1. There were different definitons for the word "gospel." However I chose to relate this piece with the definiton that stated "something regarded as true and implicitly believed." This definition reltaes the most to "ghetto gospel." I say this because Tupac Shakur is vividly describing what he is experiencing in real life. Tupas is describing a testament to what is happening around him. He is preaching his own personal gospel.
2. It seems as if they writting conveys more of an ellaborative series of pictures. I tne words that Tupac writes he speaks of many different situations that he has experienced. The video as impactful as it may have been mainly focuses on the experience of this young individual caught in a crossfire. I t also illustrates a sad funeral scene that impacts the viewer of the outcome of this young mans life.
3. This statement represents the institutionalized mind set that Tupac feels is being imposed upon many of the people around him. Tupac describes a modern form of slavery. There is not much description as to what this modern slavery conveys but one can argue that the Governments view on poor minorities seems to place them in a similar social status as that of slaves.
4. Many similarities are formed between the use of words to express both Tupac Shakurs poem and Hughes' poem. An emotion that quicly fills my mind when reading these poems is that of disappointment. Dissappointment with a mixture of repeatedness becuase of the way that these two writers express themselves. As if they can describe these scenes of death and sorrow all too well. Perhaps even without having to be looking at the funerals unfold.
5. Blues music forms a very nostalgic element to the lyrics that make up it's songs. A lot of spirituality and repititious form of expressing the feelings that may be bottled up within the writers soul. It's torturious is the form that the song mellows it's listeners into understanding where the writer may be coming from with his or her feelings.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Tupac Shakur / Huges
1. The Webster's dictionary defines the word "Gospel" as the message concerning Christ: something accepted or promoted as infallible truth or as a guiding principle or doctrine. "Ghetto Gospel", by Tipac Shakur is a true picture of how life in the ghetto is. This song clearly illustrates the day to day trials of people who live in poverty stricken neighbourhoods. In the second stanza he makes reference to an old lady living out of a bag, and he also makes reference to a pregnant lady on drugs. All of these are very present in poverty stricken neighbourhoods , which makes his song true; hence the reason for the title "Ghetto Gospel".
In the fourth stanza, he talks about the importance of grandmothers in ghetto children's lives. He talks about what his grandmother did for him and how grandmothers takes the place of mothers and dead fathers. Today statistics shows that in poor neighbourhoods many of the children are cared for by grandparents, mainly grandmothers. I believe that this song is a true depiction of life in the ghetto.
2. By reading the words of the song, one will think that the video will be much more graphic. While I was reading the words of the song, I imagined images from the ghetto and created pictures in my mind of a mother holding a child, a pregnant lady on drugs and everything I could have imagined the ghetto to be. However, after viewing the video I saw a different picture. The video depicted a young man reflecting on his life. The video started with a young man lying in the street, in a pool of blood, with the EMT coming to his assistance. Then the next scene continued with that said young man, as if his soul was reenacting all the things that he did that day before he was gunned down. We saw scenes of him in the street with his homies, as was mentioned in the words of the song. Also, there were scenes of him with his family. This showed the viewers another side to this young, a softer side. The video focused on this one young man who lived in the ghetto and hung out in the streets. We saw the thug side of him in the street with other guys, and we saw another side of him looking up to the Sky, as if he is asking God to rescue him from the ghetto streets.
On the other hand, by reading the song you will get a more broad view of life in the ghetto for everyone, and not just the ghetto like of one person.
3. The line " We out of the projects, jumped into another form of slavery", means that although many blacks are successful there are still held back by many limitations. Although slavery is abolished and there are laws against discrimination, society still considers blacks to be second class and because of this the black race is not entirely free as our leaders would like us to believe.
4. Although Hughes' and Tupac's poem both relates to death, their portrayal of it is very different. In Hughes' poem, there is a sad tone throughout the poem. He refers to the shinning street lights as tears. He talks about a satin box and flowers that come from the poor boy's friends. There is a constant repetition of "Night funeral in Harlem", which reminds the reader that it is a funeral he is talking about. And then there are the lines "when it was all over", " And the lid shut on his head" , "the organ had done played" and "the last prayers been said", which depicts the end. The emotion I would use to summarize Hughes' pom is "Sad" or "Sorrowful".
On the other hand, Tupac's poem "In the event of my demise", was the opposite to sad. Tupac talked about dying for what be believes in. He talks about what he wants to accomplish before his death and how he love the people who were positive in his death. The word I would use to summarize the emotion behind Tupac's poem is "Stoical".
5. In researching Blues music, I've learnt that this genre of music generally have a somber tone; and lines in the song is usually repeated. I also learnt that this form of music originated within the black race. All of these characteristics is common in Hughes' poem. Lines are repeated and there is a somber tone throughout the poem. Lines 14 to 15 refers to sweet blues, coming from a black man's soul.
In the fourth stanza, he talks about the importance of grandmothers in ghetto children's lives. He talks about what his grandmother did for him and how grandmothers takes the place of mothers and dead fathers. Today statistics shows that in poor neighbourhoods many of the children are cared for by grandparents, mainly grandmothers. I believe that this song is a true depiction of life in the ghetto.
2. By reading the words of the song, one will think that the video will be much more graphic. While I was reading the words of the song, I imagined images from the ghetto and created pictures in my mind of a mother holding a child, a pregnant lady on drugs and everything I could have imagined the ghetto to be. However, after viewing the video I saw a different picture. The video depicted a young man reflecting on his life. The video started with a young man lying in the street, in a pool of blood, with the EMT coming to his assistance. Then the next scene continued with that said young man, as if his soul was reenacting all the things that he did that day before he was gunned down. We saw scenes of him in the street with his homies, as was mentioned in the words of the song. Also, there were scenes of him with his family. This showed the viewers another side to this young, a softer side. The video focused on this one young man who lived in the ghetto and hung out in the streets. We saw the thug side of him in the street with other guys, and we saw another side of him looking up to the Sky, as if he is asking God to rescue him from the ghetto streets.
On the other hand, by reading the song you will get a more broad view of life in the ghetto for everyone, and not just the ghetto like of one person.
3. The line " We out of the projects, jumped into another form of slavery", means that although many blacks are successful there are still held back by many limitations. Although slavery is abolished and there are laws against discrimination, society still considers blacks to be second class and because of this the black race is not entirely free as our leaders would like us to believe.
4. Although Hughes' and Tupac's poem both relates to death, their portrayal of it is very different. In Hughes' poem, there is a sad tone throughout the poem. He refers to the shinning street lights as tears. He talks about a satin box and flowers that come from the poor boy's friends. There is a constant repetition of "Night funeral in Harlem", which reminds the reader that it is a funeral he is talking about. And then there are the lines "when it was all over", " And the lid shut on his head" , "the organ had done played" and "the last prayers been said", which depicts the end. The emotion I would use to summarize Hughes' pom is "Sad" or "Sorrowful".
On the other hand, Tupac's poem "In the event of my demise", was the opposite to sad. Tupac talked about dying for what be believes in. He talks about what he wants to accomplish before his death and how he love the people who were positive in his death. The word I would use to summarize the emotion behind Tupac's poem is "Stoical".
5. In researching Blues music, I've learnt that this genre of music generally have a somber tone; and lines in the song is usually repeated. I also learnt that this form of music originated within the black race. All of these characteristics is common in Hughes' poem. Lines are repeated and there is a somber tone throughout the poem. Lines 14 to 15 refers to sweet blues, coming from a black man's soul.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
VIEWPOINTS OF HUGHES AND SHAKUR
1. The celluloid images that accompany poet Langston Hughes' Weary Blues on the website youtube.com
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Source: Dictionary.com
2. Shakur's protagonist has adapted to the conditions in which he lives, and believes that those who fought and died in the effort to create a different outcome sacrificed foolishly. Tupac's character believes in the wisdom of "eating rather than being eaten". In the corresponding videoclip
3. "We out of the projects/ Jumped into another form of slavery" might refer to descendants of African slaves who were emancipated in the late 1800's. Emancipation was immediately followed by the horror of Jim Crow segregation, deprivation, racism and disenfranchisement. Rendered relatively powerless politically and socially, many of the descendants of these slaves are now ensnared in poverty and are still hampered by rasicm today. Tupac states "I shouldn't let it phase me" inferring that today's construct is nothing new, and is a familiar evil.
4. In Hughes' time, it appears that there is temporary respite from rasicm and injustice within one's community. There was an underlying culture that allowed for a "grand funeral" for a boy "who was so dear" in Night Funeral in Harlem. In Weary Blues, there was a place where one could go to socialize and listen to music. In Tupac's ghetto world, the community is the killer. Death at the hands of a neighbor seems to be constant and untimely and the onlookers seem desensitized. Even the living have lost a spark and given themselves over to drugs, prostitution, being gangsters, or the like.
5. From a Baruch music history class, I learned that Blues is genre of music that originated in the South, a derivation of the work songs slaves used to sing while laboring. The precursor to jazz and rock music, the theme of blues music is usually melancholy. Hughes' poem, Weary Blues, describes blues' characteristic syncopation and melancholy lyrics which are employed by the artiste who is the focus of the piece. The piano he plays is also a main feature of blues, as well as percussion and brass instruments. That the music is "coming from a black man's soul" is a reference to the African-American slaves with whom the blues originated, who most certainly ended each day of forced labor sleeping "like a rock or a man who's dead".
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
A Day In The Life...Hopefully Not
The definition from the dictionary that i thought made the most sense, without having anything to do with religion, was: "something regarded as true and implicityly believed". When I think of the word gospel, the natural connection is God or Religion. Tupac's "Ghetto Gospel" was more of an analysis of what was going on in the inner city. The connection between the Gospel associated with Religion/God and Tupac's Ghetto is that the are both "regarded as true and implicty believed". If you're in a believer of a certain faith, your job is to believe. If you're from the Ghetto, your job isn't to believe, because you don't have to. The words that Pac spoke are true. You can't escape what is real, and that's how believers of a certain faith live...The video begins with death. It's nothing but despair and loss from the jump. As the video continues, you watch a man conflicted with the life he leads. Most hustlers live that life everyday; hoping that the video's ending isn't their own fate. The video was very refreshing to see; people seem to think that all drug dealers do all day is drink, smoke blunts, roll dice, "make it rain" in strip clubs, and have loads of money. I'm not advocating that lifestyle, but coming from someone familiar with people who have engaged in that life, I'll be the first to admit that Tupac's version of "A day in the life" is more accurate than what you may here in today's rapper lyrics or see in their video.The poem, on the other hand, allows you to follow a man looking over his life and surroundings. Nobody is immune to a life of trouble and hurt. The line that sticks out most for me is "mans gotta do what he can for his family". It's almost a prequel to the video, but the video shows you the reality of choosing to hustle as an interpretaion of that line...The line of " jumping into another form of slavery" makes me think of the mental slavery that people trap themselves into. Whether it be being a slave to a person, money, drugs, work, or anything that can stop you from thinking outside of the box or striving for things people may think is out of your reach. The trappings of life can seem to be inescapable. People allow themselves to be sold short because of a standard that has been set or because it's easier to just follow, not realizing that standards are redifined everyday...If I had to describe the emotion surrounding Tupac's poem, I'd say prepared. It seemed as though he knew what was ahead and wasn't extremely afraid of it. He seemed ready for his eventual fate. Lines like "I have come 2 grips" almost scream readiness and acceptance. In Hughes' poem, I feel curiosity was the main emotion crowding the poem. It was almost like sitting in your den listening to your grandmother and her friends commentary on what they were seeing. The voice in my head as I read it was that of an older women. His constant questioning everything he sees, makes the poem take on a gossip-style of writting...The Blues has always been related to hurt and pain. With lines like "he made that poor piano moan", the personification used is that of a broken, used, and hurt person. The poem is exactly what you might've seen down in New Orleans or Mississippi back in the 30's on the chitlin circuit. It's just a man and his misery over some guitar chords in a smoke-filled room with whiskey and hooch being poured into half-dirty jars. The dirt floors and that weak light flickering, just add to the mood that is given from the man wailing about his troubles. The poem capture just a peek into the "Weary Blues".
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Hughes/ Tupac
1. Gospel's meaning is very clear to most of us. Gospel is originated from Christianity. It is like a standard of living a good life. It also means something good, even holy that everyone should look up to it.
Tupac uses Gospel word in his lyrics and combines the word with the word Ghetto. It doesn't completely change the meaning of the word. It gives the word a darker meaning. Ghetto gospel is a doctrine of living of all African American in the US. It contains all of the hardships and struggles during their daily lives. It gives the younger better understanding what the previous generations have been through. The younger make mistakes and learn from them like Tupac says: "I make mistakes, I learn from everyone. And when its said and done, ill be called a better one."
2. The writing of the lyrics doesn't give me a very much different picture of the Ghetto neighborhood, but it does give me a more detailed picture of their daily lives. The music video shows a life of a young man who gets killed for selling drugs. It is probably the reality of the Ghetto life. You sell drug for a living, and sometimes either you kill or get killed for it. But the poem/ lyrics gives me a bigger picture. It tells me that not only one life is ruined like that, but many lives for many generations are ruined. That's the Ghetto gospel. Day by day, drug and violence are like water and rice. They happen all the time whether you like it or not. The younger can look up to the previous generation's lives, and try not to go on the same path. They can try, but the reality may pull them in against their will.
3. "We out of the projects/ Jumped into another form of slavery" gives us the truth of the Ghetto destiny. Yes, now they are free from slavery after many years of fighting. And yes now they are into drug and crime. Whether it is against their will or not, drug and crime beslave the Ghetto not just physically, but emotionally. When they sell drug and get involved in crime, they also sell theri souls.
4. Hughes "Night funeral in Harlem" describes a simple matter of what happens in the Ghetto neighborhood. They are so poor to the extent that they struggle a lot to bury their loved ones. Financial problems happen all the time. "Old preacher man preached that boy away - charged five dollars. His girl friend had to pay."
Tupac "In the event of my demise" gives us an inner picture of a young man who feels desperate for not accomplishing anything before he dies. He feels as if his life is nothing. He has done nothing to leave a remarkable memory for his family and friends. I think he just so depressed of his current way of living that he forgets that his family and friends just love him the way he is, and not for the outside rewards.
There is only one word appearing in my mind when I am reading these poem: hopeless. I feel their hopelessnesses. They want to change their lives, but they just can't.
5. Blue music is well known for its repetive effects and the down feelings it gives the audience. Hughes "Weary Blues" is an example of both. You can feel the drowsy feelings for the entire poem. The repitions in line 6,7, 11, 16, 25,26,27 and 28 give us even worse feelings. That's effect of the repetitions.
Tupac uses Gospel word in his lyrics and combines the word with the word Ghetto. It doesn't completely change the meaning of the word. It gives the word a darker meaning. Ghetto gospel is a doctrine of living of all African American in the US. It contains all of the hardships and struggles during their daily lives. It gives the younger better understanding what the previous generations have been through. The younger make mistakes and learn from them like Tupac says: "I make mistakes, I learn from everyone. And when its said and done, ill be called a better one."
2. The writing of the lyrics doesn't give me a very much different picture of the Ghetto neighborhood, but it does give me a more detailed picture of their daily lives. The music video shows a life of a young man who gets killed for selling drugs. It is probably the reality of the Ghetto life. You sell drug for a living, and sometimes either you kill or get killed for it. But the poem/ lyrics gives me a bigger picture. It tells me that not only one life is ruined like that, but many lives for many generations are ruined. That's the Ghetto gospel. Day by day, drug and violence are like water and rice. They happen all the time whether you like it or not. The younger can look up to the previous generation's lives, and try not to go on the same path. They can try, but the reality may pull them in against their will.
3. "We out of the projects/ Jumped into another form of slavery" gives us the truth of the Ghetto destiny. Yes, now they are free from slavery after many years of fighting. And yes now they are into drug and crime. Whether it is against their will or not, drug and crime beslave the Ghetto not just physically, but emotionally. When they sell drug and get involved in crime, they also sell theri souls.
4. Hughes "Night funeral in Harlem" describes a simple matter of what happens in the Ghetto neighborhood. They are so poor to the extent that they struggle a lot to bury their loved ones. Financial problems happen all the time. "Old preacher man preached that boy away - charged five dollars. His girl friend had to pay."
Tupac "In the event of my demise" gives us an inner picture of a young man who feels desperate for not accomplishing anything before he dies. He feels as if his life is nothing. He has done nothing to leave a remarkable memory for his family and friends. I think he just so depressed of his current way of living that he forgets that his family and friends just love him the way he is, and not for the outside rewards.
There is only one word appearing in my mind when I am reading these poem: hopeless. I feel their hopelessnesses. They want to change their lives, but they just can't.
5. Blue music is well known for its repetive effects and the down feelings it gives the audience. Hughes "Weary Blues" is an example of both. You can feel the drowsy feelings for the entire poem. The repitions in line 6,7, 11, 16, 25,26,27 and 28 give us even worse feelings. That's effect of the repetitions.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Tupac & Hughes
1. Gospel:
Gospel - often Gospel the Proclamation of the redemption preached by Jesus and the Apostles. (2) Of the Gospel Bible, one of the first four books of the New Testament. (3) Gospel Music. (4) Something accepted as unquestionably true.
The meaning of the work Gospel relates to the theme that is portrayed in the “Ghetto Gospel” poem and video because the lyrical content expresses the truth; the truth that exist in many “ghettos” across the world. The definition of Gospel is the unquestionable truth; Tupac expresses the reality that occurs in many ghettos. I live in an area of New York City in which I can relate to the reality that happens in the ghetto. Tupac is not speaking of fictitious events or exaggerating, unfortunately, the scenario that is demonstrated in the “Ghetto Gospel” video occurs in real life. I think that is was genius of him to name the poem “Ghetto Gospel” because he is speaking of the truth that occurs in the Ghetto. The unnecessary crime, drugs, disparity, drugs, homelessness, and violence that is revealed in that short video, occurs every minute in a given area of New York City.
2. Ghetto Gospel
Well I actually read the poem several times before viewing the video. I did this because every time I read the poem, and different character or scenery took place in my mind. I feel that although you are reading the poem with no imagery, the few words that are used, are key. Such words phrases like living out a bag, in rags, loving the things she has” allow you to create a character in your mind of such a woman. From just thee few words, I can draw many conclusions, like “she lived a hard life” and/or “she is probably homeless”. In poetry it is not the amount of words that is used, but the technique in arranging them. Then when I saw the Ghetto Gospel video, it was just like adding another scenario to what I had envisioned earlier. The video just retells a story adding visual characters and plots.
3. Projects
“We out the projects and jumped into another form of slavery” meant many things to me. I feel that it could have meant, although some people are fortunate to remove themselves from the actual state of living in the “ghetto”, sometimes you still cannot escape it. When you have lived under those conditions, a piece of it always remains with you. Therefore, you may always continue to mentally feel trapped into that lifestyle. I think that this phrase could have also been describing communal issues that are occurring. For instance, although one situation can be resolved, another one arises instantaneously. For example, you could have received good news from work, but the troubles of the ghetto can still bring you down.
4. Funerals
Both of the descriptions in each poem are different. In Tupac’s Demise, he is speaking of his arrival to death. He explains how he’s coping with it, what he wants to be remembered as, and what he feels. When I read this poem I felt a sense of unsuccessfulness. I find it so difficult to think that a man who had accomplished so much in his life, felt as though he’d leave the world no mark. Tupac’s poetry, music and life touched many people in different ways. I found it really creepy that he was writing poetry as though he already knew he was going to die “...I will die before my time, because I feel the shadow’s depth…”.
In Hughes’s Night Funeral, I think he was describing a funeral that would occur in a community that is experiencing poverty. Although this poem is supposed to be about death, it is distinctively demonstrating a funeral occurring in Harlem. In the past Harlem was filled with poverty and Hughe describes this. “Insurance man he did not pay-- his insurance lapsed the other day.” and “Them flowers came from that poor boy’s friends”. Hughe is describing the struggle that occurred in Harlem during his time. He is describing a very gloomy scene that portrays the people in Harlem being very poor and probably experiencing a struggle just to bury their loved ones because of financial issues. If I had to choose just one emotion to characterize each poem it would be despair. In each poem I felt a disparity and no hope for the future. Many of the scenes in the poems describe a sense of hopelessness.
5. Blues - "Weary Blues"
When I did research on the Blues, I discovered information on the origins of Blues Music. This type of music was solo songs that gave vent to the frustrations and personal troubles of the African-American. Blues music was soulful and truthful music that provided a voice for the African-American. This music was a demonstrated the feelings of disparity that the African-American was feeling during the early 20th century. When reading “Weary Blues”, by Hughes, you can feel the frustration and distress that is occurring in the life of the African-American man. This poem describes a gloomy scene and a man expressing the solitude he feels in the world. “Aint got nobody in all this world, Ain’t got nobody but ma self”. This line of poetry expresses the frustration that his man is enduring in New York City.
Gospel - often Gospel the Proclamation of the redemption preached by Jesus and the Apostles. (2) Of the Gospel Bible, one of the first four books of the New Testament. (3) Gospel Music. (4) Something accepted as unquestionably true.
The meaning of the work Gospel relates to the theme that is portrayed in the “Ghetto Gospel” poem and video because the lyrical content expresses the truth; the truth that exist in many “ghettos” across the world. The definition of Gospel is the unquestionable truth; Tupac expresses the reality that occurs in many ghettos. I live in an area of New York City in which I can relate to the reality that happens in the ghetto. Tupac is not speaking of fictitious events or exaggerating, unfortunately, the scenario that is demonstrated in the “Ghetto Gospel” video occurs in real life. I think that is was genius of him to name the poem “Ghetto Gospel” because he is speaking of the truth that occurs in the Ghetto. The unnecessary crime, drugs, disparity, drugs, homelessness, and violence that is revealed in that short video, occurs every minute in a given area of New York City.
2. Ghetto Gospel
Well I actually read the poem several times before viewing the video. I did this because every time I read the poem, and different character or scenery took place in my mind. I feel that although you are reading the poem with no imagery, the few words that are used, are key. Such words phrases like living out a bag, in rags, loving the things she has” allow you to create a character in your mind of such a woman. From just thee few words, I can draw many conclusions, like “she lived a hard life” and/or “she is probably homeless”. In poetry it is not the amount of words that is used, but the technique in arranging them. Then when I saw the Ghetto Gospel video, it was just like adding another scenario to what I had envisioned earlier. The video just retells a story adding visual characters and plots.
3. Projects
“We out the projects and jumped into another form of slavery” meant many things to me. I feel that it could have meant, although some people are fortunate to remove themselves from the actual state of living in the “ghetto”, sometimes you still cannot escape it. When you have lived under those conditions, a piece of it always remains with you. Therefore, you may always continue to mentally feel trapped into that lifestyle. I think that this phrase could have also been describing communal issues that are occurring. For instance, although one situation can be resolved, another one arises instantaneously. For example, you could have received good news from work, but the troubles of the ghetto can still bring you down.
4. Funerals
Both of the descriptions in each poem are different. In Tupac’s Demise, he is speaking of his arrival to death. He explains how he’s coping with it, what he wants to be remembered as, and what he feels. When I read this poem I felt a sense of unsuccessfulness. I find it so difficult to think that a man who had accomplished so much in his life, felt as though he’d leave the world no mark. Tupac’s poetry, music and life touched many people in different ways. I found it really creepy that he was writing poetry as though he already knew he was going to die “...I will die before my time, because I feel the shadow’s depth…”.
In Hughes’s Night Funeral, I think he was describing a funeral that would occur in a community that is experiencing poverty. Although this poem is supposed to be about death, it is distinctively demonstrating a funeral occurring in Harlem. In the past Harlem was filled with poverty and Hughe describes this. “Insurance man he did not pay-- his insurance lapsed the other day.” and “Them flowers came from that poor boy’s friends”. Hughe is describing the struggle that occurred in Harlem during his time. He is describing a very gloomy scene that portrays the people in Harlem being very poor and probably experiencing a struggle just to bury their loved ones because of financial issues. If I had to choose just one emotion to characterize each poem it would be despair. In each poem I felt a disparity and no hope for the future. Many of the scenes in the poems describe a sense of hopelessness.
5. Blues - "Weary Blues"
When I did research on the Blues, I discovered information on the origins of Blues Music. This type of music was solo songs that gave vent to the frustrations and personal troubles of the African-American. Blues music was soulful and truthful music that provided a voice for the African-American. This music was a demonstrated the feelings of disparity that the African-American was feeling during the early 20th century. When reading “Weary Blues”, by Hughes, you can feel the frustration and distress that is occurring in the life of the African-American man. This poem describes a gloomy scene and a man expressing the solitude he feels in the world. “Aint got nobody in all this world, Ain’t got nobody but ma self”. This line of poetry expresses the frustration that his man is enduring in New York City.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Hughes/Shakur Poetry
1. There are few different meanings of gospel. The literal translation of the word gospel is – “good news”. It is also referred to the four biblical books written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John about life and teaching of Jesus Christ. In mordent life in U.S. we associate word gospel with “folk music consisting of a genre of a cappella music originating with Black slaves in the United States and featuring call and response”. Ghetto Gospel can not mean the “good news”, its sad news about the every day life (survival) of African-Americans in poor ghetto-areas. On the contrary to the biblical meaning of gospel the people in the ghetto live sinful life: sell drugs, steal, kill – “a mans gotta do what he can for his family”. They know they will burn in the hell, “but I ratha see hell later than see hell now”, tells Tupac in his poem. This is their gospel - their life, their truth – the gospel of the ghetto.
2. The music clip shows a possible scenario of what happens with black people in the very poor areas. The young black guy making his living by selling drugs in order to provide his family. In the few minutes of the clip we see the whole life of this guy. The words of the song (poem) help us to understand his feelings, what is going on inside this guy, and why he chose this road. Without watching the clip I would imagine something different: black guy looking back at his life; remembering his family; thinking of his present, and the life around him, but not being killed. The combination of the video with poem shows us the vicious circle in which most of black people live and its real consequences.
3. “We out of the project/ Jumped into another form of slavery” has two parts. First “we out of the project” means that now African-Americans are free to live the life they want. Why today the majority of blacks live behind the line of poverty? Government does help a little bit, but is it enough? How many years have to pass for African-Americans to build a better life? What are the opportunities do they really have in the world were wealth built generation after generation, if blacks got their freedom not too long ago? Out of the project – you free now, do what you want; nobody will come to help you. The second part “jumped into another form of slavery” means the slaves of poverty, the slaves of crime made by them and against them. What are the chances that young black guy will go to the college, if his family have no money to buy food? Of course some tries to improve the way of living, but what is the percentage rate?
4. Tupac in his poem “In the Event of my Demise” does not say it’s not fare to die young. He only hopes that there will be enough time to accomplish everything he believed in and valued. He does not fear of the death: “when my heart can beat no more, I hope I die”. L. Hughes in his poem “Night Funeral in Harlem” describes the funeral of a young boy, shows the respect that people pay to him after his death: friends sent flowers, girl fried paid for the preacher. There is no question about why is the boy died so young, but just a sorrow. Tomorrow will be another day, and another funeral.
5. Blues is very sad, lyrical, sometimes depressing instrumental music. Its also calls blacks music. Poem “Weary Blues” L. Hughes is about black guy, playing blues. Even when he stops playing, the melody is still in his head – now it’s his soul screams. You can hear the music play and its rhythm while reading this poem. The thematic elements of Blues in the poem are: the recurrence of some lines in the poem, the mood of the poem – sadness, hopelessness. The music comes from the player’s soul – it’s all he has left – music.
2. The music clip shows a possible scenario of what happens with black people in the very poor areas. The young black guy making his living by selling drugs in order to provide his family. In the few minutes of the clip we see the whole life of this guy. The words of the song (poem) help us to understand his feelings, what is going on inside this guy, and why he chose this road. Without watching the clip I would imagine something different: black guy looking back at his life; remembering his family; thinking of his present, and the life around him, but not being killed. The combination of the video with poem shows us the vicious circle in which most of black people live and its real consequences.
3. “We out of the project/ Jumped into another form of slavery” has two parts. First “we out of the project” means that now African-Americans are free to live the life they want. Why today the majority of blacks live behind the line of poverty? Government does help a little bit, but is it enough? How many years have to pass for African-Americans to build a better life? What are the opportunities do they really have in the world were wealth built generation after generation, if blacks got their freedom not too long ago? Out of the project – you free now, do what you want; nobody will come to help you. The second part “jumped into another form of slavery” means the slaves of poverty, the slaves of crime made by them and against them. What are the chances that young black guy will go to the college, if his family have no money to buy food? Of course some tries to improve the way of living, but what is the percentage rate?
4. Tupac in his poem “In the Event of my Demise” does not say it’s not fare to die young. He only hopes that there will be enough time to accomplish everything he believed in and valued. He does not fear of the death: “when my heart can beat no more, I hope I die”. L. Hughes in his poem “Night Funeral in Harlem” describes the funeral of a young boy, shows the respect that people pay to him after his death: friends sent flowers, girl fried paid for the preacher. There is no question about why is the boy died so young, but just a sorrow. Tomorrow will be another day, and another funeral.
5. Blues is very sad, lyrical, sometimes depressing instrumental music. Its also calls blacks music. Poem “Weary Blues” L. Hughes is about black guy, playing blues. Even when he stops playing, the melody is still in his head – now it’s his soul screams. You can hear the music play and its rhythm while reading this poem. The thematic elements of Blues in the poem are: the recurrence of some lines in the poem, the mood of the poem – sadness, hopelessness. The music comes from the player’s soul – it’s all he has left – music.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
David V - Hughes/Tupac
1. “Gospel” Definition Relating to “Ghetto Gospel”
Growing up in New York City, it was an impossibility for me, like every other person growing up in these streets, to not hear Tupac, and not be familiar with him. After reading the words to “Ghetto Gospel” I was blown away. Reading the words without having the music to accompany it, made “Ghetto Gospel” brand new, and Tupac’s talent as a writer, which I always respected, gained a whole new level. There are titles of songs that due not reflect the music they belong to. Tupac could not have picked a better title as the song reflects it perfectly.
I remember going to church every Sunday when growing up and being read gospel stories in Sunday school, and then adult service. The gospel represented truth. It was the true story of the life of Christ and although parts of the gospel could be tough to take, it was honest. Hence, we have the term, “Gospel truth.” Tupac’s “Ghetto Gospel” was the “Gospel Truth” for both his life as well as for the lives of many others living in the ghetto. It is brutally honest but its truth is recognizable and familiar to many. That is why even today, years after he was killed, he is still an integral figure in many lives.
2. Video vs. Writing
The biggest difference that I found between the video and just the lyrics of “Ghetto Gospel” was the video conveyed more of a message of hope. That is until the character within the video was shot. The lyrics alone on the other hand, solely conveyed the harsh truth as seen by Shakur.
3. Projects/Slavery
Since 1865, slavery has been illegal in the United States. As recent as the 1960s, there was still legal segregation. Our country has changed for the better on the issue of civil rights. Tupac however, when writing, “We out of the projects/ Jumped into another form of slavery,” implies that there is still inequality and forms of slavery although it is not the kind of extreme slavery those in the history of America knew. This is due to lack of opportunity to persons from some backgrounds, Tupac’s being the “Ghetto” and the way certain cultures and races are viewed.
4. Death
When reading “Night Funeral in Harlem” I could not help but think of a funeral procession that would be typical in New Orleans. The lines moved rhythmically and gradually along until stopping at the final resting place. The emotion that I felt best fits the poem, is pure sadness.
Tupac’s “In the Event of My Demise” had the feeling of preparing one’s self for death. It almost read like a prophesy for its writer. With line’s such as, “I will die Before My Time,” the emphasis on dying young, Tupac seems to be in an emotional state of being sure but content with the fact that he will die young.
5. Blues in Hughes’s poems
For question five, I took the artistic liberty of answering from the what may have been Hughes’s point of view. “Weary Blues” is perhaps my favorite Hughes poem so it is answered with “Weary Blues” as the base:
I wrote “Weary Blues” after one Harlem night spent inside a smoke-filled, dim lounge, while listening to blues. Blues is that music, that soul music, passed down from ancestors who would lament their troubles in song. Sitting at my corner table, I was just a fly on the wall who was privileged to hear my brother pour his soul out through “Weary Blues.” Troubles, we all have them. Heartbreak, worry, regret for not taking that chance. The theme of troubles is what makes blues so universally heartfelt to the person who has the strength to allow himself to feel. The blues were pouring out of the lounge singer’s voice, fingers and even the pores of his skin. Every bead of sweat popping out of the blues man’s head was like a tear. When time one of those “tears” would hit the floor, they were piercing my heart. Brother, don’t cry. Be proud and be not held down. Don’t let those blues sink your soul.
Growing up in New York City, it was an impossibility for me, like every other person growing up in these streets, to not hear Tupac, and not be familiar with him. After reading the words to “Ghetto Gospel” I was blown away. Reading the words without having the music to accompany it, made “Ghetto Gospel” brand new, and Tupac’s talent as a writer, which I always respected, gained a whole new level. There are titles of songs that due not reflect the music they belong to. Tupac could not have picked a better title as the song reflects it perfectly.
I remember going to church every Sunday when growing up and being read gospel stories in Sunday school, and then adult service. The gospel represented truth. It was the true story of the life of Christ and although parts of the gospel could be tough to take, it was honest. Hence, we have the term, “Gospel truth.” Tupac’s “Ghetto Gospel” was the “Gospel Truth” for both his life as well as for the lives of many others living in the ghetto. It is brutally honest but its truth is recognizable and familiar to many. That is why even today, years after he was killed, he is still an integral figure in many lives.
2. Video vs. Writing
The biggest difference that I found between the video and just the lyrics of “Ghetto Gospel” was the video conveyed more of a message of hope. That is until the character within the video was shot. The lyrics alone on the other hand, solely conveyed the harsh truth as seen by Shakur.
3. Projects/Slavery
Since 1865, slavery has been illegal in the United States. As recent as the 1960s, there was still legal segregation. Our country has changed for the better on the issue of civil rights. Tupac however, when writing, “We out of the projects/ Jumped into another form of slavery,” implies that there is still inequality and forms of slavery although it is not the kind of extreme slavery those in the history of America knew. This is due to lack of opportunity to persons from some backgrounds, Tupac’s being the “Ghetto” and the way certain cultures and races are viewed.
4. Death
When reading “Night Funeral in Harlem” I could not help but think of a funeral procession that would be typical in New Orleans. The lines moved rhythmically and gradually along until stopping at the final resting place. The emotion that I felt best fits the poem, is pure sadness.
Tupac’s “In the Event of My Demise” had the feeling of preparing one’s self for death. It almost read like a prophesy for its writer. With line’s such as, “I will die Before My Time,” the emphasis on dying young, Tupac seems to be in an emotional state of being sure but content with the fact that he will die young.
5. Blues in Hughes’s poems
For question five, I took the artistic liberty of answering from the what may have been Hughes’s point of view. “Weary Blues” is perhaps my favorite Hughes poem so it is answered with “Weary Blues” as the base:
I wrote “Weary Blues” after one Harlem night spent inside a smoke-filled, dim lounge, while listening to blues. Blues is that music, that soul music, passed down from ancestors who would lament their troubles in song. Sitting at my corner table, I was just a fly on the wall who was privileged to hear my brother pour his soul out through “Weary Blues.” Troubles, we all have them. Heartbreak, worry, regret for not taking that chance. The theme of troubles is what makes blues so universally heartfelt to the person who has the strength to allow himself to feel. The blues were pouring out of the lounge singer’s voice, fingers and even the pores of his skin. Every bead of sweat popping out of the blues man’s head was like a tear. When time one of those “tears” would hit the floor, they were piercing my heart. Brother, don’t cry. Be proud and be not held down. Don’t let those blues sink your soul.
Tupac and Hughes
1. Gospel means the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. In "GhettoGospel," the theme much about Tupac's believed. It is not standard asusual meaning that Jesus' teaching. It could change base on his lifeexperiences like what he went through, either good or bad in thatenvironment.
2. A poem usually doesn't have limit imagination like video. Readerspetty much have their own interpretations about the poem. Although I didnot full understand the poem when I read the 1st time but I did havesome images in my mind after I read it several times. It might not asclear as the video but it has own images or colors. Time lines in thevideo of the man who got killed later on pretty much describe youngpeople who live in the Ghetto BUT left out important element of poem,the grandmother that who took care him. The poem described the issuesthat occur in his time and sadly still happen in some area of US. A lotof children who grew up with their grand mother because of single parenthave finance issues. Parent will leave their to children to theirgrandparents because either the mother or father need to work in orderto support the family or one in jail or have problems like substanceabuse.
3. "We out of the projects, jumped into another form of slavery" meansslavery still exists in the society just in different ways. It is notjust the color issue that simple in Tupac's poem. It is the side affectof racism after so long period of time. Color people get treat morerespect if compare to 1900's. But look at the reality the importantdecision maker are still mostly white. Just ask how many congress menare black or Asian. People in the ghetto did not get as much educationas others. Some of them lose in life because of drug abuse, violence,and alcohol, etc. They became slave of drug and alcohol because ofaddiction.
4. The tone is different between Tupac's "In the Event of My Demise"and Hughes' "Night Funeral in Harlem." The "Night Funeral in Harlem"sounds much sorrow. We can feel the sadness in the air of poem when hedescribed, "Shined just like a tear-that boy that they was mournin.'" Ifeel sorry about the boy who died so young in the poem. He seems a goodperson to me because his friend brought him satin box, flowers, pay fivedollars for the funeral and cried for his death. On the other hand, "Inthe Event of My Demise" you can hear Tupac's strength, standard andprinciples. He doesn't afraid of death. He mentioned that he will diefor his principles. He wanted to be died with density. He used poem andvideo to describe the issues in the society. He discovered issues thatsuppose to get much more attention they suppose to be. I would like tosay that I am very much agree with his points and like his ideas a lotif just base on this poem. However, I always have this question in mymind before did musicians really say what they believe or just want tobe fame like those rappers in general. A lot of them thanked god duringtheir speech in music awards but later you found out they do drug orother illegal stuffs which I do not understand since I came from anothercountry. I do not ready full understand the "culture" of the music.
5. Blue music is a powerful tells-all vehicle of emotion, evident in itslyrics as well as repetitive patterns. Anthems of blue music mostchronicle the sorrow, pain and struggles of people have. We candefinitely feel sorrow in Hughes' poem base on his tone and events thathe described that reflect the issues occurred in the specific period oftime We can also see the patterns in Hughes that appear in blue musiclike line 6 and 7, 11 and 16, 19 and 20, 25 to 28 that show important ofline and will make readers feel more sorry.
2. A poem usually doesn't have limit imagination like video. Readerspetty much have their own interpretations about the poem. Although I didnot full understand the poem when I read the 1st time but I did havesome images in my mind after I read it several times. It might not asclear as the video but it has own images or colors. Time lines in thevideo of the man who got killed later on pretty much describe youngpeople who live in the Ghetto BUT left out important element of poem,the grandmother that who took care him. The poem described the issuesthat occur in his time and sadly still happen in some area of US. A lotof children who grew up with their grand mother because of single parenthave finance issues. Parent will leave their to children to theirgrandparents because either the mother or father need to work in orderto support the family or one in jail or have problems like substanceabuse.
3. "We out of the projects, jumped into another form of slavery" meansslavery still exists in the society just in different ways. It is notjust the color issue that simple in Tupac's poem. It is the side affectof racism after so long period of time. Color people get treat morerespect if compare to 1900's. But look at the reality the importantdecision maker are still mostly white. Just ask how many congress menare black or Asian. People in the ghetto did not get as much educationas others. Some of them lose in life because of drug abuse, violence,and alcohol, etc. They became slave of drug and alcohol because ofaddiction.
4. The tone is different between Tupac's "In the Event of My Demise"and Hughes' "Night Funeral in Harlem." The "Night Funeral in Harlem"sounds much sorrow. We can feel the sadness in the air of poem when hedescribed, "Shined just like a tear-that boy that they was mournin.'" Ifeel sorry about the boy who died so young in the poem. He seems a goodperson to me because his friend brought him satin box, flowers, pay fivedollars for the funeral and cried for his death. On the other hand, "Inthe Event of My Demise" you can hear Tupac's strength, standard andprinciples. He doesn't afraid of death. He mentioned that he will diefor his principles. He wanted to be died with density. He used poem andvideo to describe the issues in the society. He discovered issues thatsuppose to get much more attention they suppose to be. I would like tosay that I am very much agree with his points and like his ideas a lotif just base on this poem. However, I always have this question in mymind before did musicians really say what they believe or just want tobe fame like those rappers in general. A lot of them thanked god duringtheir speech in music awards but later you found out they do drug orother illegal stuffs which I do not understand since I came from anothercountry. I do not ready full understand the "culture" of the music.
5. Blue music is a powerful tells-all vehicle of emotion, evident in itslyrics as well as repetitive patterns. Anthems of blue music mostchronicle the sorrow, pain and struggles of people have. We candefinitely feel sorrow in Hughes' poem base on his tone and events thathe described that reflect the issues occurred in the specific period oftime We can also see the patterns in Hughes that appear in blue musiclike line 6 and 7, 11 and 16, 19 and 20, 25 to 28 that show important ofline and will make readers feel more sorry.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
shakur?hughes poetry
1.The story of Christ’s life and teachings, esp. as contained in the first four books of the New Testaments, namely Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. A doctrine regarded as of prime importance: political gospel. All of these meanings embody the message Tupac Shakur is sending us in the lyrics for “Ghetto Gospel”. The beginning of the song reminisces life lived in a state of destitute and how looking around it is easy to see that others, especially the youth must deal with similar problems. Since this is a true, prominent leaders for the African American cause like Malcon X died in vein since suffering continues, so in this way his words are a type of social or political gospel. Life in the ghetto can be difficult to bear and witnessing a homeless woman “living out a bag, in rags, loving the things she has”. Evan worse, there is the presence of a pregnant crack addict and what could be sadder than that? These travesties are told with conviction in such a way that we regard his words as truths that are more than implicitly believed; i.e. we take his report for gospel.
Shakur concludes with questions-prayers to God. Asking for understanding and forgiveness he then preaches to the living. “We can rant and rave about slavery for ages or we can stop making awful and hitem with al ghetto gospel.” This is one of the many reasons why Tupac Shakur is often regarded by millions to be a prophet.
2.Having read the lyrics before seeing the video, I imagined something very different from what I saw. The video begins with a murder and than moves to about a 24 hours period before the drive-by. It ends with the subject witnessing his mother at the funeral proceedings as a ghost and it seems that the video focuses too much on this one young man where the lyrics seem to embody the struggles of all that live in the grip of ghetto life. The video doesn’t really accurately depict the grandmother raising the grandchildren in a single mother household. Doesn’t really spell-out the positive side of a grandparent’s role for such a family situation. Ghetto life in the video seems to be more about teenage kids selling drugs and hanging out and living a life that doesn’t seem very impoverished other than the setting. The only problem with, is that such a life often ends with death. Another issue is that life seems to be rundown, but everyone is dressed well and appears to be doing ok, at least financially. The impression you get from reading the e lyrics gives you a different image of the people involved in the day-to-day struggle.
3.”We out of the projects/Jumped into another form of slavery” means that living in the projects often feels like a slave colony with the residents serving a brutal system. It is important to understand that saying “We out of”. Is slang for saying “we are from”. The slavery is lived in the projects includes young mothers to be addicted to the crack the homeless bag ladies and grandmother’s who the one’s that raise children. This grandmother’s are regularly attacked by crucks who lives in the projects they bit them and still their money and buy drugs. The grandmother’s are usually left alone when they got old they end up in nursing homes. Tupac has own memory’s of his grandmother who took cares of him while his mother worked. His grandmother though him everything he knows.
Other grandmothers took cars of their grandchildren too. Because is that only way raise children in the ghetto. The young mother usually works living and young fathers are usually dead or in prison. The children don’t have any education except what their grandmother’s provide. “And ghetto granny’s are like books” In the poem Tupac is urging his listeners to tried to solve their problems of their ghetto slavery. To help everything to be responsible.
4. Yes , is seems that there are many differences from Langston Hughes approach to death from Tupac Shakur’s .” Night Funeral in Harlem” speaks of a funeral procession done properly, almost lavishly for someone who is mourned by friends and family. And what made the funeral truly grand, were the tears shed in homage of the deceased. Tupac also speaks of tears twice in his poem and in the video his mother is wearing all black and is crying at what appears to be the young man’s funeral or wake . The mother is properly dressed for occasion and appears alone and very sad. Other than this, there is little that indicates a funeral or wake is taking place. It doesn’t seem like the mother has much support in any of this, there is no presence of flowers, or a preacher, hearse, etc. There is also not much love shown for the young “fallen warrior” by anyone other than his mother. In Tupac’s poem, he speaks of death from a first person’s point of view where in Hughes’ poem he is speaking of another man’s funeral. The emotion I would use to describe “Night Funeral in Harlem” would be love. The proper funeral was grand not because of superficial reasons, but because of the tears that were shed for this man who was “so dear”. In the case of the funeral in the video the strongest emotions I have considers of the mother of the dead boy here pain is to deep and I feel sorry for her because their is only her chilled. She appears not to have any family or any support by friends and she appears that she would be unable forgot her pain.
5. “Blue is a vocal and instrumental form of music based on the use the of the blue notes and a repetitive pattern that most often follows a twelve-bar structure”.
http:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blues. It comes from African-American communities from spiritual work songs. There were no separation between “blues” and “country” music. In Hughes poem “night Funeral in Harlem’ I see he is telling about night funeral which he is saying story about death of young man so Hughes poem and blues have lot of similarity.
Shakur concludes with questions-prayers to God. Asking for understanding and forgiveness he then preaches to the living. “We can rant and rave about slavery for ages or we can stop making awful and hitem with al ghetto gospel.” This is one of the many reasons why Tupac Shakur is often regarded by millions to be a prophet.
2.Having read the lyrics before seeing the video, I imagined something very different from what I saw. The video begins with a murder and than moves to about a 24 hours period before the drive-by. It ends with the subject witnessing his mother at the funeral proceedings as a ghost and it seems that the video focuses too much on this one young man where the lyrics seem to embody the struggles of all that live in the grip of ghetto life. The video doesn’t really accurately depict the grandmother raising the grandchildren in a single mother household. Doesn’t really spell-out the positive side of a grandparent’s role for such a family situation. Ghetto life in the video seems to be more about teenage kids selling drugs and hanging out and living a life that doesn’t seem very impoverished other than the setting. The only problem with, is that such a life often ends with death. Another issue is that life seems to be rundown, but everyone is dressed well and appears to be doing ok, at least financially. The impression you get from reading the e lyrics gives you a different image of the people involved in the day-to-day struggle.
3.”We out of the projects/Jumped into another form of slavery” means that living in the projects often feels like a slave colony with the residents serving a brutal system. It is important to understand that saying “We out of”. Is slang for saying “we are from”. The slavery is lived in the projects includes young mothers to be addicted to the crack the homeless bag ladies and grandmother’s who the one’s that raise children. This grandmother’s are regularly attacked by crucks who lives in the projects they bit them and still their money and buy drugs. The grandmother’s are usually left alone when they got old they end up in nursing homes. Tupac has own memory’s of his grandmother who took cares of him while his mother worked. His grandmother though him everything he knows.
Other grandmothers took cars of their grandchildren too. Because is that only way raise children in the ghetto. The young mother usually works living and young fathers are usually dead or in prison. The children don’t have any education except what their grandmother’s provide. “And ghetto granny’s are like books” In the poem Tupac is urging his listeners to tried to solve their problems of their ghetto slavery. To help everything to be responsible.
4. Yes , is seems that there are many differences from Langston Hughes approach to death from Tupac Shakur’s .” Night Funeral in Harlem” speaks of a funeral procession done properly, almost lavishly for someone who is mourned by friends and family. And what made the funeral truly grand, were the tears shed in homage of the deceased. Tupac also speaks of tears twice in his poem and in the video his mother is wearing all black and is crying at what appears to be the young man’s funeral or wake . The mother is properly dressed for occasion and appears alone and very sad. Other than this, there is little that indicates a funeral or wake is taking place. It doesn’t seem like the mother has much support in any of this, there is no presence of flowers, or a preacher, hearse, etc. There is also not much love shown for the young “fallen warrior” by anyone other than his mother. In Tupac’s poem, he speaks of death from a first person’s point of view where in Hughes’ poem he is speaking of another man’s funeral. The emotion I would use to describe “Night Funeral in Harlem” would be love. The proper funeral was grand not because of superficial reasons, but because of the tears that were shed for this man who was “so dear”. In the case of the funeral in the video the strongest emotions I have considers of the mother of the dead boy here pain is to deep and I feel sorry for her because their is only her chilled. She appears not to have any family or any support by friends and she appears that she would be unable forgot her pain.
5. “Blue is a vocal and instrumental form of music based on the use the of the blue notes and a repetitive pattern that most often follows a twelve-bar structure”.
http:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blues. It comes from African-American communities from spiritual work songs. There were no separation between “blues” and “country” music. In Hughes poem “night Funeral in Harlem’ I see he is telling about night funeral which he is saying story about death of young man so Hughes poem and blues have lot of similarity.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Hughes/Shakur by Luisana S.
1. According to Easterncathedral.org, Gospel means the 'good news' about Jesus, as proclaimed in his life and teachings, his resurection as well. The video 'Ghetto Gospel' shows the reality of young boys in the hood and their lifes' experiences from the point of view of another young boy. the only connection I found between these two was that the Gospel teaches about Jesus' life, and his resurection. The video teaches about the realities of some young boys that join gangs, and make drugs part of their lives. Jesus died unfairly but for a reason, and the young boy died unfairly as well. both had an impact on people.
2. The lyrics of the song 'Ghetto Gospel' represent almost the same thing that the video shows.
when Tupac mentions the old lady with the bags, it shown the same thing. The things that I dont find similar are when he says that 'everyone's is ashamed to the youth' I dont see a part similar to this in the video. Another thing is when Tupac is talking about his life, and his grandma, there is no reflection of this on the video.
3."We out of the projects/jumped into another form of slavery" I think that he meant that even though they were set free and slavery ended a long time ago, some people of his race, like the young boys, were becoming slaves of the Ghetto, or slave of the drugs, and bad things in life.
4.Both Tupac and Hughes have the same meaning of a funeral. The dead one, the people mourning, the funeral, etc. all these is reflected on their poems. Tupac talked about his own funeral, which he wanted to be remembered by the people he loved and who loved him, even though he wasnt an accomplished man. And Hughes talks about someone else's funeral, in which the mourners' tears, and the solidarity of those that attended is what made the funeral important.
I felt sorrowful when I read both poems. It makes me sad becuase on Tupac's, he's ashamed he was going to die without achieving his dreams, meaning that he wasnt going to be in peace. I wouldnt like to feel that way. As for Hughes, he shows that the flowers and the coffin are not that important. Only the tears of the mourners were the most significant thing for the dead one. the objects dont matter to the one that is dead, what is important is the love that is shown.
5.Hughes' poem talks about a man playing blues music. He described him as a "negro", and the song he was playing made hughes feel melancholy. According to historyof rock.com, the Blues were started by African-Americans, in the time of slavery. They used call-and-response to communicate while working in the plantations. These call-and-responses had rhythm, and they were about their grief, melancholy, and sad feelings. They tended to repeat whatever they said many times, and thats why it sounded like a song, and it formed a pattern. In Hughes' poem, he uses repetition. He also mentiones the word melancholy, death, trouble, and unhappiness, which are the feelings most Blues songs describe. This proves that his poem complemented the elements that characterize the Blues.
2. The lyrics of the song 'Ghetto Gospel' represent almost the same thing that the video shows.
when Tupac mentions the old lady with the bags, it shown the same thing. The things that I dont find similar are when he says that 'everyone's is ashamed to the youth' I dont see a part similar to this in the video. Another thing is when Tupac is talking about his life, and his grandma, there is no reflection of this on the video.
3."We out of the projects/jumped into another form of slavery" I think that he meant that even though they were set free and slavery ended a long time ago, some people of his race, like the young boys, were becoming slaves of the Ghetto, or slave of the drugs, and bad things in life.
4.Both Tupac and Hughes have the same meaning of a funeral. The dead one, the people mourning, the funeral, etc. all these is reflected on their poems. Tupac talked about his own funeral, which he wanted to be remembered by the people he loved and who loved him, even though he wasnt an accomplished man. And Hughes talks about someone else's funeral, in which the mourners' tears, and the solidarity of those that attended is what made the funeral important.
I felt sorrowful when I read both poems. It makes me sad becuase on Tupac's, he's ashamed he was going to die without achieving his dreams, meaning that he wasnt going to be in peace. I wouldnt like to feel that way. As for Hughes, he shows that the flowers and the coffin are not that important. Only the tears of the mourners were the most significant thing for the dead one. the objects dont matter to the one that is dead, what is important is the love that is shown.
5.Hughes' poem talks about a man playing blues music. He described him as a "negro", and the song he was playing made hughes feel melancholy. According to historyof rock.com, the Blues were started by African-Americans, in the time of slavery. They used call-and-response to communicate while working in the plantations. These call-and-responses had rhythm, and they were about their grief, melancholy, and sad feelings. They tended to repeat whatever they said many times, and thats why it sounded like a song, and it formed a pattern. In Hughes' poem, he uses repetition. He also mentiones the word melancholy, death, trouble, and unhappiness, which are the feelings most Blues songs describe. This proves that his poem complemented the elements that characterize the Blues.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Hughes/ Shakur - Luisa Sierra
1. Look up the definition for "Gospel" -- how does the meaning relate to the theme for "Ghetto Gospel"?
A gospel describes the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and records his teachings. [1] In “Ghetto Gospel” Tupac is describing the social discrimination against people in the ghetto. How they still living in slavery. Tupac is trying to spread the message about social injustices! I like the part where Tupac talks about the old lady living out of garbage bags but she’s till happy with the few things she has. This song can really teach us to appreciate the things we have in our life.
2. Poetry uses few words to create images. Discuss how the images evoked by the writing differ from the images represented in the corresponding Ghetto Gospel video.
While I was reading the lyrics of “Ghetto Gospel” the images that I perceived were totally different from the scenes of the video. Reading the lyrics we create the picture of a man that’s struggling with the injustices (drugs, discrimination, sex and alcohol) in the Ghetto. I never thought of someone dying while reading the lyrics. This is how the video differs from the writing. There are also similarities between the writing and the video how the young fight back to keep themselves away from trouble, Tupac message is that living in the ghetto is not easy.
3. What do you think "We out of the projects/ Jumped into another form of slavery" means?
Tupac was telling us that slavery still exists; this sentence reflectes the cruel injustices that they encountered in the ghetto. They jumped into another form of slavery which we can relate to drug abuse, violence, alcohol, family mistreatment etc. People in the ghetto couldn’t escape from these injustices. That’s why Tupac relates these injustices to slavery.
4. Has the approach to death (funerals, one's demise) changed from Hughes' to Tupac's description of the event? If you had to choose one emotion to characterize each poem what would it be?
Hughes and Tupac they both speak about death. In the event of my demise, Tupac states that he wants to die for something that he believes in just like Malcolm x or Martin Luther King they die for something they believe in (equal rights), in this case I believe Tupac was talking about the discrimination against people of color. Hughes’ poem (The night in Funeral Harlem) is about death and love. It show us how a simply tear can mean a lot in showing your sympathy in a funeral. “It was all their tears that made that poor boy's Funeral grand”. I don’t think the approach to death changed from Hughes’ to Tupac description of the event. When it comes the night of your death you are going to be remembered for the good things you did while you were alive. The emotion I would use to characterize Hughes’ is lovingness and sorrow and for Tupac melancholy and depression.
5. Do some research on Blues music -- what musical/ thematic elements of Blues do you see in Hughes's poem?
While doing some research on Blues music the musical/thematic elements that I see in Hughes’s poem is the state of melancholy and despair Hughes use. “Ain't got nobody in all this world,20 Ain't got nobody but ma self”. The poem has a slow beat, an element of blues music.
[1] "gospel." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. Answers.com 15 Oct. 2007
A gospel describes the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and records his teachings. [1] In “Ghetto Gospel” Tupac is describing the social discrimination against people in the ghetto. How they still living in slavery. Tupac is trying to spread the message about social injustices! I like the part where Tupac talks about the old lady living out of garbage bags but she’s till happy with the few things she has. This song can really teach us to appreciate the things we have in our life.
2. Poetry uses few words to create images. Discuss how the images evoked by the writing differ from the images represented in the corresponding Ghetto Gospel video.
While I was reading the lyrics of “Ghetto Gospel” the images that I perceived were totally different from the scenes of the video. Reading the lyrics we create the picture of a man that’s struggling with the injustices (drugs, discrimination, sex and alcohol) in the Ghetto. I never thought of someone dying while reading the lyrics. This is how the video differs from the writing. There are also similarities between the writing and the video how the young fight back to keep themselves away from trouble, Tupac message is that living in the ghetto is not easy.
3. What do you think "We out of the projects/ Jumped into another form of slavery" means?
Tupac was telling us that slavery still exists; this sentence reflectes the cruel injustices that they encountered in the ghetto. They jumped into another form of slavery which we can relate to drug abuse, violence, alcohol, family mistreatment etc. People in the ghetto couldn’t escape from these injustices. That’s why Tupac relates these injustices to slavery.
4. Has the approach to death (funerals, one's demise) changed from Hughes' to Tupac's description of the event? If you had to choose one emotion to characterize each poem what would it be?
Hughes and Tupac they both speak about death. In the event of my demise, Tupac states that he wants to die for something that he believes in just like Malcolm x or Martin Luther King they die for something they believe in (equal rights), in this case I believe Tupac was talking about the discrimination against people of color. Hughes’ poem (The night in Funeral Harlem) is about death and love. It show us how a simply tear can mean a lot in showing your sympathy in a funeral. “It was all their tears that made that poor boy's Funeral grand”. I don’t think the approach to death changed from Hughes’ to Tupac description of the event. When it comes the night of your death you are going to be remembered for the good things you did while you were alive. The emotion I would use to characterize Hughes’ is lovingness and sorrow and for Tupac melancholy and depression.
5. Do some research on Blues music -- what musical/ thematic elements of Blues do you see in Hughes's poem?
While doing some research on Blues music the musical/thematic elements that I see in Hughes’s poem is the state of melancholy and despair Hughes use. “Ain't got nobody in all this world,20 Ain't got nobody but ma self”. The poem has a slow beat, an element of blues music.
[1] "gospel." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. Answers.com 15 Oct. 2007
Tupac and Langston Hughes: Death
1) Ghetto Gospel
Gospel is a written account of the life and death of Jesus. Tupac Shakur used Ghetto Gospel to give a vivid account of life in the ghetto. He highlighted the life that underprivileged people are experiencing living in the ghetto. People are literally living far below the poverty line; people are hungry and even homeless. Ghetto Gospel revealed the elements of crime and violence in the ghetto. People from the lower strata of the society are virtually ignored. His objective in Ghetto Gospel was to draw attention to the issues in the ghetto.
2) Poetry uses few words to create images. The images created in this poem are vivid and striking; and sometimes shocking. Let us look at the quote ‘We got some many crooks, so many grannies’ getting shook.” Needless to say that there are a lot of senior citizens that are being rob and beaten. This is just an example of the criminal elements that exist. The poem used lyrics to capture the attention of a listening audience. While the video is designed to gain the attention of visual audience. A picture is worth a thousand words. Take for example the scene where he was shot. The video portray how easy is for one to be a victim of drive by shooting. There was a crowd and his mother holding him while she was crying.
3) “We out of the project / Jump into another form of slavery”. This could mean that the people living in the projects are taken out of chains and shackles because it would not be globally acceptable. But instead place in another form of bondage that is more palatable to modern society. One may have freedom, but there are not given the tools to cultivate a better way of life for themselves. Therefore unless something positive happens, the cycle will pass on from one generation to the next.
4) The approach to death remains the same in Hughes and Topic’s description. The elements of sorrow and grief are used to characterize each poem. For example Tupac made reference to “wipe away the last tear from my eyes”; while Hughes employ “shine like a tear”. The tears suggested a moment of mourning. Both poems drew a picture of bereavement and sadness.
5) “Blues: A style of music that evolved from southern African-American secular songs and is usually distinguished by a strong 4/4 rhythm, flatted thirds and sevenths, a 12-bar structure, and lyrics in a three-line stanza in which the second line repeats the first: “The blues is an expression of anger against shame and humiliation” (B.B. King)”. Hughes’s poem had an element of sadness through out his composition. Interestingly, he used some ending rhymes such as stool and fool in his poem to express his low spirited feelings.
Gospel is a written account of the life and death of Jesus. Tupac Shakur used Ghetto Gospel to give a vivid account of life in the ghetto. He highlighted the life that underprivileged people are experiencing living in the ghetto. People are literally living far below the poverty line; people are hungry and even homeless. Ghetto Gospel revealed the elements of crime and violence in the ghetto. People from the lower strata of the society are virtually ignored. His objective in Ghetto Gospel was to draw attention to the issues in the ghetto.
2) Poetry uses few words to create images. The images created in this poem are vivid and striking; and sometimes shocking. Let us look at the quote ‘We got some many crooks, so many grannies’ getting shook.” Needless to say that there are a lot of senior citizens that are being rob and beaten. This is just an example of the criminal elements that exist. The poem used lyrics to capture the attention of a listening audience. While the video is designed to gain the attention of visual audience. A picture is worth a thousand words. Take for example the scene where he was shot. The video portray how easy is for one to be a victim of drive by shooting. There was a crowd and his mother holding him while she was crying.
3) “We out of the project / Jump into another form of slavery”. This could mean that the people living in the projects are taken out of chains and shackles because it would not be globally acceptable. But instead place in another form of bondage that is more palatable to modern society. One may have freedom, but there are not given the tools to cultivate a better way of life for themselves. Therefore unless something positive happens, the cycle will pass on from one generation to the next.
4) The approach to death remains the same in Hughes and Topic’s description. The elements of sorrow and grief are used to characterize each poem. For example Tupac made reference to “wipe away the last tear from my eyes”; while Hughes employ “shine like a tear”. The tears suggested a moment of mourning. Both poems drew a picture of bereavement and sadness.
5) “Blues: A style of music that evolved from southern African-American secular songs and is usually distinguished by a strong 4/4 rhythm, flatted thirds and sevenths, a 12-bar structure, and lyrics in a three-line stanza in which the second line repeats the first: “The blues is an expression of anger against shame and humiliation” (B.B. King)”. Hughes’s poem had an element of sadness through out his composition. Interestingly, he used some ending rhymes such as stool and fool in his poem to express his low spirited feelings.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Ghetto Gosepl and Hughes
Gospel is defined to be the “proclamation and redemption preached by Jesus and his apostles.” (www.answers.com) The true meaning of this word very closely relates to the meaning of “Ghetto Gospel.” Although it may seem as Ghetto Gospel is another rap song using a disdainful tone to augment its rhymes, the song actually has a hidden didactic meaning. Jesus and his apostles tried to educate the world of true essence of the surroundings and how to perceive it. Ghetto Gospel reveals a realm very often overlooked by people of today. Ghetto Gospel teaches of destitution, scorn, and severe poverty; which, in essence is the way we are to perceive our surroundings. This concept is very clearly portrayed in the verse “But you know grannys are the only other thing lil ghetto kids got.”
It’s not for nothing that some people are auditory learners while others are better at visual learning. Listening to a song and reading its poetical lyrics very often has a very different affect on its designated audience. Ghetto Gospel has very strong and thought provoking lyrics. Reading this nature of poetry evokes images of poverty, turmoil, and a strong sense of unease and unfairness that self-evidently exists in the world today. For instance, “I stop and stare at the younger…goin under.” Is a very visual lyric, creating a clear image of kids simply being the wrong crowd and doing all the so-called wrong things. Listening to this same song however, evokes very distinct emotions and feelings as compared to reading its lyrics. Listen to Ghetto Gospel, it is impossible to stop and focus on a particular lyric and think of what it can mean, therefore have a particular image. The songs does not pause, therefore it provides only superfluous feelings that the lyrics are designated to augment. Surely the music and tone suggest sorrow, and negativity; but as to having specific imagery in mind that simply does not exist. Listening and reading a song probably most closely correlates with laying a whole hand on rows of spikes. Touching each spike individually, one will feel sharp pain, yet touching all at the same time it is a completely different feeling.
“We out of the projects, jumped into another form of slavery” most likely means exactly what the verse suggests. Looking back to the times of slavery, we emphasize all of the horrors which were applied to human beings. What we tend to overlook however, is the main horror of inhumanity which White slave owners so easily applied to their Black servants. Of course it is wrong to disregard the physical abuses which slaves were subject to, however it is not what characterized slavery in essence. Being from the projects Blacks are looked upon much in the same way they were looked upon during slavery. These neighborhoods are considered of extremely low value, and people living in them are not worth much to society. Therefore “… out of the projects…” suggests that now Blacks are enslaved just they were they were a century ago, only this time without physical abuse.
Tupac and Hughes both portray death in a very strong and emotion provoking way, the major difference between the two manifestations is the accent they give to their visuals of death. Tupac presents death from a personal perspective, and defines how one should deal with it. In this version death is accented as a nostalgic disdain for acts left undone. Hughes on the other hand has a very different approach to explain death. Hughes glorifies the aspect that a life is now gone and will be remembered forever. He draws on clear images of poverty and how much more difficult it is for someone in poverty to deal with death then someone who can afford a funeral. Hughes accents all the sharp emotions such as mourning that as a society we associate with death.
“Blues is a form of music which is based on repetitive verses or notes often performed in twelve bar structure.” (www.afroamhistory.com) A traditional piece of music following blues style has a specific strict pattern of repetition, for instance every third and fourth lines rhyme with prior verses or lines. Hughes does not strictly adhere to this format however, it is very evident how he utilizes the blues style to outline his main points and evoke certain emotions.
It’s not for nothing that some people are auditory learners while others are better at visual learning. Listening to a song and reading its poetical lyrics very often has a very different affect on its designated audience. Ghetto Gospel has very strong and thought provoking lyrics. Reading this nature of poetry evokes images of poverty, turmoil, and a strong sense of unease and unfairness that self-evidently exists in the world today. For instance, “I stop and stare at the younger…goin under.” Is a very visual lyric, creating a clear image of kids simply being the wrong crowd and doing all the so-called wrong things. Listening to this same song however, evokes very distinct emotions and feelings as compared to reading its lyrics. Listen to Ghetto Gospel, it is impossible to stop and focus on a particular lyric and think of what it can mean, therefore have a particular image. The songs does not pause, therefore it provides only superfluous feelings that the lyrics are designated to augment. Surely the music and tone suggest sorrow, and negativity; but as to having specific imagery in mind that simply does not exist. Listening and reading a song probably most closely correlates with laying a whole hand on rows of spikes. Touching each spike individually, one will feel sharp pain, yet touching all at the same time it is a completely different feeling.
“We out of the projects, jumped into another form of slavery” most likely means exactly what the verse suggests. Looking back to the times of slavery, we emphasize all of the horrors which were applied to human beings. What we tend to overlook however, is the main horror of inhumanity which White slave owners so easily applied to their Black servants. Of course it is wrong to disregard the physical abuses which slaves were subject to, however it is not what characterized slavery in essence. Being from the projects Blacks are looked upon much in the same way they were looked upon during slavery. These neighborhoods are considered of extremely low value, and people living in them are not worth much to society. Therefore “… out of the projects…” suggests that now Blacks are enslaved just they were they were a century ago, only this time without physical abuse.
Tupac and Hughes both portray death in a very strong and emotion provoking way, the major difference between the two manifestations is the accent they give to their visuals of death. Tupac presents death from a personal perspective, and defines how one should deal with it. In this version death is accented as a nostalgic disdain for acts left undone. Hughes on the other hand has a very different approach to explain death. Hughes glorifies the aspect that a life is now gone and will be remembered forever. He draws on clear images of poverty and how much more difficult it is for someone in poverty to deal with death then someone who can afford a funeral. Hughes accents all the sharp emotions such as mourning that as a society we associate with death.
“Blues is a form of music which is based on repetitive verses or notes often performed in twelve bar structure.” (www.afroamhistory.com) A traditional piece of music following blues style has a specific strict pattern of repetition, for instance every third and fourth lines rhyme with prior verses or lines. Hughes does not strictly adhere to this format however, it is very evident how he utilizes the blues style to outline his main points and evoke certain emotions.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Hughes/Shakur
1. Look up the definition for "Gospel" -- how does the meaning relate to the theme for "Ghetto Gospel"?
"Gospel" can be defined as a few things. One common definition is the teachings of Jesus and his apostles according to the Bible. Another definition is of the truth, or of prime importance (dictionary.com). In the same way, the bottom line of "Ghetto Gospel" is the truth behind the protagonist's existence. Its purpose was to expose the truth behind urban difficulties and tragedy that people have to live through on a daily basis.
2. Poetry uses few words to create images. Discuss how the images evoked by the writing differs from the images represented in the corresponding Ghetto Gospel video.
The overall tone of the Ghetto Gospel video shifts from that of hope to that of tragedy. Everything from the tone of the colors, from sunny and warm to blue and bleak at the end, to the characters such as the mother's contentedness at the beginning to her sadness at the end speak to this effect. The words however, on paper, look hopeless to begin with. There is no escape in the words and it seems like the future is lost to an inevitable failure.
3. What do you think "We out of the projects/ Jumped into another form of slavery" means?
I think that what Tupac is saying is the old theory of two steps forward one step back. It seems that no matter what kind of advances are made by African-Americans in this country stigmas, racism, and bigotry continue to have their daunting effect on the black experience in America. No matter what, there will always be a struggle and slavery was only the beginning.
4. Has the approach to death (funerals, one's demise) changed from Hughes' to Tupac's description of the event? If you had to choose one emotion to characterize each poem what would it be?
The approach to the subject of death greatly differs between Hughes and Tupac. While Tupac focuses on the life the deceased led, Hughes focuses on the troubles left behind to those who cared about the deceased. If there was one emotion I could choose for each poem it would have to be contentedness for Tupac and distress for Hughes. Tupac focuses on what good has been done and the positive influences left behind while Hughes searches for the negative effects of the death on those around the deceased.
5. Do some research on Blues music -- what musical/ thematic elements of Blues do you see in Hughes's poem?
The main similarity between Blues music and Hughes' poem is the use of repetitiveness to emphasize a point. The blues is typically a 12-bar chorus consisting of 3 line stanzas with the second line repeating the first (dictionary.com). While not completely following the model of the traditional blues set, one can easily see the physical similarities between the Blues musical genre and the Blues poem by Hughes. There is also a tone of reflection and not sadness, but desire for a better existence that if you listen to Blues music, you will be able to draw similar emotions.
David Fairey
1)The defenition of "Gospel" is the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, and is regarded as something true and implicitly believed. As it refers to "Ghetto Gospel," I think Tupac is trying to come across as this is the word, this is the truth that not every one sees. Gospel also refers to predestination, if it is written, it will be done. And i think that Tupac is explaining this in his music that this is the way it is in the ghetto an there is no changing it, we are predestined to live out our lives like this even though you might want to change.
2) The writings represent a whole different look then the video, the images that he presents in the writings could be about any child in any circumstance, rich or poor. It isn't until it gets to the parts of the bag lady or the woman addicted to crack who is about to have a baby, when it gets to this part of the written word is when you start to get the glimpse of poverty. The video on the other hand is poverty in your face, from the images of the drug dealers to the shootings. I think that alot more people will be able to relate to his writing, they will be able to connect with his feelings about life and family.
3)I think what he is trying to say about "another form of slavery," is he is speaking about drugs, and how it has over taken the poor community. Now that people are free to make there own choices, they realize that their choices are limited because of lack of education and lack of money so their only escape is through drugs or alcohol, and instead of being dictated by a master they are now being dictated be a substance, which is hard to escape from.
4) I don't think that the approach has changed much between Hughes and Tupac, though the use of the language has. Tupac leaves alot to the imagination to figure out, he uses few words to paint big pictures. Where as Hughes uses more words and a play on the language to describe the story. the one word I would use to describe th feelings copming across in both poems would be "hopelessness," it is sad but both poems come across as sad and precondemed to this awful fate.
5)Blues music is a combination of country music and spirtuals song on the plantations during the times of slavery. It has a rythmic structure, like spirituals where it is a verse and then a response, usually the response is the same and the verses are changing telling a story as the song progresses, the story telling part comes from the country music. The instruments in blues music play what is called a one four five progression over and over again, so it makes it easy to sing over. In Hughes "A Night Funeral in Harlem," he uses the classic verse and response set up while still telling a story.
2) The writings represent a whole different look then the video, the images that he presents in the writings could be about any child in any circumstance, rich or poor. It isn't until it gets to the parts of the bag lady or the woman addicted to crack who is about to have a baby, when it gets to this part of the written word is when you start to get the glimpse of poverty. The video on the other hand is poverty in your face, from the images of the drug dealers to the shootings. I think that alot more people will be able to relate to his writing, they will be able to connect with his feelings about life and family.
3)I think what he is trying to say about "another form of slavery," is he is speaking about drugs, and how it has over taken the poor community. Now that people are free to make there own choices, they realize that their choices are limited because of lack of education and lack of money so their only escape is through drugs or alcohol, and instead of being dictated by a master they are now being dictated be a substance, which is hard to escape from.
4) I don't think that the approach has changed much between Hughes and Tupac, though the use of the language has. Tupac leaves alot to the imagination to figure out, he uses few words to paint big pictures. Where as Hughes uses more words and a play on the language to describe the story. the one word I would use to describe th feelings copming across in both poems would be "hopelessness," it is sad but both poems come across as sad and precondemed to this awful fate.
5)Blues music is a combination of country music and spirtuals song on the plantations during the times of slavery. It has a rythmic structure, like spirituals where it is a verse and then a response, usually the response is the same and the verses are changing telling a story as the song progresses, the story telling part comes from the country music. The instruments in blues music play what is called a one four five progression over and over again, so it makes it easy to sing over. In Hughes "A Night Funeral in Harlem," he uses the classic verse and response set up while still telling a story.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
HUGHES / SHAKUR POETRY
1.
By a number of various definitions the word “gospel” refers to the teachings of life. In reference to the theme “Ghetto Gospel” this too speaks of the teachings of life but within the context of the ghetto. Tupac Shakur speaks of this in a way which illustrates the particular social conditions and behaviors of the environment he has experienced.
2.
The upside of poetry challenges us to think for ourselves and leaves us to find our own significant connection and meaning. The images evoked by poetry leave the creative direction of a minds eye view up to the audience whereas video already has selected images imposed on the audience to accept. This is the downside of videos in that it dictates what and how we should think, enabling us from finding our own perspectives. However the upside of video can occur if the artist feels they have captured the specific messages he/she wished to relay.
3.
The build up to this line “We out of the projects/ jumped into another form of slavery” speaks about his ancestry and how he never directly experienced what they did, but how instead he does know how the experience has been passed on where African American youth today may not realize this. He then goes into how the truth has been distorted and how it is viewed upon today as an awkward subject. He further mentions this inherited oppression and projects volatility in the trust amongst people. Then he goes into a plea for unity, shortly followed by the hook and then the conditions of woman affected by her environment. It is here he drops this line. My guess, knowing that his mom was a Black Panther and later a crack addict, is that his depth is nearly fully developed of this aspect in reality and has been expereinced firsthand in his own life.
4A.
The one word that I choose for Shakur’s view on death is “Narcissism” or insecurity as the emotion. I don’t believe it is anyone’s intention to not be dwelled upon especially when they themselves give specific direction. It could be a helpful way of providing insight on how to cope with loss, but not for me regarding Shakur. The use of the “don’t miss me when I’m gone” approach to me means you should think of me as a strong willed person and miss me as much as possible. This I think would be out of the narcissistic fear of being forgotten. Celebrities, who all their lives aspire towards stardom are often in need of this attention and find it hard to let go once in the spotlight. I think nowadays the more modern a society the more bountiful number of options we have. Therefore death is almost looked upon in unsatisfactory like way with life and all it has to offer because there was usually so much missed.
4B.
As for Hughes, he comes from a different era in American life where there were not so many options to confuse ourselves with. His simplicity and appreciation to smaller details of things make his view towards death fitting and beautifully natural. Or at least I may be biased towards my view because his time of life and descriptiveness is that of a style unfamiliar to me. This may bring more light towards attention than that of something similarly written recently. The one word in emotion that comes to mind is resentment. However blame really comes more to mind to be more exact. He assigns causes and that is blame. Blame turns into resentment and that’s the best word I’ve got.
5.
Tragedy and the common woes of life are often expressed as an instrumental cry in blues music. Hughes poem has words that rhyme which give it a melodic tone. He reverts back to his hook in an upbeat fashion after insight he provides of down tone scenes. This up down quality with consistency in Hughes poem is commonly known in music as being of a _____________melody. (I forgot, but will edit)
By a number of various definitions the word “gospel” refers to the teachings of life. In reference to the theme “Ghetto Gospel” this too speaks of the teachings of life but within the context of the ghetto. Tupac Shakur speaks of this in a way which illustrates the particular social conditions and behaviors of the environment he has experienced.
2.
The upside of poetry challenges us to think for ourselves and leaves us to find our own significant connection and meaning. The images evoked by poetry leave the creative direction of a minds eye view up to the audience whereas video already has selected images imposed on the audience to accept. This is the downside of videos in that it dictates what and how we should think, enabling us from finding our own perspectives. However the upside of video can occur if the artist feels they have captured the specific messages he/she wished to relay.
3.
The build up to this line “We out of the projects/ jumped into another form of slavery” speaks about his ancestry and how he never directly experienced what they did, but how instead he does know how the experience has been passed on where African American youth today may not realize this. He then goes into how the truth has been distorted and how it is viewed upon today as an awkward subject. He further mentions this inherited oppression and projects volatility in the trust amongst people. Then he goes into a plea for unity, shortly followed by the hook and then the conditions of woman affected by her environment. It is here he drops this line. My guess, knowing that his mom was a Black Panther and later a crack addict, is that his depth is nearly fully developed of this aspect in reality and has been expereinced firsthand in his own life.
4A.
The one word that I choose for Shakur’s view on death is “Narcissism” or insecurity as the emotion. I don’t believe it is anyone’s intention to not be dwelled upon especially when they themselves give specific direction. It could be a helpful way of providing insight on how to cope with loss, but not for me regarding Shakur. The use of the “don’t miss me when I’m gone” approach to me means you should think of me as a strong willed person and miss me as much as possible. This I think would be out of the narcissistic fear of being forgotten. Celebrities, who all their lives aspire towards stardom are often in need of this attention and find it hard to let go once in the spotlight. I think nowadays the more modern a society the more bountiful number of options we have. Therefore death is almost looked upon in unsatisfactory like way with life and all it has to offer because there was usually so much missed.
4B.
As for Hughes, he comes from a different era in American life where there were not so many options to confuse ourselves with. His simplicity and appreciation to smaller details of things make his view towards death fitting and beautifully natural. Or at least I may be biased towards my view because his time of life and descriptiveness is that of a style unfamiliar to me. This may bring more light towards attention than that of something similarly written recently. The one word in emotion that comes to mind is resentment. However blame really comes more to mind to be more exact. He assigns causes and that is blame. Blame turns into resentment and that’s the best word I’ve got.
5.
Tragedy and the common woes of life are often expressed as an instrumental cry in blues music. Hughes poem has words that rhyme which give it a melodic tone. He reverts back to his hook in an upbeat fashion after insight he provides of down tone scenes. This up down quality with consistency in Hughes poem is commonly known in music as being of a _____________melody. (I forgot, but will edit)
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
TUPAC/ HUGHES
Tupac/ Hughes
Gospel comes to mean some form of truth or absolute truth, then “Ghetto Gospel”
could most likely mean truth or truths coming from the “Ghetto”, or poor neighborhood,
a reality within a poor community. Good news or positive attitude, even through the most
trying situations of places.
Langston Hughes poem is a narrative about the dearth of an average man in a community,
who, although his life may have been unimportant to the people outside his circle, had a sad
reality within him. The poem describes situations that occur in poorer communities,
reminding us of some or many struggles while the character lived, “ insurance man……”,
and even sadder at his funeral where the priest was paid a mere five dollars and his
his girlfriend had to spring for it, and that the only thing that made the funeral grand were
the tears of all who beheld it. The tone of the poem is very sad, without overly analyzing the
mans years before his death. In Tupac’s song on the other hand, he relays to his audience
the same emotional state, but goes on to describe his own flaws, and shortcomings that
caused him grief. He sets to show cause for his misery, where Langston only describe the
aftermath of a sad life. As sad as both poems are, ultimately there is an undertone of hope,
perherps in life.
Generally it could mean that, in a universal sense, leaving one form of trouble to enter
another. Almost like “from frying pan into fire”. Tupac comments how, whether in poor
communities or not, our own follies and shortsightedness in situation that lead us from bad
to worse.
Langston Hughes treatment of death has the typical tone of one’s perception of death, very
sad yet with the undertone that it is expected that it is the natural procession of life, people
gathered to the funeral and burial, for some , a chance to say goodbye to someone, for others, i.e. pallbearers, business as usual and note, gives the reader the almost anticipated response; “life goes on” so does death. Tupac on the other hand, knowing the inevitability of death at least wants a memorable death to accomplish something, and to be someone upon death and be remembered. He has come to grips with the end; he just wants it under his condition. One can say that Langston’s poem is emotionally neutral yet sad depiction of something that happens indefinitely to each and all, but has a sense of normality “business as usual again”. Tupac’s treatment of death in his poem is almost a race or challenge as if he is saying I know I am going to die, but it is going to be my way. Yet he gives in and is accepting of it. Langston, sad, but expected it as a natural process. Tupac, accepting that if all goes to plan, defiant till the end, yet as if he knew he would die. Langston Hughes embraced the broad spectrum of African-American experiences in his poetry. He demonstrated the variances of different approaches and methods, while still concentrating on his position concerning the lives of common black people. This poem has great significance for its purpose, while also containing vast differences in structure, format, and poetic devices used.
Gospel comes to mean some form of truth or absolute truth, then “Ghetto Gospel”
could most likely mean truth or truths coming from the “Ghetto”, or poor neighborhood,
a reality within a poor community. Good news or positive attitude, even through the most
trying situations of places.
Langston Hughes poem is a narrative about the dearth of an average man in a community,
who, although his life may have been unimportant to the people outside his circle, had a sad
reality within him. The poem describes situations that occur in poorer communities,
reminding us of some or many struggles while the character lived, “ insurance man……”,
and even sadder at his funeral where the priest was paid a mere five dollars and his
his girlfriend had to spring for it, and that the only thing that made the funeral grand were
the tears of all who beheld it. The tone of the poem is very sad, without overly analyzing the
mans years before his death. In Tupac’s song on the other hand, he relays to his audience
the same emotional state, but goes on to describe his own flaws, and shortcomings that
caused him grief. He sets to show cause for his misery, where Langston only describe the
aftermath of a sad life. As sad as both poems are, ultimately there is an undertone of hope,
perherps in life.
Generally it could mean that, in a universal sense, leaving one form of trouble to enter
another. Almost like “from frying pan into fire”. Tupac comments how, whether in poor
communities or not, our own follies and shortsightedness in situation that lead us from bad
to worse.
Langston Hughes treatment of death has the typical tone of one’s perception of death, very
sad yet with the undertone that it is expected that it is the natural procession of life, people
gathered to the funeral and burial, for some , a chance to say goodbye to someone, for others, i.e. pallbearers, business as usual and note, gives the reader the almost anticipated response; “life goes on” so does death. Tupac on the other hand, knowing the inevitability of death at least wants a memorable death to accomplish something, and to be someone upon death and be remembered. He has come to grips with the end; he just wants it under his condition. One can say that Langston’s poem is emotionally neutral yet sad depiction of something that happens indefinitely to each and all, but has a sense of normality “business as usual again”. Tupac’s treatment of death in his poem is almost a race or challenge as if he is saying I know I am going to die, but it is going to be my way. Yet he gives in and is accepting of it. Langston, sad, but expected it as a natural process. Tupac, accepting that if all goes to plan, defiant till the end, yet as if he knew he would die. Langston Hughes embraced the broad spectrum of African-American experiences in his poetry. He demonstrated the variances of different approaches and methods, while still concentrating on his position concerning the lives of common black people. This poem has great significance for its purpose, while also containing vast differences in structure, format, and poetic devices used.
Heros of Harlem
Ghetto Gospel -Real -or Imagined
Tupac's Ghetto offers the audience a front row seat to Tupac's view of the almost insurmountable obstacles and challenges confronting those living in the Ghetto. This is Tupac's doctrine--his idea of what is truth for blacks in today's society. Tupac's Ghetto Gospel carefully choreographs and illuminates the hopes and dreams embraced by most people living in the Ghetto, which are then extinguished each and every day the moment they step out into the white man's world. As an outsider to the Ghetto, I believe until one has lived there, they would probably not be properly qualified to definitively state that Ghetto Gospel and the message it portrays meets the threshold to be called Gospel. However from the second hand information I am able to gather, it would probably be accurate to suggest that it is Gospel to those living in the Ghetto--it has a ring of gritty truth to it.
Eyes Versus Ears
A video leaves very little to the imagination. It's images are very precise. In writing or poetry one creates the outline; however the pictures are left to be colored in by the readers’ imagination. The images in the video show one man who is trying to rise above the crime, drugs, poverty and violence of the ghetto. It documents a day in the life of this man, symbolizing the day in the life of everyman in the Ghetto. The video details by use of a timeline this individual’s day which begins with him waking up with his loving family and ends in his death as a result of a drive by shooting. Throughout the day, we are witness to both the hope and despair that living in the Ghetto offers through the camera of his eyes. He sees young black men dealing dope; he looks toward the church for salvation; he sees a homeless woman strung out on crack. At one point, he looks toward the sky and raises his arms, in what appears to be a spiritual moment, looking for God’s help. Later in the day, we see him laying in bed lovingly with his wife and playing with his baby, which humanizes him even more, and creates great sympathy for him. These images of a young man with so much potential and goodness make his random death at the hands of drug dealers all the more poignant. The moral of this story can only be interpreted as evil triumphs over good in the ghetto.The images in the poem are different from the ones evoked in the video. The sparse language in the poem leaves a lot to the reader’s imagination and interpretation. The video is very precise in its depiction of the main character as a family man who shuns drugs and is a spiritual person; it puts a face and a name on the people in the ghetto. But there are certain images in the poem that are not present in the video. For example the poem says “I remember Grandma’s hands used to hold me, mold me, I never forgot the things she told me.” The video does not have any images of a grandmother at all, and she’s not included in the storyline. Another image and verse that’s included in the poem but not in the video is “I wake up stone cold gansta main, see ya gave me ghetto gospel, I thank you main, use to roll in the back and do drugs a lot.” By deleting this scene, the video succeeds in presenting the main character in a much more favorable light, as someone who doesn’t take drugs and is nothing more than an innocent victim gunned down by mistake.
One Dollar or 4 Quarters, It's still a Buck!
“We out of the projects, jumped into another form of slavery,” could only mean from Tupac’s perspective, that in today's society severe limitations continued to be imposed on black men and how through those limitations the white man continues to enslave the blacks. Even with all the laws that have changed and the accomplishments made by blacks in sports, science, the arts, politics, etc, the majority of black people continue to be enslaved by society’s unspoken yet clearly evident discrimination.
Two Different views from on top of the Hill !
I think there is a significant difference in the tone and the approach to death between Langston Hughes and Tupac Shakur. There is a sadness, grief and regret expressed in Hughes’ poem “Night Funeral in Harlem” that is missing in Tupac Shakur’s “In the Event of My Demise.” Hughes uses imagery like “the street light at his corner shined just like a tear—that boy that they was mournin’ was so dear, so dear…” to convey the sense of loss and sorrow that the boy’s death has caused. In addition, there is a respect accorded to the young man who died in this poem—they got him a satin box, despite no insurance, sent wreaths of flowers and paid the preacher $5.00 to preach at the funeral (a large amount of money back in the 1920s) The emotion that best characterizes Hughes poem is sorrow.In Tupac Shakur’s poem, there is a certain resignation about his eventual death, and a detachment that is almost chilling. He seems certain that he will die young (which ironically, turned out to be true), and expresses the hope that he dies for a principle that he valued. There doesn’t seem to be much sadness associated with his demise, he seems to have accepted his fate and is prepared for it. The emotion that best characterizes Tupac Shakur’s poem is detachment.
Turning up the Volume on Hughe's Poetry
Never experienced a ride on a time machine? Hop on board Hughe's “The Weary Blues,” and you are suddenly taken back by the narrator to the 20's and 30's to what the experience might have been like listening to a black musician playing blues music on Lenox Avenue in Harlem. During the 20s and 30s, a period known as the Harlem Renaissance, African American writers, artists and musicians proliferated, and jazz and blues music flourished. Blues music which is known for its repetitive patterns and Hughes poem shares this style in lines 6 and 7 and lines 25, 26, 27, 28. The mood of his poem is very evocative of the melancholy tone used in Blues music. The Hughes poem also uses actual blues lyrics, “I got the Weary Blues, and I can’t be satisfied, got the weary blues and can’t be satisfied—I ain’t happy no mo’ and I wish that I had died.” Hughes mournful language “ain’t got nobody in all this world, ain’t got nobody but ma self,” also reflects accurately the sad feeling and tone of Blues music
Tupac's Ghetto offers the audience a front row seat to Tupac's view of the almost insurmountable obstacles and challenges confronting those living in the Ghetto. This is Tupac's doctrine--his idea of what is truth for blacks in today's society. Tupac's Ghetto Gospel carefully choreographs and illuminates the hopes and dreams embraced by most people living in the Ghetto, which are then extinguished each and every day the moment they step out into the white man's world. As an outsider to the Ghetto, I believe until one has lived there, they would probably not be properly qualified to definitively state that Ghetto Gospel and the message it portrays meets the threshold to be called Gospel. However from the second hand information I am able to gather, it would probably be accurate to suggest that it is Gospel to those living in the Ghetto--it has a ring of gritty truth to it.
Eyes Versus Ears
A video leaves very little to the imagination. It's images are very precise. In writing or poetry one creates the outline; however the pictures are left to be colored in by the readers’ imagination. The images in the video show one man who is trying to rise above the crime, drugs, poverty and violence of the ghetto. It documents a day in the life of this man, symbolizing the day in the life of everyman in the Ghetto. The video details by use of a timeline this individual’s day which begins with him waking up with his loving family and ends in his death as a result of a drive by shooting. Throughout the day, we are witness to both the hope and despair that living in the Ghetto offers through the camera of his eyes. He sees young black men dealing dope; he looks toward the church for salvation; he sees a homeless woman strung out on crack. At one point, he looks toward the sky and raises his arms, in what appears to be a spiritual moment, looking for God’s help. Later in the day, we see him laying in bed lovingly with his wife and playing with his baby, which humanizes him even more, and creates great sympathy for him. These images of a young man with so much potential and goodness make his random death at the hands of drug dealers all the more poignant. The moral of this story can only be interpreted as evil triumphs over good in the ghetto.The images in the poem are different from the ones evoked in the video. The sparse language in the poem leaves a lot to the reader’s imagination and interpretation. The video is very precise in its depiction of the main character as a family man who shuns drugs and is a spiritual person; it puts a face and a name on the people in the ghetto. But there are certain images in the poem that are not present in the video. For example the poem says “I remember Grandma’s hands used to hold me, mold me, I never forgot the things she told me.” The video does not have any images of a grandmother at all, and she’s not included in the storyline. Another image and verse that’s included in the poem but not in the video is “I wake up stone cold gansta main, see ya gave me ghetto gospel, I thank you main, use to roll in the back and do drugs a lot.” By deleting this scene, the video succeeds in presenting the main character in a much more favorable light, as someone who doesn’t take drugs and is nothing more than an innocent victim gunned down by mistake.
One Dollar or 4 Quarters, It's still a Buck!
“We out of the projects, jumped into another form of slavery,” could only mean from Tupac’s perspective, that in today's society severe limitations continued to be imposed on black men and how through those limitations the white man continues to enslave the blacks. Even with all the laws that have changed and the accomplishments made by blacks in sports, science, the arts, politics, etc, the majority of black people continue to be enslaved by society’s unspoken yet clearly evident discrimination.
Two Different views from on top of the Hill !
I think there is a significant difference in the tone and the approach to death between Langston Hughes and Tupac Shakur. There is a sadness, grief and regret expressed in Hughes’ poem “Night Funeral in Harlem” that is missing in Tupac Shakur’s “In the Event of My Demise.” Hughes uses imagery like “the street light at his corner shined just like a tear—that boy that they was mournin’ was so dear, so dear…” to convey the sense of loss and sorrow that the boy’s death has caused. In addition, there is a respect accorded to the young man who died in this poem—they got him a satin box, despite no insurance, sent wreaths of flowers and paid the preacher $5.00 to preach at the funeral (a large amount of money back in the 1920s) The emotion that best characterizes Hughes poem is sorrow.In Tupac Shakur’s poem, there is a certain resignation about his eventual death, and a detachment that is almost chilling. He seems certain that he will die young (which ironically, turned out to be true), and expresses the hope that he dies for a principle that he valued. There doesn’t seem to be much sadness associated with his demise, he seems to have accepted his fate and is prepared for it. The emotion that best characterizes Tupac Shakur’s poem is detachment.
Turning up the Volume on Hughe's Poetry
Never experienced a ride on a time machine? Hop on board Hughe's “The Weary Blues,” and you are suddenly taken back by the narrator to the 20's and 30's to what the experience might have been like listening to a black musician playing blues music on Lenox Avenue in Harlem. During the 20s and 30s, a period known as the Harlem Renaissance, African American writers, artists and musicians proliferated, and jazz and blues music flourished. Blues music which is known for its repetitive patterns and Hughes poem shares this style in lines 6 and 7 and lines 25, 26, 27, 28. The mood of his poem is very evocative of the melancholy tone used in Blues music. The Hughes poem also uses actual blues lyrics, “I got the Weary Blues, and I can’t be satisfied, got the weary blues and can’t be satisfied—I ain’t happy no mo’ and I wish that I had died.” Hughes mournful language “ain’t got nobody in all this world, ain’t got nobody but ma self,” also reflects accurately the sad feeling and tone of Blues music
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