DQ #1: How does a person's community influence their choices?

2/24/2025

In interviews, Jason Reynolds has emphasized the connectedness of black communities and neighborhoods. As a young person, Reynolds was influenced by the music Queen Latifah, specifically her 1993 album Black Reign. One song in particular, “Just Another Day,” recounts a seemingly average day in Latifah’s neighborhood, which she refers to as the “hood”. The lyrics of “Just Another Day” acknowledges the dangers of “the hood” while at the same time celebrating with a sense of pride the people and community who call it home.
Reynolds was able to relate to rap music because it related to his lived experiences: to a community with gun violence and police presence that is still called home. Both Latifah and Reynolds remind us that we need to discuss neighborhoods and communities without the labels of “good” or “bad”. The discussion needs to begin with how communities influence people, their choices, logic, and perspective.

Day One-PRIMARY BLOG ENTRY-After actively listening to Queen Latifah's song, please consider her and Reynold's thoughts on home and community. Then, respond to the discussion question (the title of THIS blog entry) in your Primary blog entry:

75-80 words
Few or no grammatical errors
Use your PEN NAME

Day Two-SECONDARY BLOG ENTRIES-Scan through all of the Primary Blog Entries and pick TWO (ONE form each of the OTHER two topics). For EACH Secondary Blog Entry you may respond with your choice of the following types of responses:

Agree? Disagree? Why?
Continue the discussion.
Add additional thoughts.

11 Comments

David A. Romero

2/24/2025 01:08:46 pm

How does a person's community influence their choices?
The way people act or behave correlates to the way they live, where they live, their COMMUNITY... A Community can influence someone in many ways such as the way they act, the way they talk, Walk, and even how to spend money.. MOSTLY people that live in a GHETTO community tend to act more "hood" ish, where also if someone lives in a suburban community they tend to act like their neighbors or like the others in the same community... OF COURSE there are always exceptions, but most People wants to fit in o they can become more part of the community.

Sharon Salzberg

2/25/2025 11:45:24 am

I agree with the assertion that community has a significant impact on behavior and social norms. The environment in which a person lives often dictates various aspects of their life, from language and cultural expressions to lifestyle choices and spending habits.

2/25/2025 09:21:05 am

In "Just Another Day," Queen Latifah highlights how our communities shape our choices and experiences. A supportive community can inspire and encourage us, giving us the confidence to pursue our dreams. However, she also addresses the challenges that come from societal pressures and shared struggles, which can make decision-making difficult. Overall, Queen Latifah emphasizes the powerful role of community in shaping our identities and aspirations, reminding us of the profound impact our collective experiences have on personal growth.

2/25/2025 11:36:40 am

I agree, especially when Queen Latifah emphasizes the powerful role of community in shaping our identities and inspirations. This shows that the community that we live in is very important and critical to whom we inspire to be one day.

J Ivy

2/25/2025 11:34:01 am

How does a person's community influence their choices?

From providing emotional support to fostering learning and skill development, communities play a significant role in shaping individuals' lives. Engaging with diverse perspectives expands one's horizons, while the sense of belonging and encouragement boost self-confidence.

Joyce Angela Jellison

2/25/2025 11:34:48 am

After listening to Queen Latifah’s song and considering her thoughts on home and community, I feel that home represents more than just a physical space. For Latifah, home is deeply connected to the people around her and the shared experiences within the community. She emphasizes values like support, love, and resilience. Reynold’s perspective seems to echo this, highlighting that true home is found in relationships and connections rather than just in a house. It’s about the memories we build and the sense of belonging we feel.

2/25/2025 11:46:46 am

I agree with your perspective on Queen Latifah’s views on home and community. The notion that home transcends the physical structure of a house is deeply resonant. For many, including Latifah, home embodies the essence of relationships, shared experiences, and the emotional ties that bind individuals within a community.

Mark nepo

2/25/2025 11:36:22 am

A person's community influences their choices by shaping their social norms, providing access to resources, offering social support, and impacting their cultural values, which can lead individuals to conform to the behaviors and expectations prevalent within their community, thus influencing their decisions on everything from lifestyle habits to career paths and political views.

GG Allin

2/25/2025 11:40:29 am

Providing emotional support for learning and skill development, communities play a significant role in shaping lives. Community members can offer us emotional support, practical help, and advice. Queen Latifah highlights how our community shapes us and gives us closure to feeling part of something

Malik Yuesf

2/25/2025 11:42:33 am

How does a persons community influence their choices.
Depending on the community the person lives in, if they live in a terrible community they can pick up terrible habits and that's the same for good communities as well they can pick up good habits.
for example:
TJ lives in a apartment in the hood of Chicago, as its full of violence and crime as Tj begins to pick up the trapping lifestyle and committing crimes

Sam who lives in a Rich neighborhood, he picks up good habits like being around wealthy people as they can pursuit you to do good and become wealthy like them.

Regie Cabico

2/25/2025 11:44:53 am

communities play a significant role in shaping individuals' lives. Engaging with diverse perspectives expands one's horizons, while the sense of belonging and encouragement. Communities are a source of identity. Every community has its distinct traditions, values, and norms.

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DQ #1: How does a person's community influence their choices?

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