In a minimum of 300 words, respond to the following prompts:
- Apply the key principles of race and ethnic literary studies to an analysis of Mos Def’s “Mathematics.” Professor Matt provides specific questions and points in his lecture that will give you a place to start your analysis.
- Using supporting evidence from other parts of the song, analyze the BROADER meaning of the final lines of the song: “What are we talking about here?”
Note: Do not be tempted to use literary analyses that already exist online. This prompt specifically requires you to focus on the application of literary theory and deep analysis of a particular line in the song. This song has A LOT that can be analyzed through the Ethnic Literary Studies lens.
Quick Outline of Key Principles in Professor Matt’s lecture and a few useful questions to startyour analysis:
Key Principle 1
Categories of race & ethnicity have been used in ways that have empowered & oppressedthrough social institutions & language
Differences in language, customs, religion, etc. to differentiate “us” vs. “them” or self/other
Hierarchy
Anger, hatred, scapegoating & xenophobia from ignorance of cultural differences
Racial slurs
Can marginalized people reappropriate slurs?
Key Principle 2
The differentiation of peoples are reflected in a centuries-long history of imperialism &colonization
Concept of civilized society exploring untamed continents & savage peoples used to justifyexploitations & colonization
Post-colonial analysis examines aftermath of colonization & profound changes on colonizedcultures
Key Principle 3
The differentiation of peoples & its political consequences are reflected in literature
Literature as glimpse into belief systems of culture
Can reaffirm or challenge status quo
Theory into Practice (How these questions unfold within the literature)
How are various races/cultures portrayed in literature?
What opportunities are available to minority races compared to majority?
What values or hierarchies exist?
Reinforce or challenge status quo?
https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/mosdef/mathematics.html
Lyrics for assignment:
You know the deal; it’s just me, yo
Beats by Su-Primo for all of my people, Negroes and Latinos
And even the gringos
[Verse 1]
Yo, check it
1 for Charlie Hustle, 2 for Steady Rock
3 for the forth-coming live future shock
It’s 5 dimensions, 6 senses
7 firmaments of heaven and hell
8 million stories to tell
9 planets faithfully keepin’ orbit, with the probable 10th
The universe expands left
The body of my text possess extra strength
Power-lift the powerless up out of this towering inferno
My ink so hot it burn through the journal
I’m blacker than midnight on Broadway and Myrtle
Hip-Hop passed all your tall social hurdles
Like the nationwide projects-prison-industry complex
Working-class poor, better keep your alarm set
Streets too loud to ever hear freedom ring
Say evacuate your sleep, it’s dangerous to dream
For ch-ching, cats get the “cha-pow!” You dead now
Killing fields need blood to graze the cash cow
It’s a numbers game, but shit don’t add up somehow
Like I got 16 to 32 bars to rock it
But only 15% of profits ever see my pockets
Like 69 billion in the last 20 years
Spent on national defense, but folks still live in fear
Like nearly half of America’s largest cities is one-quarter black
That’s why they gave Ricky Ross all the crack
16 ounces to a pound, 20 more to a key
A 5 minute sentence hearing and you’re no longer free
40% of Americans own a cell phone
So they can hear everything that you say when you ain’t home
I guess Michael Jackson was right, you are not alone
Rock your hardhat black, ’cause you in the Terrordome
Full of hard niggas, large niggas, dice-tumblers
Young teens and prison greens facing life numbers
Crack mothers, crack babies, and AIDS patients
Young bloods can’t spell but they could rock you at PlayStation
This New Math is whipping motherfuckers’ ass
You want to know how to rhyme, you better learn how to add
It’s mathematics
Testimonials
