punish all men because one turned you down
Realize what you want, and then achieve it
When your journey is over you will receive him
It’s a hard road to travel, but remember this
Your pain is only so that you can find your prince
Don’t look back, because your aching is past tense
You need someone in your life because loneliness is hard
Your peace comes from yourself and God
Peace mind
Surrounding me with the peace mind
Peace of mind
Surrounding me with the peace of mind
What I say comes overshadows me
It’s open-minded, joyful, rhythmic poetry
The business can take a lot out of you
But keep the good deeds in mind, your brothers too
Interpreting what our ancestors left behind
Putting the things together in my mind
Cherish the blessings of music
It’s not the crutch to riches, you can’t just use it
Live through it, embrace it, analyze it, take it
Run it through your soul and spirit, open your mind and think hard
Because our peace comes from yourself and God
Your peace comes from yourself and God
Your peace comes from yourself and God
This song was altered to fit many topics of truth and moral standpoints much like the original. The interpretation was changed somewhat to make the reader think into it. It had more of a religious theme than the first one.
The time is now
We’ll show you how
The window to the soul is open now,
So listen up
The times were hard, yet I took charge
Came out on top despite the odds
Everyone’s in a struggle, but some don’t make it
These visual perceptions were crazy, strange to me
“There’s no need to care, at least you made it” I heard
But the truth will never lay inside me undeterred
Review where I came from, taking a glance
Where all people need is a decent chance
Giving back my own knowledge
To the young scholars
Who don’t know their potential of spitting rap for dollars
Can’t begin until they breathe in and read into
Where they been, what they did, and it’s too late for breaks
A message of truth, something you can relate to
Realize it, realize it
The stories of the ghetto-bound slaves
Yeah, Yeah
The barrier between me and the world that fuels my mind
The inner soul of my girl, and the words that I find
I do business with only the ones that accept our lives’ design
The revelation of rap now lasts forever
With me as the headliner “Common Brought It Together”
What I say is nothing simple to disregard
This is hardcore realism, times are hard
God brings this word of mouth through me as I speak it out
The perks and riches I’d love to take
Not just for me but for the children’s sake
Dealing with my culture and problems
The difficulties that are easily seen in them
So much is breaking me down
You can’t live forever in this town
I am the greatest one training others to watch for the false rap nation
A message of truth, something you can relate to
Realize it, realize it
The stories of the ghetto-bound slaves
Yeah, Yeah
I travel sometimes to walk with reality
Found a girl reciting rhymes that blew thoughts at me
What has this music done for the world
Reviving the forgotten while unity begins to unfurl
But what can I say?
What I don’t like I don’t try to see
This is no disrespect, that’s just me
I come to help with what I say
Preaching what I see and know everyday
Letting those on the street know that I pray
With them, the rich the poor, the famous athlete
They all know what I spit is me…
This version of “The 6th Sense” is a little more sugarcoated than the original song. It has a similar message, but not as serious. The audience is somewhat changed as well. The first refers to all people in poverty but the revised one is more about black people in poverty more than anyone else.
“Iris” GooGoo Dolls
Eternity means nothing without you
You understand this as well
If I don’t get to Heaven, all I need is you
I wish us together where only God can tell
I feel it in all 5 senses
I feel it all around my soul
I know that I can’t last forever
But please baby don’t let me go
Our secrets must be kept between us
Criticism is not now what I need
My heart can’t take the pressure
My inner soul I only want you to see
Sadness can’t be faked in this life
Nor facts be surrounded by lies
This isn’t fantasy although it may feel like it
Use pain to open up your own eyes.
Our secrets must be kept between us
Criticism is not now what I need
My heart can’t take the pressure
My inner soul I only want you to see
Our secrets must be kept between us
Criticism is not now what I need
My heart can’t take the pressure
My inner soul I only want you to see
Our secrets must be kept between us
Criticism is not now what I need
My heart can’t take the pressure
My inner soul I only want you to see
I open my heart to you
I open my heart to you
I open my heart to you
This song has changed in the way that the couple knows who each other are. In the original song the woman was unaware because her admirer was afraid to reveal himself to the world. The changed song is more of a secret romance where the couple are aware of each other. It is similar to a teenage rebellious love.
“Ghetto Heaven” Common
Looking through the ghetto for the one
Ladies got no sense, they just wanna have fun
A third type, no specifications, but special
Got the right mind and the clothes to match my mind’s image
My baby mama is lost
But my girl I got always
The spirit speaks
As the young searches for the meek
Given the cluelessness of a hidden, wandering man
When all that is tall sinks as low as it can
What’s left is me, with the right guide patrolling me through
And through hard times and temptation, I recognize what I came here to do
My mission is more important than riches and pleasure
I spread peace, happiness and spiritual pleasure
Peace of mind
Surrounding me with the peace of mind
Peace of mind
Surrounding me with the peace of mind
Listen miss, don’t put all your hopes and dreams with one man
You are independent to do whatever you can
You’re looking for the right guy money is not the key
Because those who spoil you are obsessed with their greed
Troubles from generations are handed down
Always reawaken and end up worse than when they were found
Know yourself, then search for the one
You have plenty of time and mistakes to learn from
Don’t’ punish all men because one turned you down
Realize what you want, and then achieve it
When your journey is over you will receive him
It’s a hard road to travel, but remember this
Your pain is only so that you can find your prince
Don’t look back, because your aching is past tense
You need someone in your life because loneliness is hard
Your peace comes from yourself and God
Peace mind
Surrounding me with the peace mind
Peace of mind
Surrounding me with the peace of mind
What I say comes overshadows me
It’s open-minded, joyful, rhythmic poetry
The business can take a lot out of you
But keep the good deeds in mind, your brothers too
Interpreting what our ancestors left behind
Putting the things together in my mind
Cherish the blessings of music
It’s not the crutch to riches, you can’t just use it
Live through it, embrace it, analyze it, take it
Run it through your soul and spirit, open your mind and think hard
Because our peace comes from yourself and God
Your peace comes from yourself and God
Your peace comes from yourself and God
This song was altered to fit many topics of truth and moral standpoints much like the original. The interpretation was changed somewhat to make the reader think into it. It had more of a religious theme than the first one.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Never Again...
Realism has a definition as plain as the word itself. It is the real deal on life. Charlotte Perkins Gilman wrote a tale called “The Yellow Wall-Paper” that described certain realism within the female society. Gilman uses a simplistic object to protrude her ideas about the woman’s place in a household. Her ideas are leaked out throughout her story and have a very sensible depiction although easy to read.
From beginning to end she describes this hideous wallpaper that is in a room she usually sleeps in. It has lurid patterns and a disgusting yellow that make you deny yellow as a color of something gracious. It is so disturbing that she also gets angry every time she sets her eyes upon it. This, in fact, is her imprisonment. She was suppose to do everything her husband told her to do and could not to rebel against him as a woman in that era. She uses this wallpaper to show her imprisonment as a terrible thing that she detests and it makes her sick. Her husband constantly denies her illness because he does not see that he is the cause of it; so he lets it go along telling her that she is improving. She angers herself constantly while trying to solve the mystery of the wallpaper because she is beginning to realize her situation in social imprisonment. She soon realizes it because the paper, “becomes bars,” at night and she sees a woman behind them (Gilman 9). This calmed her since that she knew as she says after she found out, “I feel ever so much better now!” (Gilman 11). She usually sees this woman in a surface that reflects images back at the observer like the windows hinting that is actually herself that she sees trying to escape that hideous prison.
She also begins speaking of the woman rattling the cage trying to get out. Obviously this is Gilman attempting to be free, which is done with her paper as well as the rattling of the figurative cage. All of her thoughts, emotions, and feelings reveal themselves in that rebellious biography she writes all the time. The cult of true womanhood is once again attacked here. Charlotte does not like the idea of being second-hand to her husband and it makes her sick. She loves her husband and does what she must, but like other women, her sacrifices were not enjoyable. She is speaking her pain by saying, “John does not know how much I really suffer,” and is telling the audience that her brother is also a doctor and says she is fine as well, showing that it is not just her husband, but all men who are like that (Gilman 3). Also notice that she never speaks down about her husband, but she just says he does not understand and he never hurts her, but just does not think anything is wrong. Anger and hate were not always involved in the feelings of women and their spouses, but men just did not know how it felt to be in their shoes. At the end her husband faints when the prison is torn away from her. This is symbolic toward the realization of a problem. Many times when people find out an overwhelming truth about something, it is so much to think about that they are left unconscious. He did not realize his wife was so imprisoned so, in his misunderstanding, he is bombarded with thoughts in his mind. He cannot believe what has truly been going on.
Gilman gave a very similar message when she wrote “The Yellow Wall-Paper” that told the world about an unfortunate situation in society. She sought freedom from the bars symbolized in her writing. Also, in a way, the room is hidden thoughts of her mind and the wallpaper is the barrier keeping her from breaking free. It is said that bottled up (or imprisoned) emotions are bad for health. At least she found a way to release herself and become free.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/us/politics/03intel.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper
From beginning to end she describes this hideous wallpaper that is in a room she usually sleeps in. It has lurid patterns and a disgusting yellow that make you deny yellow as a color of something gracious. It is so disturbing that she also gets angry every time she sets her eyes upon it. This, in fact, is her imprisonment. She was suppose to do everything her husband told her to do and could not to rebel against him as a woman in that era. She uses this wallpaper to show her imprisonment as a terrible thing that she detests and it makes her sick. Her husband constantly denies her illness because he does not see that he is the cause of it; so he lets it go along telling her that she is improving. She angers herself constantly while trying to solve the mystery of the wallpaper because she is beginning to realize her situation in social imprisonment. She soon realizes it because the paper, “becomes bars,” at night and she sees a woman behind them (Gilman 9). This calmed her since that she knew as she says after she found out, “I feel ever so much better now!” (Gilman 11). She usually sees this woman in a surface that reflects images back at the observer like the windows hinting that is actually herself that she sees trying to escape that hideous prison.
She also begins speaking of the woman rattling the cage trying to get out. Obviously this is Gilman attempting to be free, which is done with her paper as well as the rattling of the figurative cage. All of her thoughts, emotions, and feelings reveal themselves in that rebellious biography she writes all the time. The cult of true womanhood is once again attacked here. Charlotte does not like the idea of being second-hand to her husband and it makes her sick. She loves her husband and does what she must, but like other women, her sacrifices were not enjoyable. She is speaking her pain by saying, “John does not know how much I really suffer,” and is telling the audience that her brother is also a doctor and says she is fine as well, showing that it is not just her husband, but all men who are like that (Gilman 3). Also notice that she never speaks down about her husband, but she just says he does not understand and he never hurts her, but just does not think anything is wrong. Anger and hate were not always involved in the feelings of women and their spouses, but men just did not know how it felt to be in their shoes. At the end her husband faints when the prison is torn away from her. This is symbolic toward the realization of a problem. Many times when people find out an overwhelming truth about something, it is so much to think about that they are left unconscious. He did not realize his wife was so imprisoned so, in his misunderstanding, he is bombarded with thoughts in his mind. He cannot believe what has truly been going on.
Gilman gave a very similar message when she wrote “The Yellow Wall-Paper” that told the world about an unfortunate situation in society. She sought freedom from the bars symbolized in her writing. Also, in a way, the room is hidden thoughts of her mind and the wallpaper is the barrier keeping her from breaking free. It is said that bottled up (or imprisoned) emotions are bad for health. At least she found a way to release herself and become free.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/us/politics/03intel.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Chapter 3 Response SOBF
Given the times that people had in the past as a result of racism, times were rigorous. The dark night of oppression was always seen and felt everywhere, like the never-ending night. In some instances, though, and beam of light would flash through the veil of racism and give people hope. Booker T. Washington was one of these flashes of hope; he was not the only one though, there were many others. Through detail and tone Du Bois gives a structural view on the morals of freeing black people from the slavery of discrimination. Understanding the idea that every idea is not best and detailing the specific problems people have can help people realize what is wrong and pick the best solution.
The tone that Du Bois gives off is that of constructive criticism. He gives background information that allows the reader to get into an in-depth meaning of what people are feeling. This gets you into the author’s mind and allows you to see why he is assessing the actions of other black leaders, specifically Booker T. Washington. He gives without much detail, the basic description of Washington’s proposal which is to give up, “political power, insistence on civil rights, higher education of Negro youth,” (Du Bois 87). The lack of detail in this proposal reflects the lack of support it has from many of the African American race. Du Bois goes on to say that these things are exactly what we need to make our community a group of, “teachers, professional men, and leaders,” (Du Bois 90). If we were able to make a league of these types of men, then we could easily overcome any tribulation that comes our way. Within three pages of the story Du Bois uses a numbering method of a teacher that numbers the complaints she has with an English paper. Like a teacher he is telling Washington what is wrong with his proposal, what it needs, and the mistakes that could have been avoided. He does not say that his proposal is totally wrong; he even concludes that the disfranchisement, civil inferiority, and withdrawal of aid from the Negro are not proven, “direct results of Mr. Washington’s teachings (Du Bois 88). The way he says it keeps it professional and respectful.
The tone soon changes to resentment near the end when the Declaration of Independence is put into the end of the chapter. The same quote that has been verbally crucified is the “all men are created equal” clause (Du Bois 95). This is overused so much because it was the foundation and backbone of our country when we had nothing else; it has survived through the Civil War and many others and has been the standpoint of nationalism everywhere, but it is ripped apart like the 300 year old paper it is when it comes to skin color. Why a dark human, cannot be equal to a lighter human is beyond understanding to many. America is seen as the land of the free with slaves. This is a contradiction, not even one fully agreed on because this immoral act brought us to the Civil War. How can everyone pursue life, liberty and happiness if it is only for a select few of color? Why ignore such a moral law that could bring everyone to happiness? Why must it be made an additional law when it is wrong in moral and governmental standpoints? Alas, with all this, we are still in opposition today. Racism has only moved from a usual topic on everyone’s minds to a subtle thought that passes by. We must still press on to keep this viral idea from ever resurfacing.
The tone that Du Bois gives off is that of constructive criticism. He gives background information that allows the reader to get into an in-depth meaning of what people are feeling. This gets you into the author’s mind and allows you to see why he is assessing the actions of other black leaders, specifically Booker T. Washington. He gives without much detail, the basic description of Washington’s proposal which is to give up, “political power, insistence on civil rights, higher education of Negro youth,” (Du Bois 87). The lack of detail in this proposal reflects the lack of support it has from many of the African American race. Du Bois goes on to say that these things are exactly what we need to make our community a group of, “teachers, professional men, and leaders,” (Du Bois 90). If we were able to make a league of these types of men, then we could easily overcome any tribulation that comes our way. Within three pages of the story Du Bois uses a numbering method of a teacher that numbers the complaints she has with an English paper. Like a teacher he is telling Washington what is wrong with his proposal, what it needs, and the mistakes that could have been avoided. He does not say that his proposal is totally wrong; he even concludes that the disfranchisement, civil inferiority, and withdrawal of aid from the Negro are not proven, “direct results of Mr. Washington’s teachings (Du Bois 88). The way he says it keeps it professional and respectful.
The tone soon changes to resentment near the end when the Declaration of Independence is put into the end of the chapter. The same quote that has been verbally crucified is the “all men are created equal” clause (Du Bois 95). This is overused so much because it was the foundation and backbone of our country when we had nothing else; it has survived through the Civil War and many others and has been the standpoint of nationalism everywhere, but it is ripped apart like the 300 year old paper it is when it comes to skin color. Why a dark human, cannot be equal to a lighter human is beyond understanding to many. America is seen as the land of the free with slaves. This is a contradiction, not even one fully agreed on because this immoral act brought us to the Civil War. How can everyone pursue life, liberty and happiness if it is only for a select few of color? Why ignore such a moral law that could bring everyone to happiness? Why must it be made an additional law when it is wrong in moral and governmental standpoints? Alas, with all this, we are still in opposition today. Racism has only moved from a usual topic on everyone’s minds to a subtle thought that passes by. We must still press on to keep this viral idea from ever resurfacing.
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