Persuasive Communication class - online discussion - Personal Statement Example

Persuasive Communication Persuasive Communication Discussion One One is of the belief that rap and hip hop music is an artistic form of expression which does not promote negative social behavior. These two genre of music has been widely misinterpreted and given a negative connotation by those who do not appreciate the culture that is embodied in the music. Rap and hip hop music are often associated with the Black people who are their major promoters and patronizers. Most of the people who abhor these types of music are those who are still engulfed by racial discrimination, yet refuse to accept it.

They turn a blind ear when they hear these type of music which are attributed to the people of color. Instead of listening to the messages evoked by these music, they prejudge it and consider it as one which encourages bad behavior. In M.K. Asante’s book “It’s Bigger Than Hip Hop: The Rise of the Post-Hip-Hop Generation”, he talks about the censorship being imposed by the record companies on black artists of hip hop and rap music (Asante, 2008). The reason for this censorship is that the companies claim that the messages of hip hop music delve on the social, economic and political problems of the Black people.

This is why hip hop music is often misconstrued to be encouraging negative behavior. In judging rap and hip hop music, it is essential that the listeners look deeper into the lyrics of the songs. The audience should have an open mind and consider the messages of the songs as the voice of the youth and the Black people. It is not fair to judge them according to who the singers or performers are; rather, the listeners should view the lyrics as an expression of a deeper problem conveyed through music.

Discussion Two Among the ethical perspectives that were presented in Box 16.1, one considers egalitarianism or the “Golden Rule” as the most ethically defensible. The “Golden Rule” is a perspective which is universal among most of the religions in the world; therefore, it is clearly viewed as ethical. In Christianity, the Bible states, “All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye so to them; for this is the law and the prophets” (TeachingValues.com LLC, n.d., p1).

In Buddhism, the Udana-Varga states, “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful” (TeachingValues.com LLC, n.d., p1). The Islam religion’s version of the “Golden Rule” is “No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself” (TeachingValues.com LLC, n.d., p1). While in Hinduism, it is expressed as “This is the sum of duty; do naught onto others what you would not have them do unto you” (TeachingValues.com LLC, n.d., p1).

The “Golden Rule” is one of the most basic and succinct principle of ethics which people all over the world believes in. Often when a person is confronted with a dilemma, he would usually ask himself whether it would be in the best interest of all concerned. The “Golden Rule” is ethically defensible because it is premised on a person’s moral values and principles. It presupposes that individuals only think of good things and have no intention of hurting another. Even in the judicial system of most cultures, the “Golden Rule” is a rationale for most laws that have been promulgated (Duxbury, n.d.).

The “Golden Rule” is a principle which can be applied in all aspects of an individual’s life. Its universality is further strengthened by its concept of fair treatment for every person.ReferencesAsante, M. K. (2008). Its bigger than hip hop: The rise of the post hip hop generation. New York: St. Martins Press.Duxbury, N. (n.d.). Golden Rule reasoning, moral judgement and law. Retrieved from law.virginia.edu: http://www.law.virginia.edu/pdf/workshops/0708/duxbury.pdfTeachingValues.com LLC. (n.d.). The universality of the Golden Rule in the world religions.

Retrieved from teachingvalues.com: http://www.teachingvalues.com/goldenrule.html