Time To Change The Way Schools Work

Education is the key to success in today’s society. The leaders of the United States of America have been acknowledging this fact for many years, but reform is needed now more than ever. The Prussian model of schooling has been the most popular and is widely used in public schools around the USA, which lumps students together by age and separating subjects. Teachers are bound to a educational model which is “one-size-fits-all” which leaves little room for helping students who may fall behind. Despite spending an enormous amount of money on education, the United States of America is not even in the top 10 countries in regards to mathematics, science, and reading. In order to better the educational system in the United States, radical reforms need to be made to the ways in which students are educated.

Technology...Not Quite All That

The twenty-first century has come with an abundance of new technologies. From personal devices, to military, to medical, people sometimes cannot fathom what life would be like without the new amenities that we have only had for a couple of years. As great as the advances in technology are, many of the negative aspects are being overlooked. Everyone is rushing to become as connected as possible by constantly checking social media sites, texting friends, and seeing the latest updates in the world. Becoming hyper connected is what people are striving for, but how often do people look at the downsides of such actions? When people are constantly paying attention to the screens at their disposal, quickly switching from task to task, we lose the depth and focus that are so crucial in our lives.

Entertainment Industry And The Culture Of Violence

Is there a “culture of violence” that is plaguing the American public? It seems as though many adults, especially politicians believe this to be true and are using this reason to suggest change in this election year. But where does this stem from?  Is life more violent than it used to be, or are all the stories just out in the open rather than kept quiet? The entertainment industry holds one of the largest influences and puts these ideas in the open to the public so this is where I see this idea sprouting.

Everyone Is Included

It seems to me that there is a constant buzz in the air of parents that are complaining in order to protect their children. And it isn’t just from dangers like traffic and crime. It is an attempt to shelter them from any possible negative influences on their lives. From music, to school, to television, parents are becoming more controlling in their views. Even though no parent wants  harm to come to their children (and if they do, something should be done), I think that parents are going too far in protecting them. Parents in today's society are trying to prevent anything bad from happening to their children and I believe that it is having a negative effect on the younger generations.

I've Been Published!

Taking a break from the music writing, I wrote a poem last week that was published on a website and I would love for everyone to check it out.

Become Great

What Is Music Telling Us? Pt. 1-Rap

I have always been interested in music and I enjoy listening to various genres from show tunes to rap. From country to electronic. From classical to hip-hop. One thing that I find incredibly interesting is how each genre varies in messages. These next few posts have been inspired by having to read part of an essay entitled "Eminem Is Right" by Mary Eberstadt.I want to explore the various meanings that surround the different genres that are most popular today. Building off this essay, I am going to start by writing about rap music in today's society, focusing especially on Eminem because he is who I listen to most.

I Can Say Whatever I Want

Today in my Expository Writing class, we talked about the idea of free speech and whether or not the government has the right to censor what is allowed to be published (in response to reading an excerpt of "Howl" by Allen Ginsberg). It is hard to determine if there is a line which writers can/shouldn't cross while writing for an audience. Admittedly Ginsberg didn't intend for "Howl" to be published, yet obscenities have grown more popular in today's culture. A large amount of shows on television deal with sexual and vulgar jokes which many wouldn't like to tell their parents. I think this has desensitized our feelings toward these subjects and have created a society where these topics almost seem expected for a show to be a hit. I haven't decided for myself whether or not this is positive or negative, but it definitely makes me think. But as of right now, I can say what I want, whenever I want.

It Is The Simple Things

I have been trying to be aware of my thoughts as much as I can and it has led me to something that I think is overlooked. Its the simple, small things in life that often bring us the most joy. Who wouldn't like to get a message from a random person saying "You are beautiful/handsome" out of nowhere? I think that people who do small things for others like putting notes in library books help make life more bearable. I have been thinking about all the small things I take for granted everyday and it amazes me how great life can be. We should all try to think of one thing each day that made our lives a bit easier or more enjoyable.

Its All In Your Head

You have the power to make your life how you want it. You can choose what you want to do, how to live, and how to be happy. We as humans have unlimited potential. We are only restrained by our own mental limitations. I have heard this all throughout my life and now I truly believe it. Each day gets better when you think it will. You can do whatever you want. I know I am. How bad do you want it?

"My Alma Mater Was Books"

This quote is from the famous Malcolm X on how he educated himself. In his autobiography, he devotes a good part of a chapter to his education while in prison. One of the most interesting points that he brought up was that a college education tells a person what they have to learn, while books can teach whatever the reader wants. This idea struck a chord in my head and the more I thought about it, the more it made sense, to an extent.

Oh What We Can Learn

The internet can be an incredible wealth of information and can teach us new things through reading articles, listening to podcasts, or watching a YouTube clip. But the most important thing about all these ways to learn is that without immersing oneself or practicing these philosophies/tricks/subjects, there is no way to fully understand them. I have found myself spending a lot of time reading articles about various philosophies and say to myself "That is a great idea. I should live like this". But then I would simply go on to read another article without putting the new idea into practice. But now I have started to act and I am beginning to see results. I was skeptical at first thinking some things wouldn't actually work, yet the mind can be quite powerful. Thoughts become actions and things, both positive or negative all depending on how we think.

I'm Here, I'm There, I'm Everywhere...Or Am I?

Right now as you read this, count how many tabs are open on your browser, how many applications you are running, how many people you may be texting, and any other things you might be doing your multitasking adventure. I am at seven. Seven different distractions fighting for my attention as I write this post. I have music playing, e-mail open, and many websites available in different tabs. And who would have thought that as I wrote that last sentence I received a text, upping my total to eight. All in my attempt to stay connected. My attention is divided over eight different sources which makes it harder to focus on writing this post. It is interesting to think about all the distractions we face today in the hyper-connected world we live in.

Give Us A Break

In many other countries, young adults are encouraged to work a full-time job before they continue towards a college level education or some equivalent. Not so in the United States of America. Parents seem to think that if their children don't go to college right after they graduate high school, they will never go onto higher education. But this year off can be huge in a person's life of self discovery. In my own personal opinion, the more experience they have in the working field, the better chance they know what direction they want to take their education.

Yes, No, Maybe So?

Decisions, decisions, decisions. Everything a person does requires some decision to be made. All these choices essentially boil down to a yes or no answer, unless you are in my generation. We (as a generation) have made the "maybe" answer the most popular. It seems as though nobody is willing to make a solid commitment regarding the big life choices. Even on simple choices such as which classes to take next semester, students often dwell on minuscule factors, such as whether any friends will be in a certain class, or what time it should be taken. This fear to make big decisions is one of many reasons this generation is stuck in limbo.

When in Doubt, Choose "C"

For the past couple of years I have disliked the concept of multiple choice tests. They give a person who doesn't understand a topic the chance to get points just for guessing. And a lot of times the questions can be so confusing that the writer doesn't always realize what he/she has written. But this summer I have taken a summer class which has changed my attitude toward this type of test. The key is to make sure each question only focuses on one specific idea and there are multiple questions testing the same topic with slight alterations to the questions. This results in many questions that will have similar answers, yet those who really understand the concepts will most likely see the various nuances in each question, therefore have a better chance at receiving a higher grade than the guesser. I still believe that free response questions are the best method in order to test the knowledge of a student; yet if multiple choice questions are formed in this manner, they can be almost as effective and is best used as a quick test for students.

How To Get Away With Murder In America

This past week I read the book, How to Get Away With Murder in America by Evan Wright. It tells the story about how a Cuban-American who was a criminal that assisted in the cocaine trafficking trade and then was hired by the CIA and became a high-level officer. His name is Enrique Prado. Reading about how the CIA hired a criminal was the reason I purchased this book to read because I didn't think that it was feasible. Wright explains how the USA is willing to do whatever it takes to gain an edge, which both makes me feel safe as well as scares me. It fascinated me that the CIA was willing to keep information from the police which may have convicted Prado in multiple murders in order to protect its "asset". I think it is a very well written book with deep insights into how drug dealers, murderers, and other types of criminals get away with various crimes. From corruption to murder, this book explains how people have been able to stay out of prison for heinous crimes. It is a quick read and very entertaining so I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in American politics, drug trade, or murder.

Erich Maria Remarque’s use of point of view to develop the theme of the immorality of war in All Quiet on the Western Front

            The heroism of fighting in war has often been romanticized by movie directors and authors. After World War I, there wasn’t an immediate surge of war novels being written until the late 1920’s. The writing about war experiences has often been used by veterans as a therapeutic strategy to cope with the stresses from the war.  Erich Maria Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front is a war novel that was written with the intention of providing the layperson with a sense of what soldiers experience while in combat and on leave. The use of point of view in All Quiet on the Western Front by Remarque allows the reader to experience the wartime emotions and actions of a German infantry soldier in World War I.

To Read Or Not To Read

I have recently read an article about how reading is one of the best things to do for entertainment. This statement, which comes in an age of advanced technology, movies, and video games never seems to gain any traction. Nonetheless, I agree with the article in that reading can give a person a leg up over competition. It requires a person to concentrate more than a movie because the reader has to create the scenery, the looks of the characters, and you can be as close to the action as possible without actually being there. As an added bonus, it can also make you smarter (here is proof). There was a time when reading was only accessible by the nobility and upper classes due to the rarity of books and low literacy levels of the general public. Now that most people have access, we need to take advantage of all that we can.
Read On Everyone!

The Article:
Why You Should Read

How Soccer Helped End Apartheid

The political system known as apartheid was set up during the middle of the twentieth century by the white minority in South Africa to create an arrangement of racial segregation. Nearly all blacks in South Africa were opposed to this and few were actually willing to try and do something about it. The solution of the white man’s government was to send all the people who they perceived as threats to their system to Robben Island, known as the Alcatraz of South Africa. Robben Island is a small island about four miles from the shore of Cape Town, South Africa. It was there that a sport helped form the basis of the government of South Africa after apartheid ended. Soccer is considered the world’s most popular sport, and this simple game provided a template for a potential government and taught the prisoners how to effectively run and organize a group. In 2010, South Africa held the first World Cup ever in an African country and ESPN produced a short documentary about how soccer helped those imprisoned develop a system of organization and ways to maintain an association. This documentary titled Robben Island: A Greater Goal illustrates the influence of the sport on the creation of a new government in South Africa.

Independence Day

To all the citizens of the United States of America reading this, Happy Fourth of July! Today is a day where we should celebrate all that our country has to offer. We need to thank all those who have fought to protect our freedoms and keep us safe. Without our veterans, our current men and women who are serving in the armed forces, and those who have died, the USA as we know it would cease to exist. Thanks to our forefathers, the USA is an independent, sovereign nation which has grown to be a global force. I believe that country music best describes feeling of patriotism that exist in this nation and whenever I listen to a song with lyrics regarding pride in the USA I feel touched. I am damn proud to be a citizen of the United States of America and I will stand by her side no matter what. In modern times, there have been many occasions when being proud of the USA has been unpopular, but I will never say I hate this country. For all the terrible things that may have happened, there are hundreds more positive things that have occured as well. Just because depressing stories make the headlines, it doesn't mean thats what this country is about. In one of Toby Keith's songs, he says, "shes that wife that decorates on the fouth of July, but says everyday is independence day". It is attitudes like this which enourage national pride that I think is most important, especially during hard times, such as this economic downturn. Today we celebrate the fact that we live in a free, independent nation where we can strive to become whatever we want. God bless the USA

The 21st Century Gentleman

In medieval times, the concept was known as chivalry. In Japan, the idea is called Bushido. In more recent times they were known as gentlemen. These are all considered "societal ideals" that the male adult should strive to embody. Nowadays the young man is floundering without a strong guideline on how he should act. Many of the elder population would say that the younger populous should try to be like the gentlemen of the 20th century. Yet many of the practices are now outdated due to the technology boom as well as the feminist movement. Actions such as who pays for dinner, sending thank you notes, and many others are confusing to the young men of this generation. Now there are a whole new set of expectations that we (young men) are expected to follow and aim for.  It is very difficult to stick to many of the mannerisms which go along with being a traditional gentleman. The media plays a large role in creating the male identity for a generation and I feel that many shows and movies create models that aren't what young men should be trying to become. It may seem like fun to emulate characters such as  the men from Jersey Shore, or Neil Patrick Harris' character on How I Met Your Mother. Yet many of their actions do not encourage the most acceptable behavior. So where can a young man turn to find guidance in current times? Gentlemen icons of the past lived in a radically different time period, yet many current popular stars don't act as good examples for the young, 21st century male. There are many articles written about the topic and there are a few which I have found which seem to hit the nail on the head. I like how the articles tackle the subject matter and they provide a strong base to develop one's identity. I think that it is time for our generation to create our own image of an ideal gentleman for all to strive to become.

Guidelines for Modern Gentlemen:
Gentlemanly Etiquette
Being a Gentleman and a Player

For All the Fathers: Past, Present, and Future

Today is one of the two days of the year we celebrate our fathers. The other being their birthdays, but that is more for the celebration of the person as a whole and today is for the appreciation for everything they have done for us over all our lives. I especially want to thank my father who has done everything a son could want. Except for the fact he hasn't gotten an old-school muscle car to fix up with my brothers and I...fingers still crossed...but back to the point. Today is the day we should thank our fathers for everything they have done for us, helping us become who we are today. First off, in honor of those whose fathers have passed on, I would like to say requiescat in pace. You will be forever missed by those who love you and will always be in our hearts. Secondly for all the fathers who are imparting their wisdom to their children today, please do not ever stop acting in this role. There is always something new to teach us kids and we thank you for it, no matter how much we may not show it. And to the future fathers, strive to be the parent that would make your own father proud.
My father has become my role model and over the years, all I have wanted to do is make him proud. He is the best parent I ever could have ever asked for. My dad works harder than anybody I know of, is able to do anything he sets his mind to, is kind to everyone around him, and most importantly he loves my family and I more than we may think we deserve. Especially with all the pains and annoyances we have given him over the many years. The most valuable lesson that I have learned from watching him over my life is that hard work will pay off in more ways than one and it can lead to an incredible life. He has taught me how I should act as I become a man, and eventually as a husband and hopefully father. I want to thank him from the bottom of my heart for all he has done for me and my family, especially over this past year with so much happening. You are one of the most amazing people I have ever known and I deeply admire all that you do.
Today is considered a "Hallmark Holiday" but few people deserve a day a recognition more than fathers. They are half the reason all of us who are living were born. So thank you to all the fathers ever, you are the reason we are who we are today.

Everyone Is Doing It...So...

What is it that everyone is doing you may ask? Well according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), almost every single student enrolled in college is affected by alcohol in some way, whether the student drinks or not. I have not reached the age of 20, yet I know people my age who probably have consumed more alcohol in the past couple of years than I will in the next 20 years.

Human Potential

The idea of human potential has puzzled me for a very long time. It seems like everyone I see isn't living up to their full capabilities, including myself. But there are certain cases which are in my life where I want to tell the person what they should be doing but I do not know how to go about doing it. The famed Winston Churchill once said, “Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential” and I think that this needs to be expanded upon. A person first needs to know what it is that they should strive for. I know of two specific people who are very close to me in my life who I believe have incredible potential but need just a slight nudge in the right direction and hopefully this will help them.
*Actual names will not be used to protect identities

Everyone's a Little Bit Racist

When I read this excerpt from bell hook's Teaching to Transgress, a song from the popular musical, Avenue Q, came to mind. The title of the song is Everyone's a Little Bit Racist and in my opinion, that couldn't be more true. In reality, it is more than being racist. Instead I find that everyone is stereotypical and judges people right on the spot, which is where racist attitudes derive from. Whenever a person laughs at a joke which degrades a person of a different race, religion, hair color, etcetera, they are contributing to continuation of various stereotypes. When I first heard the song I immediately thought it wasn't true, I thought I was above racism. But when I listened to it a few more times, I had to agree because I am guilty of judging people based on what they look like. For me, the truest dialogue from the song is "Well, sure, Gary, but lots of people tell black jokes. I don't. Well, of course you don't - you're black...But I bet you tell Polack jokes, right? Well, sure I do. Those stupid Polacks!" Everyone has these feelings, but as the ending line in the song goes, "If we all could just admit that we are racist a little bit, and everyone stopped being so PC, maybe we could live in harmony!" I have openly admitted to people that I judge them no matter what they do, and if they don't like it I believe they need to realize that they judge everything as well, just not openly. As long as people have different faiths, different appearances, and are different in anyway stereotypes will continue to exist in the world. I would like to see this change, but I do not think it will happen in my lifetime.

Metatext

Metatext

Over this past semester I have written about the various perspectives of literacy. I first wrote about my own experience in literacy as I figured out who I was as a writer and a person through my musical career.  Then I took an item I wear almost every week and broke it down into all of its components and explained the meaning behind it and showed why it is important to the culture. I never would have thought that the United States Men’s National Team kit had so much symbolism behind its inception. As I gained competency in media literacy, I choose to write about the identity of the “hero” as developed by the media after the 9/11 tragedies occurred. From that essay, I went on to research the politics and philosophies that lay behind popular films and video games. Overall, I think that my two papers about the concept of “heroes” were the most interesting and had the most to talk about. I am sure there is plenty more that I could go into with various philosophies and politics, but I think that what I have written about is able to get the message across. After this class, I plan to keep posting on my blog, providing my own personal account on various social, political, and pop-culture motifs so my voice in the open for people to hear. I think the most important thing that I have learned from this class is that I have something to say and although I am used to being in the dark, I want my ideas to be heard.

“I may not believe in what you say, but I will die for your right to do so”

            ~Voltaire

Assassin's Creed

            The Assassin’s Creed collection of video games created by Ubisoft is one of the most popular in the 21^st century. I think the most interesting things about the series of games aren’t the fun killing opponents or scaling buildings and free running. It’s the history, politics, and philosophies that go into the games and how the characters struggle with these concepts. Especially since a majority of these ideas are still relevant in today’s modern society. I choose this video because it gives a background to the first game in the Assassin’s Creed series and show the basic premise of the game. One of the big questions that the game poses is whether or not it is justifiable to use violence and assassinations in order to promote peace and stability. This appears to be counter-productive but I believe this is a viable option. Also it shows some history of a turbulent time in the Holy Lands, with the Crusades occurring and thus may inspire the game players to learn more about the time period. I think that this game does more than just provide some violent entertainment for people to enjoy. Rather it allows certain ideas to be presented to people who may never get the chance to think about these various concepts on their own. Acting as a vigilante, the gamer is able to fight his/her way through this political period of time and discover ideas that need to be acknowledged.

Politics, Morals, and Philosophies of Assassin’s Creed, The Dark Knight, and V for Vendetta

            I have already illustrated how the media has attempted to solidify the concept of the “hero” through film, television, and other ways. But how do these identities, especially the fictional ones become what they are. I have continued my pursuit of the “hero” idea and delved deep into the realm of philosophy, politics, and morality of three very different, fictional heroes. I used Batman from the hit film The Dark Knight, V from the film V for Vendetta, and finally Altaïr from the video game Assassin’s Creed. Beyond the great entertainment value of each of these titles, they also contain many political and philosophical motifs which sometimes are dilemmas which people face in their everyday lives. Is terrorism a legitimate way to fight against a government? After 9/11 most Americans would never agree to it, but V for Vendetta makes a strong case in favor of it. In Assassin’s Creed the player is faced with the idea whether violence is a viable way to create peace and stability in a region. And in The Dark Knight, Batman struggles with maintaining his moral ideals whilst fighting the constant crime in Gotham City. On another side, all of these titles contain political motifs which mirror reality. The fascist regime in V for Vendetta is similar to the Third Reich in Germany. The Dark Knight has many parallels to the Bush administration. And Assassin’s Creed the manhunt for Osama Bin Laden is imitated by Altaïr’s quests to end the lives of various political figures. Video games and films often contain much more than simple good versus evil plots. They explore complex philosophies and politics which have importance in reality.

“Heroes are made by the paths they choose, not the powers they are graced with.”

“Heroes are made by the paths they choose, not the powers they are graced with.”

 ― Brodi Ashton, Everneath

Heroes are a part of everyone’s lives. Whether it is someone you look up to, or if they are in the background just doing their job keeping you safe, they are present. While I was working on this paper about the media’s portrayal of heroes since the 9/11 tragedies, I looked up quotes about heroes, simply because I am kind of a quote junkie. This quote from Brodi Ashton really stood out to me and it embodies the ideas which I illustrated in my essay. Even though I did talk about superheroes and people with extraordinary powers, they are only looked at in this manner because of what they chose to do. They never had to fight crime, stand up to terrorists, or evil dictators. It was a choice to do what they thought was right. Pat Tillman’s story goes along with this quote perfectly because he was just another football player, yet he decided to go into the armed service in order to protect his country. In my opinion, it is people like Tillman who deserve all the praise in the world. The people who give up their livelihoods in order to let others keep theirs are the ones who, in my mind, are the purist form of a hero. Even on a local scale, it’s the men and women who are in the police and fire departments who keep people in towns safe from harm that deserve to be known. Not the fictional superheroes, the genuine, real life examples.

The Media's Pressentation of the Hero Post 9/11

            The media that surrounds us dictates our lives. It influences how we dress, what we buy, what we eat, and how we think. In a culture which is increasingly becoming driven by the media, many rely on the media to create an identity. The “hero” has always been a concept in stories and in times of duress, they come to the rescue. The tragedies of 9/11 rocked the United States psyche after one of the largest terrorist attacks on US soil. The media after this assault grabbed the “hero” identity and created a whirlwind of creation around this idea. From television shows, to movies, to actual people, the media in the 21^st century uses this identity to help rebuild the American psyche. Many of the superhero films that were created in the latter part of the first decade presents heroes that the masses would like to turn to when times are troubled. Sure, most people when the watch the shows and movies don’t think about these ideas on a conscience level, but they are present nonetheless. Batman and Captain America are two of the most well-known superheroes who had movies recently made and they both parallel the American society and are used to promote this “hero” characteristic. And the fictitious patriot Jack Bauer fights against all odds in a “do or die” situation in order to save the country. Even amongst all these extraordinary identities, there is still a place for men and women like Pat Tillman, a person in real life who fights for what they believe in and try to protect their country. In a society where people want a definite answer for everything, the idea of a hero is in flux. It changes in order to suit the needs of a generation and is now more than ever driven by the media.

The Game of Nations

        This video shows some of the best highlights from the United States Men’s National Team in the 2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa. They went into the tournament placed in a group with England, one of the tournament favorites, Slovenia, and Algeria. Sometimes words cannot do a justice in showing the emotion of people and this video illustrates why. Soccer players across the globe often share the dream about the day that they may be chosen to represent their country in the grandest of all sporting tournaments. The chance to be able to put on the national team kit is the honor of a life time and this is able to be seen on the faces of the players. The joy, the agony, the passion. These are all emotions that players and fans alike share. The players on the USMNT in the 2010 FIFA World Cup represent the entire nation and they show why I and many others are proud to be American. Faced against England, the US started the tournament by upsetting the Brits by tying thanks to a mistake by the England keeper. The team showed grit and determination in their match against Slovenia, in which they came back from a 2-0 first half deficit and tied 2-2. For their final match, the USMNT had to win in order to progress to the knockout stage of the tournament. In the end, after giving the game all they had for 90 minutes, their perseverance paid off and Landon Donovan scored and the emotions poured from everyone. The players, coaches, and fans went crazy; there were tears of joy and passion. The love they have for the game and their country illustrates the traditions from the inception of the country.

Special thanks to kmill1010 for creating this video

USA Soccer Kit Defines a Nation

            I am extremely proud that I am an American. In my opinion, few people actually ever say that and believe what they are saying. Many people nowadays have little to no trust in the government, the economy is taking a very long time to recover, and the United States has been involved militarily in the Middle East for the past decade. One of the few things that transcend barriers between national pride and personal feelings across the globe is soccer. During the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, more Americans than ever tuned in to see the national team play, soccer got a record amount of press coverage in the United States, and the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) demonstrated what it should mean to be an American. The jerseys that the players put on before each match are symbolic representations of traditional American values as well as illustrating current beliefs. I was able to take a simple soccer jersey and I pulled as many meanings out of it as I could. I never imagined all that could go into each and every stitch of the jersey. It was very interesting to analyze the design, the technology, the colors, and the tradition that went into the creation of the jerseys that the USMNT wore for the 2010 World Cup and the following couple of years. In my opinion, the most fascinating part about the kit is not on the outside, but rather is hidden to most people (you’ll have to read on to find out). The kit that the USMNT wears exemplifies many of the attitudes on which the United States of America were founded on in the 18^th Century and ideas that have developed as the country has grown to be the powerhouse that it is known to the world today.

Oseh Shalom

Oseh shalom bimromav
hu ya'aseh shalom aleynu
v'al kol yisrael
vimru amen

Translation: 
He who makes peace in his high places
he shall make peace upon us
and upon all of Israel
and say amen

The song, “Oseh Shalom”, is a Hebrew song has become a traditional for the Northport High School Tour Choir. Hebrew is one of the oldest languages in history and this song is often heard at the conclusion of the Jewish liturgy. The English translation of the lyrics is: “May he who makes peace in high places, make peace for us and for all Israel, and let us say, amen”. The universal meaning of these words can be spoken in any language, for nearly every religion, and can be shared by all. I have sung this song numerous times, but the true power of music was shown to me when I sung this song as a tribute to those who died at the Nazi Concentration Camps in Auschwitz, Poland. We (the Tour Choir) were about half way through our European tour of the Czech Republic, Poland, and Germany, when we visited the camps that were established in Auschwitz. The choir sang all the Hebrew songs in our repertoire in honor of those who were put to death in these terrible camps. We sang in between the crumbled remains of two of the largest crematorium on a cloudy, depressing morning. We sang in memoriam millions of lives that were unjustly taken. We sang for the group of Jewish students who were paying homage to those who share their faith. They knew what we were singing. We brought tears to their eyes and showed how even through all the atrocities that might have occurred, it can all end up well. It is instances such as that when I realize how intertwined everything is with each other. What happened that day opened my eyes and has showed me how music means more than what it appears to be. It is a day in my life that I will never forget and has inspired me to use music whenever I am in doubt.

The Transcending Power of Music

            I have considered myself to be a modern day renaissance man, except for the glaring fact that my artistic abilities aren't up to par. There are an enormous number of stories which can illustrate who I have become as a person. My abilities have developed over all the years in my life, every experience affecting the next. The books I've read changed my view of the world; my soccer career has shown me all the clichés about being a team player, leader, etcetera; and my musical aspirations have enabled me to go to places I never thought I would. To me, music is the best medium for the expression of ideas and music can be found everywhere. Music has grown to be one of the biggest influences of who I am as a person, and who I am as a writer. I have been involved with music groups since third grade and I have had countless experiences through these groups. I've learned about language, history, math, music, and culture. Both band and choir have presented me with opportunities that have made me a better person and a better writer. The language of music, whether it is written for a solo voice, a symphonic orchestra, or a choir, can be shared by everyone around the world. Music can break cultural, language, ethnic, racial, and gender barriers which might prevent certain people from ever meeting and learning about each other. It has taught me to incorporate these ideas into my writing to make it more universal, rather than directed to a narrow audience. I now want to share my views with the world and let people everywhere know what and how I think as a member of society. This paper has allowed me to plot my journey as a musician as relate it to my views and how it affects how I write and think. Music is omnipresent and one simply needs to lend an open ear to experience the universal human language.