Discover a Different Meaning

Discover a Different Meaning

            Hi my name is Andrew Mangual. My blog is called “Looking Deeper”. Two things that I love and include in my blog is football Hip Hop. I am a very deep thinker when it comes to writing. I like to analyze a deep topic deeply so I can fully understand the true meaning of it and also talk about it in an abstract way in which most people would not think about if they were presented with the same topic I was presented with.  Every object and topic can be interpreted in many ways. The way you interpret a topic is based on what you are trying to look for or get out of the topic and also how it relates to your life or thoughts.           

            In all of my writings I was given a topic in which I deeply analyzed it, gave it an abstract meaning or interpretation and then connected it to my life. The topics I was given where literacy, what the film “The social network” speaks to, a cultural artifact, and mass media. For the topic of literacy I changed it to be interpreted as physical and connected it to football, my favorite sport. It is abstract be most people think of written words as literacy but I interpreted it as a way of expression. For the topic of the film “The social network”, I have thought about communities. The website Facebook, which is the main topic of the movie, has created a mass community on the internet. I am a part of the Facebook community. Most people think that communities are a geographical location but you can also be a part of a community on the internet. For the topic of a cultural artifact, I have chosen the Nike Air Force One sneaker. The Air Force One sneaker is more than just footwear; it tells a story about the community the person that wears them is from. I am a person who wears the Air Force One sneaker and that sneaker tells other people about the community I am from and a part of. For mass media, I have thought about materialism and consumption in the Hip Hop industry. Materialism and consumption is a huge issue in the Hip Hop community. I am a part of the Hip Hop community and I have noticed the materialistic lifestyle rappers talk about in their music has had an influence on me.

            I want to inform the reader that not only where all my writing are looked at in an abstract view and interpreted though my perspective but also that all the topic relate to each other based in the order they were put in. First I started off with literacy; I found a new meaning to the word literacy. Next was communities, the same way I gave an abstract view on literacy, I did the same to communities by relating it how the internet creates these new communities. After is my cultural artifact which was the Nike Air Force One sneaker. The Air Force One sneaker is popular in a community I belong to which is the Hip Hop community. Finally it is mass media; I connected mass media to the Hip Hop culture. Materialism is portrayed in the Hip Hop mass media in many ways. Consumption and materialism both have become a problem in the Hip Hop culture. I have connected my writing in order jumping from topic to topic but still making a clear connection. I have also included my two favorite things which are football and Hip Hop.

Physical Literacy

Introduction

Literacy is more than just than just words. Literacy can also be physical. Your actions are like words on a paper. You actions express who you are or what you are doing instead of words. Football is how I expressed physical literacy. Physical literacy has allowed me to enhance my communication and leadership skills in a way school did not. Physical literacy has no negatives. Physical literacy has allowed me to express myself in a way school did not let me express myself. Football as allow me to communicate and cooperate with other people the way did not allow us to. Do you express yourself through physical literacy? If so how? Literacy is deeper than most people think about it. To me, literacy means expression. The same way someone can express themselves in writing, they can also express themselves through playing sports. There are endless possibilities in which literacy can be interpreted.

Physical Literacy

Literacy is knowledge that relates to a specified subject. Many people associate literacy with words. To me, literacy means expression. The way you can express yourself through literacy can be either mentally or physically. Mental expressions of literacy are often through poems or songs. In general literacy which is mental, your voice is what is used to express yourself. Physical expressions of literacy are body movements, usually like sports or dancing. Body language expresses how you feel. For example, when people are physically tired they often sleep or make little body movements. In physical literacy, the mind follows the body. Your body language sometimes expresses your mental thoughts.

Physical literacy helps me enhance my leadership and communication skills. Physical Literacy has helped me enhance all those skills because I am given the opportunity to. In school, you do not have the opportunity to enhance those skills. School is the place where general literacy is. In school, the teacher tells you to “be quiet” when you talk and that discourages communication. In school, you are not given the opportunity to show leadership because the teacher is the leader of the class and has all the authority. In school you are isolated; it lacks social communication and community.   I use football as my physical literacy. In football, leadership and communication is encouraged. In football you must communicate with your teammates and you cannot be isolated from them. Also, everyone on the team has a voice and you gain authority through the merit of your work. The football field serves as my place of literacy. The way I express myself through physical literacy is with poise, economy and confidence in the wide variety of physically challenging situations I face during practice and football games.

Communication through physical literacy is much different than communication through general literacy. In general literacy people communicate with words. In physical literacy people communicate with body actions such as through eye contact, different facial expressions or by body signals. Through all the noise in the football game, the coach signals and calls plays by doing different hand motions. Even when we come out of the huddle, the crowd still loud, when we need to change something about the play we usually tap the person that is suppose to move from their spot and direct them to where they suppose to be. When I am on the field, communication is a key part of us playing as a team and winning the game. Physical communication is more helpful and easier in a situation such as the football game because it is difficult to talk loud enough so that other players can hear me or for me to hear them.

Leadership can be shown in physical and general literacy. In general literacy, leadership is established by either the person who has the most knowledge or is the most outspoken. In physical literacy, leadership is established by the person who is the most involved or the most aggressive and fearless person. I think I am very brave on the football field because no matter how much bigger or stronger someone is than me, I do not get intimidated and not afraid to make tackles on defense. On the field I learned fear is mental. My first game I played defensive tackle. The offensive linemen that were trying to block me where much taller and weighed more than I do. One thing that made me play good and rip through the offensive line was confidence. I was full of confidence and had no fears on the football field. My body played freely with aggression. Collisions in football never cause physical pain because the pain is mental. That game I was player of the game. My body played football and my mind followed. When I have to make the tackle I never hesitate, my body is the one running the show and not my mind.

In physical literacy the mind follows the body. I compare my “football state of mind” to an infant’s use of physical literacy, just like an infant, my body is perceptive in reading all aspects of the physical environment, anticipating movement needs or possibilities and responding appropriately to these, with intelligence and imagination After a game I often have little memory and awareness of my actions on the field. It’s as if my mind goes unconscious and my body has natural reactions in football. Before a game I am usually nervous because I am thinking too much. Once I put my equipment on and get on the field, I am not nervous anymore. My body is in control and my thoughts fade away. On the field, I play football and the few thoughts that I have on the field are only about football. Football makes me feel free; it is as if all the problems I face in life do not exist when I am playing football.

Language is a systematic means of communicating ideas or feelings by the use of signs, sounds, gestures, or marks having understood meanings. Language is a key part of literacy. The body language used in football expresses how I feel when I am on the field. I might feel tired mentally but physically I express that I am ready, hype, and full of adrenaline. On the field, physical literacy means more to me than general literacy.

When I play football, I feel like a whole different person. Mentally I have a different personality then when I am playing football and express myself through physical literacy. When I am playing football I feel more confident, less fearful of life, and all my problems that are not related to football seem not to exist. When I am not playing football, I am usually shy and also focused on fixing the problems I face in life. My personality is different because of a level of comfort I feel. I feel the most comfortable to express myself through football and I feel like I have no limitations on the football field. Slowly, I have been working on trying to make myself feel more comfortable whenever I am not playing football. As time passes, I have noticed I have became more social able and outgoing. My college English class has also help me social able and outgoing too. In English class, we are not isolated, communication and community is encouraged in the class. The professor has authority but he makes everyone feel equal. Everyone in the class has a voice and can state their opinion on any topic. Working with my teammates and coaches in football and also working with my fellow classmates and professor in English class has enhanced my personality.

Different Communities

Introduction

People often say that their community is only their neighborhood. We are all a part of a community whether it is geographically or the internet. The internet has created many communities. People on the internet mostly based on common interest. It ties people together that do not live in the same community geographically. Mark Zuckerburg’s creation of Facebook has drawn millions of people together on this social site. I am a member of the Facebook website. Everyone that is a member of Facebook is a part of the same community on the internet. There are some negatives that come with internet communities. Some people use the internet to spread rumors or conflict with other people they may not like. The internet has many pros and cons but it creates communities among people. These internet communities are very powerful. The internet had led to one of the largest protest that contained about six to ten million people. Both communities have their good and bad. Which community do you prefer?

Different Communities

Community plays a huge role in the film “The Social Network”. A community is a social group in which people are a part of because of a specific locality, cultural, historical heritage or common interest. In the film, Mark Zuckerburg’s local community was Harvard but he had no social community. Mark Zuckerburg did not have a social community because everyone was mad at the things he did, such as making the website comparing girls to farm animals. Mark Zuckerburg created Facebook, a social website in which made him popular. Facebook helped him build a social community. Facebook has built a new community on the internet that has helped people become more social able and involved with each other.

A long time ago, the word community referred to the geographical location that you were a part of. Your location was your community even if you did not have any interest that was similar to anyone’s interest in your neighborhood. You can look at the community of your location in many different aspects as far as depth. For example, the United States is your community, the state you live in is your community, and also the part in the state in which you live in is your community,

            The internet, especially Facebook has altered the meaning of the word community. People no longer are only a part of their community because of their geographical location. People often group up together on websites like Facebook and create a community because they have common interest. Facebook serves as the location of the community. The location of a community is now not just where you live geographically but also the place on the internet in which you belong to and interact. Everyone that is on Facebook is a part of the Facebook community. Also, people who like a certain sport, movie, TV show, person, or type of music and write about it on the internet are a part of a community. In the article “New Media”, it states, “The internet has the potential to change the practice of democracy because of its participatory and interactive attributes. It allows all citizens to alter their relationship with the public sphere, to become creators and primary subjects, to become engaged in social productions”. The internet has drawn together a massive amount of people to create communities. It ties people together that do not live in the same community geographically. Communities on the internet are just as powerful and strong as geographical communities. In the article “New Media”, it stated, about six to ten million people got together and protested against the invasion of Iraq through the internet. The internet makes these communities strong because people are able to communicate to large amounts of people. Also, a single cause or message can band together so many people with the same idea and create powerful things like the protest because they have more than enough people on the internet that would either support or oppose an idea. The internet communities also have a down fall. Some people use the internet for harm by having maliciously commenting on a person or their ideas

            A person can be a part of many different communities. Communities can be looked at in many different ways. The communities you are a part of depend on your location, your culture and your common interest. A community shows the similarities and bonds people have amongst themselves. The Internet, websites like Facebook help people create a social community that they may not have in reality. Facebook contributed to Mark Zuckerburg’s social community grow because he went from one of the most hated people in Harvard to one of the most liked people due to his creation of Facebook. Facebook has helped him build a social community in which he once never had.

 

In my Air Force Ones

                                                                         Introduction

The Air Force One sneaker is not just a sneaker. The Air Force One sneaker is far beyond its look. The Air Force One has a deep meaning. The Air Force One sneaker tells stories on many topics from communities, to music, also to consumption. I wear this Air Force One sneaker. A person can learn a lot about me by looking at my sneakers. The factors a person can tell by looking at my sneakers are the music I prefer, the type neighborhood I grew up in, my personal style, and also my consumption habit. A negative is that a sneaker a person is wear may not always tell you about the person wearing it. A person may not always be associated with the factors a sneaker tells but the sneaker tells about the majority of the people who wear it not all of the people who wear it. I can just buy any sneaker that cost less or is more comfortable but I specifically choose the Air Force One.  Put all the factor together and it will answer why I choose the Air Force One sneaker. My may find out a little about me and what kind of person I am by looking deeply into my Air Force Ones.

In my Air Force Ones

            A cultural artifact is something that speaks to the community in which a person is from. My cultural artifact is the Nike Air Force One sneaker. There are many different types of sneakers in which people wear for different types of reasons. The type of music you listen to, location or the neighborhood you live in, price range and name brand of the sneaker, purpose of the sneaker, and also your personal style are some of the factors people face when they choose what type of sneaker they wear.

            In 1982, Nike released the Air Force Ones, a basketball shoe. The Air Force One sneaker was popular in basketball when they came out. NBA professionals like Moses Malone and Michael Cooper where endorsing them and wearing them during games. By wearing the Air Force One sneaker during basketball games they were advertising it. According to "The Nike Air Force 1 Sneaker Turns 25 Years Old - New York Times.", Air Force Ones has now largely gained its popularity off the court, it has become the best-selling sneaker ever with more than 1,800 color combinations, many in limited editions that can cost thousands of dollars. Consumption of the Air Force One sneaker was high. Nike Air Force Ones was the best-selling athletic shoe last year reflects a change in an industry whose product is becoming valued more for its fashion relevance than for its performance (Bierman).

The price range and name brand of the Nike Air Force Ones play a huge role in why people buy them. The brand Nike is very famous. The price range of Nike Air Force Ones is high. Nike comes out with Air Force Ones that would attract people to spend money on their product. The Air Force Ones that Nike made for the boroughs of New York are a great example of what price range means to the Nike Air Force Ones and also Nike consumerism. Nike released Air Force One that where for The Bronx, Harlem, Queens, and Brooklyn. People would spend a lot buying these Nike Air Force Ones to represent their neighborhood. Also, people that do not live in New York would buy these sneakers because of the boroughs name on it and the meaning of the boroughs. Nike used the New York boroughs as a way to make lots of money.

Music affects people and what they wear. There have been many songs that promote a certain type of sneaker to the people. An example of a song that promotes the Nike sneaker Air Force One is “Air Force Ones” by Nelly. Nelly’s song “Air Force Ones” speaks to the rap and hip hop culture. Music has a huge influence on the type of sneaker a person wears. Adidas were the old sneakers of Hip Hop. Run DMC made a song named “Adidas”. Nelly’s “Air Force Ones” boosted sales of the Air Force One sneaker and it became Hip Hop’s new sneaker after the Adidas. Music has a heavy influence on sneakers so much that if an artist makes a song about a certain sneaker, people get tempted to by the sneaker. Also, there is a Bronx Air Force One that means a lot to music because The Bronx is where rap and hip hop culture originated. People would wear the specific Bronx Nike Air Force One to represent their love for the rap and hip hop culture.

            Some people buy Nike Air Force Ones sneakers because they see everyone else in their neighborhood wearing them. People influence each other’s style of sneakers. When someone is seen wearing Nike Air Force One sneakers that look appealing, people start to follow and that certain type of Nike Air Force Ones and it becomes a part of the trend. Also, Air Force Ones are usually worn by people in urban areas. According to "Nike Snubs Staten Island in New Line of "NYC Boro" a man named Herbert Matthews made the statement, "I think Nike represents people in the 'hood." Nike made a sneaker for every borough in New York, but then Nike decided to take away Staten Island’s sneaker and made a sneaker for Harlem which is in the borough of Manhattan (Bain). Nike probably did that because people from Staten Island do not wear Nike sneakers as much as people from Harlem do. People who do not live in New York would wear any of the borough’s Air Force Ones because New York is a huge place of hip hop and its culture. New York is known for creating hip hop dressing styles.    

                        The Air Force Ones have many purposes. Low top Air Force Ones are usually worn to look good. High top Air Force Ones are great for playing sports with because they provide ankle support unlike the low top Air Force Ones. Also, Nike air force ones are comfortable sneakers that are very durable. Nike Air Force Ones were originally made to be basketball sneakers.

            When I look in the mirror my sneakers tell a lot about the community I am from. The sneakers I usually wear are Nike Air Force Ones. What the Nike Air Force One sneaker tells is that I listen to rap music, I am from an urban neighborhood, I buy Nike sneakers because I like the brand and they are worth a decent amount of money, and also I wear Nikes because they are comfortable and look very appealing. The type of music you listen to, location or the neighborhood you live in, price range and name brand of the sneaker, purpose of the sneaker, and also your personal style are some of things that can be told to someone just by looking at the Air Force Ones a person wears. Sneakers speak to the community in which a person is a part of. Nike Air force ones speaks to the community in which I am a part of, which is a major reason why I chose sneakers as my cultural artifact.

Materialism and Consumerism in the Hip Hop Culture

Introduction

            The Hip Hop community in which I am a part of is changing. Materialism and consumerism are conquering Hip Hop rapidly. Many people love materialism and consumerism in the Hip Hop culture. People feel like this is the “true” key to happiness. Many others oppose it because materialism and consumerism are not the true reason why Hip Hop was made. Hip Hop was about the talking on the various issues we face economically, socially, and politically. Also, Rappers portray a negative image by being materialistic. A lot of modern rappers have music videos with nice cars, girls, nice houses, and jewelry. Rappers who have products such clothes or liquor often talk about them in their song and also they have their product in their videos. The Hip Hop industry is a great way to advertise. Many people spend money on the things we do not need that rappers present to us. Materialism may make us feel better socially but will drastically hurt us financially. Most people are influenced by rappers to buy a certain product. I am a victim of consumerism in Hip Hop. Writing this article made me realize why do I spend so much money on name brand clothes? This article made me question my identity and question the reasoning why I actually buy some of the things I do

Materialism and Consumerism in the Hip Hop Culture

            Hip Hop is very materialistic. Hip Hop sends out a message that materialism and consumerism are the key to happiness. In Hip Hop many of the artists talk a lot about the materialistic things they have such as luxurious cars, mansions, girls, clothes, and jewelry. Rappers feed these images to the audience and make materialism look great and show listeners a lifestyle they wish they had or could have if they were rich like some of the rappers.

According to the article Journal of Black Studies “Slouching toward Bork: The Culture Wars and Self-Criticism in Hip-Hop Music”, the purpose of Hip Hop was not about materialism or consumerism; Hip Hop was about bringing up issues people deal with discussing them. Rappers would talk about social problems, political problems and problems in our society that are important (Ogbar 169). Artist like KRS-One, De La Soul, The Roots, and A Tribe Called Quest rapped and talked about the issues and problems we face. These artists did not talk about materialistic things that rappers talk about now.

Music videos were even made that exposed rappers who talk about the materialistic things they got in their videos, such as girls, cars, and their mansion. According to Journal of Black Studies “Slouching toward Bork: The Culture Wars and Self-Criticism in Hip-Hop Music”, two videos that did this were “Ego Trippin” by De La Soul and “What they do” by The Roots (Ogbar 169). In both of the video they show a fancy mansion, cars, and girls with subtitles they all of the things in the video that rappers put in their videos are not theirs. In the lyrics of both songs they talk about how the lifestyles that materialistic rappers have in their videos is fake.

Hip Hop purpose has drastically changed from what it was suppose to be. Hip Hop used to be about discussing many issues we face in life and on society. According to "De-evolution of Hip Hop: The Commodification of Hip Hop Music into Mainstream | New Comm Ave.", now most of the rap artists talk about the materialistic things that they can buy with their money and how happy it makes them. Artist like Jay-Z, P. Diddy, Notorious B.I.G, and Rick Ross constantly talk about their materialistic possessions and how these things make them live a “dream life” people wish they had (Murillo).

In some of the videos made by rappers like Jay-Z, P. Diddy, Notorious B.I.G, and Rick Ross they have fancy cars, clothes, mansions, and women. These rappers boast and brag about the things they have in the videos. They talk about how great their life is being a rapper and being about to afford all the materialistic things that show off like their homes and cars. They also have some scenes in their videos of throwing a lot of money around or buying jewelry or cars.

Consumerism and materialism are a huge part of the Hip Hop culture. Hip Hop is very popular. According to Stanford Law Review “Much Respect: Toward a Hip-Hop Theory of Punishment”, Hip Hop sells to a lot of people of all different backgrounds and areas of the world. Rap stars like P. Diddy and Jay-Z clothing lines have a major impact on fashion (Butler 992-993). P. Diddy’s Sean John clothing line and Jay-Z’s Rockawear clothing are very popular. These clothing lines have produced millions of sales and have made these rappers millions of dollars.

According to Stanford Law Review “Much Respect: Toward a Hip-Hop Theory of Punishment”, other things like liquor, energy drinks and footwear are heavy advertised in the Hip Hop culture and their music. Rap Artist promote their products through their lyrics (Butler 992-993). P. Diddy’s liquor drink Ciroc is very common among Hip Hop consumers who drink liquor. Rappers like Rick Ross, Meek Mills, and P. Diddy himself mention in their songs how they are having a fun good night while drinking Ciroc. The songs that mention the liquor Ciroc, heavily advertise it and boost the sales of it. Since a lot of the artists mention it, listeners are tempted to go out and buy the product. Ciroc is becoming more famous every time someone mentions it in a song. Through rappers constantly talking about it, Ciroc has become Hip Hop’s official liquor.

Many listeners do not realize that rappers use their music to get richer not only by selling albums and doing tours but to also sell their products to listeners. How are rappers selling their products by advertising it in their music? Rappers constantly talk about their products in their songs, sometimes other rappers talk about the product too. By constantly talking about a product in a song, listeners may feel pressured to buy the rapper’s product. The listener may feel like a “loser” or not “cool” if they do or did not buy the rapper’s product that was constantly talked about in numerous songs.

Hip Hop artist send out the message that consumerism and materialistic things can complete life. A question is “How and why are artist successful in persuading listeners that materialistic things make life better”? Most Hip Hop listeners come from urban or low-income places. Rappers easily influence their listeners because rap artist usually come from the same place and face similar situations that their listeners face before they became famous. Listeners realize that rap artist and themselves are similar in many ways. Rap artist are examples of people who were fortunate in getting signed to record deals and that have enough money so that they can live good and be able to move out the “ghetto” or the “hood”. Listeners see that it is possible to leave the “hood” or “ghetto” and want to follow rap artist footsteps.

Another reason why artist successful in persuading listeners are that materialistic things make life better is because according to the African American Review, “Metaphorical Conceptions in Hip-Hop Music”, Hip Hop listeners are fascinated with living the American dream. Rap artist show what living the American dream looks like in their music videos (Crossley 507). The American dream shown in videos is going to the club to smoke marijuana and drinking liquor in a nice car to go see beautiful girls. Some other videos show them in mansions with their expensive exotic cars and girls in their mansion’s swimming pool. All of the things rap artist have in their videos is materialistic. Girls like rap artist because they have money. The girls in the videos are bought and are only attracted to the money not the artist as a person. Rap artist make these “fantasy lifestyle” look like they are the best way a person can live. The lifestyles shown are driven by materialistic things bought with a large amount of money.

Hip Hop listeners fantasize about these lifestyles and often try to duplicate it. According to "De-evolution of Hip Hop: The Commodification of Hip Hop Music into Mainstream | New Comm Ave.", listeners often become materialistic and huge consumers because of rap artist influence. Listeners try to keep up with their favorite artist dress style and also try to obtain the materialistic things they see their favorite artist with. Listeners want to live the lavish lifestyle that rappers talk about in their songs and portray in their videos (Murillo).

Consumerism in the Hip Hop industry and its image of obtaining an excessive amount of materialistic things are bad for people who try to follow. According to "LiveLeak.com - History of Rap/Hip Hop Music.", people who try to follow the actions of the artist and also the things they have. Materialism is hurting Hip Hop’s finances and youth behavior (noordinaryman). A large consumption of materialistic may cause you to gain respect among your peers but it would hurt you financially. By obtaining materialistic things you will not go up in social class. Just because you try to obtain or do obtain these materialistic items that you see rap artist in videos with does not mean that you are rich. Listeners want to buy everything they see rap artist with from the liquor they drink to the clothes they wear. Materialism does not only harm people financially but also harms the behavior of our youth. The youth follow the actions of artist and what they talk about in their songs. The youth learn in some songs that being a rapper is not the only way you can make money and obtain the materialistic items they have. Youth learn that selling drug, committing robberies, and doing other criminal activities can earn you enough money so you can obtain the items they have such as expensive cars, clothes, and jewelry.

Cornel West is a very important and intellectual figure in the Hip Hop industry. According to "Cornel West's 'Never Forget' Aims to Shift Hip-hop's Focus”, Cornel West feels the Hip Hop industry now portrays a negative image and he wishes to make it positive. He lectures on such politically charged topics as the war in Iraq, the n-word, homophobia, corporate power and the aftermath of 9/11 with musical support from Andre 3000, Jill Scott, KRS-One, Killer Mike, Gerald Levert and others. Cornel West believes that people should be aware of history and important issues going on and also he believes that the youth should be educated about history and the issues around us instead of being fed a negative materialistic image from Hip Hop music. He thinks Hip Hop should bring together the spiritual and the social, the personal and the political, while keeping it artistic. Cornel West is against the violent and materialism that Hip Hop portrays now (Jones).

Consumerism and materialism is definitely a huge part of the Hip Hop culture and industry. Many rappers now talk about the materialistic things they have like cars and fancy mansions, they also talk about the excessive amount of money they make and how they spend it. Rappers talk about these materialistic things instead of politics and the many issues we face in our society and life. Old school rappers oppose talking about materialistic things and think that we are moving away from the real essence of Hip Hop and what it stood for when it was created.

 

Focused Within

             The title “Looking Deeper” explains two things about my blogs. The first thing about my blog is that a I was given a concept to write about, I analyzed the topic and gave different stories that people would not think about when they usually think of the topic given. The topics that I analyzed very deeply were literacy, communities, a cultural artifact, and mass media. The second reason why I chose the title “Looking Deeper” is because I go from topic to topic and they all are related.

            The title “Looking Deeper” is great because I was given a concept to write about, I analyzed the topic and gave different stories that people would think about when they usually think of the topic given. I have included my own abstract perspective on each topic I was given. The purpose of this blog was to show people that when looking at writing or writing about a certain topic; you can be as creative as you want as long as your work makes sense to you as the writer and especially to the audience. For each topic I analyzed very deeply and discovered a new perspective and interpretation of literacy, communities, my cultural artifact which is the Nike Air Force One and mass media which was about materialism and consumption in Hip Hop culture.

            All of my topics were not only looked at deeply and interpreted in a different way but the topics all related to each other. The order in which I choose them was important. I started off with literacy; I found a new meaning to the word literacy. Next was communities, the same way I gave an abstract view on literacy, I did the same to communities by relating it how the internet creates these new communities. After is my cultural artifact which was the Nike Air Force One sneaker. The Air Force One sneaker is popular in a community I belong to which is the Hip Hop community. Finally it is mass media; I connected mass media to the Hip Hop culture. Materialism is portrayed in the Hip Hop mass media in many ways. Consumption and materialism both have become a problem in the Hip Hop culture. I have connected my writing in order jumping from topic to topic but and making the connection clear.

            My writing is intended to an audience of writers in general. Writers will learn to become more creative and to analyze topic deeply. Writers should have original ideas in their writing based on their interpretation and perspective on a given topic. Also by writing through your own interpretation or perspective, you can learn many things about you that you may not have discovered before.

            For the remix I chose to rework “Materialism and Consumerism in the Hip Hop Culture” with a video that opposes materialism and consumerism in the Hip Hop culture. The video is called "What they do" by The Roots I chose the video because I think materialism and consumerism in the Hip Hop culture is becoming a problem. I oppose materialism and consumerism in the Hip Hop culture but yet I still feed into it. The remix gives the audience a visualization of the writings and also the pictures and video help the audience not only understands each writing better individually but also understands the concept of the blog.      
          What I love about my work it that it is creative and it makes a reader think of things in this world differently. Moving forward with my work I see progression. I have progressed a lot as a writer. I have learned that by looking deep into a topic, it can be connected to any other topic one way or another. Before, I used to look at a topic and just think what the majority of the people would think about it. Now, I take my time to analyze a topic to find the deeper meaning or story behind that topic.