Hello Blogger Fans!
So far I have touched upon
several aspects, issues and interesting points of all the ways people may, are
and can be affected by the media.
During the course of this
semester, I have debated several thoughts about the issues of society and media
consciously and subconsciously influencing the average individual. I never came
to any conclusion, nor did I have any sort of revelations. While I was
introduced to the world of blogging I thought this would be an opportunity to
hear what others think? This also offers the chance to bring awareness to this
conflict.
Personally, having
experienced plenty in my young age, I choose to appreciate the up’s and down’s
because it has shaped me to be who I am today, but also prepares me for what lies
ahead of me.
When any individual’s faces
challenges in their life such as I, it brings many doors of opportunities as
well as new people whom are included in the shaping of who you are- that’s
right, your friends, family and loved ones impact you similarly to how the
media and society do. While I started writing this blog, I was also working on another
project that paralleled this topic.
With research, thought and time I found myself aimlessly typing
and searching the web for ideas- I then bumped into Poet Ali. I had an odd
connection to him, I felt compelled to reach out and connect him to the program
I was working with. Although making this connection was more complicated then I
had hoped we became friends and he had a strong and balanced mindset to
understanding the idea of this blog.
He goes by the name is Poet Ali, and if you ask him he is “Older
than the Sun, Moon, and Stars”. Poet Ali is a very gifted and talented artist;
he currently raps and performs to cause a reaction quite differently than most
of the music you hear today. He was born in Tehran, Iran and immigrated to the
U.S. when he was just 3 years old as a result of the Iranian Revolution in
1979.
Like many other Iranian families, it was not easy leaving behind
the land known to many as “home”. Poet Ali, does all that he can to keep his
heritage alive, while being so far away makes it difficult to keep connected to
his family that still remains there. Although, he uses some of this emotion
along with the struggles he has faced in life as inspiration to create his
music.
Poet Ali doesn’t remember a time when music and dance weren’t
apart of not only his life but who he is. Although it took him some time, and
different styles of music to find what fit him he always had a natural drive
and desire to learn about his interest in music.
Along with his growing passion for music, he always had
something in him that allowed him to want to change the world. He never knew
how until he was presented with the opportunity to work with an organization
known as Rachel’s Challenge.
Working with Rachel’s Challenge has given him the opportunity to
work with children everyday, while sending, giving and telling the overpowering
story of Rachel Scott; who was the first student shot and killed in the
Columbine High school shooting.
(( Photo to the left is Rachel Scott, RIP) To learn more about Rachel’s Challenge and read her story
please;
Visit: http://www.rachelschallenge.org/big-picture/about-rachels-challenge/
Growing up in a very large tight knit family has taught and
given Poet Ali some of the most important and valuable lessons about life. He feel’s
that the issue of the media and society affecting our mind, is a something that
cannot be ignored. This is because everything that surrounds us shapes our
thinking and view of the world, as well as ourselves. Many of us look to the
world to determine most things in our lives, it is powerful and we cannot always
help it. He feels everyone should understand this, but also interestingly he
feels that the media may be influential both positively and negatively but holds
no win when it comes to good parenting.
Although the media and society may have a stronger impact on
children because they are more vulnerable, According to Poet Ali, it is solely
up to parents and families to teach their children about the world and
themselves; because each and every person including artists and celebrities can
only speak about there own “reality”, and of course everyone’s is different.
Poet Ali states a very important point, while some celebrities and artists may
be aware of there strong impact on others, selling music is there
responsibility not always teaching, parenting and or being a role model
although in many sad situations there is not always this option.
Poet Ali does not feel that the media empowers him in any way,
even though he uses a lot of the media for work. This particular portion has
stayed in my mind since interviewing Poet Ali for this post. He said that in
the past there were times he was impacted and weighed down by it negatively and
in his words sometimes “disgusted by it!”; at this time he thought of the media
as a hammer- but as he stated exactly;
“I realized like any tool in a tool box, it is up to us to use
it in the way that we need.”
The media in Poet Ali’s eyes will always have its own agenda,
but even the most successful people have learned to view this same idea and
created there own systems to make it work for them.
Poet Ali, has seen a lot of the world. He went to Primary and
Secondary school in between San Diego CA and Orange County CA, and after high
school moved to Los Angeles for College and studied English, Spanish undergrad
with a minor in dance. During College he visited and decided to live in Madrid
Spain shortly after his study abroad. He also briefly lived in Northern Italy.
He believes that the presentation of beauty varies with and for every culture
as well as to the eyes of the beholder.
Poet Ali continues to write with much motivation to the
“freeing” sense for himself; to him there is nothing better than being true to
your individual self. This does not always mean that everything he writes is
positive but they’re positive and negative in the world. It is important for
Poet Ali to be aware of this, especially in himself, there are things in life
we like and love, but also things we may not if you can accept this you can
learn to better who you are. He also feels that building bridge between one’s
emotional and personal self with the universal truth is something that everyone
can relate to. And for him, his fans are his driving force for motivation.
Today technology is a place where everyone can share a piece of
who they are but also to create an image of themselves. Poet Ali feels that
this is a great advantage for him because his art is his life and who he is,
and the ability to be able to share that is powerful because without it; his
fans would not be able to motivate him like they do.
Poet Ali hopes to spread his work more as well as his intention
to make a difference in the world. To Check out some of Poet Ali’s work check
out his pages; And don’t hesitate to “like”, “share” or even send him a message
letting him know how you feel about his work, He is an open person and has a
lot to offer the world and his music speaks for itself- CHECK HIM OUT, I’m a
fan!
Let’s
take a brief moment to reflect on our sense of self. Think about how much the average
individuals day, or your own. Think about all of the action, people,
communication, sound, scenery and emotion seen, but also the relationships,
objects, feelings, and thoughts that are understood and process of
understanding. Our environment greatly affects who we are, but there are plenty
of ingredients needed to make-you! 
Poet Ali does not feel that the media empowers him in any way,
even though he uses a lot of the media for work. This particular portion has
stayed in my mind since interviewing Poet Ali for this post. He said that in
the past there were times he was impacted and weighed down by it negatively and
in his words sometimes “disgusted by it!”; at this time he thought of the media
as a hammer- but as he stated exactly;
Poet Ali continues to write with much motivation to the
“freeing” sense for himself; to him there is nothing better than being true to
your individual self. This does not always mean that everything he writes is
positive but they’re positive and negative in the world. It is important for
Poet Ali to be aware of this, especially in himself, there are things in life
we like and love, but also things we may not if you can accept this you can
learn to better who you are. He also feels that building bridge between one’s
emotional and personal self with the universal truth is something that everyone
can relate to. And for him, his fans are his driving force for motivation.
