What is an ally?

An ally is someone who stands up for what is right. They can either be leader of an organization, or just simply a friend who supports you no matter what. Ayvazian defines an ally as: "a member of a dominant group in our society who works to dismantle any form of oppression from whish she or he receives the benefits." This definition is possibly the best definition that I've heard on what an ally is. I do consider myself an ally. The only downfall is that I have not done anything to help the cause.

Straight But Not Narrow

Violence

To start off this reading was very confusing and didn't have my full attention, thank you New England Patriots.

Ideology, this concept is something that is a very vague topic. Most people connect ideology with a belief system or some sort of religious connection. However, mass media has been creating its own ideology that does not deal with religion. The ideology with mass media is how violence ties into the social culture. Eminem's CD The Marshall Mathers LP, is one of my favorite CD's, however it is very violent and degrading towards women and the LGBTQ community. His first song off the album is called "Kill You" and with lyrics like: "They said I can't rap about being broke no more, They ain't say I can't rap about coke no more, (AH!) Slut, you think I won't choke no whore, 'til the vocal cords don't work in her throat no more?!, and But if we can hump dead animals and antelopes then there's no reason that a man and another man can't elope [*EWWW!*], it just shows what violence and hatred are in today's media. However, this album was nominated for "Album of the Year" in 2001 and controversy filled the media. Now, like I previously said, this album is one of my favorites and the lyrics, as brutal as they are, are amazing. His play on words is outstanding. The way I look at things, they are made to entertain. Whether it is a video game, music, books, or movies. They are created to entertain people, the actions that people pursue from listening to them or watching, or reading, or even playing the media is not on fault of the creator but the person who decides to reenacts them. Now I'm not advocating violence and I'm not saying that it is a good thing, but people need to understand that these things are created to entertain people, not to provoke people into doing violent crimes.

This is "Kill You" by Eminem

This is "The Real Slim Shady" by Eminem

Election time!!!!

So it is election night!!!! Due to some certain circumstances, I am currently at Jessica Parenteau's house watching the election. However, I did vote for the first time today and I have to say that it was pretty amazing. Now I voted for Obama, and so far it is a really close race. And it looks like Obama is projected to get more electoral votes, at the moment. Now the coverage of the election has been covering the same thing since I started watching it. The only time they talk about something different is when either a state announces a senate win or if one of the candidates takes a state. The predictions are tough to look at because there are many ways that the polls can go. There are so many stipulations in how this can go.

Overall, this election has been a huge eye opener. It is the first time I voted and actually took interest in politics. It has changed the way I view things and will take more interest in it.

Now either way, each candidate will change how this country is going to be for the next 4 years.