Rap Essay

RAP Essay on Authority

By Brittany Beaver

            In today’s society, bullying is a major issue. Schools do not displin to the full extent in which they should, parents do not set the best examples for their children, and the public does not except differentially. In our society today we are uneducated in different sexuality. We do not know how to deal with something that is different. So, as a result we shun or make fun what is different to make ourselves feel better.

 And as a result children who are a different sexuality are feeling exiled and unwanted, then eventually come to a point where they only see suicide as their only way out. What we can do for our society is we can educate people and show them that different can be excepted. Also, we can enforce stronger rules in our schools so that children feel safe and not unwanted. Adults need to set better examples for their children and let them know that it is not alright to disrespect others and put them down.

In the interview that Ellen DeGeneres had with Michelle Obama, they discussed how bullying is the act of children not being taught the correct example. Obama states “Kids will follow our lead. They will follow our example, but we’ve got to set it.” They then go on to explain that it is also the adult’s responsibility to protect children and make them feel safe.

Ellen uses the analogy that bullying seen in school reflects on what kids are seeing on TV through politicians. Politicians are bullying each other to make each side look better and this is sending the message to kids that it is okay to defile others. Also, Michelle uses and anecdote that she has told her children that when they see bullying it is there job to interfere and stand up to bullying and not be silent. Obama talks about how bullying has been adopted into our culture and how adults need to make sure that kids know “That it does get better.” She talks about how people need to be accepted no matter what their race, sexual orientation, religion, etc. is. She is credible because she is a woman of color and she has been through bullying and trying to be excepted because her family is the first black family that has been put into office and many people didn’t and still doesn’t except them. Ellen is creditable because for one she was the first open lesbian to be famous and also, because she has done work with the project It Gets Better. 

            In Robyn’s presentation she discussed how there are many things said about lbgt people that is just the effect of being uneducated. She also explained that because of this bullying is easier for people to do rather than admit they are wrong and learn from their mistakes. Also, she talked about how society is to blame for us not being able to except difference because we are so uneducated. And that we have a set state of mind that it is supposed to be straight. Ochs prestation was very informative. She explained to us all of her research and her experiences as a bisexual woman. She talked about how you cannot tell the difference if a person is bisexual, gay lesbian, transgender, or even straight just by looking at them, we just automatically believe that they are straight.

            The way that Ochs approached the subject was quite different; she asked the class what we have heard about bisexual people. She then went on and explained to us this is used to be quite hurtful to her until she discovered that people are just uneducated.  Yet she said that there are people who fit under every category listed on the board not every bisexual should be characterized by those standards. Also, she made the point that there are people who are straight and would fit under every category that was up on the board. Which is very true.

            . Her tone throughout the entire presentation was very open minded and very bright and inviting. She made it clear that she was not trying to force her beliefs onto us; simply she was here to educate us so that we as human beings can grow. She was very friendly and did not just get up in front of lecture and us but made the presentation fun and exciting.

            Robyn is very credible. She is a well known woman who could be in any point of power job wise and she chooses to come to teach to us all of the things she did not have growing up. Ochs used the anecdote of a presentation a man gave for her students. He had said something about him and his partner. And that when he said that she was being stereotypical just like everyone else. She later asked him whom he was talking about when he said “ him and his partner” and he simply said his wife. This all-just goes back to society drilling into our heads that straight is the correct way. She is a very successful woman who is doing a remarkable job spreading knowledge to others. Also, what makes her credible is that she has experienced first hand what being an outcast is in a world where being bisexual is not excepted.                                    

In the article “Suicide Draws Attention to Gay Bullying” a young boy Jamey Rodemeyer who contributed in 

the “It Gets Better” by Anahad O’Connor project commits suicide after speaking out and telling everyone

  that life will get better and that suicide is not the way out. Jamey had support from his family and friends and also, was in counseling. He was tormented from bullies at his school and it drove him to the point of suicide.

            This article uses Pathos to draw the reader in. This boy spoke up and was an idol for many people and he succumbed to the very thing he preached about. Before Jamey died he posted a tweet to Lady Gaga (which was Jamey’s idol) that said, “Bye mother monster, thank you for all that you have done.” Lady Gaga did a tribute concert for him and went to talk to the president to make a law about bulling.

            The tone set in this article is very upsetting and emotional. But at the same time it is inspiring because Jamey’s death was a cry for help. And since he was such an idol to so many people, his death was a reminder of reason that people who are gay are still in trouble. A young boy that was surrounded by so much support, still could not stand to put up with bullying of others is a wake up call that things have to change or more lives will be at stake.

           

            In this photo of a man in the army with the piece of duct tape over his mouth that reads don’t ask don’t tell there are a lot of messages being told. First of all it is a man in the army. We look up to the men in uniform this is an allusion. Also, we could look at this as a symbol because the tape a crossed his mouth can also represent the national day of silence. Another way that this picture by the words on the duct tape, don’t ask don’t tell. We see this as a policy that people that enter into the military or any type of service to our country abide by.

            The person in this picture is wearing a uniform. He is a server of our country and we look up to him with lots of respect. This is an allusion because men and women in uniform we look up to and respect them. Seeing them in a more personal view it’s shocking to know what happens behind closed doors. If looked at in the point of view of the meaning of the duct tape over his mouth, representing the national day of silence. This man in uniform could be a supporter of gay’s rights and this is how he shows his respect. This day is for people to protest against bulling against gays. With a man in uniform, in which we show respect to, someone we look up to, showing his respect and representing this cause should be inspiring to others. This would make others look at them selves and see this man in uniform representing a cause that is nationwide and hopefully have a change of heart.

            Lastly, the words that are written on the duct tape don’t ask don’t tell is a major problem that has accrued with the men and women that enlist Men and women weren’t allowed to enlist if they were gay so that is where don’t ask don’t tell started then laws were passed that said no one was allowed to discriminate against them just because people are gay so as long as no one asks no one has to tell. Society is not comfortable with gays and having a person in uniform openly promote gay rights just isn’t acceptable to a lot of people because we look up to these people and have so many expectations for them. But in reality they are human beings that love and have feelings for other human beings not just someone who risks their own life so that we all can be free. Many people forget this and are too old fashioned to except a new way of living.

In all three of these articles, they sum up to one answer, Authority. Society needs to accept that the world is changing and adapt. If change does not occur more people are going to be hurt. Adults need to educate their children and teach them that it is not right to put any one down for any reason, and that we are all human beings no matter the color of our skin or who we are attracted to. Also, we need to stand up more to bullying because this affects everyone. You are just as much responsible if seeing or doing, if you do not put a stop to it.