Odyssey Essay Excerpts

"The Popularity of Tattoos and Piercing" by Jennifer Santiago

A few generations ago, tattoos and piercing were not as popular as today. Back then, people with tattoos were homeless people, drunkies, or sailors. Most were guys because if a woman had a tattoo, it would say a whole lot about her.

Tattoos are popular nowadays. Many people get tattoos all over their bodies. For example, I have one on my lower back. It doesn't mean anything special, but I have two butterflies, two hearts, and a "J" for my name. Some of my classmates have tattoos. Natalie has three tattoos: Japanese characters that signify bravery, strength, and endurance. Monique got a tattoo, which is a panther representing strength. Sometimes people get tatoos because they're not afraid of pain and think they're stronger than pain.

Piercing is also popular. My best friend, Krista, got her nose pierced. Alex and Natalie got their tongues pierced. I have even seen a sixty-year-old with her belly pierced. My friend Jenn has her belly pierced, but she is young and skinny.

People nowadays have tattoos and piercings all over their bodies. It's the cool thing to do. That's why I think tattoos and piercing are part of pop culture.

"Tupac's Continuing Popularity" by Rohan Blackwood

Tupac Shakur is the person who helped hip-hop get to the palce it's at right now. Many people can relate to what he was talking about in his music; that's why he got so famous. Lots of people love how he lived his life and tried to deal with all the stress and drama he went through. Tupac talks a lot about the hard times and the struggle people go through every day.

Many people refer to Tupac as being a thug, a gangster, a poet, and also a natural born leader. I think he's all of the above. The reason he's a thug is because he's from the gutter and still made it. The reason I say he's a gangster is because of the people he hung with and how he made all types of mistakes. The reason's I say he's a poet is cause when he sat down and fought with his pen, he could make tears come to your eyes. The reason he's a natural born leader is because he has the brain to teach the whole nation.

"Black Culture's Popularity" by Natalie White

Black culture is style, diversity, and attitude.

Style has always been a part of black culture. From the bellbottoms, to the baggy jeans, to the Timbs, and to the Top Ten Adidas for the male tastes. And from the bellbottoms, to the baby phat, to the Timbs Lady boots and to the salon trips because the ladies got to be stylin' from head to toe. Style is always locked down in black culture.

Without diversity, there wouldn't be black culture. There are different kinds of music, such as that of Missy Elliot, Tupac, Monica, or Whitney Houston.

Finally, there's that attitude. That "ooh I know she didn't go outside with that outfit." Or that "too sexy for myself" attitude. And there's always the "cool collected" attitude.

"Money" by Margaret Joseph

The world is based on money. Money buys clothes and food. Everywhere you go there's money involved. If you go on a train you need money; if you want to get food you need money. Money is everywhere. You need money to survive.

Everybody thinks with money you have power and respect. But it would only bring bankruptcy. A lot of people think that the more money you have the more respect you'll get but that's not true. The more you'll get hated on.

"Hair Braiding" by Francisco Cambronne

When many rap artists started to adapt hair braiding as a style, many other people became interested in having their hair braided. In the past, the Afro was popular, but now braids are the new trend.

When a male rap star gets his ears pierced, many people try to imitate him. And that becomes popular, stylish. Yet so many young kids, babies even, get their ears pierced as a matter of tradition.

Many of us have braids cause we think it's cool, but that's not all. For African-Americans, hair braiding comes from our background. It is a tradition just like having our ears pierced, that we can trace back to our ancestors and ancient African culture.