What's Going On Analysis

In the Hip Hop culture the song “Keep Ya Head Up”, was one of the first rap songs to bring up touchy issues about black woman. The rapper 2pac touches upon a lot of the issues we are learning about and the song also relates to the three step process that Craig Warner associates with gospel. In Chapter 1 of Understanding African American Aspects in Hip-Hop Cinema, it states that gospel music affirms “A belief that life's burdens can be transformed into hope, salvations , the promise of redemption.” While listening to the song I was able to break down the meaning using the three step process that Craig Warner associates with gospel. “(1) acknowledging the burden; (2) bearing witness; (3) finding redemption. The burden grounds the song in the history of suffering that links individual and community experience.” With this i was able to connect and vibe with the song and i will tell you how below.

The Black Arts movement refers to a period of “furious flowering” of African American creativity beginning in the mid-1960’s and continuing through much of the 1970’s (Perceptions of Black). Linked both chronologically and ideologically with the Black Power Movement, The BAM recognized the idea of two cultural Americas: one black and one white. The BAM pressed for the creation of a distinctive Black Aesthetic in which black artists created for black audiences. The movement saw artistic production as the key to revising Black American’s perceptions of themselves, thus the Black Aesthetic was believed to be an integral component of the economic, political, and cultural empowerment of the Black

In Charles O. Jones' essay "It Ain't Broke", the author counters those who critique the American system of separated powers. He argues that having such a system is useful in preventing the passing of legislation that hadn't been debated enough to predict its consequences. Jones has high confidence that the current system of government will almost always find a way to succeed, and that divided governments accomplish equally as much reform as unified governments. However, in the case of the politics leading up to the passing of President Obama's Affordable Care Act, his theories are disproved.

Society seems to change and advance so rapidly throughout the years but there has always seemed to be a history, present, and future when it comes to the struggles of the African Americans. The hatred of a skin tone has caused people to act in violent and horrifying ways including police brutality, riots, mass incarcerations, and many more. There are three movements the renaissance, civil rights, and the black lives matter movements that we have focused on. Our artist come from different eras but have at least one similarity which is the attention on black art.

In an attempt to prepare the art educator to the paradigm shift in classroom and develop a cohesive curriculum this would comprise the needs of the students and teachers to think about cultures different from their own. While I admire McFee’s interest in cultural diversity and the plight of African Americans. However, her essay is written from a privileged White middle-class perceptive with about her understanding of African Americans. How does McFee identify six major areas of social change in America of the sixties? More importantly, how does the stereotypes of African Americans influence art, education, and society?

The Harlem Renaissance was a time when a multitude of African Americans voiced themselves through literary and musical culture during the years that followed World War I, which started in the year 1914 and ended around 1919, in the Harlem area of New York City (Stevenson). Having a solid adoration for black literature and the arts have provided me with the motivation needed to write this research paper on the topic of the Harlem Renaissance. This topic is not only historical, but it is also a creative one as well. Furthermore, the Harlem Renaissance is, in my opinion a different subject matter to discuss rather than just the normal topics, for example World Wars, Civil Rights, and things of that nature. It is essential to know the history of where black art comes from.

The only thing more powerful in mobilizing symbols, sentiments, and sensibilities than popular culture, is personal and shared experiences. What is so potent about pop culture however, is the ability of its participants to share their personal experiences to audiences than can both empathize and relate to the realities these artists present. This extended period of the civil rights and black power era can arguably be defined as the mobilization of the larger public by popular black figures whose individual charismas and drive inspired collective action. Some of these figures were exclusively political, many of which prominent intellects of race academia and/or known for their discourses that captivated thousands. And then there were figures that used their influence as musicians or writers who, with access beyond those with a conscious interest in politics, could incite people to think and reevaluate their lived realities through song and performance. Nina Simone is perhaps the most politically significant figure of the latter group, as she not only actively participated as a proponent of civil rights efforts, but became a pioneer in black power and feminist ideology.

"The Negro wants to be everything but himself… He wants to integrate with the white man, but he cannot integrate with himself or with his own kind. The Negro wants to lose his identity because he does not know his own identity." (Black Nationalism 1962 Elijah Muhammad). In the 1950’s the races were divided, black people were disadvantaged in education, work, voting and other opportunities. However one man had a dream, Martin Luther King took a stand against racism and the Civil Rights Movement was born. A fight for equality to change the future for all people. Good morning, I am Stefanie Clark and I am here to discuss how art, such as literature, has influenced progression of the ideologies of the Civil Rights Movement.

The paintings were “not meant to be mundane,” but rather express deep emotions for the first time since escaping slavery as they endeavour to cope with everyday economic and social struggles (Chambliss). In turn, authors and writers concluded the significance of the black culture as equally important as the white culture. A prominent writer, Zora Neale Hurston was one of many authors who centralized her writings on African American culture and women’s search for identity during the Harlem Renaissance.

David L. Lewis presents an entertaining and thought-provoking examination of a growing cultural and social movement in his book, When Harlem was in Vogue. Although his title isn’t very extensive, Lewis cleverly uncovers a variety of topics related to this period in American history. Each topic is tied to starring character, ranging from Langston Hughes to Countee Cullen and Claude McKay. Lewis’s aim is to awaken readers to the influence of Harlem, Manhattan on the nation’s literature, music, and acting. He analyzes the roles of black frontrunners in the arts as well as the roles of white counterparts. Using vast amount of primary literature, author Lewis is able to expand on the idea of racial advancement through the arts, the major characters and motivations behind it, and its role in American culture. This task may seem daunting, but the author excels in engaging readers into a vivid account of the lives of black artists in early twentieth century.

Marvin Gaye’s first hit “What’s Going On?” makes use of symbolism in his general topic covering the agonizing conditions of the everlasting matter

According to the book ‘You May Ask Yourself’ by Dalton Conley Sociological imagination is defined as “the ability to connect the most basic, intimate aspects of an individual’s life to seemingly impersonal and remote historical forces”. To me this means that it is the reason that you do what you do. I don’t think that there is any one correct way to define this. It is all about questioning the way things are done. An example that the book gave was questioning why you are even reading this book. For myself, I am reading this book because it is required for this class, which is required for my degree in Business Administration. Others may read this book for added knowledge, or just because they find it interesting. Then you need to think of what the outcome of

What did an international movement of art do for the African American citizens who encountered prejudice complexities when trying to have their talents acknowledged? The discovery of Social Realism emerges. This was a universal societal movement that flourished during the time of global economic depression. In the event of the country’s pecuniary setbacks, this was a vital and prosperous movement that helped explore the realities of life for humankind. As known, this movement was the most unsurpassed development for the African American community. Furthermore, African American artists, performers, and writers wanted their truths exposed fittingly about their customs and beliefs to dispel the stereotypes of

(soundonsound) states that in late 60s, Marvin Gaye seeing the problems of the world around him, was forced to ask himself about future of society and values that he has been defending. At that point United States were defined by ghetto life, poverty, police brutality, drug abuse, abandoned children and pollution. All of that inspired Gaye to leave the safe formula for hit singles, preferred by his record label and start addressing these problems and looking for solutions to them in his music, which formed his concept album “What’s Going On”. In addition to pointing out reasons for the distress of society, the album prises God, love, children and peace. (100GreatestAlbums) notices that extremely emotional, religious character of the album makes it some kind of an open letter to God. However, unlike other black artists facing such subjects in their music, Gaye did not play gospel or blues to convey his message, but melodic mix of latin beats, white pop and soft soul. (dividedsoul)

Is the world really paying attention to global warming? And what is the media doing about it? Steven D Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner in “What Should I Worry About?” and Bill McKibben in “A Moral Atmosphere” give us reasons to people not acting on climate change and what we are not really paying attention. Although many people believe they are helping out when it comes to global warming this isn't helping with anything. Levitt, Dubner and McKibben believe people must take action to actually make a difference.