Assignment 3-2

The word ritual is another word for tradition. I believe that it is something that one’s practice repeatedly, whether it is annually, semiannually, monthly, weekly, or daily. Most of the time the different has some type of meaning or symbolizes something special. Also most rituals are like a habit it is automatically observed, it does take one to remind you or describe it is just something you do without putting too much thought in it. There are many rituals in our society that many people observe, one in particular is a marriage or anniversary, many celebrate the death of Jesus, also many people have church on Sundays, these different things are all rituals that I observe. In my family we really don’t have many different rituals from society. Although when someone in my family visit from out of town we always cook lots of food and gather around like we have never seen each other. We do a lot of bonding we get the chance to gather around. I think that after Christmas shopping is a very popular ritual. Every year people look forward to going shopping after Christmas because the sales are great. I would like for our family to have get together a least once a week to get around each other eat and enjoy each other’s company and once a month I would like for my family to go out and watch a movie, eat out, or just be with each other an outing.

Assignment 3-1

There is something that is emerging globally, amongst our teenagers and also some adults; it is text messaging. It has become so popular that over half of our nation’s population have a cell phone in order to text and to have the fast communication between one another. I used to think that dialing a number and being able to communicate through voice was quick enough. These adolescents today have proven a quicker and more convenient route towards communication. One article says “this service appeals to consumers, especially teens and young adults who are among the 70 million people in the U.S. already familiar with messaging from their computers.”(Young Money, Source Verizon Wireless. 2006) I really believe that text messaging is the new genre’s way to communicate; I personally do not believe it is going to become nonexistent anytime soon. With text messaging you can reach your peers and a matter of seconds, regardless if they are school or at work or driving. However, the text messaging while driving has become a major issue.
“The latest trend in the saga of teens behind the wheel is texting while driving.” (StarTribune. Teens typing away behind the wheel. 2007) There are so many inexperienced young drivers picking up this dangerous habit of texting while driving. Although the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not yet reported any statistics on accidents caused by young adults texting while driving. Many kids are aware that this is not a safety precaution, however one kind states, “ I can’t help but respond right away if I get a text. I don’t like waiting. The world today is going fast.” (StarTribune. Teens typing away behind the wheel. 2007) This shows how fast our society is growing and changing constantly.


References
Lubrano, A (2007,March,05). Teens typing away behind the wheel.
StarTribune, Retrieved 1118,2007, from http;/
/www.startribune.com/484/v-print/story/1033070.html

2006). Phone Messaging: Latest Trend in Wireless Growing in
Popularity. Retrieved November 19, 2007, from
YoungMoney Web site: http://www.youngmoney.co/technology/tech_trends/
021107_01

Assignment 2-2

My analysis includes three influential icons that have made a great impact on society. The first icon I chose was Janet Jackson, she is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, activist, and a pop iconJackson is ranked as the second most successful female recording artist of all time, according to Billboard and the ninth most successful act in the history of rock and roll. My second chosen icon is Kimora Lee Simmons. Kimora Lee Simmons is the American Dream. She is the only multiethnic woman to have a successful fashion empire along with her own signature diamond encrusted cell phone, jewelry collection, cosmetics and fragrance. Kimora Lee Simmons is the new establishment. Lastly I chose Oprah to be an icon. He is a outstanding actor, director and an Icon. He has played in over 30 films and has won major awards for his success. He one of the most well known and admirable actors of all time.
I chose Janet Jackson as my first icon because of her talent and longevity in our society. When I see Janet I see a soft, warm, and giving indidual. She has been around for a long time and she has made one of the greatest impact on our culture. Despite all the rumors about her family espesiallly her brother Janet has always seemed to come back even stronger and has let nothing hold her back. I chose Kimora Lee Simmons because she is a strong willed individual who has overcame crulety in her past. She was not always a rich suprermodel she experience racial prejudices and many other tautnts as a child. She is a very hard worker and she is great at what she does. She has let people know that you don’t always have to come from something to be something. Lastly I chose Mr.Denzel Washington as an icon. For number one because he deserves to be recognized as a pop icon. His presense and charisma can just light up the room. He has such amazing talent and a drive to be successful. He received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Fordham University. This accomplishments and many others prove that Denzel Washington is truly a pop icon.
I chose each of thes icons because I admire all of them for different reasons. They all have mader society aware that success is attainable only if you want it and work hard for it. It really doesn’t matter where you came from but how you get there is the key.with her own signature diamond collection, cosmetics and fragrance -

American Gangster Assignment 2-1

“American Gangster” is by far the most influential film that has hit the big screen in a very long time. This movie has become a pop culture icon. Frank Lucas was the king of New York, one of biggest heroin traffickers in America history. The talented Denzel Washington played the dynamic Frank Lucas. This movie has captured a variety of audiences from young to old to race to race. The movie has impacted many peoples view on the America dream-, which is “lie-cheat-steal-kill” (Rollingstone. 2007). Frank transformed from rags to riches, he started off being a bodyguard for Bumpy Johnson which was the beginning of his new empire. He and his family worked to maintain this magnificent almost untouchable empire. Frank Lucas was the mastermind behind the scenes, with little education and failure to count his own money; he was a very intelligent man.
Denzel Washington performed this role so well one would almost forget that he was not the real Frank Lucas. His gangster style and his love for violence set a whole new perspective for gangster. He was not a flashy pimp like your typical drug lord he really acted and appeared to be a CEO for a multi-billion company. He was a businessman despite his illegal business he was an innovator for many, based on his intelligence. This movie really will always be an addition to the pop culture icons for its reality and its purpose.








References

Gleiberman, O (2007). American Gangster. EW.Com, from
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20155724,00.html
Scott, R (2007). American Gangster. Rollingstone, Retrieved 11 13,2007, from
http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/145928531/review/16971598/american_gangster

Popular Culture

Popular culture is a way to determine one’s identity and create different types of expressions, which vary in a particular society. Such forms of expression are how the "people" in such societies interact with each other. Popular culture comprises the means via which large, heterogeneous masses of people identify themselves, for example by conformity to certain types of dress, ways of speaking, modes of behavior, and music preferences. The norms of popular culture are highly individualistic and constantly changing — they allow adherents to continually update or redefine themselves by the culture aspects they adopt, maintain, modify, or reject. Popular culture is often transmitted by mass media such as books, films, television, large public gatherings (rock concerts, mass sports events, etc.) and is usually not location-specific. One's "identity" within popular, mass culture is usually flexible and even vague, with a wide range of possible social roles which one may define individually within the broad cultural norm. I think that it is beneficial for one to understand the definition of popular culture in a business environment and in a career. The reason for my belief is because there a many different people that you have to interact with everyday. The society and technology is changing everyday, and understanding popular culture can help you understand the effects these changes have on people. I never thought how much popular culture is a description of our everyday life. It consists on what we eat, wear, how we speak, and just basically all of our actions and views.
I chose black entertainment television (BET) to be an example of a popular culture. It has made so many improvements and has contributed to the society in so many ways. BET Networks remains committed to providing fresh, culturally-unique and issues-

targeted public affairs programming. Whether it's a heartbreaking short film about HIV/AIDS or a new public service announcement featuring today's hottest celebrities supporting healthy lifestyles, the cable network through the Rap- It-Up campaign consistently exhibits innovative ways to educate its viewers on the important health and social issues impacting young adults today.