Definition of Hip Hop

Definition of Hip Hop
Hip Hop cannot be defined as one specific art form or culture. As a whole, Hip Hop is a diverse culture that is made up of all aspects of art. This includes everything from the latest top song on the Billboard Charts to the graffiti seen in subway tunnels. From a culture standpoint, Hip Hop is characterized by free flowing ideas and rebellious mentalities. It cannot be suppressed by its critics because the drive backing its supporters is insurmountable. The defiant nature of its followers allows Hip Hop culture to progress and expand into other aspects of society.

Space/Place

The tunnel going underneath Thirteenth Street from the main campus to Norman Hall encompasses all aspects of Hip Hop. The walls are lined with graffiti that varies from "Free Palestine" to pieces done by legit artists. "Free Palestine" is a representation of the rebellious nature of people who associate with Hip Hop culture. The people who wrote this in the tunnel are supporting the revolutionaries in Palestine. The pieces of art done my legit artists that line the tunnel represent the free flowing ideas that make up Hip Hop culture. Artists are free to express themselves in any way they wish, and they use the concrete walls of the tunnel as their canvas. Being that a large part of Hip Hop originated in underground clubs and bars, the fact that the tunnel is underground makes it the ideal spot for people to express their free flowing thoughts and ideas. 

Media Analysis (Runaway)

The "Dinner Party" scene is a turning point in Kanye West's Runaway. This scene is when West's overall message begins to come out. When he sits down at the table with his new significant other, the person sitting next to him asks, "Do you know that your significant other is a bird?" West responds, "I never noticed", this is an indication that he has accepted the fact that she is different. The idea that everyone is created equal is Kanye West's overall message. Foreshadowing of this message begins in the "All of the Lights" scene when KKK executive members are seen in the parade. This is a sign that some kind of race issue will emerge later on in the movie. As the "Dinner Party" scene progresses, visually, one begins to notice that there are only black people at the table and that the servants are all white. This smashes the racist ideas of the KKK who were previously debuted. Through this scene Kanye West is able to show the high society does not only belong to white people and that a servant role can be given to somebody that is not black or Hispanic. The movie as a whole is a representation of racial equality.

Blog Post #1 - Career Discourse

A.

The image above is a picture of monitors displaying various sectors and stocks in the stock market either rising or falling in price. These monitors are commonly seen in the all the stock exchanges around the world. My reason for writing about this picture is due to the fact that I would like to be successful in the stock market in the future. The stock market is something that has many factors that make it up and effect it; therefore, it is hard to master and become successful in. The risk reward aspect of the market is what intrigues me the most. The idea that I can lose so much so easily sounds like more of a challenge rather than a negative consequence. This only encourages me to study the market and see how much I can make off my investments. The major that I am currently studying, finance, will allow me to gain knowledge on all markets around the world. In order to have a good understanding of stocks, I have to a good understanding of the markets that directly affect them. Throughout my years at the University of Florida, I will be sure to take a couple classes having to do with international and domestic markets and the stock market along with my core curriculum classes. I am planning on pursing the stock market along with my day to day job as a financial analyst or financial adviser. Both career ventures will benefit the other because they both have many similar aspects. This will allow me to not only be successful in the stock market, but also any financial venture that I decide to undertake.