Young Minds
February 28th, 2008 by ACTivist
An article appeared in a local newspaper that deserves perview.
http://www.loudountimes.com/news/local/
It seems that we need to find “other” ways to reach our youth in order to educate them. It isn’t bad enough that the county school budget becomes more bloated every year. Now they intend another program to promote a “sub-culture”. This belongs in Humanities class-not English. I can only wonder about the next “experiment”!
The article is on rap/hip-hop used for poetry.
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February 28th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
I for one do not have a problem with this, so long as they stay away from gansta rap, and it proves effective.
In my English classes we used Bob Dylan, and S&G. Times change, music changes, as does poetry. Art, like beauty, is in the eye, or in this case ear, of the beholder.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:04 am
We studied Bernie Taupin (Elton John’s lyricist) in 6th grade. I think it made me more receptive to Shakespeare and Milton in high school.
I’d be interested in comparing the content of Bernie Taupin to that of Tupac Shakur and Kanye West. The former furthered interest in Western Civ. for me by increasing interest in language and poetry. Do the latter detract from it? Honestly, I have no idea, but if they do, that would be the only objection I would have.
February 29th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Bernie Taupin (also as gay as a handbag full o’ rainbows) was fnatastic. “Madman Across the Water” is, IMHO, one of the best albums ever — on par with “The Dark Side of the Moon” and “The Final Cut.”
Everyone should here Indian Sunset.
February 29th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Could not agree more about Madman, it is on my list of five albums to take with me should I find myself on the proverbial deserted island. Along with :
Thriller - MJ
A Space in Time - Ten Years After
Lake - Lake
Wheels of Fire - Cream
I agree with Joe, it was music that helped me appreciate the classics even more.
February 29th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Interesting. My take on this article was that these teachers (not unlike the ones that I had) were trying to reach those young minds and provide an interest. I applaud them for that. I just look at the current artists used (which are very questionable) and think “are they in any way being idolized?” Granted, ALL lyrical music is a form of poetry. I could think of many other performers to use and still hold interest. I just have a problem with artist that promote rape, hatred, murder, woman bashing and the like. The children are mentored enough thru the internet, TV, the iPod and video games that we don’t really need to reach them in “their” culture. It shows promotion and acceptance in my view.
February 29th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Dan,
I agree with you selections for items 2 and 4. For me “Wish You Where Here” - Pink Floyd, and “Waiting For the Sun” - The Doors, are also in my top five.
As for using the modern pop music to spur interest in more classical forms of Art, sure, but it requires an English teacher who really knows their game.
IMHO, most do not.
February 29th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
As the oldest member of the hip-hop nation I am completly jiggy with this, yo yo whatsup.
February 29th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Stone,
kugh! ack. Stone! Must learn not to, cugh!, be drinking soda when I start to read one of your, *ack* comments. You’re killin me.
March 1st, 2008 at 5:14 pm
greg,
Your humor caught me off-guard as well. Wine thru the nasal passages does burn. Almost wish it were soda. I’m down widdit, bro.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Ok Greg, stop the break dancing, and I hope that is not you driving by at 1AM with the bazookas in the trunk.
Are current artists being idolized any more than say, Eric Clapton, Jim Morrison, Stevie Nicks, and Robert Plant were in our day ? Me thinks not. A fact of life is that we mortals tend to put our celebrities up on pedestals, even if it is not deserved. I myself had the biggest case of the hots for Linda Ronstadt.. seeing her in the Stone Poneys music vid in that little mini-skirt, talk about joi d’vivre..
It might seem that too few are garnering too much attention, but I attribute this to the fact that there is a substantially smaller number of talented artists out there today then when I was young.
And I, was so much older then, when I was young..
April 17th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Blog Hopper…
Hi There. I’m blog hopping….