NBA Slam Dunk Contest
Last night I watched the NBA Slam Dunk Contest on TNT. It’s been a couple of years since I last saw this contest, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! In past years there seemed to be more competitors, but there were only five contestants initially. There were two rounds in the competition. The top high scorers advanced to the second round.
The guys in this year’s competition really showed their acting skills, and made the contest entertaining. Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks, was this year’s winner. He had an amazing dunk that involved him jumping over head of, 6’11 Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic, last year’s winner of the contest. Robinson was the little guy of the competition standing at 5’11.
The contest was very good and I’m glad I tuned into the competition last night. I look forward to watching the All Star game tonight, to see the most talented players in the NBA play together on two separate teams.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Assignment 3-2 Icon Analysis
Icon Analysis:
Michael Jackson; Sponge Bob Square Pants; The Lion King
When I think of icons, there are three that come to mind. Pop king Michael Jackson, cartoon character Sponge Bob Square Pant, and the television show Deal or No Deal. These three things have become household names that everyone is familiar to with. I find myself pondering on why these three items are iconic.
Michael Jackson is a considered the Pop King. He is an icon just by merely living his life. He has achieved a level of celebrity that few reach. Living his life under a microscope for the entire world to judge and mimic. He was very popular in many generations since he was the age of five. He has taught us that being a human icon has a huge price to pay.
Sponge Bob Square Pant, is an iconic figure for the younger generation. This cartoon character entertains children as well as adults. You can see Sponge paraphernalia in every store USA. Sponge lives in an unrealistic world that allows you to see the simplicity of life. This cartoon allows you to escape the real world, if only for a minute.
The Lion King is my all time favorite movie. I love how this cartoon took on some so many human characteristics and made you use your imagination. This film was filled with so much imagery it forced you connect with this fairy tale world. This movie is iconic in that it set the standard for cartoons movies after it. Once Lion King debuted, it forced movie makers to make cartoons more appealing to adults.
Michael Jackson; Sponge Bob Square Pants; The Lion King
When I think of icons, there are three that come to mind. Pop king Michael Jackson, cartoon character Sponge Bob Square Pant, and the television show Deal or No Deal. These three things have become household names that everyone is familiar to with. I find myself pondering on why these three items are iconic.
Michael Jackson is a considered the Pop King. He is an icon just by merely living his life. He has achieved a level of celebrity that few reach. Living his life under a microscope for the entire world to judge and mimic. He was very popular in many generations since he was the age of five. He has taught us that being a human icon has a huge price to pay.
Sponge Bob Square Pant, is an iconic figure for the younger generation. This cartoon character entertains children as well as adults. You can see Sponge paraphernalia in every store USA. Sponge lives in an unrealistic world that allows you to see the simplicity of life. This cartoon allows you to escape the real world, if only for a minute.
The Lion King is my all time favorite movie. I love how this cartoon took on some so many human characteristics and made you use your imagination. This film was filled with so much imagery it forced you connect with this fairy tale world. This movie is iconic in that it set the standard for cartoons movies after it. Once Lion King debuted, it forced movie makers to make cartoons more appealing to adults.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Assignment 1-2 Popular Culture: The Cosby Show
Popular Culture:
The Cosby Show
The Cosby Show represents to me a part of popular culture. The show represents an image of an American family that completely changed the perspective of how African American families interacted and the culture. The Cosby Show portrayed an upper middle class African American family that showed typical American values. From an African American point of view, this show gave hope that you could achieve levels of new heights in your life. The Cosby Show allowed the world to see African Americans as doctors, and lawyers. We did not see African Americans being portrayed in a role synonymous with economic struggles.
In the seasons this show was on air, and still in syndication, we were able to see positive portrayal of the importance of higher education. We took journeys through African American history to see just how contributions were made to American culture. This show allowed us to see the positivity that came from an ethnic group that opened the door for other ethnic groups to have TV shows.
The Cosby Show gave me the courage to know that I can interact with interact with others in a professional environment. I never had the image that African Americans could be professionals, because I never saw it in my everyday life. This was very important in the development of my future aspirations as a child. Having these dreams was important to begin the development of confidence in working with diverse work groups.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Assignment 1-3 Journal Article Analysis
Keeping It Real:
White Rappers and Black Epistemology
In the article, “White Rappers and Black Epistemology”, we look the different ways that rap music is interpreted by its audience. You are able to see how this genre of music is judged on its authenticity. You see how “keeping it real” is crucial to the success of a rapper. We look at the success and failures of white rappers and how the precedent is set by the black rappers. “You are now about to witness the strength of street knowledge.”(NWA, “Straight Outta Compton”) (Olson and Shobe Jr., 2008, pg.994).
Olson and Shobe Jr. are able to illustrate for you the importance of authenticity in your rap songs. In the article you take a journal through the evolution of rap music and how early blacks have expressed themselves in other genres of music (ie...Blues, Negro spirituals, etc...). Early pioneers are cited along with the message they portrayed in their lyrics, and how it directly related to the lifestyle they spoke about in their music. We see how rap music expanded beyond the confines of the ghetto, not only in terms of who is buying the CDs, but in terms of who are making the CDs as well. (Olson and
Shobe Jr., 2008, pg.995) The authors explore early white rap pioneers and how they were able to survive in Mainstream and have moderate to large success based on being honest about their background. We see examples of artists such as Vanilla Ice are crucified in the public eye due to the fabrication of his background and upbringing. The basis that rap music was built surrounded the black epistemology of actually living the life that you talk about. Examples are given of rappers who are known for giving shouts out representing the cities that they come and from the improvised environment they talk about.
We see that as the rap music has evolved so has the audience and the appeal of the genre. Rap music is appreciated for its honest interpretation by the artist. Rappers are poets and storytellers. Their success depends heavily on them “keeping it real”, and being authentic in their craft.
Olson, Paul J. and Shobe Jr., Bennie (2008). White Rappers and Black Epistemology. Pgs.994-1009. In The Journal of Popular Culture, Vol. 41, No. 6, 2008, Copyright the Authors Journal compilation 2008, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
White Rappers and Black Epistemology
In the article, “White Rappers and Black Epistemology”, we look the different ways that rap music is interpreted by its audience. You are able to see how this genre of music is judged on its authenticity. You see how “keeping it real” is crucial to the success of a rapper. We look at the success and failures of white rappers and how the precedent is set by the black rappers. “You are now about to witness the strength of street knowledge.”(NWA, “Straight Outta Compton”) (Olson and Shobe Jr., 2008, pg.994).
Olson and Shobe Jr. are able to illustrate for you the importance of authenticity in your rap songs. In the article you take a journal through the evolution of rap music and how early blacks have expressed themselves in other genres of music (ie...Blues, Negro spirituals, etc...). Early pioneers are cited along with the message they portrayed in their lyrics, and how it directly related to the lifestyle they spoke about in their music. We see how rap music expanded beyond the confines of the ghetto, not only in terms of who is buying the CDs, but in terms of who are making the CDs as well. (Olson and
Shobe Jr., 2008, pg.995) The authors explore early white rap pioneers and how they were able to survive in Mainstream and have moderate to large success based on being honest about their background. We see examples of artists such as Vanilla Ice are crucified in the public eye due to the fabrication of his background and upbringing. The basis that rap music was built surrounded the black epistemology of actually living the life that you talk about. Examples are given of rappers who are known for giving shouts out representing the cities that they come and from the improvised environment they talk about.
We see that as the rap music has evolved so has the audience and the appeal of the genre. Rap music is appreciated for its honest interpretation by the artist. Rappers are poets and storytellers. Their success depends heavily on them “keeping it real”, and being authentic in their craft.
Olson, Paul J. and Shobe Jr., Bennie (2008). White Rappers and Black Epistemology. Pgs.994-1009. In The Journal of Popular Culture, Vol. 41, No. 6, 2008, Copyright the Authors Journal compilation 2008, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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