i'll shank you uncle tom

Wright became angry with his uncle because that was yet another example of an unjustifiable beating. His uncle represents the way of life that typical blacks lead. He had a lowly profession and was forced to live in crowded conditions with his family. He senselessly beat younger relatives who spoke out of turn or didn’t fit with his cultured familial standards. What Wright has reached, is a point where it is no longer acceptable to him to be beaten or mistreated by his family. Wright developed socially and mentally on his own outside normal societal rules and his ideals towards self righteousness, defense, and justice make him shocked on a daily basis with the short tempers and normal lifestyles of his own family and community. What really sent him over the edge with his uncle was the fact that he was not someone Wright aspired to or respected. He was a poor black man who had no place disciplining Wright and knew absolutely nothing about the boy. This sort of unjust presumption sent Wright over the edge and into an hysterical fear that he has fallen back on in last ditch efforts many times. What Wright doesn’t necessarily understand is that his uncle was merely trying to condition him for the world he lives in and by doing this and taking away his free spirit and ideals he would ensure more safety and ease with which to live. Wright was upset because these ideals were not something he was willing to sacrifice for anyone.

indian lady walks into the lake... the end

Wright’s writing was the first piece of self expression he was ever able to produce. Wright’s environment, be it his family or just the South in the 1900’s, had strict moral and social codes that Wright struggled to live in. Any attempt to speak or act out based off of what he felt was right or natural was treated with quick and violent retribution and damnation. Wright’s writing was the first piece of creativity and personality that he was able to create. By writing his story, he was marking a testament to his ability and differences. He was a literate young black with a different set of values and ambitions in life. The story was his badge of resilience and resistance to the world that he was placed in. The lady’s reaction was merely evidence of the general idea that others could not understand him and would not appreciate or get his passion. Wright had to fight for his education and that story was the proof that he had achieved success on some level. He had been ousted from multiple schools and forbidden to read novels, but he allows his imagination to develop something of its own and apply itself to his skill set. Other than his final stance against his grandma about working on Saturday, which was only appreciated by his mother, this was the beginning of his mental self development and independence which would soon be followed by his physical development and independence. 

sonofabitch bucket

            Wright’s initial response to his mother’s paralysis was one of fear and anxiety. Up until this point in the book when he was “coming of age,” Wright viewed his mother as a figure of power, authority, reason, and invulnerability. Other than his Uncle dying, he never really experienced a first hand loss in the family. His uncle didn’t even necessarily count as his mother and brother were probably the two closest people to him. At this point his sole provider that he trusted and counted on throughout his entire life could no longer fend for herself let alone her children. This was an earth shattering experience for Wright and he had no other close relative to turn to. It was around now that he began to internalize his reactions and emotions. This is the first time in the book where he responds diligently and obediently without a burst or act of rebellion. His longing changes from one of food, justice, and fleeing North to the more realistic goals of making his own living, becoming independent, and being to provide for his mother. His behavior at this point in the book settles down and matures to more of an adult role, as he admits in his reactions with his aunts and uncles. His age betrays his experiences and the loss of his mother as a provider is just one more notch on the warped path that is his life. 

fight racism with racism

            Growing up as a black in the south marks use as the bottom rung of the social order and society. This on its own is difficult to understand and deal with on a day to day basis. As a small child, it can be particularly difficult to grasp and fully comprehend. By providing a group, particularly much smaller and able to be blamed by a religious institution that many people, not just blacks turned to especially in rural areas, they can feel above at least one more class or group. It’s building yourself up to at least provide yourself with the assurance that you are not as bad as “those others.” This can be something mental for all who were treated as second class citizens, but as a small child it is especially hard to understand why things are the way they are. He was never explained to why whites and blacks were treated differently, but he grows up with an innate fear. This fear carries over into every interaction he has with a white. By having a group of people you fear interactions with and aspire to go down fighting against as with the case of the woman and her dead husband, it pays to have a group you can vent your frustrations and hatred against. As a group who understand and knows racism so well, it is forced into their culture and, unfortunately, gets carried over into interactions with groups they think they’re above. 

i'm hungry too!

He was hungry for something different and separate than the normal life that he was facing. In moments before he attempted to change his direction in life or his surroundings he would complain of hunger. I think his hunger was all centered around his desire for improving his own lot. He yearned to learn and be someplace different where he wasn’t oppressed or put down. It was all his own self determination and goals to go somewhere else. The hunger appears when his father first leaves them, at the orphanage when he tries to run, and when he meets his father again. It’s his own stubborn refusal to bend to the will of Ms. Simone and his father.  He maintains his own self control and destiny by refusing to bend to the will of others no matter what the rewards might be. In the orphanages the other kids also had the same hunger, but he was the only kid who fled the building and tried to find his way on his own. Although he was dragged back by the police, it was still his actions and attempt to find his own way that set him apart.

down with the institution

            As far as it goes, schooling would only be unnecessary in a world where one or both parents could stay home to educate their children up to an 8^th grade level. At this point basic knowledge is acquired and a general interest of what field or place in society they might fill has been narrowed down. Since parents can’t do this fundamental schooling is essential. When a high school level education follows I do not find it practical or necessary to fulfill an entire curriculum that is not relevant to your life. While I personally think US history is knowledge we should all possess in the United States, it is in fact, and sadly enough, irrelevant and unknown to a large portion of our population. High school is where specialization begins to occur, but not on a precise enough level. To this extent schooling is unnecessary beyond developing social interactions and relationships with peers. It gives you a general dose of real life while pushing your knowledge. I think our educative system is designed to narrow down and focus progressively, but it might not move fast enough. Some students may find themselves progressively more and more bored the higher up they go. I think this is an early sign of where they might end up socially in society, but it does not necessarily mean it will happen. School isn’t vital; you can learn basic skills and values at home. What becomes important is the specification of the set of skills you decided to take beyond a fundamental level.

yay uhs

I think my non academic education is the most valuable education available. It isn’t black or white. It isn’t all objective, but pulls in matters that go beyond a classroom. You are taught to apply reasoning to the world around you and develop your own opinions. Simply being educated sets you up with a general knowledge or ability to go into a field. It still leaves you as a worker monkey that only knows how to do things. Being able to interpret your world and develop social skills is a key way to function and build off of this knowledge. Fundamental academics are only the building blocks. Non academic courses allow you to grow off of what you know and follow your own path as you see it. Academic courses can be vital for a group of individuals who want to go into very select and difficult fields, but beyond the thought that the whole country wants to become physicists it won’t be an issue. I don’t think voting or functioning in society can be applied with general academic knowledge either. I believe strongly in learning from experiences of your own and of others. Going beyond the basic categories allows you to build this pool of experiences to carry into your own life. It’s more fulfilling and appealing to draw from a variety of sources to understand where you want to focus. 

rhhhhheeetoric

Well other than the fact that I found out that both Steve and Erin completely failed on giving me pictures that they wouldn’t use, I enjoyed most of the pictures and presentations. Our class generally focused on carmel landscapes, buildings, and themes all of which could carry over into one another’s presentations. Some pictures carried over into clothing or random things, but some of the pictures were particularly visually appealing. Some of the things pointed out weren’t necessarily as stereotypical or unique as I would’ve taken them on my own. Nothing against Tina, but I would’ve said she dressed in that way to present the image of being unique and originality. This is semi true, but what I wouldn’t have known is her enjoyment of hippie culture which I wouldn’t have gotten out of the clothes she was in. For the most part, all of the buildings were generally similar or the same being themed as homey or an accepting artsy community. The variety of pictures wasn’t all that great, which I can’t say I didn’t contribute to since two of my pictures had to be borrowed. It also makes sense since everyone lives in Carmel for the most part. I was surprised at how willing everyone was to ream there own community and homes.

the media influence told me to mug those people and rob a store

 

            I agree with Kendall’s assertion in that the media does not mirror society. Media fills a void. Society wants something and based off of any pattern it can develop it provides it. This can be seen by every portrayal and theme of seeming and viewing the wealthy and elite. While this may seem as a societal desire to be wealthy it is merely a commercially driven occurrence set into motion out of an attempt to understand and experience the things that society cannot understand. It isn’t necessarily a cultural desire to be rich, but maybe an indignance that those who don’t work hard are given pleasures beyond our dreams. The media shows what is comforting to us, middle class consumer America. We want to feel reassured that those beneath us are bumbling fools and it isn’t our fault or problem to look back behind us. We want to feel the possibilities before us. These whole desires were given by the media in an attempt to market and now its as guilty a pleasure as any. Our social perceptions may also be semi affected. WE don’t necessarily base all our opinions off of media input, but stereo types are picked up, even in a mocking way, and parroted by society. This eventually permeates all levels of culture. The one point I do disagree with is the idea that TV inclines us to run up credit card debts. Theoretically, the media inspires us all to amass wealth and whatever our whim of the day may be. That doesn’t inhibit common sense and make you go out and use whatever means necessary to shop your self into a fanciful coma. 

yeay pictures

            Well, my camera is having issues so between my picture and the help of the cameras of others I managed to get a few things. The first is a typical nondescript Carmel home. I think this is typical of what you’d see around 116^th, but this is a more affluent neighborhood with slightly larger homes. It seems to give off the freedom and independence of a more wealthy neighborhood, but it still has the look, feel, and vibe of any old Carmel home. The second picture is of a shop in Clay Terrace. Now this on its own is enough to give a distinct image and nauseous feeling in my stomach. I think the stores in Carmel are a lot more clean and restrictive comparatively to their counterparts. They mirror the style and affluence of their location. They exude an aura of ‘Pleasantville.’ Really as far as it goes I don’t think it’s the home or the store American Eagle that have a lot to say on their own, but the combined image they try to provide in a strict prison guard-esque enforced fashion. To me they want to seem uniform, orderly, professional, and distinct. This endeavor, in my opinion, sacrifices the homey feel and normalcy of any other town. It’s one thing to live in a city with distinct neighborhoods with an underlying theme or similarity. It’s completely different to live in a city that looks like a giant neighborhood.

yeah imperialism

To be honest, I’m not exactly sure what he’s saying about them. It seems that our formulas for success at home applying to entertainment are so simple and accessible that they are able to be sent abroad or copied. It’s almost equivalent to a virus that it’s a relaxed atmosphere which allows certain trends to breed and develop. With these developments come circulation and through this circulation no takes are added until a final product exists. This product is repeated due to its success. Throughout its growth it was able to spread and be accessible to multiple groups building up its audience. Our language is widespread and Hollywood is based off of very easy and applicable models. Trends are repeated and the ideas are able to be reciprocated and understood in other countries. Our laid back and uncomplicated way of providing entertainment is easy for other countries to understand. They are able to become another audience. Even if their industries don’t pick up on these trends, our own markets will expand into its new domains where it knows it has followers. I agree with his general sentiments. I also think a lot of products tend to appear abroad simply because they go hand in hand with other major corporations as big business. I don’t think you’d necessarily see lots of Nautica jeans everywhere abroad, but certain styles and products may be taken and tweaked according to their new homes within different branches of businesses. What products we do make can be tailored to fit whatever mold presented

nuuuuts

Apart from generally agreeing with the overall ideas of the essay I was struck by three things. The first is the commentary on the pictures, the second is the overall opinions on switching gender roles, and the third was the multiple examples of modern sexual harassment in elementary to middle school. To begin with, although it is true that some of the pictures were flat out creepy and twisted I’m not sure they were entirely enterpreted appropriately. I’ll be the first to agree that an ad to sell women’s jeans featuring her being hauled off by three men is frightening. Between that and the gun ads I find that all disturbing. I do however think that the couch ad, the woman in the door, and the make up ad were a little out of proportion. The couch ad was simply strange. The “pre-pubescent” girl being spied on looked old enough to be a young mother (27-9). The other “punched in the eyes” suggestion was completely nuts. The girl just had on make up... She didn’t look battered. I think the gender role swapping was pretty offbased. As far as it goes a peeping tom kid in half the examples is still wrong and creepy. I’m not so sure some of those ads for women showing scantily clad men are that targeting and wrong. For the most part they’re just like the boy ads. The last and most disturbing part was about the reports of assault. Although the small children cases are particularly creepy, I guess in some sick sense they’re just troubled kids with messed up lives. What isn’t tolerable or understandable to me is the cases of middle or highschool assault. If guys did half the stuff that were reported in the essay anywhere near half the boys I know they’d get their asses kicked. I’m not saying a lot of people I know don’t do very shallow, objective things towards girls, but the extent at which they were happening in the book seem ridiculous.

all of the creative marketers must be unemployed....

Overall I was completely disappointed by the commercials this year. The same stupid horse ads. If anything, I saw one mildly amusing commercial and another that flat out made me laugh. Beyond that, the others could distinguish themselves from the comical thoughts and imagination of a 10 year old. From dancing men in leotards with lizards to Doritos commercials with nothing relating to their product I was bored out of my mind.  Nothing reached its normal standards. Of the two I did like, one was the Jason Statham Audi. This was only funny because it portrayed in 30 seconds the bulk of every Statham movie in the past 5 years. Him seriously driving cars to get away from the bad guys, but nothing seemed just right until he got his beautiful Audi. Maybe, this is just a guess, that’s because Audis are the cars he drives in 99% of his movies. The second legitimately funny commercial lasted one second. That was the Miller Highlife ad. The man appeared for one second to scream Highlife. I didn’t even have time to tell the background. This was random, sudden, shocking, and above all hilarious. This was something different. It didn’t drag out and play on the same old, “you aren’t deserving of the High Life because you’re not the good old working class people.” It was just a new funny marketing scheme.