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March 15, 2008 |
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The Many Benefits of Rap
FOUND by Andrew Smith
in Indianapolis, Indiana
I was picking up my printouts at the computer lab at IUPUI when I stumbled upon this. There was only one page and I'd love to read the rest of this masterpiece. I am particularly fond of the random numbers and statistics that aren't referenced in any way. My favorite sentence? "Ludacris also helps a lot". Oh, and another good one, "Rap music has benefited Americans far more than it has hurt them." Remember, when you are alone and afraid and don't know what to do or where to turn, "Rap has brought people together." Enjoy.
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So I Drank It August 24, 2006 |
Claude at Dusk September 15, 2007 |
MILF Day August 21, 2006 |
Marcia + Theron January 01, 2007 |
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We collect FOUND stuff: love letters, birthday cards, kids' homework,
to-do lists, ticket stubs, poetry on napkins, telephone bills, doodles -
anything that gives a glimpse into someone
else's life. Anything goes...
Wow. Leaps AND bounds. Impressive.
I'd imagine this is a persuasive essay of some sort written by a middle school kid. I hope he or she got an A :D
I bet Darirus listens to rap.
Thank God for rap music. Apparently we would all be incredibly depressed and isolated without it. This paper has truly opened my eyes.
The author doesn't seem to care for his or her own arguments, citing them as weak, demanding MORE.
Also, can someone commit a mistake? I thought mistakes were made, and crimes were committed. A commentary on the caliber of the mistakes this essay is referring to?
Violent yet charitable? Crock. Of. Shit.
All kidding aside, the kid may have a point about all the rags to riches, social conscious rappers out there. As an uptight white woman I can only think of only a few upstanding rags to riches rappers. They are Sean Combs, Jay Z, Russell Simmons, and Ice Cube. Snoop Dog's always getting busted for weed. Tupac and Biggie are dead and even Combs was involved in a gun related incident. How many rappers are out there. Unfortunately, that kinda overshadows any good they do in the public eye. However, I know media plays a big part in that just like Rock and roll musicians are all heroin and coke addicts. You don't here about them going around shooting each other. Notice I said you don't hear about it. Guns are just in the rapper culture.
$10 says "vocal plague on society" is plagerized.
I agree with Sunnie.... that is my favorite sentence... and it is so uncharacteristic of the rest of teh paper.... woot... "vocal plague on society"
I love the world.
I think the kid's essay could use a few judiciously placed commas. Is s/he saying that "Even though some rappers are actually violent for the most part..." or his s/he saying that "Even though some rappers are violent, for the most part..." It makes a difference.
I, along with the writer, would also like to know what the point of their conclusion is!
"The media always claims that rap music is detrimental to youth and people in general."
Hmmm.
turn this into a rap, and I might be impressed...
...more impressed...
I love that line "vocal plague.." but yeah, sunnie, it's probably not this kid's line.
I remember bullshitting my way through many a junior high and highschool report, too. That last paragraph is such a steaming pile of nonsense. Not spending their money on themselves? what about their cribs, their rides, their grills, and the rest of the bling bling? Don't tell me that rappers aren't spending their coin on themselves.
Dear Rappers,
can you send some money becasue we are running out of money and I need me some stylin' shoes.
I wanna go back back yo
Love Baby D
I love how you are all optimistically assuming this was written by a middle school or high school person ... with access to the university computer lab. I hope you are right.
My favourite sentence(s) "Weak. find out what the point of the conclusion is."
No, this is definitely a college paper. I'm guessing English 101 or whatever the beginning comp class was. I used to work at a university writing center, and we used to get some AMAZING papers along these lines. Oh man.
My favorite was the one where a kid said Matthew Shepard was killed because he tried to give some guys AIDS. No shit.
Sadly, I must agree: college level, basic or remedial composition. I've probably read hundreds of these.
Rappers as a "sect of celebrity" is priceless.
I work with college lit students, teaching commentary writing among other things. This is definitely a printout of a teacher's attachment to an email critiquing a paper the student emailed to him/her. I've seen lots of these. MORE and the comment about "Weak etc." are the teacher's comments. It disturbs me that the teacher didn't say anything about backing up those comments about "helping a lot" etc.
But then I was just on another comment board where a young professional with a highly-paid responsible job discussed "wrighting" a letter of complaint to a chain restaurant! She used the word twice, saying she had forgotten to "wright" to them just after the incident due to holiday madness (her words) but she was definitely "wrighting" to them this weekend!
Clue to success: Learn to spell before you wright that letter!
...and I think I'll print this find out and have my students critique/develop/rewright it.
As much as I'd love to thing middle/high school, this looks a LOT like a rough draft by a university freshman for an early-in-the-term "short essay" for some general requirement course like Intro to American Cultural Studies or something.
thing=think
"Write a persuasive paper that contradicts a commonly-help, but perhaps unchallenged, belief in American culture."
rags to riches in da hood
snapping words made it good
so i got style, a grill n a crib
homies ho's bea-tches, admit i did
some poppin, some robbin- b's straight up
so i got no respect for laws corrupt
respect is for mama, my bro, my dog
the nation of people, god above
take yo money on the street,
buy the discs more discreet,
point is fool, yo bens are mine
pass em on to others but only sometime
see old robin, in da wood
i just tryin, do some good.
I work at a college writing room and I'm floored by the papers I see. The current school system, along with their parents, and community is failing them and it's sad. I hate to criticize too much for fear I'll (and probably already have) make a big faux pas on here, but I continually amazed. "Vocal plague" you bet it as plagiarized it sound nothing like the rest of the papers. Funny,I just helped a kid write a paper on rap musicians along with a power point slide.
scissors
Baby Basil, I've already printed this out. Your a teacher, now I see why you're such the grammar nazi.
Captain, mona gonna get onto you for being racist and stupid.
Bravo/a wrye!
If the "wrighter" of this paper is going to take a controversial point of view they should at least have some actual facts. If this is a college paper, there should be some darn footnotes! Where are your sources? 15% of their money goes to charity my ass!
wrye freestylin' in da hood, I'm impressed. Peppster's right this time captain, yo making trouble fo yo self wit da mona beotch. (sorry mona) just kidding.
See I made a faux pas. I'm continually amazed. Not I continually. God I'm so embarrassed.
Besides the fact that I disagree with this essay, it's totally rambling and repeating. What ever happened to using the following formula for essay writing:
introduction,
statement1 + proof,
statement2 + proof,
statement3 + proof,
conclusion.
@ sue bee: how about these kids failing themselves? we teach them a particular writing skill, they recognize the use of that skill in some other writing, they practice that skill in the classroom and for homework, and then they fail to apply that skill to their subsequent writing assignments because they don't even look at the rubric, the models, or their own in-class work. at that point, not "the school system's" fault anymore. ps: i just refreshed my comment to see if you corrected yours...but it's not a faux pas...it's an error in grammar. no biggie, we all make 'em.
@ baby basil: do you see this few comments from teachers on essays? i think any teacher worth his salt would make a few more comments than this. i think it's more likely that as this student wrote, he added his own commentary or that of a peer editor to whom he was reading the paper as he wrote it.
@ RG: i don't think this is middle school. or even high school. definitely college level.
i love love love "vocal plague"
and i love love love rap
lars, your so right I should have put some blame on the students as well. Thanks for the heads up for my own grammar mistake too.
I agree this is a college paper.
do celebrities come in sects? hmmm
if only i could persevere and work hard, then i too could become a rapper.
I love this paper. unsupported facts notwithstanding, it's lovely.
Pepper/Norma Jean..whomever else you pretend to be STFU
@Lars: no, in fact I see a lot more corrections/critique from teachers of students I tutor, which is why they come to me for help. That is exactly why I am troubled by the teacher who generated this particular find not seeming to notice the glaring gaps in the fabric of the work. Unless of course this is the very first draft. Where I live, teachers tend to "bleed" all over a student's work, slashing and writing comments such as "weak, redo this paragraph" but without actually telling their students how to improve their work, which is where I come in.
I am tempted to respond to the person that called me a "grammar nazi" but my Danish grandma taught me never to feed a troll; they will move in and drive your tomten away, and then where will you be?
Ooh mona, hit a nerve there?
Oh and thanks for turning me on the Secret Vespers. Pretty cool site.
just like there is white pepper, there are also some white rappers out there. I can't really name any, unless Vanilla Ice K-Fed count. And Maybe David Silver from 90210. So don't assume anyone typing my comments is assuming that all rappers are African American.
"in fact (ORLY?) rappers donate about 15% of their income to charity"... are they tipping society?
I was speeding down I-70 in Morehead City blasting " Fuck tha Police " not realizing that I was being pulled over. Oh, good times.
Wow, if you post wasn't in red I would have thought you were being inpostered mona.
I love the: moving a head.
and getting your teeth incrusted with diamonds is a totally selfless act.
I hope this kid is in junoir high, otherwise his paper is probably going to get an F.
(we all remember the joke that was junoir high right?)
Oh my Gawd, it you yall don't sound like a bunch of KKK members.
I've been teaching writing at the college level for about 6 years and if I got this paper as a first draft, I would be thrilled.
When I magnify this it only looks worse. Is they everyone else's experience?
Is this everyone ......
This was definetely written by a black student.
I know exactly how it feels writing this essay. Knowing that you are talking complete shite, but the flow keeps coming and you just hope that your tutor cares as little about it as you do and that they won't give you too much shit.
You notice I didn't leave my name, cause I didn't want a bunch of feedback like norma raye did yesterday.
holy cliche.
that's all i have to say.
Yeah, this is probably a college essay rough draft-- IUPUI is the acronym for Indiana University, Purdue University at Indianapolis, or "ewy-pewy" if you're from Naptown.
The essayist is just reminding people that there are rappers out there "servicing the motherfuckin' children," as Killer Mike might say.
And we're still working out a few minor kinks w/ the new magnifier-- I think it's having a bit of trouble magnifying larger finds like this one. A little trick-- if you right-click (or control click for you Mac laptoppers) the magnified image, choose "view image," and you'll get the enlarged image.
Shouldn't be a problem for long, but that's the weekend solution!
booger: Sometimes i have trouble not feeding the trolls.
Pepper, vocal plague of the internet.
just cut out the last sentence. then you end on a high note and leave us all inspired!
God, this is so true. I had forgotten that rappers give more than the average musician. I mean, did you SEE the pics of Eminem cutting dolphins out of tuna nets and Snoop Dogg building Habitat for Humanity homes? .... what do you mean I have to prove that?
What about the rappers that just SAY they had to "overcome poverty, crime and many other obstacles"? I remember hearing about a rapper or two who used that whiney line only to have it come out later that not only did they not grow up in the ghetto, they went to prep school...
P.S. When is all the "You only *insert applicable accusation here* to me because I'm black" crap going to STOP??? I had a 4th grade black boy threaten to SHOOT another 4th grade boy, so I wrote him up for it. His bus riding privilege was removed for 2 days and that afternoon he stopped by to tell me, and I quote, "My mom's gonna lose her job now, ya racist."!!!! Yea, that's it kid, I only wrote you up because you're black. It had nothing to do with threatening to KILL another student. And hey, if she loses her job, I hear McDonalds is hiring...
*rant over*
I love to read the Found stuff, and learned about it from This American Life. However, when reading the submittal email, and many of the responses, my impression is one of elitism. I am no huge fan of urban music (rap, hip/hop, thug, strip/hop, etc.), but it is making a significant cultural impression on young men and women. Do I agree with the misogynistic attitude of strip/hop? Am I accepting of the glorification of drug dealing in thug? No, on both accounts.
The largest purchasing group of urban music is WHITE suburban teenage boys (I know, I'm the mother of a 17 year old). They listen to it because it pisses their parents off. They buy it because it makes them feel dangerous out of their gated-communities and upper socioeconomic status.
HOWEVER, how comments have been protrayed here perpetuates their impression elitism. How precious of some of you to insist that this must have been written by a black person! How witty of you to critique the subject as so low class! Isn't it wonderful that your charitable efforts are so much more alturistic and noble.
And, personally, I'm not going to hide behind some made up name and not defend my position. I'm Marianne Denton, from Reno, Nevada. You can email me at mariannedenton@sbcglobal.net. If I'm going to advance an arguement, I'm not going to be an effing pussy about it like some of you. Jerks.
You go girl.
@Marianne- Chill. Seriously. Although I did particularly enjoy paragraph #2. And I'm, for one, and not hiding behind a made up name either. If you want to know who I really am, ask and you shall receive, my friends.
(And to the rest of you commenters, your comments make me laugh so hard I cry almost every day. We aren't "effing pussies" or "jerks", and I don't have the gall to assume that Marianne's rant was directed solely at me, I just felt like someone needed to tell her to get back on her meds. Mother's Little Helper anyone?)
I just got a cyber spanknig by Marianne Denton and it didn't feel so good. She's right, I'm such a snob.
p.s. I googled "vocal plague" and was pleasantly rewarded with a blog I find very relevant to today's Find.
http://pellucid-prolix.blogspot.com/2005_09_01
hey marianne denton, welcome. you listen to this american life? on npr? wow, that's so urban, so ghetto, so un-elitist! i think you may be right at home here!
i'm white, almost 46 years old, and i live in rural connecticut. and i love rap. did i say that already?
as for the spanking, sue bee: thank you, sir. may i have another?
location correction, y'all.
lars, maybe I should have said I got a cyber spanknig by Marianne Denton and I liked it.
Hey Rebel, This is what I got when I went to the blog site you recommended. The blog you were looking for was not found. Lars, pointing out the American Life bit was so spot on. Thanks, your wit it priceless. You too, Sue Bee. Shame on those who think you're that troll Pepper.
well, sue bee, we are effing pussies, after all.
dissembling, elitist, masochistic effing pussies. damn, i like myself.
My white suburban 17 year old son listens to Pink Floyd. He pisses me off by not picking up after himself.
Marianne, when i read the above, and am assured that it is college work, that does push me toward the position that a judicious quantity of elitism is not such a bad thing. Perhaps we need a LOT MORE elitism.
_archive.html
sorry the end of the link didn't post.
"They buy it because it makes them feel dangerous out of their gated-communities and upper socioeconomic status."
How precious of you to think that this is how white people think and live.
I don't like you Marianne.You're the jerk.
And where the hell do you get off generalizing and shit talking like that? Go ahead and defend your position, or at least make it clear.
baby basil, in da pot
sue b, rebel, marianne-pussy-not,
all the slobs and crabs
here at found
kickin chill, we just messin round
not here to solve all problems 2day
<who is this 'npr' gang anyway?>
points not da sound, bois with noise
points not dis skin, price of da toys
might be da scrip or ed-u-cation
don't twist it into elite sal-vation
people is what dey is, way dey be
a gangsta troll or best homie
say whatcha want, don't make a sound
just get down with da spirit of da found.
I wonder how long wrye's been waiting to bust that out. Not bad... :)
@wrye - That's awesome... But am I a slob or a crab?
@rebel- thanks! you have a 'b' in your name, therefore you are a slob (slobs is blood, crabs are crips, crips don't use the letter b)
JASON: The only thing I don't like about the log-on thing is that every time I switch sites and then come back I have to log in again. I wish we could stay logged, even if only for 24 hrs. OK, I'm whining, maybe. Sorry.
WRYE: Love your rap. I'm "one a da slobs" I guess, to b or not to b. (Anyone who has seen my office would definitely agree with that, also say that it's already "gone to pot.")
Personally I like French rap better than the US variety; it's usually biting social criticism that has relevance and point for most people, rather than some of the violent/sex-saturated/"poor me, I'm a victim" stuff I've heard from the other side of the pond. Maybe what we get over here from the States just isn't the best.
"Money get back
I'm all right Jack keep your hands off my stack.
Money it's a hit
Don't give me that do goody good bullshit
I'm in the hi-fidelity first class traveling set
And I think I need a Lear jet"
Rap makes untalented people think they can be superstars.
Altruism by rappers is motivated by tax deductions.
Rap has no tune or melody, so should not be classified as music.
Yikes, beware the Ides of March. I should have know better. Lots of coffee will do that to me!
@wrye -- that's so awesome. Truly, you have summed up what should be the spirit of Found.
@lars -- Not a Found Virgin, but a Found Voyeur. The reason that I love Found is because it is such a beautiful slice of someone's life. On a daily basis, Found is one of the first sites I visit when I long on. I generally do not go into the comments; however, the accompanying comment with this submission made me scroll down.
@bob in ab -- perhaps what students need is a lot less "No Child Left Behind" and a lot more real education. My son's high school English teacher would LOVE to teach her students how to write -- truly write. But she has to teach them how to write to the tests. She is one of the best English instructors I know, and I sense that she, and many others of her talent regardless of the subject, would rather instruct and inspire rather than teach what is required.
@Terri -- I guess because I am white, and have lived in nearly every socioeconomic class from just above poverty in a trailer to neighborhoods dictated by CCR's, I tend to feel that I have experience in being white. White trash, white soccer mom, white wifey-poo, white socialite, white fastfood server. My experience in this particular instance comes from being the mother of a white 17 year old boy, who, along with many of his white friends, love to make "adults" feel uncomfortable with their hoodies and baggy pants and baller bass-pounding music that vibrates every car stopped at the traffic signal. The look of disgust on the faces of other adults makes my son's day. AND, I'm not generalizing that is how all teenage boys behave. I am speaking from my experience with this particular young man and his extended group of friends.
@Rebel -- Yeah, I'd take those meds but it would appear that you've hoarded them all.
@TANG -- I don't give a shit if you like me or not. You're not the first person to think I'm a jerk, and you won't be the last. However, it is not my mission in life to impress you or desire your approval. I crap on your approval.
AND FINALLY...because TANG asked me to, though I thought that I had, let me sum up my position:
America has become a culture that mocks one another and takes delight in it. The era of American Idol and Simon, and other reality TV shows allows Americans to hide at home, making fun of someone else's failings while feeling self-rightous about themselves. We've really, truly become a devisive community along political, religious, cultural, educational and economic lines. Heck, I'm guilty of it. My husband's guilty of it. The very best people I know are guilty of it. But I really, really do not want to perpetuate it. I am not out to change anyone else's values, but I am committed to not compromising mine -- as f*cked up as they may appear to many.
If you sprinkle when you tinkle
Please be neat and wipe the seat
"Rappers have set an excellent example by not selfishly spending all of their money on themselves."
How true. They not only give 15% to charity, but they also give money to the car man, the bling man, the ho man and the guy who puts imitation gold leaf on everything in their house.
Nobody's ever crapped on my approval before. In my shoe, yes, but not on my approval. Oh, well.
i must agree with blue in the bayou
marianne denton, I like you, you make us think. (and you're a shit stirrer)
Marianne: I am white. I don't know what CCR is, but I would guess it's some kind of home owner's thing, I've never owned one so I don't know. I don't listen to NPR. I'm not a soccer mom. I've never lived in a gated community. I grew up in a poor, but very diverse neighborhood. I've been to the welfare office. I've lived in poverty. Have never been a socialite, and I don't know any. I try not make generalizations. You called some people pretentious...some might say that you are the pot calling the kettle black.
I may be going out on a limb, but I suspect that your son and his friends' delight in pissing off and making adults uncomfortable has everything to do with being 17 and nothing to do with being white or into rap.
pitch on the slab in fl, me too.
Amen Teri-is-so-very, you read her for the filth she it.
i'm scared silly!
Terri -- Apparently, you skipped the part about me living in poverty, too. But your assessment is 100% correct about the comments I made about my son; it is all about being 17 years old without a care in the world. We should all be so lucky.
Peppster -- Thanks, it was really not my intent this morning to type myself silly, but here it is, for what it is.
Annon -- saying amen to Terri, you must know me since you have an amazingly accurate assessment of me. Too bad you're not willing to reveal who you are on some sort of level to declare me for what I am. But hopefully somebody loves me. And somebody hopefully loves you. Surely, that is the best any of us can wish for.
And so I'm not the "pot calling the keetle black," it is the level of mockery that I mentioned earlier that I am trying to get my 17 year old son to disengage from. When I hear him say something disparaging about someone at school, it pains me because I really hoped that we have not raised him mock others. But mockery is so pervasive in society, with middle and high school being where it is openly stated at the expense of another. Yet as adults, we can hide behind our mockery by drawing conclusions about others in the guise of "well, maybe they just don't know better," or "if they only didn't live that way." It's so easy for us live in a bubble of comfort, and make assumptions about others. And if they're different, we mock them. If they're not as talented as us, we mock them. We mock people based on their associations, but without knowing who they are as people. And really, isn't the most popular TV show in America really about mocking people? While I have honestly not seen it, aren't the first couple of episodes of American Idol showing people really risking a lot in an attempt to impress three people, only to be mocked and humiliated by the latter? And we can sit at home and giggle, saying to ourselves, "What were they thinking? They have no talent!"
So, I am going to back to my last posting, and try to stand by it: I am not out to change anyone else's values, but I am committed to not compromising mine -- as f*cked up as they may appear to many.
I thank all for their responses and comments to my posts. And thanks to Found Magazine; I hope everyone enjoys the Found items as much as I do.
Marianne, I respect your opinions and agree with some of them, but I don't see what your concluding argument has to do with your original statement. Also FYI, coming into a community for the first time and calling its members fucking pussies and jerks is disrespectful and puts everyone on the defensive, essentally blowing everything else you say out of the water.
You go, girl.. Nightingale, i knew we could count on your to stand up for this community.
Marianne, seriously, you came off as tremendously disrespectful. And pretentious. and oh-so condescending. "I thank all for their responses and comments to my posts. And thanks to Found Magazine; I hope everyone enjoys the Found items as much as I do." oh please..... you sound like a frustrated, pretentious bitch. And you'll probably complain about the number of emails you get (if anyone bothers to respond to you in that manner) or say that we're effing pussies and jerks cuz we're not gonna man up and send you an email about how we feel.
You're contradicting yourself, Marianne, when you say "I am not out to change anyone else's values, but I am committed to not compromising mine." You talk about how wrong it is to mock and judge people, but right off the bat you were calling people here elitist and racist.
Also you claim not to care about "our" approval, so you crap on Tang's disapproval and glow in Peppster's affirmation?
Thanks, Night. While hardly not my first time to Found, and I've posted before (very infrequently), I was naive to not understand that there was already a very cohesive group of regular posters. As I mentioned before, I generally do not read the posts, but come specifically for the Found Item of the Day. Your points are well stated, and taken to heart.
My concluding arguement is attempting bring (for myself) some focus from my original posting that I preceived some of the comments to be mocking the writer of Found Item, and what I preceived as invalidating the author's belief about urban music. I think when anyone feels passionate about a subject, and perhaps the author feels passionate about rap music, we try to pursade others to our view point. It seems to be human nature to do so. Hence, the statement about me not attempting to change anyone else's values, but trying not to compromise mine.
Night: NEVER called anyone racist. I'm not quite certain where you read that in my postings, or drew that conclusion.
There's a pretty offensive statement about attempting to win an arugement on the internet, which you're all probably familar with so I need not repeat it, but apparently it applies here.
@ marianne again: you don't seem to understand what people do here. we read, we laugh, we poke fun (and i mean poke, not beat over the head or drag behind a car), we try out our own clever wit on our fellow posters, we think, we muse, we question, and above all, we accept, almost always with an intent of lightness and connection. your condescending blabs about your position and all that shyt are boring and contradictory and didactic and boring again. when people suggest that you chill, or lighten up, you should take the suggestion and run with it, not keep proselytizing. i bet your beautiful white 17 year old son in his hoodie feels the same way.
Marianne, I read racism (and mockery) into your words:
"How precious of some of you to insist that this must have been written by a black person!"
I apologize if I jumped to the wrong conclusion there.
I don't understand what values you have that you're trying not to compromise. Is it not to judge others? Not to mock people? No wonder many see your values as fucked up.
And I'm not familiar with the statement regarding internet arguments, but if it's offensive, let 'er rip. It wouldn't be the first time you've said something offensive today.
We are all racist in some way or another. Don't forget it. Even I am and I'm black.
OMG, why would anyone post their real email address with Pepper on the lose. Nut Job.
Do you really mean how precious? Cause I keep thinking Lord of the Rings.
Nightingale FTW.
I've only known two Jewish people in my whole life. There just aren't that many Jews down here in Texas. Is that racist?
I thing we should thank Marianne for coming to Found today and opening her mouth (regardless of the foot). Normally on a Saturday the halls of Found are pretty quiet. This has been most entertaining.
Nightingale--if your son is listening to Pink Floyd is he borrowing your cds? And does he know how cool his mother is?
Cheers!
Tee-hee. I was all set to write something, then just the sight of "Hello, Curious." after I signed in... it made me giggle. And blush. Good God, I need to get out more.
Cheezy Rice. guys, you shoulda saved this big ol' find for the next mag.. maybe you could do a music, rap and hiphop edition.
And while I appreciate Found Magazine, and all the enlightenment the magazines and this site provide, I'm scared shitless of Marianne, and plus I'm just not worthy. So I don't think I'll post here again. EVER.
Goodbye, cruel world.
Why is there so much negativity between posters on this site? Bickering back and forth, name calling and worse. Wtf? It would be nice if everyone could just get along w/o always posting intentionally belittling and asinine comments.
This is why I don't post. Or even read many of the posts. All this crap just depresses me, am I alone in feeling this way?
Hey, Smallbear, if you're in the mood to complain, why not pick a stance on something and articulate it rather than just bitch about a comment section you never read or post on? Bye name withheld.
Yay Lars!
Lars, well said. I bow to your ability to explain what the hell it is we do here.
Marianne, i sure hope that you have a good relationship with your glazier, because you're going to have to spend a lot of money on all the glass you'll have to replace in that house of yours.
oh..and yes... Nightingale, FTW... woot woot.... you rock.
Sometimes we even flirt! Let's rock and roll, Mona Lisa! I love the rappity rap and hippity hop music. As long as it's got a beat, we can dance!
C'mon Smallbear and Name withheld. Let's partay!
I realize that every time I post here I complain about people's behavior, but it's really all rather childish. And no I don't care if anyone's offended. This blog used to be civilized, I miss those days. That's all I am saying. Whoops, just realized I am doing exactly what I am complaining about.
To answer my own question from my last post: I guess I am the only one who finds it depressing. Now I'll stfu.
The ironic part for me was that I was listening to my friend's rap group (which recently got signed) while I was reading this. My poor Malcom doesn't even know he's part of a vocal plauge on society.
...and apparently, upon further reading, he's part of so much worse.
What does it matter whether rappers give 50% or 15%? Is anyone bitching on a website going to cut the dolphins out of nets or feed the homeless?
I think I'll go sort the recycling and listen to my Salt-N-Pepa tapes.
LMAO@ Salt-N-Pepa tapes!
Very few people have access to an education that teaches academic writing in high school. There are many kids that come to IUPUI (and most other Universities) as Freshmen with NO or very limited writing experience, which is no fault of their own. I think this kid is making a brave effort and should be praised for it, not discouraged and mocked. This kid just needs some constructive feedback. Shame on you all.
Night in gale, I said it before, (but for some reason was deleted) so I'll say it again. If your son is listening to Pink Floyd most likely he's smoking pot.
Head phones + Pink Floyd = pot smoking.
90% of the time.
Lauren in Indianapolis, Amen to that and I think you are the first person to point that out. Now I'm ashamed for chuckling at some of the comments.
i'm with you, lance..lets boogie
sydney, you must have not read the massacre of marianne, but lauren is right the kid just needs some constructive feedback
I have not mocked or discouraged, I feel no shame.
FWIW, I find it annoying that people assume all rappers are black. There are some quite good rappers of other ethnicities (I know someone mentioned French rap). And although some of this paper did sound plagiarized, it brings up some interesting points.
Me neither, on the shame thing. Haven't mocked or discouraged. I've only spoke the truth and confronted the overbearing. I don't think anyone should be depressed or scared about that.
Thanks Mona and Kat for the "moron" support. And Kat, he used to listen to mine before he bought his own copies. And no. He's 17, he doesn't think I'm cool. And that's just as it should be. LOL
And Pep, he must be in the other 10%. I'm not worried about him. I know the signs. Thanks for your concern. 8-)
Who could not like " Rump Shaker " ?
Ok Lance & Mona let's Boogie.
(You can't change a negative atmosphere by being negative yourself, I now realize.)
you all sure do find a lot to argue about, don't you? i liked the paper - it was charming. yeah, the facts may be unsupported and it may be totally BSed...but the kid has a point. and whoever said this was college level: no. this is classic middle/high school bullshit - that's what makes it so interesting!
Wowww.... Generalize much?
I can't tell... Is he against rappers? Or in favor of them?? This is the most confusing paper ever!
KC.....I am an equal opportunity rap-listener. I like Eminem and Matisyahu. A white guy and a Jew! *pinning a rose on my nose*
back to the found document at hand...(which hasn't been discussed for about 150 comments).
My guess: there is no "rest of it." This is the first page brainstorm of a student trying to figure out what to say. The comments in () are his/hers, and not an instructor's -- evidence of a measure of self-reflexive awareness as a writer.
Maybe -- hopefully -- the writer is going to hit the library for sources and citations. With reliable data, couldn't a discussion of the philanthropic work of America's hardcore rap crowd be pretty darn interesting? Maybe even refreshing?
And I feel like there is hope for this writer. The phrase that some commented on earlier -- "vocal plague on society" -- pulls only a single google hit (this comment thread). Most plagiarists pull from sources that are readily found through google. Rarely the sharpest tools in the ol' shed...
So if this is just the beginning, and if the writer can turn one tantalizing phrase in a page ripped off hastily five minutes before class, MAYBE s/he can turn this into an 8- to 10-page something-worth-reading.
Of course, the writer never FOUND his/her printout, so we may never know.
Aborted thesis. Any surrogates willing to pick up and write the paper?
Criticizing rap music is not racist because rappers are not a race, nor do they represent any race. Criticizing a weakly written essay is not elitist. Everyone should have the opportunity to learn how to write well and persuasively regardless of their income or background. It is a valuable skill to have in the job market and in life, and the only way to get better at it is to learn to revise and improve what you have written. Until you develop your own critical eye you will need teachers to point out logical fallacies, arguments not backed up by evidence, false analogies, etc. Why should only the elite know how to write well? Learning to write well doesn't cost thousands of dollars. Anyone who is motivated should be able to learn it.
Here’s a (timely) note, relating to the topic & theme of the paper….
I think it was Mr. S.Dog that I saw on TV just a couple of days ago (maybe he has a voice in Horton Hears a Who?)… He was on Regis & Kelly, and they talked about the kids’ ball leagues he started, etc., and how he is careful to do ‘projects’ that he won’t be ashamed about with his kids, etc.
Anyway, he was asked “So, what happens when your kids get to be 16, 17 – they’re driving around blasting some of your OLD original rap music… what are you going to tell your kids then?” – (Particularly the woman-hating mysogenistic stuff - b-word, c-word, etc.)
--He responded with a big sigh (something like) “That’s going to be a problem I’ll have to deal with then” –MY impression was that he accepted that this is aa big pickle he created himself, and he knew it was his karma & payback that he’d have to answer for it to his kids.
WOW!
Once again, just now, I walked thru a room that had a TV on– there’s a show on about the murder of “Jam Master Jay”… Anyway, one of the people they interviewed is a fellow, now retired, who’s the former HEAD of NYPD’s “Rap Intelligence Unit”. Now, roll THAT around your mouth a few times – Rap Intelligence. Hmmm… A whole Unit!!?!
Hey BabyBasil!
Now, about that newly-minted word “wright” – might it not be just a handy dandy double entendre? You know, planning to “write” them a letter to “right” the wrong… Put ‘em all together & whatdya get? Bippety Boppety Boo! – WRIGHT!
@Lovey in a tree
“When I magnify this it only looks worse. Is they everyone else's experience?”
Well I don’t know about everyone, but it’s definitely MY experience!
And – re: the “vocal plague on society” potential plagiarism issue… Maybe, instead of plagiarism, this is merely another case of lack-of-punctuation… The sentence now reads:
“The media would have you believe that rap is nothing but a vocal plague on society.”
BUT – if there were quotation marks around “nothing but a vocal plague on society”, then it would be implied that the (wrighter?) was quoting the media!?!
Wrye Wrocks!! (and ‘Wrights’ Well too!!)
Might be first draft of a talk, or student seminar paper, or argument in a debate.
I write lecture notes like this, with '(MORE...)' when I know I can ad lib some more info on my feet.
And the 'find out what the point...' bit is a reminder to go back and think it through critically before finalizing it. I will just put 'REWRITE' or 'BLAH BLAH BLAH'.
As for the text itself, I have no comment. Unless Ian Dury's 'Reasons to be cheerful' counts as rap, I steer clear.
Kdawg, good point, but what if the kid who wrote this essay happened upon this while surfing the net and read these comments. How do you think that would make them feel?
I wouldn't call Buck65 rap.
pepper, i just don't think anyone here seeks parenting advice from you. ever. at all. under any circumstances, regarding any topic.
carry on.
Pink Floyd is conducive to pot smoking. I know.
when you're a pot smoker, just about anything is conducive to it.
Hi, my name is Tori. I'm a grown, married white woman with children and I like rap music. Usually because I find it funny and it has a good beat. I'm easily amused.
WOW...did I miss a good day at found or WHAT. So much shit stirring...it hurts.
wikipedia calls Buck65 a hip hop artist.
Solely because this was found IN a university computer lab, I would agree that it's a university student's paper. HOWEVER, it seems like a lot of people are convinced it's a college paper simply because of the content. Which really makes me wonder what kind of education people are getting! I think I've been privileged with a good education, and am now in university, but if I saw a paper like this at my school, I would be shocked! I wrote better than this in junior high! The paper begins and ends with so many over generalizations, it's painful! I feel like they've ALMOST made a good point, but .. not really. It's disappointing to see someone bullshit their way through a paper. Even if they had a great argument, or some sort of statement with bad grammar, that would be better than this. Sigh.
If it's yellow, let it mellow.
If it's brown, flush it down!!!
Reminds me of a paper I wrote in college, discussing Matthew Arnold (19th century) and his view of mideval architecture and the workers who carved gargoyles etc. I was running out of inspiration on an essay exam so I actually wrote: "It is a good thing that Dr. Arnold died before the advent of Tupperware; if not, I can imagine he would have died soon after."
The prof wrote in the margin: "Baloney, pure and unadorned."
Very perceptive. Can't say I blame him!
wyre Dawg, wow. You gotsa hard-core flow that wont be denied. Way smoother than Jay-Z... More hilarious than Devin the dude... A new breed of rap (and rapper) is thus born... I dont care the color of the student who wrote this paper, they are rather dolt-like... And its not because they are supporting rap, I just recently took the GRE and this looks like a dumbed down version of the "tear apart the argument" prompt in the analytical writing section where a seriously flawed argument is presented and you have critique it.
A dolt is an idiot... Nothing at all to do with race or support of rap... On second reading this could be a paper by a kid who does'nt like rap and therefore is hardpressed to develop any idea beyond the fact that some rappers occasionally help with charitable causes... I say if you have as much money as the most recognized artists (including rock/country/insert high dollar entertainer classification here) and you give to charity it means nothing since it is likely just a tax write-off scheme that is enacted by their accountants
I couldn't read all the comments so I'll just say what I think:
This is a rough draft, and the comments "weak" and "more" are notes-to-self for what to improve.
English Major here. Been there, done that.
I agree with this person.
-Rappers do amazing things, they:
Carry solid gold with only thier teeth!
-Retire from rapping and release an album immediatley afterwards.
-Release numerous albums after death.
Baby Basil, I agree about French rap, I like it too. The social commentary and the blend of music styles make it interesting. Like Celtic rap by Manou, for example, and the blend of Spanish in "Hasta la Vista" by MC Solaar. I haven't heard any recent French rap, have you?
Wrye's rap is da bomb. (Sorry, I don't know where that came from. It popped onto my screen unbidden!)
I like the finder's comments.
Jeee-eeez, everyone is way too cynical and arrogant. Why not consider, maybe, that this kid turned in this grammatical-error-ridden paper because they were in a class to learn how to improve their writing?
Yeah, by college, you should have a good command of language and things like that, but this shows that some people don't. And that's why they learn :)