Tuesday, September 29, 2009

American Culture Cyber-Posts











Today the presentations went very well. Please post your narratives here. They will certainly be more in depth than the presentations for some of you. Remember DEEP was the tag line.... The 100 words was a minimum.

In the future, please complete your homework, at home. I could tell the difference. Oh, and for students presenting essays on Thursday, October 1 re: Women in Hip Hop, Relax and have fun, if you need another couple of days to get the essay in to me or you'd like me to look at it, give you feedback and then allow you to turn it in later, come to the study hour 12-1 10/01 in L-235 with your paper or make arrangements in advance.

You can also email the essay to me today and I can look at it before 10/01 and give you comments. Call me and tell me you sent it, just in case.

Again, post your narratives here. If you didn't present, still post the narrative here. You can present on Thursday, October 1, before papers are presented. Be prompt. So far, Forrest is the only one I know who is presenting.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

I chose a chain as my object to represent a part of American culture as well as a prominent object in the hip-hop world.

Since the 18th century the chain or necklace was a very labor intensive status symbol. The interlocking chains took a long time to create and as time went on rubies and emeralds were being attached to the jewelry. Necklaces date back to the days of the caveman. Cavemen would tie a sting around around mollusks and teeth and don them. So saying that necklaces and chains have been around forever is quite the understatement.

Now a chain is synonymous with hip-hop because it again represents a status symbol. Hip hoppers like Jay Z, Diddy and many others wear their "bling" to show their success. So the chain has come a long way, and rappers have made the jewelers run for their money with the huge need for blinged out chains.

Ps. I look hideous in these pictures :p

Ilene Lee said...

Ilene Lee

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.

Ilene Lee said...

Amy,
I really liked how you incorporated historical facts and significance about chains. It was a different perspective that shed a lot of light on a subject that people rarely think about.

ps. your pictures look fab, i like your little pose.

Anonymous said...

Itzel Diaz
English 1B


The Microphone;
A Symbol of American Culture and Hip-hop

American culture and Hip-hop have one thing in common, they are both a representation of freedom of expression; a microphone is a symbol of freedom of expression. Millions of people have used a microphone as a tool to make them selves be heard by others; a microphone is an instrument that magnifies the voice of the person using it, and transmits the massage to others around it. A microphone is the perfect symbol to represent both; hip-hop culture and American culture; it allowed individuals to express themselves freely. America is to freedom, like hip-hop is to expression and when they are put together American Hip-hop comes out as a new form of freedom of expression.

Mar`Queshia Wilkerson said...

my object that i brought to class is an ipod. i picked this ipod because it is an expression of hip hop and American culture. the ipod came about the 21 century but is has given many a way to keep their hip hop with them at all times. the American culture is the ipod but the hip hop is whats on the ipod. the radio was the way most of the fans heard an artist music but now we have the ipod as a symbol to carry over hip hop in our pockets, book bags,etc. even artist that make the music carry ipod so that they can have their hip hop with them at all times. the ipod progression is happening as we speak because there is a new ipod coming out all the time and with that new ipod its a new way to keep hip hop with you at all times where ever you are.

Eugene Kwan said...

I choose marijuana as a symbol that represents Hip-hop because it is found prevalently in Hip-hop music. This symbol represents a consumable substance that artist use for pleasure. Marijuana is not new to the music culture, its is referenced in Rock and roll, and Soul music. The history of marijuana is found even in the backyards of the presidents of our founding fathers. It was grown supposedly for manufacturing purposes because the plant is used to create very durable fabric. In modern usage it is grown, sold, and consumed mainly through smoking. The lifestyle that results from how marijuana is prevalent but illegal creates the rebellious, fun loving persona that reflects in Hip-hop music.

Anonymous said...

Erica Williams
English 1B
October 27, 2009
Assignment: American Culture


I chose to present a bottle of alcohol as something that I feel is representing in both the American culture and hip hop culture. Alcohol has been around since the beginning of time. It is something that can be found in the Holy Bible, Jesus turned water into wine. As time progressed America went through the prohibition period, in which Americans were not allowed to produce or consume liquor. From this period spawned the illegal production of alcohol known to many as moonshine. It is apparent that alcohol has been an important part of many Americans lives. Most recent, alcohol has become very popular in the hip hop culture. Many hip hop artists promote certain types of liquor. Some artists have created an entire song based on certain brands of it. Many of the alcoholic producers have captured and embraced the idea of well known hip hop artists endorsing their products. It quite apparent that alcohol is a part of both cultures.