Cornel West: professor turned rapper
Christian Century, Jan 2, 2002 by G. Jeffrey MacDonald
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In his trademark glasses, three-piece suits and French cuff links, Harvard philosophy professor Cornel West doesn't exactly fit the baggy-pants-wearing image of a rap musician. But that hasn't stopped this best-selling author and nationally touring speaker from using rhythm and rhyme to connect with a younger black generation.
Last fall's release of West's first compact disc, Sketches of My Culture, from Artemis Records, marks his furthest departure yet from the norms of academia in a career-long quest to lift the mentality and spirit of black America.
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Lightning + Lollapalooza = lots of fun
"He is observing and thinking on a different level that he needs to be able to translate to the streets in order for his writings tohave an impact," said Kwasi Thornell, canon vicar of Christ Church Cathedral in Cincinnati, where West will give a lecture in April. "A lot of young people don't read anymore, but they do listen to rap music. He knows they're not going to read his books, but they might listen to his CD."
West, 48, has a track record of connecting with minds and hearts far beyond the ivory tower. His 1993 book Race Matters earned a spot on the New York Times bestseller list in the aftermath of the 1992 Los Angeles riots. Now his goal includes reaching those who were just preteens when the nation watched police officers beat a non-resistant Rodney King, preteens who have come of age without "situating ourselves in a story bigger than us."
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
The Bar Scene
I have found an interesting trend when I go out to bars/clubs in the city. There is a growing trend between the music being played and the atmosphere within the club and the connection between that and the cultures inside enjoying the nightlife.
This is really not applicable to the local bars in your town or a chain restaurant, but more to the trendy nightclubs in the city. While in Las Vegas, you can see the connection pretty strongly.
Check out this link, pretty interesting: http://dspace.udel.edu:8080/dspace/handle/19716/4400
This is really not applicable to the local bars in your town or a chain restaurant, but more to the trendy nightclubs in the city. While in Las Vegas, you can see the connection pretty strongly.
Check out this link, pretty interesting: http://dspace.udel.edu:8080/dspace/handle/19716/4400
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Random
While listening to a lecture in my nonverbal communication class, the topic of eye contact was brought up and I found it very interesting.
The professor told us how she has friends that are working with international clients. When they go on business trips to meet these clients they didn't seem to figure out why they weren't making deals with them. She stated that eye contact is depicted differently from all different cultures. In some cultures (particularly the ones her friend was visiting) it's a sign of disrespect to look someone directly in the eye, especially someone of power.
In our country it is a sign of disrespect if you are not looking at someone while they are speaking to you! Now that is something that probably and almost assuredly didn't cross the minds of those going on the business trips and it probably cost them a lot of money in business deals that were left on the table.
The professor told us how she has friends that are working with international clients. When they go on business trips to meet these clients they didn't seem to figure out why they weren't making deals with them. She stated that eye contact is depicted differently from all different cultures. In some cultures (particularly the ones her friend was visiting) it's a sign of disrespect to look someone directly in the eye, especially someone of power.
In our country it is a sign of disrespect if you are not looking at someone while they are speaking to you! Now that is something that probably and almost assuredly didn't cross the minds of those going on the business trips and it probably cost them a lot of money in business deals that were left on the table.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Getting Yank'd!
After saying sorry for 'Jewish' joke, Irish tenor Ronan Tynan to sing at Anti-Defamation League
BY Corky Siemaszko
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Originally Published:Wednesday, October 28th 2009, 4:16 PM
Updated: Wednesday, October 28th 2009, 10:10 PM
McIsaac/GettyRonan Tynan sings 'God Bless America' at a recent Yankee game. Take our PollLet Tynan sing?
After his 'Jewish' joke, should Ronan Tynan be allowed to sing at the Yankees World Series home games?
Yes, he's made a sincere a apology and it's tradition.
No, his joke was offensive - and the Yanks have been winning without him.
I'm not sure.
Related NewsArticlesRonan Tynan's tongue causes trouble as Yankees sack Irish tenor's appearanceIrish tenor Ronan Tynan, who got booted from performing at Yankee Stadium after an anti-Semitic remark, has landed a new gig - singing for the Anti-Defamation League.
Tynan will perform his trademark rendition of "God Bless America" at the Jewish watchdog group's meeting Thursday night.
Calling him a "good man," ADL honcho Abraham Foxman said Tynan has made a "sincere apology" and should not be ostracized because he "slips up on one occasion."
For his part, Tynan told the ADL he was grateful for the chance to perform again in public and that he understands the "insensitivity of my remarks."
Tynan got in trouble earlier this month when he began bantering with a real estate broker showing a property in his Manhattan building.
"Don't worry, they are not Red Sox fans," the broker joked. Tynan replied, "I don't care about that, as long as they are not Jewish."
The woman who was apartment shopping was offended and reported the remark to the Yankees.
Confronted by the team, Tynan owned up to remark. He apologized to the woman and also made a public apology on television.
"I would never want to hurt anybody's feelings," he said. "It was stupid of me to be so callous."
Tynan was barred from performing at Game 1 of the ALCS between the Yankees and Angels - and has not been heard at the Stadium since.
BY Corky Siemaszko
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Originally Published:Wednesday, October 28th 2009, 4:16 PM
Updated: Wednesday, October 28th 2009, 10:10 PM
McIsaac/GettyRonan Tynan sings 'God Bless America' at a recent Yankee game. Take our PollLet Tynan sing?
After his 'Jewish' joke, should Ronan Tynan be allowed to sing at the Yankees World Series home games?
Yes, he's made a sincere a apology and it's tradition.
No, his joke was offensive - and the Yanks have been winning without him.
I'm not sure.
Related NewsArticlesRonan Tynan's tongue causes trouble as Yankees sack Irish tenor's appearanceIrish tenor Ronan Tynan, who got booted from performing at Yankee Stadium after an anti-Semitic remark, has landed a new gig - singing for the Anti-Defamation League.
Tynan will perform his trademark rendition of "God Bless America" at the Jewish watchdog group's meeting Thursday night.
Calling him a "good man," ADL honcho Abraham Foxman said Tynan has made a "sincere apology" and should not be ostracized because he "slips up on one occasion."
For his part, Tynan told the ADL he was grateful for the chance to perform again in public and that he understands the "insensitivity of my remarks."
Tynan got in trouble earlier this month when he began bantering with a real estate broker showing a property in his Manhattan building.
"Don't worry, they are not Red Sox fans," the broker joked. Tynan replied, "I don't care about that, as long as they are not Jewish."
The woman who was apartment shopping was offended and reported the remark to the Yankees.
Confronted by the team, Tynan owned up to remark. He apologized to the woman and also made a public apology on television.
"I would never want to hurt anybody's feelings," he said. "It was stupid of me to be so callous."
Tynan was barred from performing at Game 1 of the ALCS between the Yankees and Angels - and has not been heard at the Stadium since.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Asian culture
I am at Foxwoods about 3 times every two weeks, and it seems as though the entire Asian population of New England hides out here.
As amazing at how many Asians there are in Massachusetts alone, an even more amazing thing is that most know really nothing about their culture.
Do you know why they gamble as much as they do??
I do, and I know because I want to understand them instead of them doing all of the work.
They gamble because it is ingrained in their culture. They are testing their luck because through tradition they are born either lucky, or not lucky. How else are they supposed to find out?
Now you know something you didn't know yesterday.
As amazing at how many Asians there are in Massachusetts alone, an even more amazing thing is that most know really nothing about their culture.
Do you know why they gamble as much as they do??
I do, and I know because I want to understand them instead of them doing all of the work.
They gamble because it is ingrained in their culture. They are testing their luck because through tradition they are born either lucky, or not lucky. How else are they supposed to find out?
Now you know something you didn't know yesterday.
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