Celebrity Humanitarianism : Bridging The Gap

Millions of people in the world listen to music for all different reasons. Most people all over the world listen to different genres of music in order to relax, but not too many people pay attention to the actual lyrics of a song. If you listen to the lyrics of a song you will realize that many songs have important messages or themes to them. An example of this is the lyrics of the song “Changes” by Tupac Shakur. If you listen to this song, you will realize that Tupac raps about not only the problems that African Americans face from society, but also the struggles that poor people in society have to endure and overcome. Many

Hip-hop appeals to an entire generation making it an important form of communication. In addition, Hip-hop can promote cultural awareness and the values of different people including genders. Many hip-hop artists promote their message through angry sounding music and lyrics. Latifah sends a unique message in hip-hop by promoting self-respect and dignity to women. Furthermore, Latifah’s song “U.N.I.T.Y” is free verse poetry that speaks out against the social injustice of violence towards women making it an important message in a time when violence and hatred seem acceptable.

Unlike many other mainstream artists, Kendrick Lamar attaches great importance to the lyrics of his songs. Lamar’s song “DNA”, released last April, became a real breakthrough in the world of hip-hop music. In this song, Lamar reflects on various social issues faced by the modern African-American community of the USA. The song’s lyrics, as well as the music video, portrays the most common stereotypes and biases labeled to the African-American community. The central aim of the song is to sarcastically demonstrate the image of African-Americans as they are viewed by biased media. By the use of symbolical sarcasm and double meanings, Lamar underlines the acuteness of the race inequality that remains existing in the modern America.

The most substantial message that Lupe Fiasco is trying to express with his lyrics in “Words I Never Said” is the silence in the people. Lupe is trying to tell everyone that they should speak out against all of the corrupt issues in the world, and to not be afraid of doing so because everyone else is thinking the same. He is starting to speak what is on his mind and informs everyone that it is now their turn. The entire third verse of the song expresses this with the lyrics “I think that all the silence is worse than all the violence. Fear is such a weak emotion, that's why I despise it. We scared of almost everything, afraid to even tell the truth.

For years now, artists have been using their musical talents of writing songs to present and give the world powerful and meaningful messages. Lupe Fiasco is a rapper that raps about political issues. He highlights all these issues that occur within the country and around the world and how unjust they are. Old school rapper KRS-One focuses more on the political issues of racism and discrimination towards African-Americans. The two artists are very powerful with their messages, they make sure that people get the message loud and clear. “Words I Never Said” by Lupe Fiasco and “Sound Of Da Police” by KRS-One both highlight political injustice and social inequality. However, KRS-One’s “Sound Of Da Police” focuses on one racial ethnic group as for

History has constantly brought upon leaders and individuals who stands up against the corrupt society he and many others face. Those “leaders” express their profound thoughts for both him and the many others that are too afraid to speak out. One of the most notorious writers in American history and is known for his transcendental ideals. However, today’s society lacks individuals who parallels with Whitman. Lupe Fiasco represents the Modern American voice speaking out against the degrading world society and does so by influencing the public through their appeal of music. He rejects and contrasts from the negative influences of the world and uses his music to contradict those who degrade our society. Born in the west side of Chicago

Ludacris does a remarkable job of portraying his message about the struggles that some adolescents are faced with. “Runaway Love”, by Ludacris, featuring Mary J. Blige (2007), represents the theme of struggle through hip-hop and rap music. It is about little girls who are “stuck up in the world on their own.” They have to take care of themselves because the people they are around do not care about them. They range from nine to eleven years in age, and their goal in life, at such a young age, is to run away from home. Ludacris is trying to get the listener to realize the struggles that even children have to face because adults are not the only ones who have problems, like most people believe. He is very successful in

In the reading “Existentialism is a Humanism”, the author Jean-Paul Sartre presents the idea of Existentialism. He introduces this idea by stating that man’s plan in this world is not pre-determined, as we only determine who we are or who we want to become throughout life. Sartre states that a person is what a person does. He also uses a metaphoric scenario of a man jumping on a scene before defining himself. These two ideas imply that man has no ultimate meaning, and it is up to us to find it through experience and by taking action. Additionally, Sartre also implies that humans have a huge responsibility on becoming who they want to become as it is only up to them to do so, making us entirely responsible for our existence.

For many years, the youth have been known for singing along to their favorite song and taking that song as whole and using it as their motto for life. It may seem that sometimes these kids do not know what is being said in the music but this shows that they do know what the lyrics are saying. According to Franklin B. Krohn and Frances L. Suazo in their article “Contemporary Urban Music: Controversial Messages in Hip-Hop and Rap Lyrics,” many teenagers and minority groups view rappers as their spokesmen because of their ability to speak in street language and bluntly express their frustration (Krohn, 1995). Unfortunately, hip hop lyrics usually tend to talk about drugs, sex and violence leading kids to think that everything they hear is okay and that is how they have to live their life. Yet, there are artists out there who take their lyricist skills to give positive lyrics and messages in their music, but these songs are not often played in the mainstream.

When a major social or political movement is occurring, popular figures that get involved or talk about those subjects serve as an influence for the public. An example of an entertainer that had influence would be Paul Robeson. Although Jay-Z and Robeson are known for their artistry and business reputations, the glaring difference between the two is political influence. When prominent leaders were needed, Robeson was involved with political activism during the Civil Rights movement in the 1960’s. The issues brought forward by those leaders were broader and more easily seen. In his music, Jay-Z talks about the obstacles he faced while growing up in the streets of New York. Poverty-redden ghettoes are present today, but there is not much being

Humanitarian action is what the world turns to in case there is a crisis in any part of the world. But as David Rieff suggests in his book, “A Bed for the Night: Humanitarianism in Crisis,” there is a crisis in the humanitarian world and space. He draws from first personal experience in places like Bosnia, Rwanda and Kosovo to tell how some of the challenges humanitarian organizations face; including their struggle to be neutral and apolitical.

Greg Mortenson 's life as a humanitarian , a climber, and a nurse was very impressive. He was also a founder of the Central Asia Institute (CAI) which builds schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He became a hero and was praised for building schools in remote areas. He appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show, Charlie Rose and many other national television programs. He wrote a book entitled "Three Cups of Tea" which has been a best seller for 220 weeks. He was also awarded Pakistan 's Silver Star. Further, President Obama also contributed $100,000 to the CAI. Although Mortenson had been known for the good deeds and received several awards, it was soon discovered that these accomplishments were earned with decrepit and unethical behavior.

Listening to Tetsuo & Youth is like leaving the world you thought you knew and coming into a new state of self-realization. You think you know everything. You struggle to cling onto your antiquated values because life challenges them. You hate it, but then come to the enlightening realization that the evolution of your thoughts and ideas inevitably change in the presence of new and beautiful experiences. You ultimately grow to appreciate these newfound exposures, but still find a way to stay true to who you are. Lupe Fiasco offers this multi-faceted experience through his fifth studio album. While we are familiar with listening to his widely contested opinions about social inequality within our political systems, Fiasco stays true to his stunning

According to the book Celebrity Politics, approximately 10 percent of Americans get national political news from nightly entertainment shows such as the Tonight Show. For Americans under 30, the number is nearly five times as many (Orman and West 100). Citizens are looking to be entertained rather than simply educated by the nightly news. As David Schultz aptly put it, “ The new media cover politics, but only politics as it entertains, in part, because the audience the new media attract is a less politically interested audience than traditional news audiences” (20). The fact is that this American audience is less interested in hard news and more interested in

Another rap artist she used in her argument was Shawn Carter, also known as Jay-Z. Jay-Z did not have a father as he grew up. Both Tupac and Jay-Z grew up as adolescents, who sold drugs, had guns, lived in the ghetto, and had a mentality of a thug or gangster. Even though they had those cons, they both rapped about being good parents will prevent your kids to be like them. “The fact that child abandonment is also a theme in hip-hop might help explain what otherwise appears as a commercial puzzle—namely, how particular music moved from the fringes of black entertainment to the every center of the Every teenager mainstreams” (Eberstadt). Hip-hop music does not only symbolize adolescent black teens, but also disobedient white teens.