Critique of Lilly Allen’s “Hard Out Here” music video

 "Hard Out Here" music video

Although Lily Allen is trying to promote feminism and dismiss the objectification of women and disdain the standard set for women about their bodies., the music video certainly does not suit the lyrics of the song. For example when she says “Don’t need to shake my ass for you cause I’ve got a brain” yea in the music video there are several close-ups of a woman’s behind which completely goes against what she was aiming to say.

The music video itself starts out with Lily Allen being judged for her weight, she is lying on a operating table getting a liposuction because they judged her for being over weight, although she is not. Also within the song she says, “if you’re not a size six, then you’re not good looking” stating that women have expectations of their body in order for them to be seen as attractive.

A very obvious insult to all women that does not reflect well on the concept Lily was trying to pursue, is that she refers to women as ‘b*tches’ instead of women or girls or ladies.

“ [Chorus:]
It's hard, it's hard, it's hard out here for a bitch
It's hard for a bitch (for a bitch) for a bitch,
It's hard
It's hard out here for a bitch
It's hard for a bitch (for a bitch) for a bitch,
It's hard
It's hard out here”

Although the lyrics do a very good job defending women and dismissing their objectification and standards, the music video is completely in contradiction of that, in fact it is quite the opposite.

FOA Reflection

My further oral activity aimed to answer the question “what do advertisements reveal about our society?” and I based it on advertisements that objectified women and argued that society belittles and degrades women throughout the media and in general. I feel like the content of the advertisements I found was very appropriate to the topic at hand, although I did have difficulties presenting in front of the class and I unfortunately did not do as well as I did when I was on my own. Although I think I was successful at meeting the certain requirements for the advertisements that I was presenting. Looking at the criteria my biggest weakness was not organizing my time well throughout the actual presentation; I did not meet the timing requirements. Based on the criteria a few strengths I had were that the ads I chose contained a lot of language, language takes up a big part of the marking scheme so I am satisfied with the information I presented about the language. Throughout this activity I learned that ads play a big role in the objectification of women in society. In terms of the presentations, I also developed better skills to help me present in future FOA’s and IOC’s, such as the use of claims and ethos pathos and logos, that I had forgotten in my presentation. I’ve also learned how to better organize my time to meet the certain requirements.

Abortion: Why its Wrong

Pathos

Logos

Ethos

How would you feel if someone took away your ability to live? Imagine not having any say in whether or not you want to have a life. Well babies don't have a choice in their mother’s womb. If a woman decides to abort her baby, they can't do anything about their life being taken away from them. Their whole future is demolished. I believe abortion is wrong when committing it for a selfish reason.

One reason why abortion is wrong is because there are many other safer solutions. In the article, Why Do More People Choose Abortion Over Adoption?, Kristi Burton Brown stated: “In the USA, there are approximately two million infertile couples waiting to adopt, many times regardless of the child’s medical problems such as Down Syndrome, Spina Bifida, HIV infection or terminally ill. Dr. Brad Imler, President of America’s Pregnancy Helpline, confirms the challenge of waiting couples by stating: Only 1% of the Helpline’s annual 40,000 clients inquires about adoption.” Putting him/her up for adoption will give them a better chance at a happier life rather than abortion. The solution for a baby should not be death. If it was for a selfish solution, you're sacrificing a life many other families would love to raise as their own.

Another reason why I don't support abortion is because it can harm the mother as well. You are highly risking the mother's life and affecting her. Not only does it have an effect on the USA but, it affects other countries as well like Spain. According to psychiatrist and member of the Right to Life Committee, Carmen Gómez-Lavín states that: "Sixty five percent of women who abort suffer symptoms of post-traumatic stress syndrome after undergoing the procedure." Many women are regretting that choice around the world making it a controversial issue. Abortion can also result into not being able to get pregnant in the future, many sickness' and even death. Abortion affects both victims in dangerous and physical ways.

A last reason of why abortion is wrong (out of many) is that it is considered brutal murder. In 1982, Ronald Reagan stated: "Simple morality dictates that unless and until someone can prove the unborn human is not alive, we must give it the benefit of the doubt and assume it is (alive). And, thus, it should be entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.". You are taking a life and killing a human being. The baby is alive and not just some 'group of cells' abortion doctors call them. You are painfully putting a child to death. It is wrong to think someone has the power to end a life so harmfully.

I believe abortion is wrong when used for narcissistic reasons. There are many other things you can do to prevent abortion. There are reasons why I don't support it. You can use adoption as a solution, it can harm the mother as well, and you are a taking an innocent life. Teenagers can rise awareness and either speak or show how strongly they believe about this topic. Abortion should not be legalized.

Written Task 1 Rough Draft

 Article Link

Letter to the Editor – Rationale

Alia Oumeish

We all know Amy Winehouse, she is one of the most famous women of her generation, unfortunately she passed away due to some bad experiences that occurred that were expressed in her songs. I found an article discussing this, it is an online magazine and this article discusses her authenticity and personal issues that was published only 2 days after her death in July of 2011. I will also reference two of her songs ‘Back to Black’ and ‘Rehab’ since they both portray the context the identifies with language and identity, proving that Amy uses language in her songs as a way of opening up to people about her issues, which proves that she is an authentic singer.

The test time I have chosen is a letter to the editor of Salon.com online magazine, I will write two letters to the editor, one acting as a concerned mother of a crazed fan of Amy’s, who is supportive of the negative comments being said about Amy Winehouse, and the second letter as the actual fan who does not see the bad in her role model. I chose this arrangement because I think it is the best way to include arguments both for and against what’s been said in an interesting yet appropriate matter. 

This specific article about Amy Winehouse would obviously be directed towards fans of hers, and frequent viewers of the magazine, and the purpose of my response would be to prove that Amy Winehouse was authentic throughout her music and to further explain the different opinions of the people.

Amy Winehouse’s authenticity

Mrs. Lannister

1^st August 2011

Dear David Daley, Editor in chief of Salon.com online magazine

As I was walking past my daughter Anna’s bedroom I over heard them talking about Amy Winehouse and fussing over the negative things that have been written about her on your online magazine, and I have to admit I was very curious as to see what all the hassle was about, and after reading your article I have to agree fully with everything being said, Amy Winehouse was a troubled singer and it is very obvious throughout her songs, as mentioned in your statement “Amy Winehouse’s darkest days were well-documented, and the tone of the coverage”. I agree with this statement because every single one of the songs I hear my daughter Anna listening to includes some sort of inappropriate language about drugs and alcohol and other inapt substances that Amy Winehouse was exposed to.

I am fully aware that many celebrities are exposed and resort to drugs and alcohol abuse etc. but many of them get the help they need before it is too late, as you mentioned earlier; “Winehouse sang, salty and teasing, outing herself — gallantly, even — as a devotee of excess. “They tried to make me go to rehab, I said ‘No, no, no,’” she proudly insisted. Her voice was tough, unapologetic.” She full on admit to needing rehab in one of her songs then admitted to refusing to go, now what kind of mother would want her daughter to admire a person like this? You have to understand the worry I am going through, my daughter looks up to this person, but Amy Winehouse is definitely not a person to be looked up to.

In my experience I'm aware that many younger people of this generation are exposed to illegal substances, and my daughter Anna is only 16 and sees Amy Winehouse as a role model and doesn’t realize that Amy Winehouse was very troubled, and while my daughter and many others seem to think that all of her music is just based on silly words that rhyme and sound good, but in reality she is being authentic in her songs, she actually is talking about her experiences with drugs and substance abuse, but many people do not realize the honesty behind her lyrics.

Amy Winehouse’s Authenticity

Anna Lannister, her biggest fan

2^nd August 2011

Dear David Daley,

I have to disagree with everything being said in your article, I think its just dishonest opinions about a certain celebrity, in hopes to get a lot of hits on the magazine.

Also when you stated “The rate at which the public gobbled up glib Winehouse headlines (Amy Winehouse Performs Drunk and Falls On Stage! Drunk Amy Winehouse Gives Worst Performance In History!) was in line with both the extraordinary number of records she sold and the precise content of those records.” I just think that as a a celebrity she must be faced with many pressures and will obviously lead to substance abuse to help ease her stress, and I do not think she should be judged for it, as long as she is singing the song properly which is what people paid for, she shouldn’t be insulted.

Also when stated “Critics continue to insist that authenticity, as it applies to art (and especially performance), is a sucker’s bet — it’s a hollow construct, an impossible ideal, a dangerous, nonsensical presumption.” In the article, I think that authenticity is a very important trait to include in ones music and art. I think Amy was just trying to make her songs more real, which is what makes it more special. I really do not think that being authentic is something to be judged for.

The only thing I probably agree with in this article is this part “. Addiction is a fundamentally different kind of hardship, but Winehouse’s life wasn’t charmed. She had credibility, suddenly, and that trumped everything else — race, circumstance, and origin. She made dozens of unforgivable professional and personal mistakes, but no one could accuse her of being full of shit.” I think this opens a new argument about Amy Winehouse that I probably should not get into, although I have to say that the last part of the sentence was very accurate, because no matter what Amy Winehouse was real, she was a genuine. She spoke about the harsher things that many other artists feared to open up about, when she sings you could hear the honesty behind her lyrics. Which is why I love her so much, just a few months ago when I went to her concert during her slower songs I nearly teared up from the sadness I could hear in her voice.

Yes I will admit she has made many mistakes throughout her life, and her death ironically was a mistake, she overdosed just last month. It happens to many people, but what I cant wrap my head around is how miserable a person could be to have to have that much drugs, I couldn’t imagine how much pain she was trying to numb. Don’t get me wrong I know that it was very immoral and was not a pleasant death, I also know that substance abuse is extremely dangerous and illegal, but it’s a hard addiction to break, I don’t think anyone should be judged negatively because of a mistake that cost their life, because no one really knows what she was going through. “That Amy Winehouse never had the chance to betray her music is the saddest kind of epilogue.”

Cultural Appropriation Letter - Nicki Minaj

article

To, Raf Lurv

8th october 2014

i have to agree with everything stated in the text, nicki minaj says in one of her songs "asalamu alaykom who the fuck is akbar, give him my keys tell him park my car"

asalamu alaykom in arabic is basically a greeting, and then she says who the f*** is akbar, akbar is a respectful way to say god, the she follows it by insulting him by referring to him as a vallet.

i dont think she meant any harm, i think Nicki Minaj just meant it as a joke or she really didnt put much thought into it, but even though i am not a muslim, i understand fully how it can be insulting to islam and muslims/arabs, or basically just anyone who believes in god because akbar means god, and many religions believe in god so i believe it is insulting to them all dont you think?

because many people who are religious respect god fully and their faith keeps many people going through hard times, and seeing someone so effortlessly insulting their most respected figure, could be seen as very rude.

something i agree with something said in particular "don't think it is appropriate for her to put such line in her song." basically saying that its okay for her to have her own opinions, just that she shouldn't advertise her negative thoughts if she knows that many people will be offended by it. 

another statement i agree with was "the line where she says "give'em my keys tell'em valet my car" can possibly means? From what I understand it can means 2 things. First she is referring Akbar to a person who work at valet parking, which illustrates that muslim is not doing well in life and  work for other richer people like her. " it took me a while to understand this line in the song and i think it was very well explained here, and i think this just shows how disrespectful some people get when they are introduced to all the fame and money, i agree fully with everything stated in this article and i believe that people should keep their opinions to themselves.

-Alia Oumeish
(371 words)

Demi Lovato - Skyscraper (Interview with Cosmopolitan Magazine)

Demi has returned to Cosmopolitan Magazine to discuss her brand new single "Skyscraper"

Q: When was the song recorded and released

A: "we recorded the song twice, once before i went to rehab and once after, it just felt right to use the original recording, the song meant more to me at the time and all my true emotions were portrayed when i first recorded it"

Q: Could you describe to us all why you were in rehab? Also at an interview with Ryan Seacrest you described this release as a "cry for help", could you elaborate on that?

A: "it was a very difficult time for me, i was battling depression, anorexia and bulimia, people just find ways to put me down, i guess it comes with the fame, people pay more attention to everything, my scars from self harm were noticed, and of course criticised me for it, as was my body, i felt horrible about myself and was looking for any ways to change that. i remember going through the comments people had on my music videos and photo-shoots, calling out every flaw they could find, i tried to diet and exercise i just naturally do not have a high metabolism, so i resorted to other methods which had horrible outcomes."

Q: Why self harm?

A: "its a question thats asked a lot, many people do not understand it. its one of those things that you cant fully understand unless you've experienced yourself, which i should hope never happens. I just used it as a way to deal with everything. i could not control what happened on the inside, so i took control of myself on the outside."

Q: Do you regret resorting to such extreme methods to improve your body?

A: "this is going to sound a little bit odd, but no in face i do not, i'm not saying id like to go through it again obviously, i just think that i wouldn't be the person i am today if not been through it all, the eating disorders, the rehab.. all of it."

Q: Can you describe to us all the true definition behind the song 'Skyscraper'?

A: "first off ill start with this line that not many people quite understood, when i said 'run run run, i'm gonna stay right here, watch you disappear' i was referring to all the nasty people in the world who were judging me, also to the voices in my head that were making me do things that hurt me, i'm saying that i could rise above and ignore them all, which i did."

"and of course most importantly 'skyscraper', obviously we all know, a sky scraper is a large building, usually higher than most, the skyscraper is a representation of myself, i started off low, rock bottom, if you will, but i rose above it all, and defining myself as a skyscraper just explains my position when everything was bad to when it all got better, I've just rose above all the bad things."

Q: Do you have any advice for anyone battling any mental disorders or anything similar to your previous situation?

A: "when things get bad, its okay to ask for help, i hope that none of you have to go through what i went through, and i hope that no one feels as alone as i did to the point that they would harm themselves in any way. If you need it, ask for  help. Also if you do not like the way you look you always have to remember that theres always going to be someone who doesn't like you, or doesn't like what you look like, someone will always have something to say and i can honestly say no one is perfect, and no one can be perfect, but you don't need to prove yourself to anyone, as long as you love yourself you will be happy with your life."

 -657 words

Demi before and after her eating disorder.

Achievement Tests

Last class we had a heated debate discussing points in a story called 'mother tongue' by amy tan, who is a successful english writer, but at first she speaks about how she didn't really score so well in her english tests, and i think that is because tests do not portray your true ability in that subject. I believe that tests do not test your intelligence, they test your memory. 

I know of many successful people who really just do not test well, for example Albert Einstein, who did not do well in school and as we all very well know he was one of the smartest men of his time. And a famous quote he said really stuck with me; "everybody is a genius, but if you test a fish on its ability to climb a tree it will spend its whole life believing that is is stupid". When we focus on the things that people do wrong we are doing a very wrong thing. we are not giving them the support they deserve to do anything to their full potential. In the story Amy Tan discusses how she was directed to do anything but english because her marks showed otherwise, but she ignored their comments and went on to study english and now is very successful.

If we let a piece of paper with a mark on it determine our future we will not go very far in life, i think people should just choose something they are passionate about and stick with it, because in the end if you let people push you on a subject just because you get good marks then you will live your whole life feeling miserable, you may be successful, but success is not the only thing that matters.

Language & Culture

Language takes up a big part of everyones life, without language i wouldn't be able to communicate with people or express myself and my emotions. 

Growing up in jordan i was fortunate enough to grow up to be a bilingual person, i speak english and arabic fluently, and since I've only ever lived in Jordan or Abu dhabi I've never felt very excluded because in Jordan everyone speaks arabic and in Abu dhabi also its an arabic speaking country, apart from all the international people who live here, that speak english. since i speak both I've always been comfortable around people and I've never  really felt excluded.

But one point i want to touch upon is that, even though i am fluent in arabic, i grew up learning arabic in jordan; i have a jordanian/palestinian accent. I remember when i first moved to Abu dhabi the locals here couldn't understand my accent very well. Overtime i managed to adjust my accent and now i can have a normal conversation with any arab person from any country, I've also even learned some Egyptian and local slang words. So I've adjusted to the different culture quite well.

Culture, as so defined by the dictionary "the ideas, customs, and social behavior of a particular people or society."  which is basically just the lifestyle and rules to live by of a certain society/country.

Introducing Myself

My name is Alia i'm 16 years old and i'm Jordanian/Palestinian, but i live in Abu Dhabi and i go to raha international school. I love football and running and many other sports, also i love tanning and anything to do with a beach. I love math and english and i basically hate every other subject . this year i aim to be an honor roll student or at least come close. I want to achieve a 6 in either of my higher level subjects and i want to complete most of my CAS and extended essay. 
in the future my goal is to become a successful business woman.
I care about my family and my friends and making my parents proud school wise.
Since i lived in jordan my whole life and i only moved to Abu Dhabi two years ago i'm still a little bit used to the jordanian lifestyle, Abu dhabi is more than 80% international cultures and my school is mostly international, which means that there are a lot of different nationalities that i have to keep up with and respect.