The Queen of Hip-hop
New Jersey is the place to go if you would like to see huge businesses, huge houses, and successful superstars! New Jersey is where Queen Latifah was born. Latifah grew up in Jersey as a normal person. Latifah’s family was very tight on money until one day, Latifah’s dream came true. When Queen Latifah’s dream came true, she was very proud of herself and her family for encouraging her. They encouraged her to do obstacles that she thought she couldn't do. They encouraged her to play multiple sports. Queen Latifah played on the Irvington High School basketball team and helped her team win the state championship during her sophomore year in high school. Queen Latifah had always wanted to be a successful superstar. Queen Latifah
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is a fantastic artist, although, she had a life full of struggles, and successes. Latifah struggled without her brother in her life. Latifah, Rita, and Shakim(Latifah’s husband) gave Winki(Latifah’s older brother) a new motorcycle for his birthday (Allen 65). In April 1992, Winki was riding his motorcycle around East Orange (Allen 65). As a result, a car hit Winki, and he and his bike went under the car (Allen 65). Too shaken to drive, Latifah asked Shakim to take her to the hospital (Allen 65). Queen Latifah had a very strong connection with her brother, which was the only brother that she had (“Queen Latifah’s Image” 1). It was a hard time for Latifah because she really loved her brother (“Queen Latifah’s Image” 1). Queen Latifah had many struggles, as an adult and even as a teenager.
One struggle that Queen Latifah faced was her parents´ divorce (Allen 20). After her parents divorced, her father became addicted to cocaine (Allen 21). Rita(Queen Latifah’s mother), loved Lancelot(Queen Latifah’s father) very much. Due to the divorce, her father moved and money became very tight (Allen 22). Another struggle that she faced was in April 1992, Latifah´s brother died (Allen 66). After Latifah´s brother died, she became depressed, and cried many times. After Latifah overcame her depression, she was selected the 2003 Artist Of The Year by the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations (Harvard Foundation 1).“I don’t want to be a supermodel; I want to be a role model” (Harvard Foundation 1). She was also nominated for Best Supporting Actress by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences for her outstanding performance in the blockbuster film Chicago (Harvard Foundation …show more content…
1). Latifah had many successes throughout her life. During Latifah´s first year at Irvington High School, she won the talent show (Allen 32). Also, the girls basketball team (that Latifah was on) stomped their rivals all the way to the state championship (Allen 32). After making her feature film debut in Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever, Latifah appeared in such films as Living Large, The Bone Collector with Denzel Washington, and Brown Sugar (Harvard Foundation 1). Latifah became famous in no time. Towards the beginning of her career, she appeared in magazines as embracing her roots (“Queen Latifah’s Image” 1). “Dreams become reality if we put our minds to it” (“Queen Latifah’s Image” 1). Latifah wears her hair in cornrows to typically symbolize the idea of embracing the African-American culture, rebelling against the pressures of appearing white through chemically relaxing the hair to make it appear more silky and straight (“Queen Latifah’s Image” 1). Even though Queen Latifah started off as a normal New Jersey girl with struggles and trials, she still became rich and a very,very popular artist and actress. She inspired many kids and even adults. “I love the message of the movie, which is that family is love. It doesn't matter if you don't look like each other. The love is what matters” (Harvard Foundation 1). Queen Latifah did not have a very exciting life as a teen and growing up in a police family. Both, her father and her brother, were cops, but they protected the family very well. “I was taught from a young age that many people would treat me as a second-class citizen because I was African-American and because I was female” (“Queen Latifah’s Image” 1). Until one day, Latifah’s brother died in a motorcycle accident which turned Latifah’s world upside down. She cried for many of days, which stopped her from focusing on her music career. She kept some belongings of her brother for remembrance. Latifah’s brother was the closest person to her. After he died, she was the only child left to take care of her parents so once she became successful, she would take care of them as much as they took care of her as a kid. Almost a year after the accident, she became as successful as ever. She was able to buy big houses and nice cars. She bought her parents everything they needed. Queen Latifah became a big movie star and a big artist. “You have to stand for what you believe in and sometimes you have to stand alone” (“Queen Latifah’s Image” 1). Queen Latifah is a very strong individual.
She is not only an actress or singer, but she is a role model. She inspires tons of people and loves giving back to the community. She loves showing culture, going around talking to many people, and performing in many places. Queen Latifah inspires me. One day, I would like to be a big movie star and a big artist like her. Queen Latifah put her mind to the dreams that she wanted to accomplish and she accomplished them. Maybe, if I did the same thing, I could accomplish my dreams also. She has been through many of trials but she has came back from those trials stronger than
ever.
Lucille Ball, a beloved Hollywood actress, overcame difficulties in childhood and adulthood, becoming a successful actress and studio head. She portrayed the relatable character “Lucy” in “I Love Lucy,” making her an American Icon.
"38: Queen Latifah – Powerful Women of 2013." TheDropfm. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2013.
People who work hard enough become successful and build a good life for themselves and their family. Millions of Americans and others who admire America have believed this for generations. However, is this still true? Brandon King debates his interpretation of the American Dream in his published work, “The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold?” During his essay, the speaker highlights how important the American Dream is to the economy and providing a distance from inequality. The speaker emphasizes his belief that the American Dream is still alive within America and that people must work hard to achieve it. When discussing the American Dream, King will agree that the idea is alive and thriving in the minds of Americans; yet, I argue that the idea is on hold within American society due to lack of upward social independence and economic mobility.
The American Dream: the trademark of US society. Its meaning is deeply rooted in the Declaration of Independence which proclaims that “all men are created equal” and that they are all entitled to “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (The Declaration of Independence). The luring Dream attracted thousands of immigrants to the United States and many people, including authors, have been inspired by it, one of them being Hunter S. Thompson. His book Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream follows protagonist Raoul Duke in search of the American Dream. While he comes in bars, casinos and hotels, it seems that he never finds what he is looking for: the American Dream has failed him. The situations that Raoul Duke experience are a metaphor for the decaying American Dream and the corruption in American society due to growing social discontent.
The idea of the American Dream is it began as an idea people could thrive from, but became detrimental through corruption. Society’s necessity for material goods and money for personal happiness distorts the American dream. One’s morals will be compromised once one decides to live a life for the sole purpose of following a corrupted ideal. In Hunter S. Thompson’s literary work, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, his viewpoint of the American Dream is expressed. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, written by Hunter S. Thompson, expresses the decline of society’s morals due to materialistic needs. Thompson proves through symbolism and characterization that society‘s corrupted perception of the American Dream provokes an individual’s morals to decline.
She started with nothing, being the poorest of poor and grew to be a media giant. She overcame poverty, neglect, sexual abuse and racism. Through it all she never gave up and this is why she will inspire others to do the same.
Without a doubt there is one major performer that certainly stands out within our pop culture world. The name of this very famous American icon is, Dolly Parton. Dolly has surpassed any rags to riches story that ever lived. She has touched the lives of so many individuals over many decades through her many talents. Dolly started her career at a very young age and continued fulfilling her life endeavors through country music, pop music, and even acting. This American icon didn’t stop with just her talents, she also gave back to our society through charity, fundraising, and establishing her own theme park. Dolly Parton was brought up in a very poor family, however through much dedication she became the famous icon everyone idolized today.
In the book “They Say I Say”, Brandon King writes an essay bringing multiple perspectives on what Americans golden way of living is. The “American dream” is what most American citizens all strive for. Early settlers came in to try to achieve “the dream”. Those who already lived in America choose to stay because of its grand possibilities. The United States of America is the only place in the world where you have the rights to freedom of speech. What is the American dream? It used to be said that you could come to America and go from rags to riches; you could come with nothing and achieve everything you ever wanted. Take a second and think. We all ponder upon, is the so called “American dream” dead or alive? This has been a steamy topic
The American Dream was derived from the United States Declaration of Independence which states that, “All mean are created equal” and that they are “endowed by their creator with certain inalienable Rights” including “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness” (US 1776). This means that every person has equal opportunity
There are various individuals throughout the world who believe that the American Dream cannot be achieved by all people. Those who agree with this view believe that our culture contains too many roadblocks and obstacles. Some of these obstacles include prejudice, poverty, and social inequality. Another view on this matter is that others believe that America is the “Land of Opportunity”. They also believe that if you can believe it, you can achieve it. Back in the early 20th century, The American Dream meant something to people; nowadays it is a term that various people loosely throw around. The American Dream is not realistic because it is not attainable to everyone like Cal Thomas presumes and although education, budget cuts and lack of employment may seem of some concern to only a small group of people, it should in fact concern anyone who cares about the status of the economy.
Grace Kelly expressed a deep love for performing at a young age. In addition to participating in school plays and productions, she often modeled with her mom and sister (“Grace Kelly Biography”).
"The American Dream" is that dream of a nation in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with options for each according to capacity or accomplishments. It is a dream of social stability in which each man and each woman shall be able to achieve to the fullest distinction of which they are essentially competent, and be distinguish by others for what they are, despite of the incidental conditions of birth or stance. The American Dream is often something that humanity wonders about. What is the American dream? Many people discover success in a range of things. There are many different definitions of the American Dream. However, the American Dream embraces prosperity, personal safety, and personal liberty. The American dream is a continually fluctuating set of ideals, reflecting the ideas of an era.
...film community through her awesome success in her field. Also, Audrey bettered the lives of every child she helped personally through UNICEF and all children UNICEF aids presently and in the future. She is a role model for anyone suffering through war, divorce, hunger, or depression. She can show these people that there is still hope and they can still live their own dreams.
In conclusion, she is a very good role model. She is a good role model because she shows people it is good to give to charity and she is a hard worker. She also shows that you don’t need to have inappropriate songs or inappropriate performances to be popular. This is why she is my favorite superstar and I wanted to write a research paper on her.
Oprah Winfrey is an African American woman who is known as a U.S. media celebrity. She has done so much to contribute to society as we know it and her legacy will forever live on. Mrs. Winfrey is well known and she uses her platform for positivity and love, which is a huge reason for her success. She is an intelligent leader who worked hard for the spot she has in life and strives to encourage others to be successful also. Mrs. Winfrey has written books, acted and produced films, hosted an infamous television show, and given to charities. Her hard work and dedication has made her one of the most influential women of all time. She strived for greatness and accomplished what she wanted out of life, despite various obstacles that had been in the