Finals are over!

Today we had student presentations most of which focused on music, though Jennifer's looked at hip hop dance--specifically the group: Jabbawockrez (sp?) and Loren's spirituality. Ronnie shared an artist born in Hawaii whose work mixes genres: MCing, DJing and song writing. Kimmy spoke about Eminem, a rap artist, whom Arron agreed was one of the best writers this generation has produced. She shared two songs, one as Marshall Mathers, the other Eminem's nemesis.

Aerin was going to present something on hip hop visual art, including poetry and style, but changed her mind. Deon's presentation was on MC Lyte, who hails from Brooklyn like him and has done much to promote hip hop culture and help her family and by extension the community.

Aaron's poem, "Swagger," which he is going to send me and I'll post it, was a lyrical, poetic journey through hip hop culture with a shout out to the innovators--recent innovators--as in the past 30-40-50 years, who are credited with pushing the cultural movement into the 21st century. (I say recent, because while speaking to Boots Riley, the Coup, he said hip hop can be traced to "hambone.") Listen to http://www.wandaspicks.asmnetwork.org (9:30 a.m., Dec. 5, 2008).

Dominique is a dancer, but she didn't feel inclined to dance or demonstrate visually what Jenny was talking about in her presentation, but Deon started to, and then noticed how close the tables were to each other and changed his mind, but it was a nice thought.

It would have been instructive and appreciated if Jenny would have brought in the film, RIZE or a film like this, then played the segments which illustrated certain types of dances she mentioned.

Friday, Dec. 19, 12 noon, for those who were not able to present their papers, come by L-226 and we will have a make up final for the hour 12-1. Portfolios are due now via email. If you need an extension talk to me. Aerin, your portfolio is incomplete. You are missing the narratives. They are not optional. You are missing the check-list. You also didn't include your contact information--another important detail.

Students need to fill out the checklist (I can email it to you and you can get a copy from the folder outside my office in the bin. Give me the check-list by Friday, if you did not give it to me today. Attach copies of your freewrites and other notes from class. Make sure your name is on everything. You can also email me the completed check list as a part of the portfolio.

Thanks to the students who gave me their freewrites regarding future plans and a class critique. This class was hard for me, just for the seeming absence of engagement. I assumed at English 1B that students has a certain level of writing and research skills. In some sense this was true, in others, it was not true.

I always find it hard to get students to read the textbooks. This semester it was harder than other times, which is why I tried to be creative in the assignments so that students would have to use Jeff Chang's "Can't Stop, Won't Stop" and "Total Chaos." I certainly agree that the writing is important, but I think what you have to say is more important that the writing, because I've read a lot of structurally correct writing which is empty of content.

The students this semester were engaging and astute, sharp and critical in their analysis of hip hop culture. There were so many places we could take this and some of my favorite moments were the Felicia Pride reflections, the artifacts, the discussion on key stakeholders, the lyrical analysis, the field trip to the gallery and the interaction observed between students and the art and the artist, the global movement process more than the writing that came from it, and today, the finale.

I'd hoped we would have had discussions on "The Coldest Winter Ever," but such was not the case. I also enjoyed the brief conversation on poetry and "nommo." Oh, it was fun reading "Angry Black White Boy" in class, and Intersection for the Arts is mounting it again in January.

I enjoyed learning more about hip hop culture. I don't think I've saturated myself like this in a movement in a long time: Mac B, Ebony and Johnny, The Living Word Project with Mos Def, Goapele, and graffiti artist contest in the park, The Living Word Project featuring: Animal Farm and War Peace, The Angry Black White Boy, Hybrid Project (12/12 and 12/18-21), both at Intersection for the Arts, Destiny Arts 20th Anniversary (12/13); AeroSoul. Concerts: Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, KRS-ONE, the Coup, Lil Wayne? Films: Slamnation, Slam, Wu Tang Clan (documentary). Lectures: Sister Souljah author event, "Midnight," "Women in Hip Hop," featuring MC Lyte, hosted by Chuck D as East Side Cultural Center and the concert later on at the Uptown, in Oakland.