Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Reflection

I went into doing this project thinking that the American Dream was alive and all people looked at it positively. I had no idea how my grandfather felt about the American dream. He said he thinks people trying to achieve what they certainly cannot is like "a life sucking abyss" because its a waste of time and time is money. At the same time my neighbor Erika thought of living in public housing and striving for the best opportunity ties into the American Dream positively. I was able to get many ideas behind the American  Dream which gave me a better outlook on the neighborhood.
I feel as if the American Dream can change due to your income and ethnicity. My core ideas of the American dream still stand tall but I separated the personal dreams. I use to think the American Dream is growing up and getting a job but tats just a personal goal. I think the problem now is that personal goals and the American dream have been mixed so much we don't know the difference. I connect these to my community because it shows that we know what the American dream is we just have no trust, dedication, or commitment to our personal goals to act upon it.

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Protest Song

War by Edwin Starr


War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Uh-huh
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again, y'all
War, huh, good God
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
Ohhh, war, I despise
Because it means destruction
Of innocent lives
War means tears
To thousands of mothers eyes
When their sons go to fight
And lose their lives
I said, war, huh
Good God, y'all
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again
War, whoa, Lord
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
War, it ain't nothing
But a heartbreaker
War, friend only to the undertaker
Ooooh, war
It's an enemy to all mankind
The point of war blows my mind
War has caused unrest
Within the younger generation
Induction then destruction
Who wants to die
Aaaaah, war-huh
Good God y'all
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it, say it, say it
War, huh
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Uh-huh
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again y'all
War, huh, good God
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
War, it ain't nothing but a heartbreaker
War, it's got one friend
That's the undertaker
Ooooh, war, has shattered
Many a young mans dreams
Made him disabled, bitter and mean
Life is much to short and precious
To spend fighting wars these days
War can't give life
It can only take it away
Ooooh, war, huh
Good God y'all
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again
War, whoa, Lord
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
War, it ain't nothing but a heartbreaker
War, friend only to the undertaker
Peace, love and understanding
Tell me, is there no place for them today
They say we must fight to keep our freedom
But Lord knows there's got to be a better way
Ooooooh, war, huh
Good God y'all
What is it good for
You tell me
Say it, say it, say it, say it
War, huh
Good God y'all
What is it good for
Stand up and shout it
Nothing

This is a protest song about the Vietnam War. It's more of a DIATRIBE towards war than an ENCOMIUMThis song is so significant because it was the 1st Motown song to make a political statement. I find this song very touching  because war is prideful but he targets it as INSANE by saying "War means tears.. to thousands of mothers eyes...When their sons go to fight...and lose their lives." I can see this song leading anti war protest because he EVINCED his ideas about the MURKY Vietnam War. This song makes me think of wars in general. What do we fight for? Compromise should be the 1st move in any disagreement in my eyes. Compromise can tie into the time he said "They say we must fight to keep our freedom...but lord knows there must be a better way."  The NEFARIOUS War that he sees can bring out true feelings from a parent of someone in the military. He EMBELLISHED the Ideas of anti war by giving examples and results of war. I feel like Edwin Starr hit it on the head by saying "Who wants to die" because that's basically the sum of war. There has never been a war involving fighting that ended death free. People join the military to serve and protect and by doing so their life is on the line. I think Edwin Starr supported the soldier but he just felt like what they were doing is useless.
Word Count-244