Toni Morrison’s’ “The Bluest Eye” is written about black families living in poverty. The two main characters, Pecola and Claudia are preteens who share different views of their African American culture. Claudia is more secure and satisfied with being African American. Pecola, however, wants nothing more than to look like her idol, Shirley Temple.
The girls struggle through life with completely different families. Claudia comes from a loving home whereas Pecola comes from a family that is rather dysfunctional. Her father is an alcoholic that is unreliable and forceful; her mother is hard working but shows more love for her boss’s white child. Pecola never received love, she only got the repeated message that she was ugly. Claudia hated that black people, like Pecola, wanted to be white. She refused to play with a white baby doll and she ripped it apart to find out why everyone loves it. She doesn’t find anything different on the inside.
Claudia and Pecola represent more than just two children living hard lives. The message is showing the hardships of these African American families and also how obsessing over something you cant have can drive a person mad. People need to be secure with themselves and understand that differences in people make them unique. Pecola drives herself mad because she wants to have the ‘bluest eyes’.
Toni Morrison does a thorough job explaining the difficulties these characters faced, but the narration got to be a bit confusing. At times it is not clear of who is speaking or even what they are trying to say. The book is geared more towards African American women and their understanding of the happenings in the girls’ lives. The book can teach a lesson to all people who are willing to keep an open mind.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Friday, February 16, 2007
documentary
I feel that a documentary is a production that is intended for educational purposes. It can be used for classroom purposes, but it may lend its knowledge to anyone who wants to learn more on a specific topic. We have seen many different clips in class that have forced us to look at a topic more in-depth and create our own point of view on the subject. Basically any type of segment that is geared towards making people gain knowledge on a subject could be considered a documentary; reality shows, news stories, and the like can inform individuals on a subject they might not have previously been aware of or known much about. When looking at how documentaries have changed over time, you can see a clear difference with the media that is available for a particular time period.
When we watched “A Class Divided” we were watching a news special on an event that happened in the 1960’s. It has been a useful tool for everyone to learn about discrimination. That clip differs from some things that are available today. We have new ways to get media and watch a documentary. Internet sites, such as youtube.com, now allow people to watch and post documentaries. We now have a larger selection to choose from and a chance to add our comments. We in a sense become our own gatekeepers. People can choose to watch documentaries on television or on the internet and also what documentaries they want to watch. There is pretty much something for everyone. I had never really worked with youtube.com, so I was not completely sure of what all was out there, but if I found that if I need to search for a topic this site makes it much easier to find a documentary. I went to youtube.com and simply typed in “documentary” and found pages of documentaries from strange things such as, how to eat sushi all the way to more serious things like child abuse.
When I think of a documentary I think of a show that is focused on exposing something or educating people on a topic. It is very impressive when experts are used to reinforce this information and make it more credible. Upon watching some of the documentaries I was shocked to see some of the people who produced them. One guy sounded like he dropped out of school in the eighth grade, while others were produced by more credible sources such as PBS. I also find that feelings can be evoked by music in certain circumstances. If the documentary is on something that is sad, a slow song would add to the effect and make people feel how they people feel in the production. I personally do not find it mandatory to have a narrator, but it is helpful.
Documentaries could be produced by anyone, but it is up to the viewer to choose what they want to watch and if it is credible or not. I read on a website (http://www.indiewire.com/onthescene/onthescene_040702docs.html) that Morgan Spurlock used a definition from Webster’s dictionary while describing a documentary as, “A work, such as a film or television program, presenting political, social, or historical subject matter in a factual and informative manner and often consisting of actual news films or interviews accompanied by narration.” I feel that this definition is quite clear and concise as to what a documentary could fall under.
When we watched “A Class Divided” we were watching a news special on an event that happened in the 1960’s. It has been a useful tool for everyone to learn about discrimination. That clip differs from some things that are available today. We have new ways to get media and watch a documentary. Internet sites, such as youtube.com, now allow people to watch and post documentaries. We now have a larger selection to choose from and a chance to add our comments. We in a sense become our own gatekeepers. People can choose to watch documentaries on television or on the internet and also what documentaries they want to watch. There is pretty much something for everyone. I had never really worked with youtube.com, so I was not completely sure of what all was out there, but if I found that if I need to search for a topic this site makes it much easier to find a documentary. I went to youtube.com and simply typed in “documentary” and found pages of documentaries from strange things such as, how to eat sushi all the way to more serious things like child abuse.
When I think of a documentary I think of a show that is focused on exposing something or educating people on a topic. It is very impressive when experts are used to reinforce this information and make it more credible. Upon watching some of the documentaries I was shocked to see some of the people who produced them. One guy sounded like he dropped out of school in the eighth grade, while others were produced by more credible sources such as PBS. I also find that feelings can be evoked by music in certain circumstances. If the documentary is on something that is sad, a slow song would add to the effect and make people feel how they people feel in the production. I personally do not find it mandatory to have a narrator, but it is helpful.
Documentaries could be produced by anyone, but it is up to the viewer to choose what they want to watch and if it is credible or not. I read on a website (http://www.indiewire.com/onthescene/onthescene_040702docs.html) that Morgan Spurlock used a definition from Webster’s dictionary while describing a documentary as, “A work, such as a film or television program, presenting political, social, or historical subject matter in a factual and informative manner and often consisting of actual news films or interviews accompanied by narration.” I feel that this definition is quite clear and concise as to what a documentary could fall under.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
30 days
The second season of an FX hit “30 Days” has proved to be rather controversial. With issues on, Immigration, Religion, and Jail the show may leave some viewers feeling a bit heated. According the FX website, the executive producer, Morgan Spurlock, is known for the production of his own movie, “Super Size Me”, where he documents his daily eating habits at a fast food restaurant chain. Spurlock captured the essence of reality television by allowing his life to be filmed without any outside interference.
The hit show “30 Days” continues his success by looking at more charged issues and allowing viewers to experience life from a different point of view. A person from a different culture or background is put in a setting for 30 days that they are not familiar with and they have no control as to what happens to them. The show documents the 30 days to see what changes, if any are made by this enriching experience.
A recent episode on Immigration allowed a self appointed Minuteman, “Frank”, to move into a home with a family of illegal immigrants. Frank was born in another country, but migrated with his family legally. He feels that it is his duty to pick up the governments slack and enforce the immigration laws. His new family for the next 30 days feels that they should be granted citizenship and immigration should be accepted in the United States.
The opening scene is a view of the Statue of Liberty while her message, “The New Colossus”, is narrated in the background, "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" This is a message that seems to go against the laws of the country. The illegal family, Paty, Rigo, and their children are confused as to why they cannot be part of this country; they are tired, poor, yearning to breathe free and pretty much homeless. Frank feels that they would be welcomed if they immigrated legally. What he does not yet realize is how hard legal immigration is for a poverty stricken family coming from nothing to a land of opportunity. The want, the need and the desire to be an American is overwhelming. The challenge of the film is for Frank to overcome his preconceived stereotypes, but it may prove to be harder some think. Author Walter Lippman discusses that people tend to associate with those that are most like them and make treaties and laws that benefit them, but what they do not know is how these laws will affect those who are not like them. The documentary forces Frank to experience a different culture and makes him examine his beliefs about the laws of the country that he calls home.
The documentary covers many different angles and is brilliantly filmed, which gets two thumbs up review from me. The producers do an excellent job at allowing both sides to be shown without focusing more on one side or another. The main gatekeeper for this show is the viewer. It is up to the viewers to watch the documentary that is pitted up against other hour long shows at this hour. The agenda setting is done by the schedule of the show in many different ways, such as the time it is aired, and also what the producers want the viewers to see from each episode in the way that it is filmed and edited. The filmmakers only have an hour to get across the information they want their viewers to see, feel and interpret. Controversial topics allow viewers to form their own opinions through the agenda of the producers. The documentary will keep viewers on the edge of their seats if they feel particularly strong about a certain subject. I would definitely recommend anyone to challenge themselves by watching this program for an hour, or even better yet: live the life of someone else for “30 days”.
The hit show “30 Days” continues his success by looking at more charged issues and allowing viewers to experience life from a different point of view. A person from a different culture or background is put in a setting for 30 days that they are not familiar with and they have no control as to what happens to them. The show documents the 30 days to see what changes, if any are made by this enriching experience.
A recent episode on Immigration allowed a self appointed Minuteman, “Frank”, to move into a home with a family of illegal immigrants. Frank was born in another country, but migrated with his family legally. He feels that it is his duty to pick up the governments slack and enforce the immigration laws. His new family for the next 30 days feels that they should be granted citizenship and immigration should be accepted in the United States.
The opening scene is a view of the Statue of Liberty while her message, “The New Colossus”, is narrated in the background, "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" This is a message that seems to go against the laws of the country. The illegal family, Paty, Rigo, and their children are confused as to why they cannot be part of this country; they are tired, poor, yearning to breathe free and pretty much homeless. Frank feels that they would be welcomed if they immigrated legally. What he does not yet realize is how hard legal immigration is for a poverty stricken family coming from nothing to a land of opportunity. The want, the need and the desire to be an American is overwhelming. The challenge of the film is for Frank to overcome his preconceived stereotypes, but it may prove to be harder some think. Author Walter Lippman discusses that people tend to associate with those that are most like them and make treaties and laws that benefit them, but what they do not know is how these laws will affect those who are not like them. The documentary forces Frank to experience a different culture and makes him examine his beliefs about the laws of the country that he calls home.
The documentary covers many different angles and is brilliantly filmed, which gets two thumbs up review from me. The producers do an excellent job at allowing both sides to be shown without focusing more on one side or another. The main gatekeeper for this show is the viewer. It is up to the viewers to watch the documentary that is pitted up against other hour long shows at this hour. The agenda setting is done by the schedule of the show in many different ways, such as the time it is aired, and also what the producers want the viewers to see from each episode in the way that it is filmed and edited. The filmmakers only have an hour to get across the information they want their viewers to see, feel and interpret. Controversial topics allow viewers to form their own opinions through the agenda of the producers. The documentary will keep viewers on the edge of their seats if they feel particularly strong about a certain subject. I would definitely recommend anyone to challenge themselves by watching this program for an hour, or even better yet: live the life of someone else for “30 days”.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Blog B
As I was reading the Lippman chapter about Stereotypes as Defense, I found myself making a connection to an event that happened earlier that day. I had to run into a store in New Castle and my friends decided just to wait for me in the car. While I was gone a black man pulled up and parked next to my car. He kept starring at my friends and they got nervous and locked the doors. He then got out of his car and knocked on the window of my car, which made my friends feel extremely nervous at this point. The put the window down just a tiny bit and asked him what he wanted. He said, “do you guys go to Mohawk?” and after they assured him they did not he got back into his car and left.
When I got back into the car they told me the situation and thought it probably had something to do with a drug deal and that was the code question. I myself thought nothing of their comment, but later as I was reading I began to think about the situation and what was said. Lippman explains that if people have a pre-conceived image in their head of a certain type of person then they can interpret a situation to reinforce that idea. Just as my friends might have used this situation to reinforce the image of drug dealer or even a black man, Lippman explains, “If what we are looking at corresponds successfully with what we anticipated, the stereotype is reinforced for the future, as it is in a man who knows in advance that the Japanese are cunning and has the bad luck to run across two dishonest Japanese”(Lippman p. 55). Luckily enough I have had other experiences with black people and I do not use this situation to reinforce that stereotype, but there are some people the may not feel the same way. Say for an example that situation occurred to a student who was from a town with an all white population. That situation might have reinforced a stereotype they had. So to me a stereotype would be a conception that a person has or an image that they carry with them until they learn otherwise. That is why taking a multicultural education class, or a minority/majority class could benefit people by ridding them of these misconceptions.
When I got back into the car they told me the situation and thought it probably had something to do with a drug deal and that was the code question. I myself thought nothing of their comment, but later as I was reading I began to think about the situation and what was said. Lippman explains that if people have a pre-conceived image in their head of a certain type of person then they can interpret a situation to reinforce that idea. Just as my friends might have used this situation to reinforce the image of drug dealer or even a black man, Lippman explains, “If what we are looking at corresponds successfully with what we anticipated, the stereotype is reinforced for the future, as it is in a man who knows in advance that the Japanese are cunning and has the bad luck to run across two dishonest Japanese”(Lippman p. 55). Luckily enough I have had other experiences with black people and I do not use this situation to reinforce that stereotype, but there are some people the may not feel the same way. Say for an example that situation occurred to a student who was from a town with an all white population. That situation might have reinforced a stereotype they had. So to me a stereotype would be a conception that a person has or an image that they carry with them until they learn otherwise. That is why taking a multicultural education class, or a minority/majority class could benefit people by ridding them of these misconceptions.
Blog A
The media that I use most is the internet. Rumor has it that Al Gore was the person behind the creation of internet. However, I feel that it is simply just that- a rumor. While reading Chapter 2 of Hanson, I found that AOL bought Time Warner. Time Warner came from the owners of Time magazine and Warner Communications, “which had grown out of the Warner Brothers movie studio”(Hanson pg 42). Luckily for AOL, Time Warner owned some cable stations too! The next thing you know the internet is available through cable, which is much faster than dial up; the screeching sounds are a thing of the past.
Going even deeper into the past of the internet, I read that it was mainly used for communication for the military and some business offices. They truly knew the benefits of communication through the internet and finally decided to share it with the rest of the world. Each and everyday the internet is changing. New websites have been known to cause a change in people’s leisure activities. Before some people may have spent their time surfing chat rooms, blogspots, or online journals, but with the birth of Myspace and Facebook the need for some of those sites has dwindled.
Time magazine has made the person of the year, “you”, because people are spending most of their time doing things for themselves. I would say the internet is mainly run by its consumers. It is up to consumers to find websites they are interested in, and continue using them. Companies have found way to add “spam” to our email, or have pesky “pop-ups” while we are surfing the net, but there are programs manufactured to cut back on that interference. The internet has changed society and allowed the world to become global.
Going even deeper into the past of the internet, I read that it was mainly used for communication for the military and some business offices. They truly knew the benefits of communication through the internet and finally decided to share it with the rest of the world. Each and everyday the internet is changing. New websites have been known to cause a change in people’s leisure activities. Before some people may have spent their time surfing chat rooms, blogspots, or online journals, but with the birth of Myspace and Facebook the need for some of those sites has dwindled.
Time magazine has made the person of the year, “you”, because people are spending most of their time doing things for themselves. I would say the internet is mainly run by its consumers. It is up to consumers to find websites they are interested in, and continue using them. Companies have found way to add “spam” to our email, or have pesky “pop-ups” while we are surfing the net, but there are programs manufactured to cut back on that interference. The internet has changed society and allowed the world to become global.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
3rd post
The first idea that comes to mind when I think of stereotypes in the media would have to be the caveman commercial. The commercial is meant to be funny, but it does prove a point. People get stereotypes from the media. People take the image that they see on television and apply it to reality. People are guily of creating all kinds of beliefs off of one medium.
Reality is limited because people may be thrown off by media. They may feel that they know all that they need to know about a subject, or a person because they saw it on televison or read about it on the internet. People are limiting themselves and not getting a first hand experience. Television shows often portray minorities as trouble makers or some sort of criminal. Some people may be afraid of African Americans because of what they learned about them on t.v.
By engaging in more media you can further your beliefs in more than one way. You may learn that what you learned from one form of media, may not be the same on a different type. Take television for an example, you may watch Law and Order SVU and think that African Americans are a bunch of criminals, but then you change station and watch the Crosby show and see a family just like yours. Or you may never change the channel and just simply see minorities as criminals and refuse to believe anything different.
It is up to you to interpret media and remain open to different experiences. If we decide to let other people, such as news reporters or even celebrities give us our knowledge on things, we wont ever know first hand what we would think for ourselves.
Reality is limited because people may be thrown off by media. They may feel that they know all that they need to know about a subject, or a person because they saw it on televison or read about it on the internet. People are limiting themselves and not getting a first hand experience. Television shows often portray minorities as trouble makers or some sort of criminal. Some people may be afraid of African Americans because of what they learned about them on t.v.
By engaging in more media you can further your beliefs in more than one way. You may learn that what you learned from one form of media, may not be the same on a different type. Take television for an example, you may watch Law and Order SVU and think that African Americans are a bunch of criminals, but then you change station and watch the Crosby show and see a family just like yours. Or you may never change the channel and just simply see minorities as criminals and refuse to believe anything different.
It is up to you to interpret media and remain open to different experiences. If we decide to let other people, such as news reporters or even celebrities give us our knowledge on things, we wont ever know first hand what we would think for ourselves.
favorite media missing.
I would have to say that the internet is my favorite type of media. I hardly ever turn my computer off, because I like to have access to the internet whenever I want and whenever I want. I much prefer to email, rather than making a phone call or physically writing a letter. I find that I am able to keep in touch with my friends better and that I actually find different websites, such as myspace or facebook useful.
The first and most important thing about the internet is that it is efficient. I can mulitask while I sit at my computer. I am able to do my homework, talk to my friends and write emails for different orginzations that im involved with. Different websites that I visit on a daily basis are facebook, myspace and the westminster homepage for the calendar or to check my email.
If I was not able to access the internet I would feel a little annoyed. As I mentioned before, the internet is very efficient and it allows me to do more than one activity at once. Without the internet I would have to spend the time writing out letters (and taking them to the post office), finding other ways to contact my friends and do quick research. I think that many people experience the loss of internet while on vacation (especially if they are camping or visiting a place that is not wired for the internet). It is a strange feeling. I always feel disconnected from the world. I usually get the daily news from the internet as well, so I feel like i am out of the loop.
It would not be impossible to live without the internet, because clearly people survived before the internet was invented by Al Gore. I would have to find alternate means of going about my daily routine. I would probably not know what is going on with friends from high school, because I would not bother keeping in contact without using webpages such as Myspace of Facebook.
The first and most important thing about the internet is that it is efficient. I can mulitask while I sit at my computer. I am able to do my homework, talk to my friends and write emails for different orginzations that im involved with. Different websites that I visit on a daily basis are facebook, myspace and the westminster homepage for the calendar or to check my email.
If I was not able to access the internet I would feel a little annoyed. As I mentioned before, the internet is very efficient and it allows me to do more than one activity at once. Without the internet I would have to spend the time writing out letters (and taking them to the post office), finding other ways to contact my friends and do quick research. I think that many people experience the loss of internet while on vacation (especially if they are camping or visiting a place that is not wired for the internet). It is a strange feeling. I always feel disconnected from the world. I usually get the daily news from the internet as well, so I feel like i am out of the loop.
It would not be impossible to live without the internet, because clearly people survived before the internet was invented by Al Gore. I would have to find alternate means of going about my daily routine. I would probably not know what is going on with friends from high school, because I would not bother keeping in contact without using webpages such as Myspace of Facebook.
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