Domestic violence themes found in popular songs

Anyone would admit that domestic violence is a dangerous issue plaguing many relationships. So why do popular artists sing about it? Many chart-topping hits contain violent scenarios and themes. A few popular examples:

"Halloween"- Dave Matthews Band

"Down by the River"- Neil Young

"Kiss With a Fist"- Florence + the Machine

"Delia Gone"- Johnny Cash

"M.E.M.P.H.I.S. (Makin' Easy Money Pimpin' Hoes in Style)"- The Disco Biscuits
"Papa Johnny Road"- Widespread Panic

"Stan"-Eminem

"Getting Better"- The Beatles

"Black Eyes Blue Tears"-Shania Twain

"Janie's Got a Gun"- Aerosmith

"Peace Frog"- The Doors

"Can You Control Yo Hoe?"- Snoop Dogg

These songs range in genre and style, so odds are pretty high you have enjoyed their music. While being widely popular, many of these artists are aware of their influence over their fans. Are these songs meant to teach a lesson against domestic violence? Or are they glamorizing it?

Continuing to make history: Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Nancy Pelosi made history in November 2002 when House Democrats elected her to be the first woman to lead a major political party. She was elected the first Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2007. While in her second term as Speaker of the House, Pelosi continues to make history.

With her strong leadership, Pelosi has proved to unify her Democratic Party and has helped pass important legislation. Pelosi has worked with President Obama and legislative efforts for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the recent Healthcare Reform Bill.

According to a congressional scholar at the Brookings Institution, Thomas Mann, “She's probably gained the reputation of one of the strongest and most effective speakers in decades.”

With all of this talk about the new Healthcare Reform Bill, you might be looking for answers about the goals of the Democratic Party. For more information about Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and the 111th Congress, go to www.speaker.gov/

Kick off Women's History Month by sharing some inspiration

We heard their biographies in history classes in high school, but maybe we have not realized how much appreciation they really deserve. So, to kick off Women's History Month, here are quick bios of three incredible women.

Maya Angelou, one of the most famous African American authors of the twentieth century. Over the span of her career, she expressed her talents through her acting, directing, poetry, screenwriting, singing, dancing and more. Her autobiography "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" exemplified the self-determined journey of a young woman who overcame rape and served as a civil rights activist.

Rosa Parks, dubbed the "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement." As segregation laws forced compliance around the country, Parks refused to give up her seat on a public bus in December of 1955. Her defiance with this law marked the start of the Civil Rights Movement. Parks rallied a boycott, lasting 381 days and thus causing the overturn of segregation laws.

Ella Fitzgerald, "The First Lady of Jazz." Fitzgerald was one of the most famous singers of the twentieth century. She is known for her huge role in the emergence of jazz. Her unparalleled talent earned her immense popularity as she recorded around 2,000 songs in her lifetime.

For more biographies of influential African-American women, check out http://www.biography.com/blackhistory.