Beyonce "Countdown" Controversy

After being accused twice of stealing the ideas of others, Beyonce has indeed released another music video that has people all over the world talking. On October 6, 2011 Beyonce released, "Countdown," a fun, playful music video that included choreography and the ideas of others which she failed to acknowlege or give credit for. These ideas came from artists such as choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker and living legend Audrey Hepburn. According to Beyonce, "Clearly, the ballet 'Rosas danst Rosas' was one of many references for my video "Countdown." It was one of the insperations used to bring the feel and look of the song to life." She continues by stating, “I was also paying tribute to the film, ‘Funny Face’ with the legendary Audrey Hepburn. My biggest inspirations were the ’60s, the ’70s, Brigitte Bardot, Andy Warhol, Twiggy and Diana Ross. I’ve always been fascinated by the way contemporary art uses different elements and references to produce something unique.” Although Beyonce concluded she was simply "paying tribute," this issue hit world wide news, making people really question Beyonce and her motives.

I personally don't think what Beyonce did was wrong I just think she went about it in a wrong way. There is nothing wrong with being inspired by the ideas/works of other and wanting to produce something from it, but on the other hand all Beyonce had to do was acknoledge those artists that she reflected from. Knowing the situations she has placed herself in before, makes me wonder how could she ever forget such a thing? We all know that she isn't trying to steal these ideas to call them her own, but this is the reaction she will recieve when things arn't done properly. All we can do is reflect on something of this nature and learn from the mistakes of others. I do think that Beyonce did indeed make a honest mistake by not crediting those is which she inspired from but what is done, is done. All she can do is aknowledge her error and therefore give those artists the credit that they deserve.

Peace Week

If we devoted a small portion of our lives to spreading the word on peace, we could ultimately change the way in which our world works. According to peaceweek.info, "We have the power to shift our world from a culture of violence to a culture of peace." Although this statement might seem very unrealistic it can indeed happen. But the main question that we have to ask ourselves is what will it really take to put this vision in action? Peaceweek.info states, "The "technologies" for creating peace at all levels of society are well-established. We simply need to share them on a grand scale and accelerate the evolution that will have us live, collaborate and create in the most harmonious ways. Doing so is necessary to address our global crises and birth a new, co-creative era of human evolution." In 2010 The Shift Network launched their first annual Peace Week, which did exceedingly well. According to peaceweek.info, "Peace Week 2011 was a huge success." People from all over the world came to be involved with his historical day. "The feedback was extraordinary as people from Nigeria to India all said "Yes, it is time!" and offered their gratitude for the wisdom and practices shared."- peaceweek.info

On Tuesday, September 20th, my classmates and I went to the Peace Fair held at Avila University. I was very excited to be involved in this inspiring event, but when we got their I was very disappointed with the outcome. There were only three tables promoting Peace Week and about 20 students including my class, there. Although it wasn't everything I had hoped and wanted it to be, I talked to a lady by the name of, Ann Suellentrop who was with physicians for Social Responsibility, that informed us spectators on a very important issue. This issue was the building of the new nuclear plant in Kansas City. Currently Kansas City has a nuclear plant that was founded in 1949. Now 62 years later they want to build a new facility that is half the size, lead certified, and more advanced. This may be the case but the underlying issue of the plant still remains the same. The current plant is known for making about 85% of nuclear bomb parts not only for Kansas City but for the majority of our nation. This idea of a new plant raises lots of issues because of the fact that our city funds will certainly be going to the making it.

As the other listeners and I became educated on this issue, Ann presented us with two petitions she and her organization were conducting. The first petition introduced to us was the idea to withdraw city funds from the making of the new plant. Ann and her organization argue that we are spending millions of dollars on something that isn't going to bring peace on earth. We are basically spending money for people to kill each other. Ann and her organization said that it would be more beneficial to put our hard earned money to things such as, schools, health care, funding, etc. The second petition introduced to us was the idea of converting the old and new plant together and making it into something good for our community. Ann and her organization claim that if we combine the two plants together we could use them for things such as, wind energy, solar panels, IT, medical IT, etc. Why not turn these plants into something valuable, by making the environment good for us as well.