Monday, November 16, 2009
Griot/ Djali and Hip hop Essay
My abilities in writing essays may not be perfect and writing under pressure proved to be even harder. The hardest part about this essay was trying to articulate my thoughts in the time frame given to us to write. Because I had not been present to get the article during the previous class, I had to read my article the day of the essay and squeeze comprehension and articulation into the class period. Understanding the Griot and Djali culture grew increasingly confusing; I had to reread the article several times before actually grasping a good idea of Baraka’s main point. As I began writing, words and thoughts were jumbled; it took me awhile before I could write at a good pace moving with momentum. Doing more research and making connections aided in my comprehension of the topic and helped to write my essay. I liked that we were exploring a new topic that allowed us to a gain a new perspective on Griot/Djali tradition. I thought it was also a different approach from what we usually do in class and it made the period move along smoothly. Though this class essay was a little tough for everyone, I learned to work under pressure and pace myself to get my thoughts onto paper. I didn’t get to finish the essay because there were still so many ideas I wanted to include, but I was able to continue and add my paragraphs at home. In addition, I also learned about a new culture and how many different aspects of life can contribute to hip hop culture, or any culture. If I could have another opportunity at working on this essay, I would use more resources and evidence to gain stronger support. I would also have more time to work consistently and eloquently in constructing my thoughts.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Song of Myself Response
Ilene Lee
English 1B
Professor Sabir
3 November 2009
Song of Myself
I praise myself and grow with what I experience
My thoughts and dreams grow with each day
That passes
My eyes see the world
In its fascinations and mysteries surrounding
People, my family, my friends, my people
We all share the quality of being human
My mind is open and non-judging
I seek out the eccentricities of humanity
I question the purposes we hold
Our destinies waiting to happen
Ready to burst into our lives and
Become reality
My ideas are influential
They spread like watercolor on a palette
Flowing and mixing in rhythmic patterns
Colors integrating and thoughts sprouting
There are no limits
No standards and no boundaries
Free and billowy, my painting grows
My limbs and shoulders are fragile
Organs and bones lying delicate
I am soft and sensitive
Like a branch, I am light
But I come from strong roots
With a thick core that is planted deep into the ground
Sacrifices made and hardships hidden in the past
I come from traditions and values filled with moral beliefs
I extend from the stable trunk
I reach and grow, sprouting leaves of knowledge and progress
Light and fine, as I am
My leaves and strength hold the highest potential
I am amorphous
Shapeless, formless and unstructured
Everything I embody is ever changing
The uncertainty is exciting
The mysteries and surprises inspire me
Qualities of spontaneity drive my passion
I am different and unexpected
Every day is new
English 1B
Professor Sabir
3 November 2009
Song of Myself
I praise myself and grow with what I experience
My thoughts and dreams grow with each day
That passes
My eyes see the world
In its fascinations and mysteries surrounding
People, my family, my friends, my people
We all share the quality of being human
My mind is open and non-judging
I seek out the eccentricities of humanity
I question the purposes we hold
Our destinies waiting to happen
Ready to burst into our lives and
Become reality
My ideas are influential
They spread like watercolor on a palette
Flowing and mixing in rhythmic patterns
Colors integrating and thoughts sprouting
There are no limits
No standards and no boundaries
Free and billowy, my painting grows
My limbs and shoulders are fragile
Organs and bones lying delicate
I am soft and sensitive
Like a branch, I am light
But I come from strong roots
With a thick core that is planted deep into the ground
Sacrifices made and hardships hidden in the past
I come from traditions and values filled with moral beliefs
I extend from the stable trunk
I reach and grow, sprouting leaves of knowledge and progress
Light and fine, as I am
My leaves and strength hold the highest potential
I am amorphous
Shapeless, formless and unstructured
Everything I embody is ever changing
The uncertainty is exciting
The mysteries and surprises inspire me
Qualities of spontaneity drive my passion
I am different and unexpected
Every day is new
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Response to "Procrastination"
Although I was not actually present for the "Procrastination" film, I strongly believe that it is a habit that everyone struggles with. For many, procrastination can be lingering on the keyboard for a few seconds, while for others it can be waiting til the last hour to start an assignment. In any case, procrastination brings a lot of stress and problems to any situation. Things pile up and baggage gets heavier and heavier. What was once clear has now grown foggier and undecipherable in our eyes. People really need to understand the importance of doing their tasks at a timely matter despite their lack of enthusiasm for the boring deed.
Cyber Response to Brave New Voice Writing Workshop
I was actually planning not to attend class on Thursday but am very glad I did. Although I was extremely sick, I gained a lot of insight into the process of poetry. Lauren did a great job at setting the tone and helping everyone through their words. I was able to think clearly about what I wanted to write and articulate my thoughts passionately. Writing my feelings down into tangible words felt liberating. I had to really think back to my past experiences and focus on that spirit. It definitely shed a lot of lost memories and let me appreciate the experiences I've had. Writing enables to release their emotions without any judgments. People find control and safety in writing. Poetry has the power to heal the toughest wounds and inspire someone to be a stronger person. I believe that words really are a way for people to get past their struggles and find a better place - a place of salvation and acceptance.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Me,Myself and I Response
Ilene Lee
English 1B
Professor Sabir
TTH 9-10:50
Understanding that one’s true identity can be possible is extremely crucial in the eyes of hip hop audiences. In Felicia Pride’s response to “Me, Myself and I”, ideals of profiling and false representation is stated to describe the way people identify themselves to others. People constantly feel that there is a certain way they should behave and display in the presence of others. Pride breaks down the qualities that constitute what representing one’s true identity is and counters these characteristics with the main idea that people choose to express false profiles because it is more convenient (10). By creating an illusion and image that is more acceptable, people dodge the critiques of others. They do not need to feel scrutinized for their qualities because they represent what society expects of them.
Pride goes on to further explain the reasons behind these actions and provide personal anecdotes to give a sense of reality within this problem. She goes on to define the expectations of what society demands and includes new ideas that I never really considered. Here, she articulates the negative aspect of society’s expectations and set images of people,
“As a society, we like labels, boxes, and other ways to confine and categorize…There’s always a level of disappointment for outsiders when we don’t live up to misconceptions. Even if you’re comfortable in your skin, and know exactly who you are, others aggressively attempt to promote their own idea of who you should be.” (11).
In her analysis, I realized that we, as a society, are very judgmental when we approach new people and their personalities. We create this ideal that people feel they need to live up to and impress our views. Despite how confident someone may be, others still continue to tear at their characteristics and find flaws to undermine them. Similarly to Pride’s last essay to “Not Enough, I see a connection with societies’ unquenchable hunger for acceptance and perfection. Nothing ever seems to be good enough for everyone to just accept what is.
Although the future of societies’ expectations may look bleak, Pride stresses the importance of defending one’s personal beliefs and thoughts. We all should embody these traits about ourselves and love the spirit and soul that we possess. The power to defy the expectations that others hold depends on one’s abilities to do so for their own identities. We are in control of how we want to be perceived and we shouldn’t let others hold us back from our identities. Perfectly stated, Pride says “a city is built when folks pave their own streets” (11). We determine the futures we want; it all lies in our hands.
English 1B
Professor Sabir
TTH 9-10:50
Understanding that one’s true identity can be possible is extremely crucial in the eyes of hip hop audiences. In Felicia Pride’s response to “Me, Myself and I”, ideals of profiling and false representation is stated to describe the way people identify themselves to others. People constantly feel that there is a certain way they should behave and display in the presence of others. Pride breaks down the qualities that constitute what representing one’s true identity is and counters these characteristics with the main idea that people choose to express false profiles because it is more convenient (10). By creating an illusion and image that is more acceptable, people dodge the critiques of others. They do not need to feel scrutinized for their qualities because they represent what society expects of them.
Pride goes on to further explain the reasons behind these actions and provide personal anecdotes to give a sense of reality within this problem. She goes on to define the expectations of what society demands and includes new ideas that I never really considered. Here, she articulates the negative aspect of society’s expectations and set images of people,
“As a society, we like labels, boxes, and other ways to confine and categorize…There’s always a level of disappointment for outsiders when we don’t live up to misconceptions. Even if you’re comfortable in your skin, and know exactly who you are, others aggressively attempt to promote their own idea of who you should be.” (11).
In her analysis, I realized that we, as a society, are very judgmental when we approach new people and their personalities. We create this ideal that people feel they need to live up to and impress our views. Despite how confident someone may be, others still continue to tear at their characteristics and find flaws to undermine them. Similarly to Pride’s last essay to “Not Enough, I see a connection with societies’ unquenchable hunger for acceptance and perfection. Nothing ever seems to be good enough for everyone to just accept what is.
Although the future of societies’ expectations may look bleak, Pride stresses the importance of defending one’s personal beliefs and thoughts. We all should embody these traits about ourselves and love the spirit and soul that we possess. The power to defy the expectations that others hold depends on one’s abilities to do so for their own identities. We are in control of how we want to be perceived and we shouldn’t let others hold us back from our identities. Perfectly stated, Pride says “a city is built when folks pave their own streets” (11). We determine the futures we want; it all lies in our hands.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Responses to Student Presentations
Ilene Lee
English 1b
10/8/09
Response to Itzel Diaz's Presentation
Itzel Diaz's presentation focused on the graffiti artist Jesus "Chucho" Rodriquez. I was really impressed with the background information she provided on the artist. His progression as an artist was phenomenal. Growing up as a young boy, he began drawing, then going into graffiti work, merging into tattooing and into other amazing art forms. Her poster board was filled with many of the artists'graffiti works and tattoo pieces. I thought it was interesting that "Chucho" asked people for permission to work on their walls. Most graffiti artists typically work on unauthorized locations and sneak around to do so.
Response to Jermaine Hughes' Presentation
Jermaine Hughes' presentation focused on Lauryn Hill, a respectable hip hop artist who changed her image during the course of her career. To start off the presentation, he gave a brief summary of what he was going to talk about and I thought it was helpful to direct the audience through his presentation. Lauryn Hill's growth as an artist definitely showed a sense of personal maturity. Beginning in a hip hop group in high school, she eventually moved onto her solo career. As an individual artist, her career reached its highest peak. She then decided to shed her popular reputation and come out as an artist who truely embodied herself. Jermaine did an eloquent job at describing her journey. His knowledge of Lauryn Hill's life was very impressive and made his presentation even more memorable.
English 1b
10/8/09
Response to Itzel Diaz's Presentation
Itzel Diaz's presentation focused on the graffiti artist Jesus "Chucho" Rodriquez. I was really impressed with the background information she provided on the artist. His progression as an artist was phenomenal. Growing up as a young boy, he began drawing, then going into graffiti work, merging into tattooing and into other amazing art forms. Her poster board was filled with many of the artists'graffiti works and tattoo pieces. I thought it was interesting that "Chucho" asked people for permission to work on their walls. Most graffiti artists typically work on unauthorized locations and sneak around to do so.
Response to Jermaine Hughes' Presentation
Jermaine Hughes' presentation focused on Lauryn Hill, a respectable hip hop artist who changed her image during the course of her career. To start off the presentation, he gave a brief summary of what he was going to talk about and I thought it was helpful to direct the audience through his presentation. Lauryn Hill's growth as an artist definitely showed a sense of personal maturity. Beginning in a hip hop group in high school, she eventually moved onto her solo career. As an individual artist, her career reached its highest peak. She then decided to shed her popular reputation and come out as an artist who truely embodied herself. Jermaine did an eloquent job at describing her journey. His knowledge of Lauryn Hill's life was very impressive and made his presentation even more memorable.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
American Culture Cyber-posts
Ilene Lee
English 1B
Professor Sabir
TTH 9-10:50
The invention of lens and sunglasses allowed people to protect and improve their vision from the sun. Despite its known purpose, sunglasses also serve as a means for people to protect themselves from their outside influences. For any artist- dancers, poets, rappers, lyricists, and djs, sunglasses help promote the confidence and strength needed to perform effortlessly. These trademark lenses revolutionized the way hip hop artists performed and used props to intensify their emotions. Shades enable artists to escape into their creative universe and isolate their thoughts in a more intimate level. It allows artists to get into their natural elements and focus on their expression. In the American and Hip hop movement, people are drawn to the idea of shades. It has become fashionable and interesting to wear them throughout the day- morning, afternoon and particularly in the evenings. Apart from the superficial trendy outlook it gives, sunglasses provide a cool and mysterious atmosphere that gives artists just enough privacy to express their world through their personal lens.
English 1B
Professor Sabir
TTH 9-10:50
The invention of lens and sunglasses allowed people to protect and improve their vision from the sun. Despite its known purpose, sunglasses also serve as a means for people to protect themselves from their outside influences. For any artist- dancers, poets, rappers, lyricists, and djs, sunglasses help promote the confidence and strength needed to perform effortlessly. These trademark lenses revolutionized the way hip hop artists performed and used props to intensify their emotions. Shades enable artists to escape into their creative universe and isolate their thoughts in a more intimate level. It allows artists to get into their natural elements and focus on their expression. In the American and Hip hop movement, people are drawn to the idea of shades. It has become fashionable and interesting to wear them throughout the day- morning, afternoon and particularly in the evenings. Apart from the superficial trendy outlook it gives, sunglasses provide a cool and mysterious atmosphere that gives artists just enough privacy to express their world through their personal lens.
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