weekly analysis 3

Whittney Scott

Hum 341 Weekly Analysis

Professor DeSando

March 6, 2008

Vote or die. That was the slogan of the 2004 election when encouraging youth to vote. That still rings true today. I was always told, if you don’t vote then you’re letting others speak for you and you can’t complain about the goings on. Not to mention that I am only two generations removed from the people who fought just so that I could stand at the poll.

We would be defaming the memory of those who died by not voting. It would also be a slap in my grandparents face because they got ridiculed so that my mother and I could vote without the same discrimination. A survey of 18- to 24-year-olds drew a disturbing conclusion, we could be witnessing the emergence of non-voting citizens. It could be that we feel all the candidates are the same, so we’re not willing to waste time voting. If this is how you feel. But I ask that you remember, the elected offical may have a colossal impact on not just our future, but our children's future, not just for four years but for following years.

Whether your excuse is indifference or sluggishness, voting is a privilege that far many too young adults take for granted. The next time you start thinking that you don’t need to vote, consider how you would feel if you had no choice. Whether it be electing a president, selecting your occupation, deciding where to live or how many children to have. This day in age, there are far too many countries where the people don’t have a choice, and I'm positive they would give a limb just for the vital privilege of voting!

An icon

An icon is a person or celebrity if you will, whose fame in popular culture constitutes a noteworthy characteristic of any given society or era. There is no test for establishing “icon" status, such status is usually associated with elements such as longevity, ubiquity, and distinction. The characters that embody this are Denzel Washington, Janet Jackson, and Gregory Hines. They have all dabbled in various fields and manage to maintain the notoriety on which they built their careers with.

Pop icons have left an enduring mark and then gone on to attain a lasting place of recognition in society. Washington has starred in forty films. He has portrayed great men such as Malcolm X and Rubin “Hurricane” Carter and has done the roles justice. Jackson has scored more than thirty number-one singles on various charts. In addition to her commercial accomplishments, Jackson has won five Grammys. Hines was an acclaimed tap dancer, choreographer, actor, singer, and director.

It is common for a figure to be recognized and even celebrated in areas outside the original source of celebrity status. An example of this is Washington; he has produced two major films and one television special. Before Jackson was known for her singing, she was starring on such shows as Good Times, Diff'rent Strokes and Fame. In addition, Hines dominated just about every aspect of the entertainment business.

Icon status implies distinguished association with a public ideal or prime example. It isn’t uncommon for iconic figures to have a moniker or nickname that is used to accentuate this association. Nor is it uncommon for some of the individuals to go by just one name. These individuals were chosen, because they are the elite in their field. They have inspired so many that have come after them, not only to do the same aspect but do it better. They have all worked in other aspects of entertainment realm, but haven’t lost credibility in their original line of work.

PoPuLaR cUlTuRe

Pop culture is an expression in the mass circulation of items from areas such as fashion, music, sports, and film. To me it means popular things of the day, like a song or a show. I don't think that pop culture is relevant in a business setting, unless you would like to make a reference. In my career it will be highly necessary just for the fact that I am going to be a publicist, perhaps working with celebrities and I will need to know everything that is relevant to them and their social settings. I chose this particular artifact because I think it says a lot about our generation.

Amy Winehouse

Forget twelve steps, the step that apparently works best for Amy Winehouse is the one where she dominates a major awards show. The newly minted five-time Grammy Award winner, is supposedly back on the straight and narrow. While it is said that rehab is working wonders for the 24-year-old, it was her big performance, and show of support, at the Grammys, that really put Winehouse over the edge in terms of cleaning up her act.

The decision was for the best. What you see is how she is. She seems like a very, very genuine and sincere girl; not to mention a talented one. Among her horde of awards were Grammys for Best New Artist, Record and Song of the Year for "Rehab", Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Pop Vocal Album honors for Back to Black.

Despite the constant media glare and what seemed for a time like her daily public and destructive travails. Even those problems can't be pinned entirely on Amy. Last month, the Sun tabloid went for it in a big way, publishing still photos in its print edition and snippets of a full video online showing Winehouse smoking what appeared to be a crack pipe and admitting to having taken Valium in footage that was filmed at the singer's London home.

A few days later, the singer checked into rehab—yes, the same rehab she refused in her hit single. From what I know about addiction, addiction is something that once it's got hold of the person, it's very hard to get off. So I commend her on taking the advice of her parents, management and record label and taking steps to better herself .Though the "I'm No Good" songbird is no longer in the live-in rehab facility in London, it has been confirmed that Winehouse is currently receiving outpatient treatment.