The “AMY” documentary recently announced as an Academy Award winning for Best Documentary Film; it’s a film that captures the true life of the legendary singer and songwriter Amy Winehouse whom she is recognized for her expressive unique voice, dramatic hair style, and over-exaggerated eye makeup that made herself stand out in the crowd. “AMY” was directed by Asif Kapadia by his side producer James Gay-Rees. Kapadia and Rees try to tell the story of
shatters every preconceived notion of the late nineteen sixties. Set primarily in Los Angeles, California Didion blends reportage and personal essay to recount cultural tensions that arose during the period- protests, murder, apathy-with her own psychosis. Incorporating fragmented narrative and film technique Didion offers snapshots of the events with language that is curt yet symbolic of her unique style. “The White Album,” demonstrates that everything in life is meant to teach us something. Through Didion’s experiences behind the pen, as a news reporter, her narration attempts to understand the lesson and discovers "We Tell OURSELVES STORIES in order to live" (Didion
"The Girl Who Survived" by Carol Bierman and Bronia Brandman. This book is about a family who went into hiding during the holocaust. Bronia starts of at the age of nine years old and ends up being the only one out of her family to survive. Bronia along with Mila, Mendek, and Bonzeka are the main characters in this book. The story was about the family and unsuspected new friends and what they experienced long the way. Her and her family get deported the "ghetto" because they were Jewish. There life was flipped upside down; she came from a decently wealthy bakeground. With everything going down around them it was a harsh awkening for all of them. She became a goods smuggler to help her family services. Even with all the danger and risker around
Prior to reading these two articles, I had never heard of Dorothy Allison. After reading them, I do not think I will forget her. “A Question of Class” and “Don’t Tell Me You Don’t Know” grabbed my attention, but I could relate to “A Question of Class” more. Thankfully, I did not live in poverty the first eighteen years of my life like Dorothy Allison did. Also, I never experienced any kind of sexual abuse. Therefore, I cannot completely relate to her, but I can personally understand some aspects of what she had to say.
In 1971, Alvin Ailey choreographed Cry, a three part work solo dance set to gospel music that describes an emotional journey filled with struggle, hardships, defeat, survival and joy. It was intended as a birthday present to Alvin’s mother and a dedication to all black women everywhere. The first part of the dance is the struggle of trying to maintain pride irrespective of the opposition faced from outside. The second part reveals the sorrow within after the woman’s pride has been shattered into pieces and finally the third part is a spirited celebration of finding strength and joy in God. Even though cry was dedicated to only black women, i argue the notion that all women both black and white of the nineteenth century could relate
The song I choose for this assignment is, "I Want a Little Sugar in My Bowl" composed by Nina Simone. The original version by Bessie Smith is considered a hokum, due to its humor and sexual and innuendos. The adapted version by Nina Simone revised the meaning of the song to be more aligned with romantic longing rather than sexual intimacy. As a result, I am better able relate to the message of this song. The reason being, is that I currently desire to be in a serious romantic relationship. Based on Simone's intimate performance, I can relate to her situation through her longing vocals. Allowing myself to express my feelings of unrequited love through her words.
Another one of her autobiographical work is, A Song Flung Up to Heaven, which is about her trip from Ghana back to the United States and how she was struggling to cope with the assassinations of her two close friends Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm
“Coming of Age in Mississippi” is an autobiography about the life of African America civil rights activist Anne Moody (Essie Mae). Moody narrates her childhood in Mississippi through her college years in New Orleans and her involvements in the major historical civil right movements. The autobiography details the challenges and the injustices faced by African Americans particularly in the southern states. In this historical autobiography, Moody jeopardize her and her family 's life to end the oppression of African Americans. She also presents her participation in the most important civil right movement like famous the Woolworth 's sit-in and other demonstrations. Anne Moody got the opportunity to work besides black empowerment leaders such
When someone is guided in their literacy development and they are impacted in a positive way, they often can become more successful in the field of literacy, which can lead you to a successful life with good social standings, understandings, and power. When someone has what literacy scholar Deborah Brandt calls a “literacy sponsor” they will tend to become more successful in their experiences with literacy. Sponsors of literacy, according to Brandt, are beneficial because they are well educated, have experience in the field of literacy, and are willing to help others improve and let them into the world of literacy. Specifically, Brandt states in her scholarly article “Sponsors of Literacy” that “Literacy as a resource becomes available to ordinary
One of the foremost important 20th century terms, “politically correct”, was born out of need for humanitarians, politicians, and the like to better organize the wide variety of ethnicities, cultures, and religions into groups that are true and non-offensive. So, it has often crossed my mind that maybe the name of the Gypsy Jazz style isn’t quite politically correct; the name Romani is the preferred name of the people once considered to be “gypsies.” After all, that term has been used as a slur by people who think of the Romani as inferior, we use Hot Club Swing and Manouche Jazz that are much less discriminatory names for the style anyway. We’ve use the slur and Romani culture for our amusement and to capture the attention of audiences who
Simone began recording her music in the 50s under the Bethlehem label, releasing her first full album in 1957, which featured "Plain Gold Ring" and the title track "Little Girl Blue." It also included her one and only Top 20 pop hit with her version of "I Loves You Porgy" from the George and Ira Gershwin musical Porgy and Bess. Under different labels, Simone released a bevy of albums from the late '50s throughout the '60s and early '70s, including records like The Amazing Nina Simone (1959), Nina Simone Sings Ellington! (1962), Wild Is the Wind (1966) and Silk and Soul (1967). She also made cover songs of popular music, eventually putting her own spin on such songs as Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'" and the Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun." she showed her sensual side with tracks like "Take Care of Business" on 1965's I Put a Spell on You and "I Want a Little Sugar in My Bowl" on 1967's Nina Simone Sings the Blues.
Pauli Murray led an impressive life and left behind a legacy of peaceful civil rights protests, many legal writings, and an admirable dedication to her religion and parishes. I became acquainted with Pauli Murray through her memoir Song in a Weary Throat: An American Pilgrimage, which was a very intriguing read. The memoir addressed the issues she felt were important, primarily the two most important aspects of her identity: her race and gender. Murray's lifelong struggle at the hands of brash racism and sexism did not deter from leading a successful life; at times she could not break down barriers so she took different paths. In the chapters where she discusses her youth, it appears that Murray felt discriminated
In Anne Moody’s Coming of Age in Mississippi (1968), there are many situations that arise throughout Moody’s life, which show hope prevails supporting her ending statement “I WONDER. I really WONDER.” Although there are many stories of murder and racism scattered throughout this story, these events keep a young Essie Mae curious and a young adult Anne Moody determined. Since the curiosity and determination Moody possesses stems from these acts against the Negro population, it ultimately gives her the hope to look forward to the rights she will gain after testifying to the events that have taken place in Mississippi. Every sit-in and protest Moody participates in shows the underlying hope she has that Negros will one day have the same rights as white people.
After her rape, she was sent away to a reformatory for “seducing her attacker”. The trauma and mistrust she developed, soon led her to a life of prostitution. She would listen to jazz music on the brothels record players, developing a lifelong love for the sort of music she could spill her pain into.
Amy Winehouse is a legend and the music she created was incredible. She sung in the styles of Jazz, Soul, Blues and reggae which made her popular to many audiences and instantly she was different from the rest. In this essay I intend to give you a brief overview on Amy’s background and then I will explore Amy Winehouse’s Vocal and musical influences such as Sarah Vaughan who was an American Jazz singer and many more. Once I’ve covered that topic I will go on to discuss her appeal to a contemporary audience. The resources I will be using are Websites based on Amy Winehouse’s musical influences, Her documentary and books such as ‘’Amy Amy Amy the Amy Winehouse story by Nick Johnstone’’