African American Vernacular free essay sample

Works of the African American Vernacular Culture When thinking of musical genres such as Jazz, blues, and hip-hop, most Americans do not realize that they are the essential components to the evolution of African American Vernacular Literature. In fact, It Is the key factor that brought African American culture Into the limelight In America. Since the first black peoples In America were slaves, and were not allowed to read or write, the African American Vernacular Traditions began as completely oral communications in the form of church songs, blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, and hip hop.The African American Vernacular began as Spiritual and Secular works, which portrayed the struggles of the slaves and black population over the centuries. Through the years, African American Vernacular has advanced into the most widely listened to musical genre in Americas youth today. The African American vernacular consists of forms sacred-?songs, prayers, sermons-?and secular-?work songs, secular rhymes and songs, blues, Jazz, and stories of many kinds It also consists of dances (Gates, McKay 6). We will write a custom essay sample on African American Vernacular or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Traits that suggest that a work Is of African American culture consist of : Call-response patterns, dance- eats, and most Importantly, Improvisation. (Gates, McKay, 6). The earliest form of these spoken traditions are known as spirituals. African American slaves are reported to have sung these religious songs since the beginning of slavery. Slaves sang these tunes all throughout the day to provide a mental escape from their current state and to explain their sorrows and hardships (Gates, McKay, 8).The slave masters thought the slaves were singing these songs through their forced belief in the Christian religion, but they actually contained codes that referred to the slaves obtaining freedom. Im trying to make heaven my home is a common phrase in spirituals, as in City Called Heaven (Gates, McKay, 11). After Spirituals came Gospels, which were nearly the same as Spirituals, but more geared to the acceptance of Christianity. They are so similar that some songs can be considered both Gospel and Spirituals.Gospels were very specific toward Jesus rather than broader Like Spirituals, almost Like a communication with God. Gospels became popular in the sasss and introduced the usage of instruments. They were the first to be marketed and are still being written and composed today in modern hurries. Gospels also heavily influenced the development of the blues. . .. To term a poem or work of fiction a blues piece or to note blues influence within it is to associate it with modern black American vernacular expression at its finest (Gates, McKay, 49).The blues originated in Louisiana at the beginning of the 20th century. Although they were derived from Spirituals and Gospels, only one person sings, rather than an entire chorus. An interesting aspect of the blues is the call and response between either the singer and the chorus, and the singer and an instrument. During these call and response sections with an instrument, the Instrument tends to mall not only the tune, but also the tone of the vocalist. They do not mention anything sacred; therefore they are secular, unlike gospel and spirituals.Instead, it explains earthly troubles and hopes for better days. It is a way considered the father of the blues because he compiled the first idiomatic pattern for blues song, which consisted of 12 bar forms, three lines and four beats in each. Ere first and second lines were identical, with the third line completing the thought. Gates, McKay, 48). Although this is a common pattern, it is not required in a blues song, nor does it define a blues song. The blues also has a great deal on Improvisation, which gives it an important African American characteristic. Blues was also one of the major genres that inspired the works of Jazz to be born. Jazz also began in the first few decades of the 20th century, and was not only influenced by the blues, but also ragtime, marching band music, opera and other European classical music, Native American music, Spirituals, work songs (Gates, McKay, 64). Jazz was created to encompass the many aspects of urban America, pacifically the train. The locomotive represented moving away from old slave territories, images of trains from old spirituals, and the Underground Railroad (Gates, McKay, 65). It is also described as Jam-session-like talk that drove people to get up and dance (Gates, McKay, 65). Like the blues, Jazz uses call and response and call and recall between the singer and instruments to create a conversation-like sound. It also uses improvisation, which is characteristic of African American vernacular. Lazy artists understand and base their works off the fact that things Just might not urn out how they want them to, yet they still celebrate life and possibilities (Gates, McKay, 65). Rhythm and Blues came onto the scene thanks to the marketplace rather than musicians.After World War II, black dance music became popular and began to appear all over the world in dance halls and even variety shows. By the sasss, records were being produced and even worked up for cross-over marketing to white audiences (Gates, McKay, 69). RB music combined blues, Jazz, Latin and gospel, and was influenced by blue-mood crooners, gospel and blues stoppers, and a chapel singers who created a style called dodo-hop (Gates, McKay, 69). The Mouton label developed a group of singers in the sasss to increase record sales to teens.This group of talented artists included The Jackson 5, the Temptations, and Martha and the Vandals. As many know, Michael Jackson from the Jackson 5 would go on to be a mega pop artist, possibly the most influential of his time. RB can be described as blues like with sentimental songs, or upbeat and cheerful, such as Martha and the Vandals, Dancing in the Street. Another highly famous singer, Retreat Franklin was influential in the Rhythm and Blues frenzy. With her song, Respect, came a complete protest to the man as well as men in relationships. With songs and groups such as these, Rhythm and Blues shed even more light on the African American vernacular culture. The most recent African American influenced craze is Hip Hop. It is inspired by many of the same cultures such as Native Americans Caribbean and Europeans. Otherwise known as rap, hip hop is a type of stylized talk between verses that is characteristic of blues and rhythm and blues song forms (Gates, McKay, 78). It can be traced back everywhere from black preachers sermons, to game chants, to barber shop arguing.It also derives from the banter of disc Jockeys who spoke over the recording they were spinning (Gates, McKay, 78). It also has traces of scat singing In the late asss hip hop became popular underground in New York City, and finally it was recognized by producers. Its unique way or using sound systems as instruments by scratching and spinning records made it highly marketable. The first song ever released was Rappers Delight by Sugar Hill gang (Gates, McKay, 79), which traveled all over the world, creating a sensation. This is where the title rapper came from, although most artists still prefer hip hop or M.C. Hip hop today influences violence, verbal and physical, and can be crude and Lugar at times as well. Hip hop artists argue that these themes only echo current Issues in the U. S. Culture. Political agendas and views are also placed into these Norms such as racial profiling and other forms of harassment that our nation is still struggling to address (Gates, McKay, 79). Rap also supports graffiti, as well as sets new trends for dress, hairstyle and formal writing (Gates, McKay, 80). Hip Hop explains the struggles of African Americans in America, Just like spirituals and work songs did for the slaves.For instance, in 1982 Grandmaster Flash Ere Furious Five recorded The Message, which depicts the hard life of a young African American man trying to survive in America. l cant walk through the park cause its crazy after dark/Keep my hand on my centaurs they got me on the run/ feel like an outlaw/Broke my last glass Jaw/Hear the say, Mimi want some more? /Living on a seesaw/ Dont push me cause Im close to the edge/lam trying not to lose my head/ Say what? /lets like a Jungle sometimes, it makes me wonder/How I keep from going under (Gates, McKay, 84). This verse vi vidly shows what disadvantaged AfricanAmericans have to struggle for safety and even survival in their neighborhoods. He goes on to explain how it is hard to be stay sane while in a situation he has no way of getting out of. This song has become widely popular again since the release of Happy Feet, the movie, released in 2004. In the movie, the baby penguins are supposed to sing a song that comes from their heart, which their mates will be attracted to. One baby penguin sings The Message as his mating call. Ludicrous released a song in December 2004 called The Potion. He incorporates his own verses, as well as a work song from when the slaves were working in the fields. Is song is called Pick a Bale of Cotton. Ludicrous uses the work song, Jump down, turn around to pick a bale of cotton. /Jump down, turn around, pick a bale a day. Oh Lordly, pick a bale of cotton! /Oh Lordly, pick a bale a day! (Gates, McKay, 40). Then he comes in with his own verse, Still working like a slave/ Learning tricks in the trade in the ghetto state of mind till Im rich and Im paid [picking records/Like cotton in the thick of the day Ludicrous is comparing his life of producing records and earning his living in a competitive industry to the slaves working in the cotton and hay fields.

Bush Tax Cut essays

Bush Tax Cut essays After a great 8 years under President Clintons fiscal discipline in the government, we have had a great economic surplus that included other huge surpluses as well. President Bush wants a huge tax cut that obviously can increase interest rates and recreate the loss of consumer and business confidence that had the same deficits during the late 80s and early 90s. While President Bushs proposed tax cut of roughly $2 trillion seems extremely favorable, the reality is that it will hurt the future of our country greatly. Robert E. Rubin, former Secretary of the Treasury, knows a lot about our money and can easily see that President Bushs huge tax cut can create a huge error in economic policy. When looking over the last 20 years and how we have done with fiscal discipline and without fiscal discipline, we can find many clues that our nation has benefited from fiscal discipline. First off, we have gained greatly when our nation has been committed to fiscal discipline and lose greatly when it is not. Another reason is that we have a huge duty to not pass on the burdens of a huge national debt and recession to the next generation, when we can act and stop problems from happening today. In 1993 when President Clinton restored fiscal discipline, there was a huge economic transformation. This transformation included the creation of many new jobs, rising incomes, low inflation, lower percentage of unemployment, and much of todays large current surpluses. Fiscal discipline also contributed greatly to the restoration of confidence by consumers and business that resulted in increase demand, increased investment in new technologies, increased productivity, and sustained growth in gross domestic product. These extremely favorable conditions all occurred because of fiscal discipline and by brining in a huge tax cut of $2 trillion we are seriously threatening the fiscal soundness currently in the federal governmen...

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Individual Work on Study Techniques - learning styles - Assignment Example I am aware that each learner has a different learning style that depends on his or her earlier years of socialisation. I am a Chinese family whereby close social relationships are valued, respect for senior is critical, and thus my preferred learning style is listening. The course has introduced me to critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills that are associated with subjects such as mathematics and thus I will be capable of handling difficult situations in my workplace (Reid 2005, p 71). The crucial aspects of my personal life are the ability to remain calm and concentrate on my studies in order to meet my learning goals (Haggar 2011, p 19). I am self-driven and capable of setting realistic and attainable goals that will enable me attain personal fulfillment and gain more opportunities in my career life. The academic studies have enabled me gain self-awareness and evaluate my strengths and weaknesses during learning in order to select the best learning styles that will enable me meet my goals (Allen, Scheve and Nieter 2010 p 123). I have active listening skills and excellent communication skills that enable me absorb critical information during lecturers and interact with peers during group discussions. I am capable of managing my time wisely and allocate enough time towards my study and personal activities. I can prioritise my tasks and prepare work schedules thus ensuring timely accomplishment of all assignments (Dunn and Griggs 1995, p 63). My ability to build rapport and good interpersonal skills have enabled me attain cooperative learning skills that are essential in team learning activities. In this case, I am able to participate effectively in problem-solving sessions with my peers and solve complex case problems that require use of critical analysis and different perspectives (Streeter 2005, p 106). I am inspired my future dreams of becoming of transforming my society and

United States involvement in Vietnam War Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

United States involvement in Vietnam War - Essay Example e issue of the country’s involvement in wars is usually an emotive one, which usually divides the country into two groups with one group supporting the war while the other group opposes the war. The opponents identify the loss of life, exhaustion of the country’s economic resources and unethical practices by some US troops as the main reason of opposing any war. On the other hand, the other group identifies with the country’s involvement in wars as important since the country, as a super power, has a right to establish order and world security, which is essential for the safety of the country. However, the two groups agree that the country’s interest should be instrumental although they only differ on the approaches to use in achieving the interests of the country. This is the case with the United States involvement in the Vietnam War documented in thousands of literature material, which still stirs up emotions and differences of opinions to date. Focusing on the Vietnam War, this expose elucidates on the United States involvement in the war. First, it is important to explicate the build-up to the circumstances that lead to the United States involvement in the Vietnam War. Prior to the United States involvement in the Vietnam War, the Vietnamese were under French rule both before and after the World War 2. Before the Second World War, France occupied Vietnam and colonized the country in a similar way to other Western powers that had colonies in other places. However, France was ceding ground to the Germans and effectively diverted its attention from some of its colonies, like Vietnam, and focused its attention to protect its country. In effect, the Japanese occupied Vietnam after driving out the French although the Vietnamese subsequently defeated the Japanese with Ho Chi Minh declaring the country’s independence in 1945 under the name Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) with the assistance of US soldiers. In effect, this was the first significant

Assessing The Strengths And Limitations Of Crimes Criminology Essay

Assessing The Strengths And Limitations Of Crimes Criminology Essay Gender, socially desirable responding and the fear of crime: (1) I will be assessing the strengths and limitations of using social surveys to investigate fear of crime. One form of social surveys is questionnaires. It includes a list of written questions. The strengths of these are that the researcher is able to contact a large number of people quickly and efficiently. Another strength of questionnaires is that they explore certain areas more then other methods i.e. crime. The questionnaire can be anonymous which means people can answer them privately. This increases the chances of people answering questions honestly because they will not be intimidated by the presence of a researcher. When questionnaires are used to investigate the fear if crime, it is found that men are more likely to actually become victims of crime. Although women are reported to have a higher level of fear then men are. A limitation of questionnaires is that they include closed questions, which the researcher cannot examine complex issues and go into detail. Issues maybe such as hegemonic definitions of masculinity when men are being questioned about their fear of crime, they tend to hold back. Whereas, women are free to express and can sometimes exaggerate. Another type of social survey is structured interviews. The strengths are that the researcher can explore in depth a particular topic and find out the how the respondent feels towards the topic. For example; crime victimisation and fears of crime. Because women have a higher level of fear then men they tend to stay indoors rather then go out. According to Cohen society is the subject of such periods of moral panic. In his book Folk devils and moral panics: the creation of mods and rockers. A moral panic is a societal response to beliefs about the treats from moral deviants. Cohen used this term as a form of collective behaviour i.e. when a person or a group of people are performing a deviant act which is seen as a threat to society. This is then portrayed by the media and included in newspapers. This moral panic can have an impact on how people view crime in society and begin to feel a fear towards it. Looking at both types of social surveys that I have mentioned, I have found out that structured interviews are more useful when it comes to investigating fears of crime then questionnaires. This is because structured interviews are much more powerful, they provide a reliable response and is more valid then questionnaires. Patterns of crime: (a) Two advantages of using official statistics to measure crime is that, one it gives a general picture of trends in crime. Politicians and the mass media often point to increases or decreases in official figures as a measure of the governments success in tackling crime. Each party places their own interpretation of what the statistics could mean. However, official statistics does show a fear of crime rising. Researchers Pantazis and Gordon (1999) found out the poor are most likely to fear crime. They did a study on household surveys, found out those with the lowest were most likely to fear crime and those with the highest incomes were actually likely, to become victims of crime. Another advantage is that they are readily available. They are accessible for the police and everyone and are cheap to gather information from. (b) I will examining the view that deviance can best be explained by reference to an individuals social background. I will be using material from these areas education and families and households. Charles Murray (1990) a New Right sociologist argues that deviance can be found in those who are from underclass backgrounds. In both British and American society which have a distinct culture and value system. However, Miller (1962) thought crime and delinquency came from the working class cultural values. He said that the lower working class culture was what encouraged lawbreaking behaviour. According to him values passed from each generation encourages working class men to break the law. Delinquency was then formed from this culture. Because of working class deviant behaviour, they did not achieve well in education and so looked at other ways of gaining some form of success. The working class suffer from status frustration, which means that they find it hard to gain success and so turn t o illegitimate ways. Where in this case, they turn to crime eventually. Family can also influence a persons ability to turn to crime. The type of family that you are born into or live in can determine whether you turn to crime or not. Mostly working class people from single-parent families, where they are a lack of male role models, turn to deviant behaviour such as gang violence. Also laws broken in the family can lead to family breakdown and so lead to anomie. However, Functionists Durkheim explained that a little amount of crime is good and necessary in society. This is because crime has a function in society, it allows for social change to occur. Crime can move from functional to dysfunctional when down to the level of crime is either too high or too low. (c) I will be assessing the view that interactionist explanations of crime and deviance fail to consider the reality of crime as measured in official statistics. Firstly, I will be explaining the interactionists explanation of crime and deviance. Interactionist theory became significant in the study of crime and deviance in the 1960s. They are mostly concerned with the meaning people attach to events or people and so study the societal reaction to deviant behaviour. Unlike positivists, their theory assumes that criminals and deviants are somehow different from non-criminals and non-deviants. They dont look at causal factors in the background or social characteristics of individuals and groups, but look at the process of social interaction in which some actions, individuals and groups were labelled as deviant yet others were not. Interactionists are different to other sociological approaches; they are concerned more about the internal factors. People are social actors, they have the ability to do more than simply react to external social pressures. Unlike positivists approaches, they dont see people as largely passive in the way their behaviour is a response to social forces. Interactionists place on the approach the idea that people attach meanings to behaviour. They want to find out why some groups and some behaviour are more likely than others to have the meaning crime or deviance attached to them. Labelling is one of the most basic aspects of human understanding. Howard Becker (1963) gave the best view on labelling theory. He believed that there is no such thing as a deviant act, it is behaviour that other people label others. Informal labelling happens all the time i.e. in school. But formal labelling can only be applied someone by the authority. However, master labels i.e. being called a criminal can take on a huge effect, once applied it is difficult to live down. From some master labels, some people can be stigmatised and rejected from society. This can lead to crime and can take on a self-fulfilling prophecy approach. Edwin Lemmert distinguished primary from secondary deviance. Primary deviance meaning deviant acts before they are being labelled. I.e. teenagers who commit some acts that leads to being called a delinquent. Secondary deviance is produced by the reaction to an act and public labelling. It is far more important than primary deviance because, it is the effect on a persons self-image of the reaction of society. Lemmert did a study on stuttering amongst a group of Native Americans who didnt have the ability to speak publicly. A person who stuttered a little would attract attention from others, which would then make the problem worse. A primary deviance which is lead to a secondary deviance from the reactions of people in society. To help assess this view I will be using Jock Youngs research study. Young did a study on hippies they were viewed negatively by the police because of their unusual lifestyle which was seen as deviant to them. They were involved in little criminal activity and minor use of marijuana. But once they were caught hard by the police, marijuana began to be much more important and was used frequently. This was caused from greater deviance from the police which put pressure on the hippies to become more deviant then at they were at the beginning. Another research study from Stan Cohen on mods and rockers. Official statistics are a form of secondary data. They are published by the Home Office and give information on the numbers of different types of crimes committed and the social background of offenders. Official statistics are publishes annually. The advantages of official statistics are that they are already available to access as well being cheap. Positivists find it of great use as it helps to explain patterns of criminal behaviour. The official statistics is a large sample, all recorded crimes in the UK are included. Because these statistics are produced every year it now follows a long history, so sociologists find it very useful to compare data over a period of time. However, criticisms from official statistics are mainly from Interactionists. They argue that these statistics are socially constructed. Although they are interested in finding out how this happens, they dont see how the statistics can be seen as real. Also crime statistics are produced by those in social control such as the police and can include those who might or might not be labelled as deviant. Cicourel criticises official statistics by saying that the working class youths who are arrested by the police were likely to be labelled as delinquents. This is because they fitted the polices idea of a typical delinquent while the middle class were able to negotiate. Working class youth are overly represented in official statistics and so could be the result of the process of negotiation happening through interaction through the police.

English Essay -- English Literature

English The Crucible Essay The Crucible, a tale of superstition and tyrannical oppression set to shake our complacency and make us think. Arthur Miller, the author of this compelling play, deals with controversial issues and subjects which could be classed as taboo such as infidelity and witchcraft. He has a rare talent when it comes to writing and conveying human emotions to his audience. Act 2 opens in the ‘common room’ of Proctor’s house. John Proctor arrives later than usual after a hard days work. Carrying his gun he enters the â€Å"low, dark and rather long living-room†. The stage directions not only suggest he is displeased with his food upon tasting it - he meddles with the pot situated on the fire: â€Å"Then he lifts out the ladle and tastes. He is not quite pleased†¦Ã¢â‚¬  - but also suggest that the setting in which this takes place is depressing and lifeless, symbolising the feelings that are conjured up in John when entering his ‘home’. The first words spoken between husband and wife are Elizabeth questioning his whereabouts in a very accusational way ‘What keeps you so late? It’s dark.’. There is no reaction from John just an honest reply as if Elizabeth had no double meaning to her inquiry, no Hi or Hello in sight. From then onwards basic chit-chat such as the farm and the weather ‘Pray now for a fair summer’ fill their conversation. The little conversation that they manage to force feels stunted and false as both John and Elizabeth are being too polite - not as man and wife should behave. John manages to eat a whole meal but they only speak six or more times leaving much of the time to be filled by uncomfortable silence. Elizabeth watches the reaction of her husband when he tastes her .. ... utter despair. The confession of John’s left her feeling vulnerable and alone. Her suspicion of her husband is so strong because of her low self-esteem and insecurities. Abigail threatens her. What is she to do? Everyday she is faced with the reminder that she wasn’t enough for the love of her life but she has no choice - she cannot leave. Society had not yet accepted even the concept of divorce, especially Practising Catholics like themselves. People judged their neighbours and it mattered about keeping up appearances. There would be no way Elizabeth could have confided in a ‘friend’ about her husband’s infidelity and there was absolutely no way she could walk out on her marriage - divorce was out of the question. Though it may be all dead and buried and laid to rest in John’s mind, for Elizabeth the wounds are just as deep as the day they were made.