Empire State of Mind Assignment UT Arlington Fall 2015 by Thaddeus Jan Veranga Lyrics
Intoduction
Authors portray cities as a location filled with many opportunities. Since the creation of African American Literature in the 18th century, many artists constructed their works around a setting inside of a city, especially Harlem. Although many people find success in living inside a metropolitan area, African Americans continue to find despair. Many stories from these authors provide an African American’s urban perspective of living in historical events like Slavery, The Great Migration, and The Harlem Renaissance. By analyzing the perspective of urban African American's in the past, society will create stronger relationships with different ethnic groups.
The Big Apple
The Big Apple is a term used to describe New York City. For African Americans, it symbolizes a place for a chance and opportunity to achieve their dream.
Text Excerpt: James Weldon Johnson My City
“From bring of her a part, her subtle spells,
Her shining towers, her avenues, her slums-
O God! The stark, unutterable pity.”
Epic Street Rap
Epic Street Rap is a subgenre of rap that presents the lifestyle of the artists while he or she lived on the streets. African Americans relate with themselves with this genre because of its cultural close connections with their ancestral history during the Great Migration.
Text Excerpt: Nas NY State of Mind
"The city never sleeps, full of villains and creeps
That is where I learned to do my hustle, had to scuffle with freaks"
Underground Monopoly
Underground Monopoly is a term that describes the criminal network that is embedded within urban cities. African Americans, from the past to present day, find themselves associated with criminality in order for them to survive due to the social discrimination.
Text Excerpt: Rudolph FisherCity of Refuge
“Chief, you got a head, no lie.”
“Don’t lose no time. And remember, hereafter, it’s better to sacrifice a little than to get squealed on.”
Inner City Prison
Inner City Prison is a term used to describe a feeling that people have when they feel trapped within their urban environment. Once African Americans migrated into the city, they felt that they were stuck in their low life because of the social barriers that preventing them to better themselves.
Text excerpt: James Baldwin Sonny’s Blues
“'Where do you want to go, Sonny?'... 'I just told you. To get out of Harlem'... 'He looked at me, trapped, and in anguish.'”
Skyscraper Uppity
Skyscraper Uppity is a term to describe the individual people who have escaped the street and are now living a better life. Not all African Americans are succumb to a life of poverty and criminality but instead break through the social barrier to be accepted and loved.
Text Excerpt: JayZ Empire State of Mind
“I’m the new Sinatra and since I made it here
I can make it anywhere, yeah, they love me everywhere”
Sketch Neighborhoods
Sketch Neighborhoods is a term that defines locations where there is a lot of criminal activity. Many African Americans find themselves associated with these ghettos because society’s remembrance of their historical background.
Text Excerpt: Rakim New York (Ya Out There?)
“WE GOT dangerous hang out spots and slick cops”
Authors portray cities as a location filled with many opportunities. Since the creation of African American Literature in the 18th century, many artists constructed their works around a setting inside of a city, especially Harlem. Although many people find success in living inside a metropolitan area, African Americans continue to find despair. Many stories from these authors provide an African American’s urban perspective of living in historical events like Slavery, The Great Migration, and The Harlem Renaissance. By analyzing the perspective of urban African American's in the past, society will create stronger relationships with different ethnic groups.
The Big Apple
The Big Apple is a term used to describe New York City. For African Americans, it symbolizes a place for a chance and opportunity to achieve their dream.
Text Excerpt: James Weldon Johnson My City
“From bring of her a part, her subtle spells,
Her shining towers, her avenues, her slums-
O God! The stark, unutterable pity.”
Epic Street Rap
Epic Street Rap is a subgenre of rap that presents the lifestyle of the artists while he or she lived on the streets. African Americans relate with themselves with this genre because of its cultural close connections with their ancestral history during the Great Migration.
Text Excerpt: Nas NY State of Mind
"The city never sleeps, full of villains and creeps
That is where I learned to do my hustle, had to scuffle with freaks"
Underground Monopoly
Underground Monopoly is a term that describes the criminal network that is embedded within urban cities. African Americans, from the past to present day, find themselves associated with criminality in order for them to survive due to the social discrimination.
Text Excerpt: Rudolph FisherCity of Refuge
“Chief, you got a head, no lie.”
“Don’t lose no time. And remember, hereafter, it’s better to sacrifice a little than to get squealed on.”
Inner City Prison
Inner City Prison is a term used to describe a feeling that people have when they feel trapped within their urban environment. Once African Americans migrated into the city, they felt that they were stuck in their low life because of the social barriers that preventing them to better themselves.
Text excerpt: James Baldwin Sonny’s Blues
“'Where do you want to go, Sonny?'... 'I just told you. To get out of Harlem'... 'He looked at me, trapped, and in anguish.'”
Skyscraper Uppity
Skyscraper Uppity is a term to describe the individual people who have escaped the street and are now living a better life. Not all African Americans are succumb to a life of poverty and criminality but instead break through the social barrier to be accepted and loved.
Text Excerpt: JayZ Empire State of Mind
“I’m the new Sinatra and since I made it here
I can make it anywhere, yeah, they love me everywhere”
Sketch Neighborhoods
Sketch Neighborhoods is a term that defines locations where there is a lot of criminal activity. Many African Americans find themselves associated with these ghettos because society’s remembrance of their historical background.
Text Excerpt: Rakim New York (Ya Out There?)
“WE GOT dangerous hang out spots and slick cops”