untitled, unmastered, united!

Hey guys,
Can we use music to think about our activism?  In our study of different activist movements and acts of civil disobedience, I want you to consider current musicians who also have a message to their songs, to think about if their art and activism are connected.

Read this article about Kendrick Lamar's performance at the Grammys in February:  http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/feb/15/kendrick-lamar-grammys-2016-awards-political-performance-blacker-berry

Then, spend some time thinking about it.  You may discuss the article with a classmate before you answer, and may also listen to the songs discussed in the article, as long as the substitute does not mind.  OR you can also use headphones to listen quietly to the music as you respond.

Questions you should respond to, in the comments below:

1) What's a big idea that you get from reading this article about Kendrick Lamar?
2) Do you think that music can be a form of activism?  If so, can you name an example of a song that inspired/s a movement?  If not, why not?
3) What was Lamar's message with this performance?  How can you connect it to something else we've studied in class?
4)  Have you heard his new album yet?  What's your first impression or ideas about this music?
5) What kind of issues would you want to talk about if you were to write a political or activist song?

Email or have the founders text me if there's an issue.  See you on Wednesday!

Cheers,
Ms. Lauren

on youth voice

Despite the fear of young people (teens in particular, urban teens in specific) that is prevalent in our society, there are young folks who have found the source of their power, and speak it loudly.   We are blessed to have some of these folks in our United Playaz family.  Read the following blog post, by DeVante Lewis, a UP Mentor at United Playaz of New York, about the research project he did with three other young researchers. These amazing folks took the notebooks out of the hands of those in power and conducted research about topics that they were personally familiar with, in order to find out:  what do youth experience within the juvenile justice system?  What reforms do youth and their families want to the system, so that it would work on the balance of true justice?

Read more here: http://lawatthemargins.com/

Once you have completed reading the blog post, respond in a comment below to the following questions.  Please write your name in your response so you can get credit for your work!

1. What is one statistic that really stood out to you?  Why?
2.  Do you agree with DeVante's claim that the juvenile justice system fails our youth?  Why/not?
3.  Adults often say that "youth don't care".  Do you think youth want to have a voice at court and in policy decisions around juvenile justice?
4. Why do you think that youth aren't involved in decisions about your lives?  Where is one place you'd like to have more voice in your life?