Author: Jazmine

In the article ” Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and the limits of Representation”, there are various of topics spoken about.  Such being the past presidency’s, affects on the African American community, politics denying certain things for their image. Overall the bigger picture of having Kamala Harris as the vice president.

Past presidencies such as Obama being the one president of color we’ve had. The affects on the African American communities , they are very oppressed minority . Politics denying certain things they’ve said in the past is very contradicting but one wont come to address it entirely. 

Now with her being in office it creates a very big step in history and for women of colors representation.

The artist I chose for the Art and social conditions assignment is J.Cole at the moment I do not have a specific album or song that I will be researching and elaborating on. He is an artist that speaks about issues that happen through his music. It is very much relatable to people, and speaks ons social issues from his perspective and also puts himself in other people’s shoes. The way he raps and rhymes is very smooth in a way that it is not hard to decipher. The lyrics he says carry lots of weight meaning they are very influential and reflective and impactful. It can also be very storytelling-like which gives his music an easy going flow. He has many songs with different situations but they all are very eye opening and meaningful. 

This artist’s work attempts to create a voice that exposes the truth about societal issues young people of color endure.

“Untitled” David Wajnarowicz

This piece of art has qualities that that emphasize and help contribute to the deep meaning of it. The perspective of it is one . We can see a boy in the center surrounded by sentences.  We see the boy with a big smile showing teeth and we picture innocence. What also helps is the fact that each sentence starts with “One day “. It is repetitive and emphasizes that it is important , its a pattern throughout the piece of art that attempts to create a certain view. The whole design of it also brings it together. Placing the image of child in the middle and being surrounded by words just help demonstrate  his situation. Him being himself caused a havoc throughout his future he had to endure.

This text resonates with the the homophobic society and political norms. Now in the present day we see less of this being a issue. But at one point in time being gay and having a different sexual preference was seen as such a crime. Just because it was not “traditional” to certain people it became to be very sad to see the outcome of what tragic situations they were put through. People lived in fear and had to endure a various of detrimental situation as said in the text.

The impact of the piece is to portray the innocence of what it is but to bring attention to the issue.  This is for a wide audience to be able to understand and get the gist of how things were for a persons life back then when it was no where accepted.

1- The way Jordan finds fault with the following statement is how it is actually meant. Meaning although it is being stated as one way ,it totally means something different when. Words have a big play in meaning and the way it is being conveyed.  As discussed in the text “Standard (white) English ” is powerful and very much political. Such things can be said one way but it masks the true meaning behind it.  What is bring described is the Vietnam war, as the US being unselfish . Meaning putting their needs and best interests before of our own , when it was not exactly like that. Which is where word play comes in the US was not being unselfish in fact they helped in order to contain communism stoping the spread and isolate within its borders.

2-I believe what is meant when“The problem is that we are saying language, but really dealing with power” is the fact that words contain large power and it is not only about the way people speak but the way people are controlled and kept from power. Keeping it “standard” and “white” only diminishes other voices and maintains people to a certain extent of power, making them less and wrong . Many peoples first language is not English people come from a variety of backgrounds. But to be taught in school that your language is incorrect from the start or should not be used is very identity taking .  English is in fact the common language but that should not mean it is more or less than others languages. The fact that it plays a big role in power onto people is very mind blowing. Children are taught to just follow along and accept the norms that are set in place. Literally to come to an agreement that “standard english” holds authority/power/dominance over your language.

Heyy Heyy

My name is Jazmine , I am a freshman and this is my second semester here a Baruch college. I am a finance major but I want to change it to business management. Hmmm a couple things about me , I am a very easy going person. Im very chill and relaxed. I LOVE food. Im a hostess at a steak house and I very much enjoy my job. I am happily in a relationship. Alrighty moving on to what art I chose to represent me was the cover of the album Chilombo by Jhene Aiko. She is one of my favorite artists. This specific album represents me in a way because I really can relate to the words. I am very emotional, driven , strong, independent and confident and in this album it just emphasized it more. It is kind of like a affirmation to me in a way. Many lines from the songs in the album indeed stick out to me, kind of like motivation and like I said an affirmation. They make a very strong connection on how I interpret things about myself  Her music has honestly helped me be me. It is very calming and soothing. “it aint perfect but everything is beautiful” A line in the song Magic Hour, the imperfections that we witness about ourselves or anything in general can be so beautiful and actually positive. I can literally go on and on about how many lyrics can be interpreted. I definitely do suggest listening to her music, her old albums are all so great too !