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        Transcendentalism in the Modern Age 

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        Transcendentalism in the Modern Age 

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This song represents represents the Transcendentalist tenet of individualism by advocating for defying societal expectations. The message Alessia Cara is trying to convey is one of nonconformity. She emphasizes the notion that as 'rebels' people don't need to care what others say.

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Alessia Cara - Wild Things (Official Audio)

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"But you and I, we're pioneers, we make our own rules

Our own room, no bias here

Let 'em sell what they are sellin', there are no buyers here

So gather all the rebels now, we'll rebel-rouse and sing aloud

We don't care what they say no way, no way

And we will leave the empty chairs to those who say we can't sit there

We're fine all by ourselves"

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How This Asian-American Chef Uses Food and VR to Tell Her Immigrant Story

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How This Asian-American Chef Uses Food and VR to Tell Her Immigrant Story

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I chose this article because it depicts the story of a woman who expresses her individualism through the meals she makes. She ignored her parents opinions; and focused merely on her happiness and without their support she established her self in the business world. Now she is successful and is still expressing her individualism through her meals.

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How This Asian-American Chef Uses Food and VR to Tell Her Immigrant Story

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Returning to New York City this December, Jenny Dorsey's "Asian in America" is a multi-sensory, six-course journey taking diners through the trials and triumphs of Asian-American identity.

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I define who I become

No matter how much I have to overcome

I will never allow myself to be placed in a box

That you have locked up with several locks

Just because everyone is expected to end up one way doesn’t mean I will comply

All I know is that following my ambitions will leave me happy, even if everything goes awry

At the end of the day no one does me, better than me

So yes, I’ll take the “L” and be seen as a disgrace for being free

My inner peace will always be my priority

So thank you, next

I’m finally answering the call of individualism

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The song ‘Wild Things’ by Alessia Cara is representative of the individualism tenet because it advocates for self-expression despite society’s thoughts. Throughout the entirety of the song Cara advocates for individualism despite the odds.  One of the most Transcendentalism lyrics she uses is when she says “we don’t care what they say, no way” seeing as this directly relates to a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emerson was heavily focused on nature and nonconformity therefore he had several statements that were in support of Cara’s cause. “Misunderstood! It is a right fool's word. Is it so bad then to be misunderstood?…To be great is to be misunderstood.” (Self-reliance). Cara is stating that being misunderstood doesn’t bother all the ‘rebels’ and Emerson believed that being misunderstood meant you were great.

In the article, “How This Asian-American Chef Uses Food and VR to Tell Her Immigrant Story,” Jenny Dorsey embraces her culture despite her family’s objections to her staying true to herself in her business. Dorsey is keen on being different from the typical Asian-American restaurant and strives to achieve that on her own. Emerson describes this also when he states, “For nonconformity the world whips you with its displeasure,” meaning that refusing to live according the norm will often receive backlash at first - something Dorsey did encounter - and also when he says “Trust thyself,” the thing that kept Dorsey going. Dorsey’s story indicates nonconformity in the modern age because she sets out to defy odds and trust herself enough to accomplish her own happiness.
My original response is in line with individualism and nonconformity tenet. An individual has let their life been dictated by everyone’s perception but theirs for their whole life. However, they reach the point where they realize they have to be self-reliant. The speaker in the poem realizes that “what I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think.” (Self-Reliance”) This represents individualism as Emerson advocated for in “Self- reliance.”

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“Alessia Cara - Wild Things (Official Audio).” YouTube, YouTube, 27 Oct. 2015, youtu.be/g5vUBQBykJ4.

“How This Asian-American Chef Uses Food and VR to Tell Her Immigrant Story.” Food & Wine, www.foodandwine.com/travel/restaurants/asian-in-america-new-york-city.