Let's see how far we've come

Protest happens when people aren’t happy with the way things are. When I came into class I was aware of various forms of protest such as boycotts, marches and riots. I still think that protest has to have a cause and can come in all sizes and forms. One thing that I learned in class is that protest is in the eye of the beholder. What is protest to one person may not be to another. For example let’s take The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. One person may take a joke as nothing more than comic relief, whereas others may find it a reason to change ways. By watching the clips of Jon Stewart I also realized that sometimes protest can be indirect rather than deliberate. Stewart has repeatedly claimed that all he wants to do is entertain people rather than rile them up. However he can’t deny the fact that many people use him as a legit news show. Some people may interpret what he says in more than just a comical sense. Some times protest can cause protest. An example of this would be Ann Coulter or Michael Moore. Both spark much controversy because of their radical views. This may lead people to boycott the books and movies respectively, itself a form of protest. Protest for the same cause can come in many forms. For example some people who protest abortion may choose to do so in a reserved way. Some people on the other hand may choose to do so in a chaotic manner. I would also like to say it has been a fun semester with you guys. Good luck to all of you!

Carpe Diem

The protest song that I chose is War by Bob Marley. It was written by Alan Cole and Carlton Barrett. The first verse is derived from a speech made by former Ethopian emperor Haile Selasise I. In the song Marley is protesting the violence and the racism that was taking place in Africa at the time. He also states that he is unhappy with the way the government in Angola, Mozambique and South Africa was denying equality. He states that untill all this stops there will be war. Marley is protesting the very actions that lead to protest. In other words the reason he is protesting is ultimately to stop protest. In this particulat situation Marley is talking about the brutal violence in Africa. However what makes this a great protest song is that it can be used in almost any situation. There have been many instances of racism throughout history in many different countries and places. I think protest songs can be very effective. However most of the time the artists of protest songs are trying to draw attention and convince people who are undecided. In order to convince these people I think protest songs have to combine reasonable lyrics along with entertaining music. What sets music aside from your average CNN speech is the entertainment. People knowingly listen and produce music because they get an emotional high from it. No one plays a song just because they “have to.” However too strong a melody may take away from the lyrics and ultimately the message. I think an effective protest song needs to be entertaining. However if the artist or production company is looking to do more than just sell records, the entertainment of the song shouldn’t obstruct the public’s ability to analyze the message.

I think Ann Coulter and Michael Moore definitely can be considered protesters. Coulter often times complains about the liberal media and the methods of left winged people. Moore on the other hand is her exact opposite. Although he has criticized Republicans of all sorts, he is most often identified as a George Bush basher. Both Moore and Coulter complain about the opinions and methods of certain people on current issues. I think the reason that the two are so popular is because we as Americans love it when people just speak their minds. We all have opinions on a subject if we are educated enough to know what it is about. Coulter is one of those love or love to hate people. If she wasn’t as arrogant do you think we would be talking about her at all? What about Michael Moore? If he wasn’t so biased would we be talking about him at all? Once more why do you think we are talking about both of them in the same blog? It’s because they believe in complete opposites, yet they both feel that they are unquestionably right. Coulter appeals to people that agree with her and angers people that can’t stand her. Yet I must admit as I said in class I just love hearing her speak just to see how radical she can be. Michael Moore is the same way. I agree with some of the things he says however at times he is too extreme. We as Americans just love agreeing and/or disagreeing. Its not necessarily about loving/hating these two political pundits. It is more whether you love/love to hate them. Everyone just seems to have an opinion and we just like knowing how we feel about certain things.

Mass media such as youtube has revolutionized the way the world attains information. I don’t remember ever seeing any of these news clips live but because of a broadcasting website like youtube people can watch them whenever. This affects what people say because nothing that goes on the air is temporary anymore. Also this past information is not just held by security personal only. The general public also can view these clips whenever they choose. Also because people can post comments on videos they can convince other people to believe what they believe. Ann Coulter seems to be very conservative based. She arouses much controversy by using words such as “broad” and talking about how people are “enjoying the death of their husband” and “Hillary’s chubby legs.” Judging by the fact that she often times elicits controversy it at first seemed to me that she like being criticized by the media. However in the Ann Coulter losing it clip she states that she is tired of having to defend herself. The language she uses is very explicit and straightforward. I don’t find her words persuasive because they seem degrading and offensive. Saying someone has chubby legs? What is she 8 years old? I think it is absolutely sickening that she thinks someone wants to get paid off of someone’s debt, especially a family member. Other people that find her funny might find her persuasive. She stated that she has written five New York Times bestsellers. Often times hearing what she wrote just makes me want to read more. Not because I agree with her actions, but because I just want to see what else she has to say.