Question: What emotions did you feel after the movie? What do you think Anne Deavere Smith was trying to do in creating this piece?
Answer:
After watching Fires in the Mirrors I felt ambivalent. I did not feel as if I good truly take a position either group because both groups had legitimate reasons for reacting as they did. The overall problem ("big picture") is that both the Jews and the African-Americans felt understood. I felt that Anne expressed both perspectives equally. Instead of siding with one particular group I focused more on what each group said, and besides minor differences they said and shared the same emotions towards many subjects. Anne Deavere Smith began the movie with the talk about "identity" and many of the people said they felt misunderstood, others were not aware of their identity. She then got more in depth and spoke about the incident that happened in Crown Heights to both the Jewish and African-American communities. It was seen in both communities that the African American community shared the same sentiments as the Jewish community regarding the deaths of their loved ones. In creating this piece Anne Deavere chose to focus more on the "big picture". She exhibited through her film that people are not that much different from one another. She exhibited that minor differences will exist but if we all (people in general) looked at the human qualities we all share then we would have more respect for one another.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Color Purple
Question: What do you make of the end of this letter? Is it peaceful? Resilient? Angry?
The middle of the last page and down it sounds angry. Towards the end she is angry that man is always trying to pretend they are everywhere. She said, "Man corrupt everything, say Shug. He on your box of grits, in your head, and all over the radio. He try to make you think he everywhere." She is angry that man tries to pretend he is God when he is not. She says that man is always trying to put his face to something but God is much more than that. She says that God is more like nature, which is when she talks about the flowers. She tells Cecilia that she has to get beyond man and what man has made. She said she has to look at how a flower manifest and how nature manifest and that will how how God is. She said, "Trying to chase that old white man out of my head. I been so busy thinking bout him I never truly notice nothing God make. Not a blade of corn(how it do that?) not the color purple (where it come from). Not the wildflowers. Nothing." She meant that God is always there and he makes you think of the more profound things in life.
The middle of the last page and down it sounds angry. Towards the end she is angry that man is always trying to pretend they are everywhere. She said, "Man corrupt everything, say Shug. He on your box of grits, in your head, and all over the radio. He try to make you think he everywhere." She is angry that man tries to pretend he is God when he is not. She says that man is always trying to put his face to something but God is much more than that. She says that God is more like nature, which is when she talks about the flowers. She tells Cecilia that she has to get beyond man and what man has made. She said she has to look at how a flower manifest and how nature manifest and that will how how God is. She said, "Trying to chase that old white man out of my head. I been so busy thinking bout him I never truly notice nothing God make. Not a blade of corn(how it do that?) not the color purple (where it come from). Not the wildflowers. Nothing." She meant that God is always there and he makes you think of the more profound things in life.
Stitches
Question: After seeing stitches who do you sympathize more with, the Jews or the African-Americans?
After seeing stitches I still sympathize with both the Jews and the African-Americans. I sympathize with both groups because both are misunderstood and both have experience discrimination and pain from their losses. Rev. Cannon Doctor Heron Same said, "we are at a Mexican standoff", "its going to happen again and again." Rev. Cannon Doctor Heron Same meant that their will always be racial tension between groups of different ethnicity's because one group will always feel that they are being wronged and that they are misunderstood. From watching the movie some people ideal of peace is being invited and being welcomed lets say like a Jew would welcome another Jewish person into their home. I do not think that idea of peace will be achieved because like the Jewish person said..their customs are way to different because they could not go to an African-Americans house and be welcomed in the same way because their religion separates them. I do not believe that the Jews and the African-Americans had to fully understand each others cultures and customs, but I just felt what they needed was a mutual respect and basic knowledge of one another. They did not have to welcome each other in to each others home if one group was uncomfortable but they do need to acknowledge and love the other group because after all people aren't to different from one another.
After seeing stitches I still sympathize with both the Jews and the African-Americans. I sympathize with both groups because both are misunderstood and both have experience discrimination and pain from their losses. Rev. Cannon Doctor Heron Same said, "we are at a Mexican standoff", "its going to happen again and again." Rev. Cannon Doctor Heron Same meant that their will always be racial tension between groups of different ethnicity's because one group will always feel that they are being wronged and that they are misunderstood. From watching the movie some people ideal of peace is being invited and being welcomed lets say like a Jew would welcome another Jewish person into their home. I do not think that idea of peace will be achieved because like the Jewish person said..their customs are way to different because they could not go to an African-Americans house and be welcomed in the same way because their religion separates them. I do not believe that the Jews and the African-Americans had to fully understand each others cultures and customs, but I just felt what they needed was a mutual respect and basic knowledge of one another. They did not have to welcome each other in to each others home if one group was uncomfortable but they do need to acknowledge and love the other group because after all people aren't to different from one another.
Marting and Malcolm X
Martin Luther King And Malcolm X
During the 1900’s Martin Luther King was most favored by all. He was favored because his approach to violence was strictly peace. Martin Luther King advocated peace because he believed that violence lead to more violence. Martin Luther King worked hard to help start this dream he had (“little black..”). He brought people of from all different backgrounds to achieve their goal of integration. Malcom X did not take the peaceful approach. In the 1900’s Malcolm X was the most well known by the young people. He was well known because he did not advocate peace. Malcolm believed in achieving peace by any means necessary. To the young people that meant violence. Also, Malcolm X would say that people could be apart of the brotherhood but it would be their choice. He did not have marches and such talking about peace, instead he said If someone what to join they could but he was not encouraging them too. Malcolm X used spoke about his religion and that is how he connected with people. Martin Luther King did not.
During the 1900’s Martin Luther King was most favored by all. He was favored because his approach to violence was strictly peace. Martin Luther King advocated peace because he believed that violence lead to more violence. Martin Luther King worked hard to help start this dream he had (“little black..”). He brought people of from all different backgrounds to achieve their goal of integration. Malcom X did not take the peaceful approach. In the 1900’s Malcolm X was the most well known by the young people. He was well known because he did not advocate peace. Malcolm believed in achieving peace by any means necessary. To the young people that meant violence. Also, Malcolm X would say that people could be apart of the brotherhood but it would be their choice. He did not have marches and such talking about peace, instead he said If someone what to join they could but he was not encouraging them too. Malcolm X used spoke about his religion and that is how he connected with people. Martin Luther King did not.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Perspective Crown Heights
Fire in the Mirrors-Perspective
Anna Deavere Smith did an excellent job of piecing together an outline that provided reasons why Blacks and Jews retaliated to the Crown Heights situation as they did. The first issue she touched upon is the issue of identity, Robert F. Sherman claims that we as Americans have not identified what racism is; Later, in Seven Verses she acts as Minister Conrad Mohammad who expresses that Black Americans have deprived of their identity, The second issue that Anna Deavere Smith exhibits is the issue ignorance; ignorance of one another’s race. She exhibits this through Reverend Al Sharpton. Reverend Al Sharpton talks about his hair and how a lot of people think that he is assimilating to white people but in reality he is not. According to him he does it for James. He said, “ it’s me and James thang.” Anna Deavere also expresses this problem of ignorance through the Anonymous Lubavitcher Woman. The Lubavitcher woman asks the black child indirectly to turn the radio on and she said that the black boy probably thinks Jews are not smart. These issues are important because they were part of the reason Blacks and Jews retaliated as they did to the Crown Heights case. One of the main problems in that case is every one failed to see the other race’s perspective. The Jews believed one thing and the Blacks witnessed another. They did not want to work together, and the story was very vague. From viewing both perspectives (Black and Jewish) I am more inclined to believe the Black people because they are the ones who witnessed the situation and also because they have proved their integrity in the pasty (when they were slaves) and the White people haven’t. Also I am more inclined to believe the Black people because of the time period and the White people in the past have not been punished for crimes because the judges let them off the hook.
Anna Deavere Smith did an excellent job of piecing together an outline that provided reasons why Blacks and Jews retaliated to the Crown Heights situation as they did. The first issue she touched upon is the issue of identity, Robert F. Sherman claims that we as Americans have not identified what racism is; Later, in Seven Verses she acts as Minister Conrad Mohammad who expresses that Black Americans have deprived of their identity, The second issue that Anna Deavere Smith exhibits is the issue ignorance; ignorance of one another’s race. She exhibits this through Reverend Al Sharpton. Reverend Al Sharpton talks about his hair and how a lot of people think that he is assimilating to white people but in reality he is not. According to him he does it for James. He said, “ it’s me and James thang.” Anna Deavere also expresses this problem of ignorance through the Anonymous Lubavitcher Woman. The Lubavitcher woman asks the black child indirectly to turn the radio on and she said that the black boy probably thinks Jews are not smart. These issues are important because they were part of the reason Blacks and Jews retaliated as they did to the Crown Heights case. One of the main problems in that case is every one failed to see the other race’s perspective. The Jews believed one thing and the Blacks witnessed another. They did not want to work together, and the story was very vague. From viewing both perspectives (Black and Jewish) I am more inclined to believe the Black people because they are the ones who witnessed the situation and also because they have proved their integrity in the pasty (when they were slaves) and the White people haven’t. Also I am more inclined to believe the Black people because of the time period and the White people in the past have not been punished for crimes because the judges let them off the hook.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Sonny Blog
What does the brother realize about Sonny as he plays the piano? What does the music allow Sonny to do?
While staring at his brother out the window Sonny’s brother realizes Sonny’s purpose in life. He realizes that Sonny place in life is to be an inspiration; an inspiration to other people who lived in the same environment he did. He realizes that through music Sonny exhibits to others how to make the best out of their situation. Through music Sonny is able to find peace and able to release any negative feelings that he had. Through his music he is able to fly, he is back to when he was a child and he dreams of anything without limitations. When he plays music he is able to envision himself without a veil, not being invisible but being his veritable self. His music to share his form of expression with others; they are able to feel the music as they pass by and the music resonates with them. His music provides hope. He exhibits a healthy way of coping through music, which allows people to see that a person can cope without resorting to drugs. He exhibits that there is no limitations within your own imagination.
While staring at his brother out the window Sonny’s brother realizes Sonny’s purpose in life. He realizes that Sonny place in life is to be an inspiration; an inspiration to other people who lived in the same environment he did. He realizes that through music Sonny exhibits to others how to make the best out of their situation. Through music Sonny is able to find peace and able to release any negative feelings that he had. Through his music he is able to fly, he is back to when he was a child and he dreams of anything without limitations. When he plays music he is able to envision himself without a veil, not being invisible but being his veritable self. His music to share his form of expression with others; they are able to feel the music as they pass by and the music resonates with them. His music provides hope. He exhibits a healthy way of coping through music, which allows people to see that a person can cope without resorting to drugs. He exhibits that there is no limitations within your own imagination.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Alexis de Tocqueville Questions 2 and 5
Question 2: Why does a society devoted to equal opportunity weaken each individual?
Response: According to Alexis de Tocqueville equal opportunity open to all weakens a person because everything becomes more competitive; the American becomes more competitive because they know they can attain what another American has. Alex said an individual is weakened because they are always competing with one another to attain the next best device or house, etc. Alexis de Tocqueville said, “It is odd to watch with that feverish ardor the Americans pursue prosperity and how they are ever tormented by the shadowy suspicion that they may not have chosen to the shortest route to get it.” In that quote Alexis is saying that the pressure from wanting to “be the best” and wanting to get the best causes the Americans to torment themselves because they are never able to rest. It weakens and blinds the American because they fail to acknowledge all they do have because they are always in competition to get the “best new thing”. Alexis said, “Americans cleave to things of this world as if assured that they will never die, and yet are in such a rush to snatch any that come within their reach, as id expecting to stop living before they have relished them. They clutch everything but hold nothing fast, and so lose grip as they hurry after some new delight.” The quote explains that Americans do not relish what they have. The Americans are weakened because they lack acknowledgement about everything they have, and because they torment themselves because they are always competing with another person for the next “best thing”.
Question 5: Does Tocqueville think Americans are restless because they don’t know what they want or because what they want is not attainable?
Response: Tocqueville thinks that Americans are restless because what they want is not attainable. He said, “Among democratic peoples men easily obtain a certain equality, but they will never get the sort of equality they long for.” Tocqueville is saying that there is the general equality that all men share (rules of government) but there is another equality, which is not attainable for some men. Then Tocqueville said, “That is a quality which ever retreats before them without getting quite out of sight, and as it retreats it beckons them on to pursue. Every instant they think they will catch it, and each time it slips through their fingers. They see it close enough to know its charms, but they do not get near enough to enjoy it, and they will be dead before they have fully relished its delights.” In that quote Tocqueville is talking about equality in a sense of one man wanting what another man has. He is saying that an American is restless because they get close to having what another man has but then it slips right through their fingers. Every time the American thinks that they all the same things as another man something new comes along (“every instant they think they will catch it, and each time it slips through their fingers”).
Response: According to Alexis de Tocqueville equal opportunity open to all weakens a person because everything becomes more competitive; the American becomes more competitive because they know they can attain what another American has. Alex said an individual is weakened because they are always competing with one another to attain the next best device or house, etc. Alexis de Tocqueville said, “It is odd to watch with that feverish ardor the Americans pursue prosperity and how they are ever tormented by the shadowy suspicion that they may not have chosen to the shortest route to get it.” In that quote Alexis is saying that the pressure from wanting to “be the best” and wanting to get the best causes the Americans to torment themselves because they are never able to rest. It weakens and blinds the American because they fail to acknowledge all they do have because they are always in competition to get the “best new thing”. Alexis said, “Americans cleave to things of this world as if assured that they will never die, and yet are in such a rush to snatch any that come within their reach, as id expecting to stop living before they have relished them. They clutch everything but hold nothing fast, and so lose grip as they hurry after some new delight.” The quote explains that Americans do not relish what they have. The Americans are weakened because they lack acknowledgement about everything they have, and because they torment themselves because they are always competing with another person for the next “best thing”.
Question 5: Does Tocqueville think Americans are restless because they don’t know what they want or because what they want is not attainable?
Response: Tocqueville thinks that Americans are restless because what they want is not attainable. He said, “Among democratic peoples men easily obtain a certain equality, but they will never get the sort of equality they long for.” Tocqueville is saying that there is the general equality that all men share (rules of government) but there is another equality, which is not attainable for some men. Then Tocqueville said, “That is a quality which ever retreats before them without getting quite out of sight, and as it retreats it beckons them on to pursue. Every instant they think they will catch it, and each time it slips through their fingers. They see it close enough to know its charms, but they do not get near enough to enjoy it, and they will be dead before they have fully relished its delights.” In that quote Tocqueville is talking about equality in a sense of one man wanting what another man has. He is saying that an American is restless because they get close to having what another man has but then it slips right through their fingers. Every time the American thinks that they all the same things as another man something new comes along (“every instant they think they will catch it, and each time it slips through their fingers”).
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