7/21/25

Major media outlets’ focus was often on the violence and conflict in Hip Hop rather than the music or the culture. Rappers were portrayed as violent rather than creative artists. For example, in the East vs. West rivalry, artists felt misrepresented by the media. Tupac Shakur criticized the media for using his music to push a false narrative and for taking his words out of context. The Notorious B.I.G. blamed the rivalry on the media for escalating the situation, saying he never wanted one in the first place.

And he was right, the media did play a key role in fueling the rivalry. Media outlets would often turn rumors into headlines and exaggerate situations. News organizations profited from the rivalry and encouraged the public to pick sides. However, there were other factors that played into the rivalry, like record label rivalries, diss tracks made by some artists, and regional pride.

Today, there are similar artist feuds, like Drake and Kendrick Lamar. Social media is very in tune with this rivalry. Media thrives on controversy, and platforms use algorithms to promote these conflicts. The media wasn’t the sole cause of the East Coast vs. West Coast rivalry, but it did help escalate it. Their focus on the conflict over the culture contributed to the dangerous aspects. This still happens today, and I think with responsible journalism and mindful consumption of media, this could change.

7/27/25

On August 25th, 2024, student musicians from Helsinki and London came together and beautifully performed Holst’s suite The Planets. The concert featured the Royal College of Music Symphony Orchestra and the Sibelius Academy Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sakari Oramo. The Royal College of Music Chamber Choir provided their vocals alongside soprano Anu Komsi.

The Planets, composed by Gustav Holst (1874–1934) between 1914 and 1917, is a seven-movement orchestral suite that presents each planet, excluding Earth, of the solar system as an astrological character rather than a celestial body. (Wikipedia)

This concert was a part of the BBC Proms, the world-famous classical music festival established in 1895 by Sir Henry Wood. The BBC Proms is a classical music festival aimed at bringing classical music to a wide audience. (BBC)

This performance of Holst’s The Planets was not only a captivating sonic journey through space, but also showed youthful energy and how the current generation can bring life to a century-old piece. If you’re not a classical fan yet, you will be after watching this performance.

At the beginning of the concert, we are “transported” to the forests of Finland by the Finnish conductor Sakari Oramo. The Wood Nymph by Sibelius, with its use of repeated musical patterns, takes the listener into a magical, fairy tale-like world. It’s so interesting that the piece is a lot about storytelling and the mood of each planet based on astrology.

This interpretation of The Wood Nymph by Sibelius stood out to me. It reminded me of a Disney fairy tale movie, like the kind of piece that would play behind a princess running away, or Little Red Riding Hood in the forest, or even a Tim Burton movie. The piece opened with low strings and dark-sounding woodwinds and horns, setting a mysterious mood. The piece has motifs, slightly changed each time, building up a sense of drama.

The instruments are blended in creative ways. I heard sudden changes in dynamic, from very soft to very loud, surprising the listener and emphasizing emotion. The tone kept shifting from light to dark, calm to intense, like the piece is a character torn between two emotions. There were also moments of rubato, like the orchestra was pausing or rushing to convey a story. The strings and woodwinds made the music feel more flowing, while the brass added tension. In this piece, the orchestra guides my imagination without saying a single word.

Two movements that stood out to me during this performance are Mars, the Bringer of War, and Venus, the Bringer of Peace. What made them unique to me was the different moods both conveyed. Each piece conveys a different emotion and a different sonic experience. Mars is seen as anger and war because of its fiery red look, and Neptune is seen as peace because of how beautiful it looks in the night sky (Proms 2024 – Holst The Planets). Both made a strong impression on me because of how the rhythm, orchestration, and texture convey meaning without words.

Mars felt cold. It gave me the feeling I get when I watch a scary movie and don’t know what’s going to happen next: teeth clenched, shoulders tight. The low strings created tension throughout the whole piece. The brass was overwhelming, like someone’s heart racing. The harsh dissonances reminded me of the music that plays in Home Alone when Kevin is trying to deceive the robbers on Christmas. In that moment, you didn’t know if he was going to get away with it or if the robbers were going to break in. It was kind of exciting how it would go low, then low again, then really high. It’s like the feeling of wanting something and being right at the edge of it, but being pulled back.

In contrast, Venus uses a slow tempo and soft dynamics. The solo woodwinds and strings gave a floating, calm feeling. Instead of feeling teeth clenched and shoulders tight, I felt light as a feather. It reminds me of a song that would play in Snow White as she talks to birds or walks through the forest. The warm tones and consonant harmonies feel lighter than those of Mars. It’s so fascinating how they switched from a piece with so much tension to a calmer one so effortlessly. These two pieces remind me that music can convey any type of emotion.

Overall, I was awed by how these students evoked emotion with just music, no words. I felt tension, terror, excitement, awe, wonder, and many other emotions while just listening to two hours of classical music.

2/20/26

Rap is so empowering to me, not only as a black person but also as a woman, and will always be more than entertainment; it’s a form of expression. This is a list of my favorite rap songs that inspire me every day.

“Woman” Doja Cat (2021)

“Woman” by Doja Cat was released in 2021 on her album Planet Her. It represents the grunge-blending era of modern rap. Doja Cat, who is a leading rapper and pop artist, often, like in this song, blends genres like rap, pop, and afrobeats. I love this track because it celebrates femininity, empowerment, and female confidence. It’s also fun and catchy. “They wanna pit us against each other when we succeedin’ for no reasons. They wanna see us end up like we did in Mean Girls.” These lyrics show the fun and catchy part of the song, but the female empowerment part also. The song resonates with me a lot because it empowers women to embrace themselves. It mirrors the women in early rap wanting to claim space, be a part of the conversation, and unite instead of competing against each other.

“Plan B” Megan Thee Stallion (2022)

“Plan B” by Megan Thee Stallion was released in 2022. It reflects the modern rap era, where women talk about misogyny and power dynamics. Megan Thee Stallion is one of the most important rappers today, always using her platform to empower women and challenge the double standards that exist for women in rap vs. men in rap. The track is raw and honest. It portrays how women in hip hop are using their voices to feel empowered and set boundaries in a male-dominated industry.

“U.N.I.T.Y.” Queen Latifah (1993)

“U.N.I.T.Y.” by Queen Latifah was released in 1993 during hip-hop’s golden era. It stood out during this time because it addressed social issues. The track is a feminist anthem about women fighting for respect and against sexism and violence. Queen Latifah blended rap with activism, and in my opinion, this was the start of women having a voice in the male-dominated genre. It continues to promote female empowerment in hip hop. Without the women of early hip hop, like Queen Latifah, songs like “Plan B” by Megan Thee Stallion and “Woman” by Doja Cat might not have existed today.

“Bomb Intro / Pass That Dutch” Missy Elliott (2003)
Missy Elliott is a pioneer in rap, who is known for her futuristic beats, playful style, and amazing visuals. I think this track shows how creative Missy Elliott is. “Bomb Intro / Pass That Dutch” by Missy Elliott, released in 2003, reflects the early 2000s era of hip hop and dance culture coming together. This has to be my favorite rap song of all time. There are so many different beats going on in the background, it’s the perfect song to just lose yourself in. The track features lyrics that suggest dancing and partying, a lot like the early hip hop days of party music. Missy showed that successful women in rap could be experimental.

“X Gon’ Give It to Ya” DMX (2003)
“X Gon’ Give It to Ya” by DMX is my number one hype song. DMX is a rapper who rose in the late 1990s and early 2000s and is known for his gritty voice and intensity. The track, released in 2003, reflects the era of hardcore rap and also the rise of hip hop as a mainstream genre. It was released as the soundtrack of the film Cradle 2 the Grave and is a part of his album The Definition of X: Pick of the Litter. “X gon’ give it to ya, he gon’ give it to ya.” This repeated lyric is energizing, and his gritty voice makes it even more hype. I always feel like I’m the toughest in the room when I listen to it lol.

“Nissan Altima” Doechii (2020)
One of my favorite songs and artists ever!! “Nissan Altima” by Doechii was released in 2020, and it reflects the modern era of rap, where artists use more digital tools than ever and experiment freely. The chorus is beyond catchy and playful. The song shows how younger artists are evolving rap by not taking themselves too seriously, yet still being bold. There are parts where she raps fast, which I find fascinating. It is a part of her album Alligators Never Heal, which is an amazing hip-hop album that represents how Gen Z rappers are trying to experiment with hip-hop and make a unique sound.

“Drop It Like It’s Hot” Snoop Dogg ft. Pharrell (2004)
“Drop It Like It’s Hot” by Snoop Dogg ft. Pharrell was released in 2004, during the era when hip hop was dominating mainstream. Snoop Dogg is an iconic rapper known for his laid-back flow, storytelling, and cultural influence. The track is laid-back and stylish while also blending with pop culture. I watched Pharrell’s LEGO documentary, and he talked about how it was made. The beats were very minimalist; they used tongue clicks and spray paint sounds. The lyrics are playful and fun to rap. It’s a great example of West Coast rap! The lyrics “when the pimps in the crib ma drop it like it’s hot” are very catchy, and I say it at least once a day.

“Gosta Get Paid” Rico Nasty (2022)
“Gosta Get Paid” by Rico Nasty was released in 2022, and it reflects the era of different genres being blended with rap. Rico Nasty is known for her unique sound, mixing rap with punk rock. I love the song because it gets me hyped. It’s the perfect song to listen to on the way to work. She raps about hustling and ambition. The track showcases independence and hard work. Rico’s music, in general, shows that women in rap can be loud, aggressive, and creative.

3/20/26

Northwestern University is a private university in Evanston, Illinois. Which is also the home of the highly respected Medill school of journalism. The Daily Northwestern is an independent student-run newspaper at the university and is staffed primarily by journalism students.

In November 2019, the campus college republicans invited Jeff Sessions to speak. Sessions previously served as U.S. Attorney general under president Donald Trump. His appearance caused large student protests.

At the protest, approximately 150 protesters attended and demonstrators gathered outside the event location. Some protesters climbed through windows and pushed through doors to disrupt the event. Reporters and photographers from the Northwestern Daily covered the protests and the speech. The coverage included photographs of protesters, interviews with participants and online news articles describing the event.

After the publication, some protesters complained about their inclusion in the newspaper. Their concerns were being photographed without consent, being contacted by reporters and feeling exposed or unsafe online. The main complaints included some students saying the reporting was “traumatizing and invasive”. Many of the protesters were students from marginalized communities.

In response to the backlash The Northwestern Daily published a 700-word staff editorial apology. They stated that the staff should have been more sensitive to protesters. “While our goal is to document history and spread information, nothing is more important than ensuring that our fellow students feel safe — and in situations like this, that they are benefitting from our coverage rather than being actively harmed by it”, The Northwestern Daily says.

The apology created a second wave of criticism from professional journalists, media commentators and northwestern alumni. Their arguments were that the protest occurred in the public eye, protesters should not expect privacy, journalists should not apologize for accurate reporting.

The editor of The Northwestern Daily at the time was Troy Closson. Closson said on twitter, the reporting itself was legitimate and some parts of the apology might have gone too far. “There’s a lot that I could talk about, but first I want to say that we covered the protest to its full extent and stand by our reporting. Our statement addressed some legitimate areas of growth we noticed in our reporting, but also over-corrected in others.”, He wrote.

Robby Soave strongly criticized the apology. “Is this what students at the country's most prestigious journalism school are learning these days? That self-censorship is the paper's best practice if someone is offended by what's happening in the world?”, Soave wrote for Reason magazine. He argued that journalists should not practice self-censorship because someone feels offended.

In another article by Robby Soave he quotes Charles Whitaker, dean of Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism who called the editorial "heartfelt though not well-considered”. Whitaker says students faced intense pressure from critics online and many journalism students are studying topics like, critical race theory, gender studies and media representation of minority communities. He suggested the students believed apologizing might help heal tensions on campus.

Margaret Sullivan also wrote about the controversy in the Washington post. She quoted Astead Herndon, national political reporter at the New York Times who said “This generation of journalists, he wrote, have an instinct “to care about historically marginalized communities and rethink power dynamics and it is playing out in a raw and uninformed way.”

This case highlights the journalism ethics conflict, ”seek truth and report it”. According to The society of professional journalists code of ethics, Seek truth and report it means journalists have a duty to document events accurately. The protest was newsworthy and occurred in public. The SPJ Code of ethics also says to minimize harm, which means journalists should treat people with dignity and respect.

Was the apology appropriate? I think it can be looked at from two different perspectives. Yes it's appropriate because It acknowledged the emotional impact on marginalized students and It showed empathy and community responsibility. Or it is not appropriate because it suggested journalists did something wrong by reporting a public event and it could encourage future self-censorship.

This case is a great example of ethical conflicts in journalism because it shows the difficulty balancing truth-telling and minimizing harm and the challenges journalism students face covering their own communities.