Watermount Jamaica/ Jamaican Reggae

Watermount Jamaica.....No water in households...


In Watermount Jamaica there is no water in households. The water supply comes from one standpipe where not only can you get drinking water but it is also where residents do their laundry. Residents have been promised a improvement in water supply since 1977 and till this day there are lock-offs to different standpipes.

How would u feel if u couldn't just get up and get water? Your shower water is water that people have done laundry in? how does this remind you of school discussions about some countries not having water at all, going green and recycling water? Who do you think is to blame?
 
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Jamaican Reggae

Three Little Birds---Bob Marley  <---link
Of course many of you have heard of Bob Marley, Ziggy Marley and Sean Paul.Well one of them, Bob Marley, left a huge impact on society. Well firstly, Bob Marley believed in unifying all black people through music. He believed that if blacks could come together through music, then they could come together through anything. One of his songs that many around the world are probably familiar with, is, "Don't Worry, Be Happy." Marley died of cancer that spread from his foot, to his lungs and brain. Marley left a huge impact on society. He Bob Marley believed that life was too short to be sad and upset. Also, that you should keep a smile on your face even when times get bad. He also said, "don't worry bout a thang" because, "Every little thing is gonna be alright." He changed the world by letting people know that there's no reason to hate each other, no matter race, religion, sexual orientation or their views on life. He also said that since we're all here on this earth together , we might as well share it and love it together to make a better place. what is your opinion of Bob's theories and his vies? Do you agree or disagree? Should other artists be like him?

Music in Cuba/ Cuban Rights/ Uniforms in Cuba

Music in Cuba

Hip-Hop beats first came to Cuba, in the early 90's by the faulting U.S. radio transmissions, picked up in coastal regions outside of the capital like Alamar, and in provinces such as Guatanamo. Rap Cuban-style is a big part of the islands' musical culture. Cuban rappers try not to mimic the more negative U.S. style. The idea of disrespecting women, materialism, illuminating violence or expressing hate for one another, is not the idea at all, Many Cuban Rappers like to speak about what's most important to them and society, such as:racism, sexuality, peace, the environment, poverty and social inequalities. Rappers in Cuba say, " We are ONE, peaceful and positive-but we are also the most insistent voice of youth and it's resistance". What do you think about Cuban Music? Do you think that it's good that they are not choosing to be like the U.S.'s music, and instead have their own kind of music that promotes peace and caring for one another? Do you think that our Music should be more like Cuba's?

[Cuban Music Example: Anonimo Consejo-La Ley 5566]
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Cuban Rights

Cuban Rights:

In Cuba many Cuban feel that their basic rights have been deprived. Fidel Castro is the “dictator” of Cuba and his rule has been the longest to date. As of right now Cubans are not allowed to enter the U.S or even really travel outside of Cuba. Many people in other countries have family in Cuba that they are not allowed to see or even really hear from. Families are strained because they are not allowed to see each other. Also in Cuba many children don’t go to school. The children go to work and make money to help support their families. Children are being deprived an education to make money.
How would you feel if you couldn’t see your family?
What would you do if you couldn’t go to school and had to support your family?
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Uniforms of Cuba

[Baracoa, Cuba - Cuban girls walk home from school in their uniforms. Schoolchildren in Cuba wear uniforms with different color (blue, yellow, red, white) tops, bottoms, and scarves to signify their levels]

How will you feel if every school requires you to wear uniforms? Well in Cuba every school requires uniform. Unlike the United States, in Cuba they have different colors depending in what grade and school you're attending. The boys will wear ties to school and the girls will wear skirts. Some of the boys will wear shorts or long pants and the girl will probably wear dresses. The United States is different from Cuba because some of schools, but not al,l require uniforms. Also in Cuba you have to wear uniform from elementary until you graduate. What do you think about this? Should every school wear uniform? Whats your opinion?

Circumcision in Africa/ Dance and Music of Africa/ Forced to Eat for Beauty

Circumcision in Africa

Every year, in many African countries such as South Africa and Nigeria, many males  get circumcised. Here in America we have the choice if we wanna circumcise our sons, but in Africa it is part of a ritual and is required. Unlike American males, African males are circumcised from the age 15 to age 25. Young Abakwetha (male initiates) are hospitalized or die from circumcision wounds undergone during traditional initiation rites. In some cases males can contract HIV/AIDS and infections just by undergoing this procedure.
Should males in Africa go through this procedure as a ritual despite the risk? Or should they be able to say no and not put their life in danger?

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Dance and Music of Africa

African Dance? Everyone Looks And Asks Why Do They Dance Like The Way They Do. Do Yu Know Almost Every Dance That We Do Now A Days Is Originated From African Dancing. They Dance For A Celebration. When They Are Happy For Something Like Making More Money Then They Did Or Anything That Might Make A Difference In Their Life They Really Get Up And Dance.
They Also Teach Social Patterns And Values And Helps People Work, Mature, Praise Or Criticize Members Of The Community While Celebrating Festivals And Funerals, Competing, Reciting History, Proverbs And Poetry; And To Encounter Gods. They Are Very Spiritual In There Praise.

Here’s An Example.
Video:






[Bamako is the capital and largest city of Mali, and currently estimated to be the fastest growing city in Africa. Bamako is the nation's administrative center as well as a circle. Bamako is the 7th largest West African urban center after Lagos, Abidjan, Kano, Ibadan, Dakar and Accra. The name Bamako comes from the Bambara word meaning "crocodile river".]
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Forced To Eat For Beauty

In different parts of Africa women and young girls are forced to eat food for beauty. In Mauritania a desert oasis, bigger women there are seen as beautiful, which means the bigger you are the most likely you are to get married. Although force feeding is frowned upon in the United States. In Mauritania they force feed females so they can become overweight when they get older. Since force feeding is such a hard thing to do they take breaks from feeding the girls. Force feeding causes people to throw up so when the girls throw up they make them eat more afterwards. What if in the United States bigger women were seen as beautiful to everyone? What would you do and how would you react if you were forced to eat for beauty? Compare Africa's force feeding to the United States's eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia.

Music in Japan

Even though Japan is on the other side of the world, the U.S. is more similiar in music to Japan than many other countries. Japanese teenage music is fast with a lot of techno. Also, depending on the artist, their music sounds just like ours, just in a different language. Many Japanese artists get their inspiration from the Rappers we listen to everyday. So Japanese teens aren't that much different from us after all. Most Japanese rappers have the same style and swagg as some of our rappers. It is believed that Japanese performers get paid much more than U.S. rappers. If Japanese and U.S. music is similiar, then why is it that the two countries differ? Also, do you think that their music influences them the same way that our music influences us?