In “The Declaration of Independence,” Thomas Jefferson talks about the rights written in The Declaration of Independence. He then goes on explaining about the rights that individuals have according to The Declaration of Independence. Furthermore, he goes on explaining how our system of government can be closely related to a monarchy. Jefferson also talks about how although The Declaration of Independence is supposed to promote Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness, our government fails to do so. He questions whether we actually live in a society where unalienable rights actually exist. Jefferson also talks about how he thinks that America is a country that is supposedly “free”, however, our system of government isn’t how it seems to be. Although America seems to be this great country, it really isn’t as great and prosperous and it’s portrayed.
I came to find this article extremely boring. I did not like it at all. I don’t like to read about politics. It just doesn’t strike me. In fact, I don’t understand a bit about politics, which is probably why I didn’t find this article interesting. In addition, I had trouble comprehending the sentences. I guess it was because the article was written a long time ago. I always seem to have trouble reading dated writings. Therefore, I’m worried that my summary isn’t accurate to what the article was actually about. However, I do agree with Jefferson, our system of government is false advertising. It is portrayed to be free, but when you really think about it, we aren’t as free and we think.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
I thought that the Freshman Composition course was very time consuming. Although I don't think the work is very difficult, there is a lot of work to be done. I have done fairly well on my papers, in fact, I've gotten a 60 on 1 of them and very few B's. The remainder of grades were A's. The course was okay at first, I thought I would be able to handle it. Now I'm just flat out tired of writing. I believe that my papers would be of better quality if I hadn't written so many. No I just find myself half assing my papers, just doing enough to get me by and get the grade. I also feel very frustrated because I'm tired of school. I want to be able to enjoy the last summer without having to worry about any responsibilities. When I graduate in 2008, I'm no longer a "kid" anymore. School gets in the way of me having fun and being able to work more often. Although the course has taught me to become a better writer, now it's just an overload. I so fed up with writing that I don't even care about the quality of my papers. Therefore, although my writing has improved grammatically, the quality just flat out sucks. I believe my papers were a lot better at the beginning of the semester than they are now.
Essay on Hoodoo
Hoodoo is the African tradition of practicing black magic to charm or curse others. There are a few definitions available for the word hoodoo, but they all fall around the same category. When looked up in a dictionary, there were about seven definitions that all relate to one another. In fact, I don’t know why the definitions aren’t just combined into one. Hoodoo means “magic healing and control, especially in African-based folk medicine in the United States and the Caribbean. Also called conjure” (“Hoodoo”). However, it is important to know what hoodoo is, how to practice it, where it comes from, why it’s used, and what it’s used for.
Hoodoo is an African tradition that was once passed down through family lines. Today, the tradition is passed from person to person, not just through family. Hoodoo comes from the Ewe word Hudu. The word derives from the West African word voodoo. It is also the corrupted version of the word “voodoo” (Brouillette). Hoodoo, in African-American vernacular, is also used to describe a magic spell or potion. It can also be used to describe a practitioner. Communication with the dead is also an important aspect within the use of hoodoo. It is also said that Psalms from the Bible are highly effective in the use of hoodoo as well (“Hoodoo”). In an interview Bird gives her definition of what hoodoo is:
It's safe to call Hoodoo a magical path or a collection of folklore but it is most
definitely not a religion. Hoodoo is quite eclectic, many other ATR's have a stricter
set of parameters. Hoodoo incorporates mysticism and spiritualist teachings from
organized religions (not just Christianity, by the way) and from numerous spiritual
movements. (Bird)
“The word “Hoodoo” is a term commonly used by the African diaspora, to refer to various forms of African-based systems of magic, spiritual and medicinal healing, and “hexing,” via the use of primary roots and herbs” (“Hoodoo: An Ancient African & Afro-Diaspora Tradition”).
People who often practice hoodoo carry around a mojo bag. This is a small bag filled with herbs, roots, coins, a lodestone, and other things used to do magic. People who practice hoodoo use menstral blood, urine and semen to do their magic. Many different things are used to practice hoodoo. Spiritual supplies are often used to do hoodoo; these include: herbs, roots, minerals, candles, incense, oils, floor cleaner, sachet powders, bath crystals, and colognes. Many medicines, cosmetics, and household cleaning supplies have also been used by hoodoo practitioners for conventional and spiritual remedies (“Hoodoo”). Furthermore, horse shoes and clovers are used for good luck, nails for spiritual bindings and fixing, magnetic stones for drawing and attraction to magic, salt for purification, and holy water to bless. In addition, a variety of western herbs such as: chamomile, roses, lavender, limes, mint, semiprecious stones, brooms, poppets, coins, and eggs are used as well (Bird).
The practice of hoodoo came from the enslaved West Africans that were transported to the United States. In fact, the word can be dated back all the way until the early 1890s (“Hoodoo)”. The tradition first derived from the Guinea Coast and made its way to Nigeria and Bight of Benin. From there, the tradition migrated to the United States by slave ships. Many people say that the slaves came to the Americas naked, but theory is proven wrong. It is said that the many of the herbs and roots used here in the United States were brought by the slaves on those ships. Therefore, they had to have some type of clothing to transport these items. Hoodoo particularly evolved from the Vodum traditions of the West Coastal Africans. It eventually became popular after largely being practiced by the African, Native American, and Latin population. (“Hoodoo: An Ancient African & Afro-Diaspora Tradition”). In fact, there is a popular movie about hoodoo, starring Kate Hudson, called The Skeleton Key. The movie is about a nurse, Caroline, who is helps an old man and woman in Louisiana to earn money for school. She moves into the old house to help them because the man is paralyzed and mute. Clueless that he was put under a spell of hoodoo, Caroline finds a room filled with weird things. She finds out that they’re doing some type of black magic then wants to learn more about it. When she finds out the man is put under a spell of hoodoo, she tries to help him overcome the spell. In the process, the woman who owns the house, Violet, tries to stop her. An old African spirit took over her body and caused her to harm the old man. Turns out, Violet was the one who cursed him. When Caroline tries to help him, Violet’s spirit went into Caroline and took over her body. Violet was then left paralyzed and mute (The Skeleton Key).
People who often practice hoodoo use it for good and bad. They can bring evil or luck into other people’s lives or into their own as well. It is often used to try and improve people’s daily lives by gaining power in gambling, love, divination, cursing someone’s enemies, cure diseases, achieve employment, and communicate with the dead. Hoodoo is used to increase individual's magical power; therefore, it makes it easy for someone to accomplish their desires and habits (“Hoodoo”). Hoodoo spells or rituals are used to improve issues such as love, fidelity,
health, prosperity, security, jobs, friendship and family. People often use hoodoo if those issues are a concern to them (Bird).
In conclusion, the definition of hoodoo is the practice of magic to cause harm or strength towards others. Many people don’t know about hoodoo or what it’s about. I was completely clueless about it until I saw a movie about it. However, turns out that many people actually believe in hoodoo. I’m not sure if I can say I actually believe in hoodoo, but I can say it is a quite an interesting topic to look into.
Works Cited
Bird, Stephanie Rose. “Hoodoo- An American Magical Tradition.” Altreligion.about.com.
About.com. 1 July 2007 <>.
Brouillette, Allison. “Black Magic, New Orleans Style.” Loyno.edu. Spring-Fall 1985. Loyola
University. 29 June 2007.
“Hoodoo.” En.wikipedia.org. 28 June 2007. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 28 June 2007
“Hoodoo.” Thefreedictionary.com. Farlex, Inc. 1 July 2007
“Hoodoo: An Ancient African & Afro-Diaspora Tradition.” Mamiwata.com. Mami Wata West
African & Diaspora Vodoun. 29 June 2007
The Skeleton Key. Dir. Iain Softley. Perf. Kate Hudson, Gena Rowlands, John Hurt,
Peter Sarsgaard, and Joy Bryant. 2005 DVD. Universal Pictures Distribution.
Hoodoo is an African tradition that was once passed down through family lines. Today, the tradition is passed from person to person, not just through family. Hoodoo comes from the Ewe word Hudu. The word derives from the West African word voodoo. It is also the corrupted version of the word “voodoo” (Brouillette). Hoodoo, in African-American vernacular, is also used to describe a magic spell or potion. It can also be used to describe a practitioner. Communication with the dead is also an important aspect within the use of hoodoo. It is also said that Psalms from the Bible are highly effective in the use of hoodoo as well (“Hoodoo”). In an interview Bird gives her definition of what hoodoo is:
It's safe to call Hoodoo a magical path or a collection of folklore but it is most
definitely not a religion. Hoodoo is quite eclectic, many other ATR's have a stricter
set of parameters. Hoodoo incorporates mysticism and spiritualist teachings from
organized religions (not just Christianity, by the way) and from numerous spiritual
movements. (Bird)
“The word “Hoodoo” is a term commonly used by the African diaspora, to refer to various forms of African-based systems of magic, spiritual and medicinal healing, and “hexing,” via the use of primary roots and herbs” (“Hoodoo: An Ancient African & Afro-Diaspora Tradition”).
People who often practice hoodoo carry around a mojo bag. This is a small bag filled with herbs, roots, coins, a lodestone, and other things used to do magic. People who practice hoodoo use menstral blood, urine and semen to do their magic. Many different things are used to practice hoodoo. Spiritual supplies are often used to do hoodoo; these include: herbs, roots, minerals, candles, incense, oils, floor cleaner, sachet powders, bath crystals, and colognes. Many medicines, cosmetics, and household cleaning supplies have also been used by hoodoo practitioners for conventional and spiritual remedies (“Hoodoo”). Furthermore, horse shoes and clovers are used for good luck, nails for spiritual bindings and fixing, magnetic stones for drawing and attraction to magic, salt for purification, and holy water to bless. In addition, a variety of western herbs such as: chamomile, roses, lavender, limes, mint, semiprecious stones, brooms, poppets, coins, and eggs are used as well (Bird).
The practice of hoodoo came from the enslaved West Africans that were transported to the United States. In fact, the word can be dated back all the way until the early 1890s (“Hoodoo)”. The tradition first derived from the Guinea Coast and made its way to Nigeria and Bight of Benin. From there, the tradition migrated to the United States by slave ships. Many people say that the slaves came to the Americas naked, but theory is proven wrong. It is said that the many of the herbs and roots used here in the United States were brought by the slaves on those ships. Therefore, they had to have some type of clothing to transport these items. Hoodoo particularly evolved from the Vodum traditions of the West Coastal Africans. It eventually became popular after largely being practiced by the African, Native American, and Latin population. (“Hoodoo: An Ancient African & Afro-Diaspora Tradition”). In fact, there is a popular movie about hoodoo, starring Kate Hudson, called The Skeleton Key. The movie is about a nurse, Caroline, who is helps an old man and woman in Louisiana to earn money for school. She moves into the old house to help them because the man is paralyzed and mute. Clueless that he was put under a spell of hoodoo, Caroline finds a room filled with weird things. She finds out that they’re doing some type of black magic then wants to learn more about it. When she finds out the man is put under a spell of hoodoo, she tries to help him overcome the spell. In the process, the woman who owns the house, Violet, tries to stop her. An old African spirit took over her body and caused her to harm the old man. Turns out, Violet was the one who cursed him. When Caroline tries to help him, Violet’s spirit went into Caroline and took over her body. Violet was then left paralyzed and mute (The Skeleton Key).
People who often practice hoodoo use it for good and bad. They can bring evil or luck into other people’s lives or into their own as well. It is often used to try and improve people’s daily lives by gaining power in gambling, love, divination, cursing someone’s enemies, cure diseases, achieve employment, and communicate with the dead. Hoodoo is used to increase individual's magical power; therefore, it makes it easy for someone to accomplish their desires and habits (“Hoodoo”). Hoodoo spells or rituals are used to improve issues such as love, fidelity,
health, prosperity, security, jobs, friendship and family. People often use hoodoo if those issues are a concern to them (Bird).
In conclusion, the definition of hoodoo is the practice of magic to cause harm or strength towards others. Many people don’t know about hoodoo or what it’s about. I was completely clueless about it until I saw a movie about it. However, turns out that many people actually believe in hoodoo. I’m not sure if I can say I actually believe in hoodoo, but I can say it is a quite an interesting topic to look into.
Works Cited
Bird, Stephanie Rose. “Hoodoo- An American Magical Tradition.” Altreligion.about.com.
About.com. 1 July 2007 <>.
Brouillette, Allison. “Black Magic, New Orleans Style.” Loyno.edu. Spring-Fall 1985. Loyola
University. 29 June 2007
“Hoodoo.” En.wikipedia.org. 28 June 2007. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 28 June 2007
“Hoodoo.” Thefreedictionary.com. Farlex, Inc. 1 July 2007
“Hoodoo: An Ancient African & Afro-Diaspora Tradition.” Mamiwata.com. Mami Wata West
African & Diaspora Vodoun. 29 June 2007
The Skeleton Key. Dir. Iain Softley. Perf. Kate Hudson, Gena Rowlands, John Hurt,
Peter Sarsgaard, and Joy Bryant. 2005 DVD. Universal Pictures Distribution.
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