Mr. Luther King Jr. " The Price of Freedom"

On Monday, February 19, 2007 our Mass Media/Society watched a WTVD News exclusive program entitled: "Mr. Luther King Jr, The Price of Fredom. This News program was hosted by then WTVD News channel 11 achnor Mariam Thomas. This clip was a group panel discussion with prominent African Americans in the area. They discussed many important factors within the African American community. The panel consisted of Ben Ruffin, Maceo Sloan, Melanie Wilson, and Warren Armstrong, Jr. One important factor which was mentioned during the discussion was the lack of support for black owned businesses. They discussed how blacks do not suppport their own companies. Mr. Sloan stated that most blacks are afraid to take the risk in fear of failure and having no back up plan. There were a number of important factors in regard to the African American community discussed within this forum. I found this program informative and enlighting.

The Hip Hop Industry

Throughout Hip Hop's 25 year history, many ideas, sounds, and business matters have changed. One thing that conyinues to remain the same is the struggle of the artist against his/her music label. In spite of the wide range of characters and styles in the late 1980's, mid 1990's, by the late 1990's hip hop found itself seperating into two areas: mainstream and underground. Most major label artist got their start by independent labels. The late 1990's brought growing financial success of independent labels, distributors, and retailers enabled many underground artists to bypass the major labels altogether.The result of this new industry dynamic is that between major and independent labels. The music industry has always been one of raw, cut throat energy. Although many of today's most popular artist are signed to major labels, they have more control in the development and business decisions of the work they create.

Reflection on Obituary

Upon completing my class assignment of creatin my own obituary, many thoughts began to run through my mind. I bagan to ask myself, am I living up to my full potential? I bagan to wonder if I was living to completly fulfilled life for myself. I bagan to wonder if I was truly happy with my life, and was I making the effort the change what I did not like about myself? My ending answer was no. I realized that I was not living up to my full potential, and I was not trying to work towards changing those things to make my life more meaniful. At that moment, I decided to begin working towards living a more fulfilled life mentally, physically, emotional, and psychologically. I made a vow to myself to stirve for excellence in every aspect of my life. I now have a continued commitment to myself to wake up every morning and say "this is my time to shine." I never knew that one class assignment would change my life forever.

Hip Hop Summit

I really enjoyed all the events that took place during NCCU's 2007 Hip Hop Summit. I found each event unique and individual. My favorite event was the event entitled: So I want to be in the Media: Radio, TV and Print." I enjoyed the many discussion we had with the panel of distinguished media experts. The Panelist included: Matt Maysonet from MTV, Chuck Creemur from Allhiphop.com, Africa from 102 JAMZ, Elle Castro from Premier Radio, Crystal Bozeman from Discovery Channel, Kyle Santillion from radio, and Mike Jones from Radio One. I found our discussions enlightening and entertaining. After the program, I talked with each one of the panelist individualty, and they all seemed rather interested in my dreams and aspirations in the field of mass media. It really meant a lot to me that these media experts chose to come and speak with us about all aspects of mass media in raltion to society and the world. I feel as if the Hip Hop Initative here at NCCU has inspired a lot of students to follow their dreams and reach for the stars!!

The "N" Word

The "N" word is one of controversy and context. I peronally do not EVER use the word in my vocabulary. I do not like to for people to refer to me as the "n" word, or do I like to even here the "n" word be spoken by anyone around me. The dictionary defines Nigger is a word use or racial slur to describe a person of dark skin or of african ancestry. I do not feel that everytime someone is called a "nigger" that it is a direct insult, but I do feel that that word has a negative conotation behind it. The word "nigger" was created to destroy and dehumanize an entire race of people, and I do not understand how African American can so loosly use the term as a simple way of greeting. I feel if more African Americans were educated on the orgination of the word, a lot of them would think twice before speaking that word. I do not feel "we" will ever stop using the "n' word, it was been around since the begining of time and will stay until the end of time.

NIGGER-NIGGA-NIGGAS-NIGGAZ-NEGRO
IT'S ALL THE SAME

Diamonds

On Monday Feburary 5, 2007, our mass media and society class watched a film about diamonds in realtion to the hip hop industry. In 2005, rapper/producer Kanye West realased a song entitled "Diamonds Are Forever." In his song, he spoke about diamond trading in foreign countries, as well as the great dangers in searching for these rare, precious diamonds. Kanye stated that "I made this song to inform and educate people about this problem." Illegal diamond trading has led to thousands of deaths in the small toen in Sierra Leone, as the battles continue for control for diamond mines and stones found within. I personally admire Kanye for bringing this problem to the forefront of American society. Although we are not directly effect by the illegal diamond trading in foreign coutries, we are all somehow indirectly effected by it. I feel as if we need more rappers to get involved in problems the world is facing. We can all have our own contributing to the world that we all must live in together.

Jeff Barker

Guest Speaker On Monday, January 29, 2007, Mr. Barker spoke to our Mass Media & Society class. Mr. Barker is currently a sports and society writer for the Baltimore Sun. Mr. Barker write sport aad athlete profiles and stories related to the sports teams. Mr. Jeff C. has been witth the Baltimore Sun for five years. Barker is based out of Washington, D.C. He often travels throughout the country covering sports stories. Mr. Barker stated that he knew he wanted to be a writer since he was 10 years old. He recalled dreaming about having his name is balck and white letter of a newspaper. Upon graduating for colege, Mr. Barker earned an intership with the Associated Press inPhilidelphia. Mr. Jeff C. was back here in Durham, N.C. to cover the Duke Lacros case. During our discussion we cover many topics dealing with media and it's influence on people. We openingly gave our personal opinions about the Duke rape case, and all that is involved in the legal process. Overall, I enjoyed our guest speaker, he gave valuable information to those who are intrested in pursuing a career in sports journalism.
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by Jeremiah McNeill
1/30/07
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Emily Diane Gunter

I was highly enlightened by Ms. Emily Diane Gunter's speech. He value of virtues are hightly devized and created. She speaks from a place in her hearts that reaches out to people. She has the power the change the views and opininions of people to believe that anything is possiblt thorugh much work, deciication, perservereance, determination, and most of all BELIEVING IN YOURSELF!! Ms. Emily Dinae Gunter is the Founder of "Rights of Passage, Youth Empowerement Foundation." Within her foundation, Ms. Gunter strives to bringing peace into our world through the personal empowerement and spiritual development of the youth. Ms. Gunter is highly in touch with her african roots, often going taking extensive trips to Africa to learn more about her african acestry and study the early beginigngs of african americans. Ms. Gunter is higly educated, taught mathematical engieering on the college level for many years, until relizing her calling and decided to leave her job and pursue a more rewaring life. Spreading peace to the world is her mission, one speech at a time.

Stanley Chambers

I found the guest speaker, Stanley Chambers informative and instrumental. Mr. Chambers is currently a contributing writer for the News and Observer (Raleigh, NC). Mr. Chambers stated that after many years of doing crime investigating in Greenville, North Carolina, he was offered a job at the News and Observer in Raleigh, NC. Mr. Chambers stated that a first he was hesitant about taking the job, not knowing what requirments and qualities were asked of his new employer. Mr. Chambers stated some of his personal opinions about how we ( as a nation) are so affected by the media and how the media influences our lives everyday. Mr. Chambers talked about his work in journalism and reporting. He stated that as a joutnalist/news reporter he must write a story with no signs or bias or personal feelings in his text. Mr. Chambers stated that it is often hard to right a complte story without having some signs of judgement or opinion within your work. Mr. Chambers stated that his job is to get the truth out of every story and report only what is know is true. Overall, I felt that Mr. Chambers was greatly beneficial in giving good advice with career goals and objectives, and is a modern role model to many inspiring journalist.