Final Reflection [the conclusion to "how does hip hop music effect society"

This being my final reflection i'm going to start by using one of the first quotes i found at the beginning of my search. "Music has a significant effect on it's listeners. It is used to inform the masses. It can influence the way we dance, dress, talk, and it also so sets the tone for cultures." {wiki answers} Okay so does this mean that Hip Hop music is resposible for alot of the violent acts that are commited like alot of critics say?

Well this is what i found in my search. My essential question started out as "How does music affect society" but later turned into "How does Hip Hop music affect society. Heres what i found. Music, especially Hip Hop music has a great effect on its listeners today. However it has different effects on different people. Everyone responds to things in different ways. Music is something you expierence. Some soak it all in, some hear it and forget it, and some let the lyrics influence the actions of their own life, and so on.

One of the most important things I figured out, but basically already knew was that everyone has the right and power to make their own decisions. We as humans have been given the ability to tell right from wrong, good from bad, and use that information to make the choices that effect our life the most. Some people's will power isn't as strong as others because of the way they were brought up or for whatever reason. This is why the world is full of all different kinds of people, good and bad, with all different kinds of personalities.

The above being said, a genre of music certainly cannot be blamed for the actions of able bodied, thinking human beings. Hip Hop is one of the most criticized genres of music because it is so often blamed for the violence only a few of its listeners commit. This is deffinately and completely unfair. This is like saying that a whole school is bad because a few students cause trouble. It's sad to stay but many times a group of people get looked down upon because of the actions of a few. This really should and needs to be changed. It would completely change society's outlook on the world. We have to learn how to distinguish people from eachother. We can't lump everyone together, because that's where steriotyping comes from.

In conclusion, I really enjoyed my search because I love Hip Hop and hate to see it put down because of a some individuals bad choices. If i didn't make the answer to my question clear here it is. Hip Hop music effects everyone differently. It is enjoyed and loved by many, critisized by some, and some could care less. Also even though music is a powerful thing and does speak to the mind, it has no barring on the actions of those that listen to it. So instead of downing something you are unfamiliar with, try something new and if you dont like it then stick to what you know and leave the rest alone.

My Final Reflection: where does Common Sense derive

Common sense... It's knowledge that is assumed to be common among us all. In some way, there is knowledge that we all share whether we realize it or not, but common sense is an individual characteristic. Thats what common sense is, however it derives from our own philosophies. And our own philosophy comes from our thought process... You look both ways before you cross the street. Tell me why? Answer that question with your conclusion that is based solely on your analysis of that particular event... Now realize that the common sense to look both ways before crossing, solely derived from your analysis. When you are asked why your analysis is what it was, you state your philosophy, or [two cents], in which would most likely conclude that a car could run you over!


The art of common sense! Useing common sense everyday of your life is important. In fact, I would think its the practical thing to do. Believe it or not, we all can answer a variety of the questions we ask ourselves, and the questions asked of us! In previous posts, Ive referred to mechanisms of common sense... All they are for is specification. Meaning that they provide an answer to the why. Why is your conclusion logical, and explain your analysis? Logic derives from your common sense. Which means that common sense should provide logic. Looking both ways before you cross a street provides logic. The Reasoning answers why! Any Knowledge you have can lead you towards the correct interpretations. An observation can teach you, and your thought process is your Introspection.

Conceptualization... This is not only what is specified, but also the common sense itself. The concept that you shouldn't cross the street without looking both ways, is specified by the reasoning that if you do cross without looking, a car could run you over. Thats merely why you do not cross the street without looking first. In which clearly proves that common sense derived from the analysis (in which was gathered by useing ontology). And your analysis is a philosophy... However the philosophy, is the specification of the concept.

Philosophy... This method of organizing information is where common sense derives. You cannot use common sense before you have an opinion, or philosophy, that puts logic into the idea of looking both ways... And the reason that philosophy is involved is because you must cunclude by yourself. Your very own thought process is the main component that forces a philosophy out of the thing between our ears! That is why common sense derives from philosophy.

Without the philosophy... well, in this case common sense would not be reliable. You would look both ways, and do it without reason... The only way you could learn not to touch a pot on the stove is by touching it first; Because you lack the philosophy [that was gathered through thought process] that concludes you could burn yourself, by touching that hot pot! The philosophy behind the concept is like the hunter and gatherer of common sense. Without philosophy, common sense is illogical. Becoming two words on some old guys bumper sticker. Without the philosophy involved with common sense, Thomas Piane wouldnt have been capable of writting the book "Common Sense". And considering that the book pursuaded revolution quite well, its safe to assume that common sense without philosophy wouldve halted the American Revolution dramatically... But that's a little far out.

Common sense derives from your philosophy... This conclusion is logical not because I said so, and not because anyone else said so. This conclusion is based upon all my reasoning and thought process. Common sense is is meant to be logical. That view leaves for the requirement of an analysis, in which creates your philosophical expression of the reasoning you went through! This means that all the reasoning creates the concept, and the concept is common sense. Common sense derives from your philosophy because the logic is neccasary and proper.

The reason I choose to answer this question is because I had a goal... My mission was to pursuade my audience to use common sense on a daily basis. After reading this, I want you to comprehend that the art of common sense is merely the art of providing logic to your decisions, and chioces. And I feel that if I can complete that mission, and all my audience members were to pass on this view, then the world may be a more common sensible domain. We shall all use common sense our own way, But when you realize how it's used, you shall use common sense in a logical mannor. Provide yourself with the integrity that comes from useing the art of common sense... Be in the abstract, and try to understand whats going on around you.

"Thomas Paine."http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Paine. Common Sense. 1770s
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_sense
http://ontology.buffalo.edu/smith/articles/Ontology_of_Common_Sense.pdf

Final Reflection- What can we do about political corruption?

After doing research on my topic, I am emotionally and physically tired of this project. It has been one of my hardest pieces of work, if not the hardest. But even though I couldnt find the answer to my question, I found interesting information that could help me understand why I couldnt find a answer. Political corruption is well known in any city, state, country or nation. it has increased over the years especially here in the US. From watergate, poll recalls, governor screw ups to adultry in the white house. No matter what the political power is or level of arnarchy their will most likey always be a corrupt situation.

After searching for weeks, I havent quite been as successful as one should. Considering the amount of time I had to do this project;it was extremely hard. My essential question was successfull at slowing me down and almost causing me to just completley give up. But as a real english honors student would, I kept goin and continued my quest to my essential answer. Though it was a flop (lol) I still found out some things that I never knew before. like consequences, definitions and reasons for such behavior. During my search I found out that political corruption actually does have punishments but if so why does it still exist? Because the consequences arent harsh enough, their needs to needs to be more force and fear in th government system. At the moment it is a joke, politicians

Mainstream Hip Hop Shows A Misinterpretation of Masculinity

As my search continues i have gotten deaper and deaper into my topic. So many of today's mainstream Hip Hop tracks reflect a very twisted version of what some think to be masculinity. Sex, drugs, violence, and basically treating women like dirt seem to be exploited all over the place. "But if sex and violence sell — particularly when combined — there's nothing anybody can do about it." (Sood )



Or is there?? How could we turn tracks like this into better music for listeners all over?

"When I met you last night baby
Before you opened up your gap
I had respect for ya lady
But now I take it all back"
-- Snoop Doggy Dogg

"From the window to the wall
To the sweat drop down my ba**s
All you b**ches crawl"
-- Lil Jon and the Eastside Boyz

"Man this h*e you can have her,
when I'm done I ain't gon keep her
Man, b**ches come and go, every ni**a pimpin know"
-- 50 Cent

If this is what people think masculinity is about they are sadly mistaken. Yes, men are supposed to be strong [thats what makes them men], however does degrading women and acting violent for no reason make them strong. I think it makes them the complete opposite. Men that have to show off by treating women like dirt or wanting to be violent for little to no reason at all are pretty much WEAK! Showing off isnt just shown in actions either, artists who are violent or degrading in their lyrics are also showing off. "As they say actions speak louder than words." However words sometimes influence actions.

Certain songs with lyrics such as these mess it up for the whole genre because critics hear that they automatically think Hip Hop is bad. There are so many talented artists in the music industry that can accomplish so much with the power they have with words but they throw it all away on what they think[or the record company thinks] will sell the best. It seems that when an artist first hits the music scene and they make all these obsene tracks they come out on top but when they really come into their own and make good music the fans seem to fall off. Dont get me wrong im not saying that artists shouldnt talk about their personal lives or expierences which sometimes could appear obsene, but they could go about talking about it in a better way. If the fans are loyal enough they would stick around to hear the betterment of the Hip Hop industry.

Heres an example of a more recent popular song that instead of degrading women praises her good qualities and shows her love:

"Think about a certain... certain somebody
That perfect somebody sexy purple body
She got service road curves and highway eyes
The road to her soul, just follow the road signs
And holla if you hear me I love it when she near me
I hate when she away and satan see the day
That hell freeze over me for I let her go" -lil wayne

As far as Hip Hop influencing the actions of society goes it may have some effect but not as much as people think. Yes, Hip Hop artists tend to set trends that are easily followed by its listeners but its of the listeners own free choice. Same goes with violent and dangerous actions that may be suggested by an artists lyrics or the artist him/her self. People have to make their own descions and a genre of music should not be blamed or penalized for individuals stupid mistakes.

The real question now is how can we bring a good message through a genre of music that so many love? Some have already accompished this but so much more can be done. Can we rise to this challenge to create a great change?

Sood, Suemedha. "Beyond Beats and Rhymes: Masculinity in Hip Hop." wiretap.org 01 03 2005 21 May 2008

what can we do about political corruption? blogpost 5

Today is Tuesday the 20th, 2008 and polls show that Senator Barack Obama has won the demecratic party not actually but common sense shows his victory in hs camp. On my last post I talked about how the bad media Obama has gotten in the past months would effect him. Didn't quite know wether it would be a good or bad out come, but it looks like it was for the better. This is a perfect example of the saying (theirs no such thing as bad publicity), any publicity is good. But theirs still on e question at hand, What can we do about political corruption, and unfortunatley I still havent found the answer to that annoying question. I do know one thing though that their will always be politicians who lie, cheat, steal, discriminate, some may even kill. We as the people have to make better decisions as of who we want making important choices to better our life. We cant tell whos an angel or whos a devil but we should began to look further into peoples backgrounds. Getting to know someone before they gt into office or into stae watever the situation the time has come to stop corruption. After doing a quick research just a min ago, I got the definition for the word corruption by itself. It means is a genral concept describiing any organization, interdependent system in which part of the system is either not performing dudties it was originally intended to, or prforming thim in an improper way, to the detriment of the system's

Final Reflection-Whats Your Choice

So many times I hear "you can be whatever you wanna be,as long as you put your mind to it". Yeah that's great and all but what about the road to getting there. You have to complete crammer school and middle school and then the almighty high school. During your high school years all your gonna be told about is after high school you'll be in the real world and will have to make decisions on your own. So your first 3 years go by without a problem and then your senior year comes and you get hit with the thought of "WHAT AM I GONNA DO AFTER THIS YEAR?" Well you always know you can just chill and be home with mom and pops,or you can just get a job and start working,or whatever else on that type of area. But there are two other options that will hit you like noting else COLLEGE and THE MILITARY. These two places are where I believe most high school students choose to go after high school. So being A high school senior I thought to myself "What decision after high school is better college or the army. All year the schools guidance counselors been influencing college on the seniors and trying to persuade us to go to college and take care of everything so we can be prepared to further our education. But some people I see have no interest once so ever about the college life,there just thinking about what they need to do to get out of high school.


Do you wanna be all you can be? Yea I hear that alot on t.v.,the radio,and even in the schools hallways on my way to lunch. Yea the army's a cool place if your into the protecting your country thing but there are things behind the military that you may not know. I was doing some research and the military isn't whats its all cracked up to be. You do have the training and the whole army fatigue thing but just because you signed up don't mean your in an army of one. There are actual requirements to make the cut. One requirement is a high school diploma or a G.E.D.(Big suprise),another is age,physical demands(yes you have to meet their standards). Also since you signed up don't mean you get gun training and get sent to battle. Now lets say you do get in and you take the opportunity to go. First your gonna take the ASVAB(ARMED SERVICE VOCATIONAL APTITUDE BATTERY)this is a test to see what job is best for you. Yeah I said it the best JOB for you. The military isn't just war and shooting they have individual jobs for people to work and make money. But there are some downfalls like you do get a compensation worth $99,000 dollars. But 60% goes toward your housing your food and your retirement money.So your left with a manageable $46,262 dollars ,also YOU CAN DIE. That's manageable money to make or a price to pay..... but why go through all this? Well in my studies I found out that some people go because that's the only way they see out of their household or situation,some go to defend their country,some go because parent went and they want to follow their footsteps,or one of the biggest is that they are going because of the money so the can pay for college(Yahoo).

The only way to succeed and have a bright future is through education. This quote is the most important quote I know because it drove me to do my best and to achieve higher than I ever thought possible. "SIKE" I hear this alto also because its my senior year and colleges are trying to reach out so students can apply and maybe even attend the higher education facility. But also like the military there are some background and a groundbreaking course that you must follow. First you must Find out what college(s) you want to attend. Second you must Apply to those college(s) & Apply for financial aid & tap(unless you wanna pay for it yourself). You have to Find scholarships and wait for acceptances. You must Get acceptances,Choose what college you wanna attend,Pay college entrance fees,Do paperwork. And lastly one of the most important things GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL. These are the things I had to go through. And just for thought what if you don't get accepted to the school you wanted to attend?But its all about bettering yourself and making sure that you have a future. But on the other hand why do people attend this dreadful place that charge you thousands of dollars a year just to learn. Well like I said college will change you in so many ways(take it from me I've seen it first hand). Because when in high school you have to wake up in the morning,get ready,get to school on time,and attend class or there are penalties such as detention,suspension,etc. But in college you get the whole freedom package(unless you live at home and your mom makes you get up). You get ready when you want and go to class when you please,but class do have times they start and end. Going to college isn't just parties and chilling ITS HARD WORK. But if you graduate you have made your print in society and may have secured your place in the biggest force in the U.S. the workforce.

In retrospect just to inform I choose college because of the idea of mine just to keep coming to school instead of going to the army and risking my life just to go to college. Now don't get me wrong if you wanna go to the army then be my guess. That's another thing just because someone doesn't agree with the choices you make,don't just give up and try to change your life(only if its for the better). People are always gonna pressure you to make decisions even in high school from your freshman year to your senior year. Its nothing to stress about,you just have to take your time and make sure the decision you make is what you really want. That's what life is all about "THE DECISIONS WE MAKE". But your future depends on your decision after high school. So what will it be "Seniors" COLLEGE OR THE ARMY?

what can we do about political corruption?- BLOG POST 4

Political corruption - when government officials use their governmental powers for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes. like repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. The 2008 campaign for The Presidential Election is winding down, and time is running out for the politicians. Any little mistake or mess up could ruin that persons chances of entering the white house and leading our country. After researching political corruption, and ways to stop it I came up with a conclusion. Our system whether its the police system, federal system, or whatever power the need be used. They have to use stronger and better punishments for any type of behavior of corruption. Politicians are some of the most untrust worthy groups you'll find representing a congregation of people. But we as THE PEOPLE have to play our role also, we cant let such people get into system by feeding us one thing and doin another. For example President Bush, he was nominated as republican and once he won his presidencey race and begin to so called ( lead the county) voters quickly begin to see his true colors. But what really threw him unfer the bus was when he asked congress to declare war, and he sent troops to Afganistan. The counrty and maybe even a bit of the world was shell shocked and frightened by such a decision, that in the future would take lots of innocent lives. Bu honestly theirs no use for war theirs no reason for us to even be over theirfighting, Our troops are fighting over old wounds, Bush jr. is fighting his fathers battle. This is where the political corruption comes in at, first of all many people believe that bush had somthing to do with the 9/11 attacks on the world trade center. Do to his lack of leadeship and quickness to such a catastrophe he was a target, also the war has lead to immense rises in gas prices, and economic issues.