Challenge Check in #3

During the process of writing this challenge I’ve learned that the hip-hop culture has more meanings to it than you think it would. I have got a clear understanding of the hip-hop culture after doing so many assignments and writings about it. It is a really interesting topic to talk about because there are a lot of things that are happening in the hip-hop game. Rappers are now changing the way they rap and the way they are living. I didn’t have any difficulties or issues during the writing process. Hip-hop is something that interested me and I don’t have a problem writing or discussing it.

Childhood Reading

Coming up through my childhood days as a little boy there where two people that taught me how to read. Those people were my grandma and uncle. They taught me in different ways. My grandma read to me so that I can hear the words from another voice and wanted me to get the understanding of what she was reading. She used to quiz me on what she read sometimes the night before or even a week before. I’m glad she did that because that helped me understand what the book was about and I had a clear mind on what to do when my teacher gave us a quiz on our reading homework.  Whereas my uncle, he use to make me read out loud to him. My first time reading to him I was about 7 and was very nervous because he was strict on me with school because of how bad I was. When I read to him, I used to have to sound out the words to myself because he wouldn’t help me. I used to get mad because I couldn’t get the words right, but as I kept reading I started reading better. I was glad he made me sound things out on my own.

HIV and AIDs prevention

Reducing HIV and AIDs through Prevention (RHAP): A theoretically based Approach for Teaching HIV Prevention to Adolescents through an Exploration of Popular Music

Problem: The authors identify hip-hop and rap music as a powerful tool for engaging youth in discussions about behaviors that place them at risk for getting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Solution: The author uses reducing and HIV and AIDs through (RHAP). They went to middle school and held special sessions that required student to attend. When they were at the sessions, student analyzed songs with sexual messages. They would break down what the sexual messages where saying and how it related to HIV and sexually transmitted diseases.

Vocab:

Misogynist: reflecting or exhibiting hatred, dislike, mistrust, or mistreatment of women
(Dictionary.com)

Pervasive: spread throughout (Dictionary.com)

Pedagogue: a teacher (Dictionary.com)

10 Problems

1- Ebola
2- Poverty
3-Racism
4-Economy
5-Terrorism
6-War
7-Human Trafficking
8-Climate Change
9-Hunger
10-Crime

The Grinch-Post #3

A movie that I remember coming up as a little boy was the Grinch who Stole Christmas. This movie was my favorite on Christmas because I was a little boy that was interested in cartoon figure things. It use to get so bad to the point where I would not even go outside to play in the park with my friends or play football in the projects. 

A moment in the movie that stood out to me was when he was on a stealing spree taking everyone’s Christmas stuff. That is the best part of the movie to me because I like how he prepared before going on a stealing spree. The whole build up is exciting because I was wondering if he was going to actually do it. This was the most interesting part of the movie to me because a lot of action was going on. I like the way he was sneaky with stealing presents. People thought he was Santa Claus, so it was funny to me.

Christmas is my favorite holiday because the good vibe I get. A lot of my family comes back home to visit us. It’s just a good and happy feeling to be around your family. I used to also watch this movie with my family. I remember one day my family were all at my grand mom’s house watching the Grinch and eating popcorn. It felt good having all of them come back and spending time with us at my grand mom’s house.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8m6M4RV8p0

Challenge check-in number 1

I plan on doing challenge one, street art. I chose this specific challenge because I always wanted to do an assignment on the wall to see what it actually means. I’m more interested in things that I can see. I’m more of a visual person so this should be an interesting challenge.

1. Street Art

Go to SW 34th Street's "Graffiti Wall" in Gainesville. Locate an image on the wall that you think represents some aspect of hip-hop or hip-hop culture. Then, perform a rhetorical analysis on the image. Explain in your analysis why you think the image represents some aspect of hip-hop culture and how you, personally relate to the image. Justify, rationalize, and explain the reasoning behind the choice of the image. Include a picture of the image in your response.

Kobe is a snitch

Counter Argument and Rubettal to Kobe is a Snitch

The counter argument to Kobe being a snitch is that he is not a snitch. Some people may argue that Kobe did not tell on Shaq because he did not specifically say what Shaq did. Kobe just stated that he should have did the same thing. Some may also argue that Kobe was not trying to tell on Shaq but was just saying this kind of stuff happens all the time. So when he was talking to the media he did not actually tell what happen, he was putting it in a way to make it seem like he wasn’t telling on Shaq.

While I understand where others see Kobe not as a snitch, I still argue that he is. First, he did not need to say what Shaq really did because Kobe was being interviewed by the media about the accusation of sexual assault. When he said he should have done what Shaq did, he was already giving to much information that could get Shaq in trouble. Next, I would argue that Kobe did bring up Shaq on purpose. Kobe wanted all the attention off himself, so he felt the need to put Shaq in the spot light. Kobe wanted to point out that since Shaq paid to keep people quiet and he should have done it to. Since Kobe used Shaq’s name and an example he is a snitch. He did not have to use Shaq’s name if he was trying to argue that this kind of stuff happens all the time. Kobe is a snitch because he did not have to bring Shaq’s name in the interview if he wasn’t asked about it, but instead he did it on purpose. Kobe wanted all the weight off his shoulders and that is what it means to be a snitch.

Evaluative Writing

 

I think evaluative writing is something that is valuable to the reader because it give the reader a sense to whether the thing being written about is good or bad.

 

It is important to establish criteria because it help readers to determine whether something is good or valuable. For a writer, criteria helps support the argument being made.

 

In this essay “It’s Easy, But Wrong to Blame the Music” I chose question #2. The question is “What does Rose mean by music is an outlet”. She means that parents and older kids can talk about the hard things that are going on and the things they are feeling. Yes I think music is an outlet for feelings, mood, and attitude. Before a football game I listen to music because it gives me the energy and changes the way I approach the game.

Blog Post #2

Coming up as a young adult I made a decision with my family that will take me miles in life. It all started 10^th grade summer when I attended multiple football campus doing something I love the most. I had no idea I would be invited to campus in the 10^th grade, but after to talking to my high school coaches and family the best thing for me was to go to get experience and learn new things. After attending my first camp, which was here at the University of Florida, I felt like I did pretty well. I did not have a clue I would get an offer from UF that young, but it happened. After I left the camp, I attended FSU and University of Alabama’s camps to see if I would receive scholarship offers as well. It came true, as well as other schools just started to offer me without attended their campus. After all this settled down, I start visiting their campuses and going to games to see where I would be spending my next 3 to 4 years. It was between FSU, UF, and Alabama. Me and my family got together and discussed my decision and came down to UF. The reason why I chose UF was because I felt like I was home when I came on my visits. The atmosphere here was just great as I attended the games. The coaches showed lots of love every time I came to visit the school and games.

The song that I chose that represents this decision is “Rich Homie Quan-Finally Made It”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mf7LgzXZFrs

Hip-Hop

What is my definition of hip-hop?

I define hip hop as money, fame, and style. The reason why I define hip hop in those terms is because that’s how rap is in this generation. For example, Chief Keef and Rae Sermmurd are two young rappers that are on the come up. They are glowing up (becoming popular) at a young age and are rapping to get their name out there so that one day they will be remembered. The rapping style is different now a day’s vs back when Tupac and Biggie rapped. The money is the main thing in my point of view because they want to be able to get what they want, take care their families, and live the victorious life that everyone wants to live.

 

What is a spot on campus that makes me think of hip-hop? 

A spot on campus that reminds me of hip hop is the stadium. The stadium is the spot I chose because before every game we play a hip hop song that gets up pumped up it gets you in that zone. The people in the stadium be jacked jumping up and down ready as well.

“All of the lights”

The scene that I am analyzing is “All of the lights” from the film Runaway. The sound elements were joyful and happy.  The main instrument that was being used that added to the sound effects is the trumpet. Trumpets reminds me of angels, which gives me a great feeling and uplifts my spirit. The visual elements I saw were fireworks, a band marching, and a big head of Michael Jackson. These things are all entertaining. More specifically the picture of the Michael Jackson head symbolizes king of pop and how famous he was for his dancing. This makes people feel positive about themselves.  

Blog Post #1

A very important figure in my life coming up a little boy was my uncle. His name is Aaron Dawson. He was life a father to me when my dad was in prison. He taught me the things I needed to know to be a successful young man. The main things he use to preach to me was to always get your education because that can take you a very long way. While I was just focusing on football, I had to realize I can’t play that forever. As a little boy my childhood dream was to play college football at some University in this country, no matter where it was. Well my dream has come true and all the things he has taught me and told me has followed me up to this point. Now that I’m a college athlete (see image below), I have to remain focused and always stay humble. He used to always tell me from pop warner to high school to play like every game is your last and give it 100%. He was always tough on me and little cousin, which is his son, in sports no matter what sport we were playing. The coolest and funniest guy you can be around. It’s always a good time to be with family like that that shows you love because they see the great you have had success and the potential you have to be whatever you want to be in life. My uncle is a founding figure that has been a mentor in my future career. I want to work with youth and coach football and instill the same values that my uncle did with me.

Go Gators

 

Hey my name is Duke Dawson. I'm from a small town North West of Gainsville called Cross City. I'm a student athlete at the University of Florida. This is my freshman year of college. My goals I set before I leave this University is to become a SEC All American football player and also be on the SEC academic honor roll.