Friday, November 6, 2009

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?

13 comments:

  1. I Really Dnt Think That Everyone Should Wear Uniforms. No Thats Not A Execption. But In Some Ways I Do Feel As If We Should Wear Uniforms Because Some Dnt Have Money For All The Type Of Clothes That We Wear And The Things That We Rather Buy Then Some Caki's And Things. Alot Of Ppl Get Picked On Because Of There Clothes , But If Your Wearing The Same Thing What Can Yu Say.??

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  2. If More Of our Music Over Here On The Other Side Of The World I Feel As If It Would Impact A Better Life In People. Some Ppl Thinks Its Alright To Be This Thing Called "THUG" And Carry Themselves As If Its Alright To Downgrade Woman. And It Isn't. I Can See That Most Violence Come From Listening To The Media And Things And Not Enough of Us Is Reaching Out To These Ppl And Telling Them Its Not Good To Be Saying You're Going To Kill This One And That One. So I Feel As If That Our Music Should Be About More Positive Things In Life And Tyring To Better Yourself. Maybe Then I Wouldnt Lose The Life Of A Close Friends Anymore.

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  3. I think that no one should be forced to wear uniforms. I understand that some schools choose for the children to wear uniforms to avoid people from wearing something that could be offensive to other students, but at the same time, forcing children to dress alike gives the idea that all people should be the same. And childen need to realize that everyone is different and unique and that it's ok for them to have different ideas of views other than someone else's. I think that all humans beings should be able to wear what they want as long as it's not offensive or threateneing to other students. At my school, we do not have to wear uniforms, but we do have a code of conduct that tells us what we cannot wear. And the students at my school are fine with that becuae it could be worse, we could all be dressed alike. I personally think that the way someone dresses is the how they describe themselves and express them selves. No one should be judged by the way they dress. Everyone has a choice.

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  4. I think that cuban music is great. I also believe that U.S. music should be nore like cuba's. I admire how cuban artists talk about the important things,. Such as poverty and social inequalities. I think that if American artists thought more like Cuba's , then the U.S. could be a better place. Although, not all american music is bad, there should be more artists like Common and Mary J. Blige. Those american artists talk a lot about thigns that Cuba's does.

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  5. I think that Cuban music is really great to listen. I also think that everyone should not wear uniform. They should not force anyone to wear uniform if they don't want to.

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  6. I watched the video for la ley 5566 (meaning the act 5566)on youtube and i liked it. I was so proud of myself when I actually understood a word or two of it. So even though its in spanish i really do like how they are much like american music without the negativity.I also think america should make our music more like cuba in the aspect of realism and positivity.

    I think its wrong that Cuba is in such terrible state. Everyone should be able to see their family. Its terrible to be separated from your loved ones. Also I think education is a very important factor of life for people especially children. Children should be in school, not working! A child's job is to go to school, just because they don't get paid to do it doesn't mean it isn't their purpose in life at that time.
    Children without an education are deprived of many things such as academic knowledge and other skills and experiences learned in school. I respect supporting a family but such a thing is a burden no child should have to bare.

    I don't mind wearing a uniform but there tend to be days when I just don't want to wear it. Sometimes you just don't want to be labeled normal and dress like everyone else. So a world where everyone wore uniforms in school would be horrible. One person would simply look like the clone of another. Not to mention it makes it easy for people to take over the world. Many dictators would require citizens to wear uniforms, to establish order and a form of obedience. To view a world in the mindset of someone else. How would children form an imagination? If they live in the imagination of someone else how will they ever form one of their own, unique and uninfluenced/dictated by the vision of someone else?

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  7. i dont think every school should wear uniforms because. because children wouldn't be able to express theirselves through clothing. i know some school districts think that wearing unifroms is preventing children from being picked on but ,what they have to think about is that children are not onnly judged on what they wear their also judged on how their hair is , how much jewelry they have, and what kind o9f sneakers or shoes they wear, etc. so i think that unifroms just makes everyone look plain and all the same. to me it hides self expression of children.

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  8. I like the fact that cuban music is not all about women , money and drugs. Thay actually sing about things that is important in there country.

    I would have if i wasnt allowed to see my family or travel out my own country. My family is really close so it would be difficult to just never be able to see or hear from them. If i wasnt allowed to go to school and i had to support my family i couldnt do it. I dont really like working so for it to be forced would be horriable.

    Clothes let us express ourseleves so wearing uniforms doesnt let people be who they are.

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  9. To me think i would be kind of mad if i cant see my family because my family has done alot for me in my life and i do not regerte none of it, so kids with a family or people that have someone that cares for them should be very thankful cause like in cuba the kids have to stop going to school just to help there family.

    Today in this time education is very important to everyone. With out an education it is hard to get a job, but in Cuba in stead of going to school they have to work so it is different then in the U.S.A. I think if the kids in cuba had an education they can achive more in the world and maybe they have a better chance of leaveing there countries and seeing the some of the world and also there family.

    Sometimes wearing uniforms are a good thing because instead of your mom or dad going out looking for school clothes for there kids to wear for the new school year they are saving money for them selfs and there kids and more food money.

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  10. Where is Sergio's comments, what a surprise!

    Mrs. Gerbino

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  11. Of course, I have tons to say on this topic since I am Cuban, and I go back often.

    In reference to Cuban Hip-Hop, it is more socially conscious and is more positive but there are some artists that have lyrics that can be degrading to women. Sexism in Cuban Hip-Hop is very much alive. However, Cuban Hip-Hop (which is an extremely broad category) especially in the diasporic form like "Los Orishas" who are a Cuban hip-hop group that lives in France, are very positive and celebrate their African roots.

    As for the Cuban education system, it is by far better than the K-12 system we have in the U.S. in reference to measurable outcomes. Although I am a staunch critic of the Castro Regime and the Cuban Revolution, Cuban citizens especially there black and poor citizens have been more educated than before the revolution. There is a very low illiteracy rate in Cuba after the revolution and ALL students are forced to be in school, no if ands or buts. My nephew in Cuba is 18 and has been through the whole public education system. My nephew is very poor (barely any shoes, a house that is falling apart literally, and lack of food and medicine), although I send him money, he is crazy intelligent. He takes algebra, calculus and writing courses that would write circles around many students in America. Since education is mandated and higher education is free, many more citizens are forced to learn, even if it is based on communist principles, which I don't agree with, but students in Cuba are learning and are more prepared for college than many American students.

    Mrs. Gerbino

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  12. I think its a great thing that Cubans make songs to create peace between each others. This is really helpful for the country because it eliminates the crimes and violence.

    As for their rights...I think Fidel Castro is really strict. I said this because I’m Cuban and I've gone thru it. And in my own case I haven't seen my family for a year and the last time I saw them was just for 15 days.

    I think unifors are good for the Cubans because they dont have the resorses to buy lot of clothes. And that saves them a lot of money.

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  13. "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." - this is due to US sanctions not the other way round

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