Response to: How Hip-Hop Lost Its Way and Betrayed Its Fans

Brent Staples the author of the article, “How Hip-Hop Music Lost Its Way and Betrayed It Fans”, did a great job stating his argument. It is crystal clear and if anyone was to read this article they would definitely know what he is arguing. He offered solid information and facts that work very well with his argument. The background information that he dug up on the rapper 50 Cent was genius. It was a good move for him to make because mostly likely readers will have heard of 50 Cent or listened to his songs but they might not have known about his violent past, I know I sure didn’t. I found it very interesting the information he stated about the Hot 97 shootings. I liked the way he added a horrific true life story to back up his points about rappers being related to violence. Another part of his argument that I liked was the reference he made to the lyrics of the songs and the album covers of Hip-Hop music. They all involve violence and promote it in a way that little children who look up to these men and want to become just like them. So therefore these children start getting involved in violence and using foul behavior. This article definitely deserved to be in The New York Times and it makes me really think about the background meaning of the music and lyrics I am listening to.

Why Is Everybody Krazy About The Kardashians and Other Reality Shows?

Reality TV is hard to avoid even if you don’t watch it. Recently every day I look at the cover of a magazine or turn on the TV all I see and hear about is the bachelor or the Kardashians and other talentless people that are associated with reality TV. One can’t help but ask why? Why watch these shows? And why do the media think we like to watch these shows? I did some research and found out that the message these programs want to send to the public is that ordinary people can become so important that millions will watch them. And the special excitement that the creators and producers send to the audience is the perhaps the next time the new celebrity will be them. Reality TV allows Americans to fantasize about gaining status. They will think that maybe I will become famous because my dad is was a lawyer for a murder or maybe cause my mom knows a famous person. Or even maybe they will be able to win a million dollars on a game show or marry the bachelor. The fact is that most of times nay ninety-eight percent of the time their dreams get crushed or will never happen. I think I speak for a good part of the nation when I say enough with the game shows and programs where they follow around wealthy families where they complain about paparazzi and how they don’t know whether to vacation in Europe or the Caribbean. If anything all these shows are doing is embedding the idea in the public’s mind that they need to be rich and flashy and not ordinary and happy. So therefore they need to bring back the comedies that leave you feeling warm and happy inside and ditch the ones that leave you cold and wishing you were someone else.