HIP-HOP, EDUCATION, DRESS CODE

Hip-Hop music one might say is arguably the most popular music in the country right now. "The Miseducation of Hip-Hop—Discrimination in Education” by Jamilah Evelyn is an interesting article exposing some of the prejudices "Black" individuals deal with on a daily basis. As Americans we have the great fortune and pleasure of living in a country that embodies freedom of speech and freedom of expression. While it is believed we have the freedom to express ourselves in the way we speak and dress, society does not believe it is ok for young individuals to go to school looking like they just walked out the club or rolled out of bed. A lot of young men and women confuse "club attire" for "business attire." When reading the article "The Miseducation of Hip-Hop—Discrimination in Education” by Jamilah Evelyn  it does not state whether the college that Jason Hinmon transferred too has a specific dress code mandated by the college. Neither does the college he came from. However there are those colleges that have a dress code policies and it stipulates that men be dressed a certain way and women also have to be dressed a certain way, and that’s to the discretion of the school. Dr. Thomas Earl Midgette’s stated that, “These rap artists influence the way they dress” (Eveyn, Jamilah, 2008) He continues "They look like hoochie mamas, not like they are coming to class..." When you compare this generation with generations of past one cannot help but notice a dramatic difference. However, change is not always a bad thing.  It’s all in the eyes of the beholder as to how good or bad that change is. The sad part of this whole matter is, you will come across people who will subject you to some form of discrimination no matter where you go. It is inevitable. Either you will be the subject of discrimination or you will be doing the discriminating yourself. Corporate America is corporate America; it is not going to change. When it comes to certain aspects in our lives one should dress the part. We have all heard the term “Dress for success” that goes for the college scene and the work environment. In the business arena there is a term used “The Professional Code of Conduct” it is necessary to any profession as it maintains the standards of that profession by the individual that adheres to it. Dr. Midgette has every right to express his thoughts and opinions just as we all do. Whether he is right or wrong in his assumptions and judgments is left to be seen. Someone once said “A teacher's purpose is not to create students in his own image, but to develop students who can create their own image.”  ~Author Unknown.

                                                                   

                                                                  REFERENCE

Postman, N & Powers, S. “The Miseducation of Hip-Hop-Discrimination in Education”. Pop Perspectives: Readings to Critique Contemporary Culture. McGraw-Hill. New York, NY. (2008), p. 559-565

  



PREJUDICE OF LANGUAGE AND PICTURES



WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE



Firstly when Postman and Powers talk about “The Bias of Language, The Bias of Pictures” they are essentially addressing the “distortion” or “re-creation” of events that happen within the day by the media. Media bias refers to the bias of journalists and news producers within the mass media, in the selection of which events and stories are reported and how they are covered. Postman and Powers state in their article “The Bias of Language, The Bias of Pictures” pictures, especially stationary pictures, speak only in particularities. They are separate and distinct but they are from the same group. From their article one would deduce that pictures are changed from images to an idea by the use of language. A vivid yet realistic verbal description is necessary to convert these images to ideas from which a concept about the world can be rendered.  We have heard that a picture speaks a thousand words and that is true but it is also true that words can be used to persuade and dissuade an audience. Language is the cord that binds the two together and makes it comprehensible. Postman and Powers main claim about today’s news media is they are overdramatized, absurd, cockeyed, laughable, idiotic, pieces of information whose main focus is to entertain rather than to get the unadulterated truth to the public. the writer’s stated that “every language contains the history of a people’s feelings about the world and that our words are baskets of emotions” (Postman, N. & Powers, S., 1992). The truth we all know will not always be so entertaining, but nonetheless it is the truth. This article is very convincing not to say the least.

THE FORCE IS STRONG WITH THIS ONE.

ENTER THE "FORCE" WITH THE 2012 PASSAT

Almost all things are resistant to "The Force." However, in this commercial the Volkswagon passat can be influenced from the outside! The husband, who comes home from work, is considered the family "breadwinner" and the wife who stays home and takes care of the home is considered the family "caregiver." This is what western tradition depicts goes on between the male and female genders. In this commercial young "Darth Vader's" powers are powerless to everything that is around him. Darth Vader we all know was the pinnacle of "evil" thirty years ago. He is the victim in this commercial. This boy, this young Darth Vader has exceptional skills, and is a selfless, innocent child until he conquers his greatest conquest....THE PASSAT. He is the chosen one, the one who brings the force back into balance.

Teens and Pop culture

In Justin Bieber's video "Baby" the scene is set at a bowling alley with both sexes being represented in two seperate groups; girls and boys. The interaction of the teens is very typical of this day and age. Bieber is infatuated with this girl, who, like most teenage girls is playing hard to get. He eventually wins his sweetheart back with the approval of both groups. Typically teenagers do not usually meet in a bowling alley, usually parents take their families to the bowling alley for fun and relaxation. In the video it shows teenagers having good "clean" fun, even though there is no parental or adult supervision. Music is the connecting factor for these teens and in this reality everything is easy paced and relaxed.

"Baby" is predominantly upbeat and has a dance infused beat that gets you up and on your feet. The matchup between Bieber and Ludacris adds a welcome urban twist and a layer of maturity to Bieber's musical collection which cannot be denied. The music industry as a whole is facing massive challenges. The nature of the business has changed, but the pairing of two great artists has proven that this business is not opposed to different styles and merging of two totally different types of singers.

In the reality of this video there is no supervision, which seems to not be necessary as the teenagers are having a lot fun. Which is the reality most teens would like to live in. With all that being said "Baby" is good song with a sweet soulful undertones. Great duo! Great song!