Last Saturday I visited the Museum of Modern Art with a friend from high school to see the Demoiselles d'Avignon. I have to admit, I don't usually go to museums and artistic events with this friend so this was a new experience for the both of us. I did not have too much time to spend so I did not have the chance to see some of the other fascinating things that I passed on my way to Demoiselles d'Avignon. However, it was very fortunate knowing that we would return with our class to discuss some other paintings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hrDNGmAigU

  So today was yet another first as I made my way to Carnegie Hall. It was quite obvious I had never been there as I tried every entrance but the correct one. For class we went to meet Jeremy Geffen, who organizes and selects the performances to be shown at Carnegie Hall. He mentioned to us that he sees hundreds of performances to select from and it takes him a couple of years to completely plan one event.

          The last entry I wrote dealt with a presentation about hip hop and how music gives its own "theory of justice". More recently, we were advised to attend a reading by Joseph O'Connor, which allowed me to be able to compare the two different styles and approaches they each took to get their message across. What intrigued me most about O'Connor's reading was his irish accent and witty jokes. He was also pretty direct with how he was going to go about giving his reading, by telling us how long each section would take.

           Last week I went uptown to John Jay College of Criminal Justice to hear from former federal prosecutor, Paul Butler. He was a highly educated and well spoken man, capable of convincing anyone in the room, or at least leave one to question their initial thoughts on the matter. Paul was there to discuss the issues featured in his book, Let's Get Free: A Hip Hop Theory of Justice. He was exceptionally moving and persuading. Butler used music, specifically hip hop, to illuminate the injustices served to minority groups.