I asked my commentary and blogging students to do a post this week on their reactions to the Pulitzer Prizes announced this week. Here’s what they had to say:
- Angel Y. – The Gulf of Mexico in the Age of Petrochemicals: Pulitzer Prize
One of my favorite quotes that Jack E. Davis says is that this has turned into a body of water that has come to be used like a sump for the wastes of the industry. Jack also states that he wishes to restore the true identity of the gulf. (Prize for History) - Haley P. – The Pulitzers
Good journalism can swing elections – not because journalists have an agenda, but because they help inform the public. This is the type of reporting that political journalists should aspire to; it’s what got me into the field (Prize for Investigative Reporting) - Jess M. – Pulitzer Prize: Feature Photography
I think what makes these photos so heartbreaking, besides the situation, is how many of them involve children. And how many of those children were dead or injured. (Prize for Feature Photography) - Rachel A. – Pulitzer Prize Winners: Heroin in Cincinnati
The deeper I get into the stories of these people, the more distant I feel from that world. It’s so hard to imagine being so trapped in life-ruining addiction that affects everyone around you, and for expecting mothers, their unborn children. (Prize for Local Reporting) - Shelby L. – Pulitzer Prize: Poetry
Taking on a range of voices is incredibly difficult to do. A lot of my own writing revolves around the same themes, attacking the same ideas. I often find myself writing similar characters with similar experiences, and while I think those characters are important, I do think that being able to write different characters and experiences is incredibly important as well. It’s something I’ve really tried to work on this last year in my creative writing. (Prize for Poetry) - Edwin H. – Pulitzer: Kendrick Lamar’s ‘DAMN’ Makes History
“Blood”, the intro track to Kendrick Lamar’s album, DAMN emphasizes the two main ideas that interact throughout the album—“Wickedness” and “Weakness”. The intro takes the listeners on a wild ride into Kendrick’s subconscious as he paints the picture of being black in America. His unique storytelling earned him a 2018 Pulitzer Prize, the first for a hip-hop artist. Not only is the award a first for hip-hop, but the first for any musical work outside of classical. (Prize for Music) - Katie C. – DAMN. Sit Down. Be Humble
I remember vividly when Kendrick Lamar’s album DAMN came out. Songs like HUMBLE and DNA were my summer soundtrack and even now the moment you hear the intro to HUMBLE, everyone is ready to rap along. The album is hard hitting and relevant for the times dealing with things like pride in ones background and political issues. (Prize for Music) - J.D. – Kendrick Lamar won a Pulitzer Prize. Here’s how people reacted.
Even if you don’t like rap, it’s pretty clear their is an art and extreme level of difficulty to it. Not only that, but rap is most likely the most popular and influential music at the moment. And Kendrick Lamar is arguably the best at it. He’s music and lyrics have reached millions of people world wide because of their artistic value and influence. (Prize for Music) - And finally, my thoughts on this year’s Pulitzers