Toni Morrison’s book, The Bluest Eye, induced a great mix of emotions even within the first few chapters. Although she wrote this book for African American women in the most part, I think it was a very valuable read. Her book follows the story of Pecola Breedlove, an 11 year old girl who has pretty much nothing going for her in life. It is mainly narrated by Claudia, Pecola’s companion in many situations. The book addresses many issues especially surrounding Pecola’s life. Obvious from the title and the many discussions of being ugly, beauty is probably the central theme of the book. Beauty comes into play with the houses, faces, land, and most symbolically the dolls. The scene where Claudia tears apart the doll was one of the most influential to me. Although the doll is beautiful on the outside, when opened up, there is nothing special or mystifying.
A very quick read, the book did keep my interest and made me wonder how everything turns out for the characters. Even though the ending was not happy, and left me questioning many things, I’ve realized that seeing it that way is not necessarily a bad thing. Ms. Morrison may disagree with me, but I can clearly see the value in showing it to a varied audience. Although we will never be able to put ourselves in the characters shoes or truly understand what some of the characters feel, each person can relate to one situation or another in their lives. Each person has felt ugly at some point and has wanted to show that they are not only valued for the color of their skin, eyes, hair, size, ethnicity, or any other aspect of their physical makeup. The media’s messages both then and now have such a huge impact on how we see ourselves and others. This book shows how absolutely damaging that can be without ever having that intention. In the end, it is not our intentions that matter, but our action and how we perceive the world. We must take down the screen in front of our eyes and attempt to see to the base of a situation. Then with those clear eyes, we can see the world in a completely different light.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Friday, February 16, 2007
Documentaries...Slanted, no matter how hard they try not to be!!
Words. Music. Colors. Lighting. Voices. Pictures. Narration. Film. These and many other words are often used to describe a documentary. Before formally deciding my definition of a documentary, I wanted to take a look at some examples of short ones similar to something we will be doing in class. Taken from Current TV, these mini-documentaries or pods are all found on the Current TV website.
This first one had a completely different format from what I had been used to. Firstly, it was in a different language and only had the words written at the bottom. It also never really talked to or interacted with the subject. Instead, the narrator told us what was happening. The music that was used created a great background, but what was really interesting to me was the lighting. The relative darkness and glowing light made me really feel like I needed to pay attention. Watch to see what I mean:
This next pod was very different in that the subject was the narrator and it was simply a day in the life. By pointing out different aspects of being an older member of society, it more addresses a specific issue than the first one. I also thought it was interesting that several pictures were shown at the end to provide additional illustration. However, the video quality and sounds were not as well done.
Finally, this pod was different from the others in that the music was actually the subject singing, she was simply shown and talked herself rather than using a voice over, and we could truly see her emotion about what she had to say. The pod was truly about her and how she emphasized being true to yourself.
My personal definition of a documentary is primarily influenced by things that I have learned in this Mass Communications class. This example seen here shows many of the details that I believe are a part of a documentary.
It includes the view of the main person in the story, several specialist views and comments, and close personal contacts. It also includes appropriate sound, images, and transitions. Finally, it has text to tell the viewer who is speaking and what their relationship to the main participant is. The narration is done by whoever is being referenced at the time. I would like to model our final documentary after the structure that I have seen in this one.
Looking at this documentary resource, I realized more of my views of documentaries. In the end, I do believe a documentary truly is a media (note that media could be video, pictures with narration, etc.) that is created to present ONE view of an issue. It is created typically with the idea that people must need to be more educated about an issue. This issue is framed and referenced in accordance to the views of the producers or gatekeepers. Although the view of the issue may simply want to induce laughter or entertainment, what is shown in the documentary is done by one person. The choice to film one thing and not another puts that slant on the issue. The choice to edit out a certain phrase or include emotion inducing music puts a slant on the issue. What else is new? These pictures in our heads are popping up everywhere, we just have to remember that they exist!
This first one had a completely different format from what I had been used to. Firstly, it was in a different language and only had the words written at the bottom. It also never really talked to or interacted with the subject. Instead, the narrator told us what was happening. The music that was used created a great background, but what was really interesting to me was the lighting. The relative darkness and glowing light made me really feel like I needed to pay attention. Watch to see what I mean:
This next pod was very different in that the subject was the narrator and it was simply a day in the life. By pointing out different aspects of being an older member of society, it more addresses a specific issue than the first one. I also thought it was interesting that several pictures were shown at the end to provide additional illustration. However, the video quality and sounds were not as well done.
Finally, this pod was different from the others in that the music was actually the subject singing, she was simply shown and talked herself rather than using a voice over, and we could truly see her emotion about what she had to say. The pod was truly about her and how she emphasized being true to yourself.
My personal definition of a documentary is primarily influenced by things that I have learned in this Mass Communications class. This example seen here shows many of the details that I believe are a part of a documentary.
It includes the view of the main person in the story, several specialist views and comments, and close personal contacts. It also includes appropriate sound, images, and transitions. Finally, it has text to tell the viewer who is speaking and what their relationship to the main participant is. The narration is done by whoever is being referenced at the time. I would like to model our final documentary after the structure that I have seen in this one.
Looking at this documentary resource, I realized more of my views of documentaries. In the end, I do believe a documentary truly is a media (note that media could be video, pictures with narration, etc.) that is created to present ONE view of an issue. It is created typically with the idea that people must need to be more educated about an issue. This issue is framed and referenced in accordance to the views of the producers or gatekeepers. Although the view of the issue may simply want to induce laughter or entertainment, what is shown in the documentary is done by one person. The choice to film one thing and not another puts that slant on the issue. The choice to edit out a certain phrase or include emotion inducing music puts a slant on the issue. What else is new? These pictures in our heads are popping up everywhere, we just have to remember that they exist!
Friday, February 9, 2007
Now what do I really think?
Yes, I will concede that immigration is a large issue facing America, but I will not allow that this show did much to clarify that issue. Those viewers looking to it for that should just change the channel. Although it opened my eyes to more details surrounding the law, I saw it more as one person’s specific experience. Had Frank not been a Cuban immigrant and not known Spanish, it would have been a completely different episode. Because of his background and experience, he could sympathize with this family. Some of his fellow Minutemen volunteers would not be so connected to their story.
When looking at my thoughts immediately after the show, I felt tender and supportive of the Gonzales family. Later, after thinking more clearly about what the producers and editors used and emphasized, I realized that I was led into that line of thought. After analyzing my views, I questioned many issues. If they had to scrimp and save for everything they had, where did the computer, video games, golf clubs, and other amenities come from? How was Armida expecting to get a full scholarship from U.S. citizens, if they could not go through the legal channels to become one? Many of the tender appeals for support fall flat when seeing the hard truth.
In the end looking at this story and picking out the truths is difficult. As with all reality television, you will see a slant to one side or another. However, as far as reality television does go, I would give this show a B rating. Unless you are critically examining the episode, it could be very easy to get persuaded by the warm and loving Gonzales family ideals.
When looking at my thoughts immediately after the show, I felt tender and supportive of the Gonzales family. Later, after thinking more clearly about what the producers and editors used and emphasized, I realized that I was led into that line of thought. After analyzing my views, I questioned many issues. If they had to scrimp and save for everything they had, where did the computer, video games, golf clubs, and other amenities come from? How was Armida expecting to get a full scholarship from U.S. citizens, if they could not go through the legal channels to become one? Many of the tender appeals for support fall flat when seeing the hard truth.
In the end looking at this story and picking out the truths is difficult. As with all reality television, you will see a slant to one side or another. However, as far as reality television does go, I would give this show a B rating. Unless you are critically examining the episode, it could be very easy to get persuaded by the warm and loving Gonzales family ideals.
Background of 30 Days Episode
The “Immigration” episode recently seen on the FX show “30 Days” draws a quick portrait of two opposing views. Host Morgan Spurlock introduces the viewer to Frank George, a persistent Minuteman and the illegal immigrant Gonzales family. These views are very black and white at the beginning, but have seemingly blurred by the end of the show. As cited on the website, this series covers, according to executive producer R.J. Cutler, “the most pressing social issues facing our country.” The first episode in the second season, “Immigration,” obviously exhibits this quality, and attempts to target those who might possibly be swayed by the heartfelt appeals of the Gonzales family.
From the beginning, we are given the background of both Frank and the Gonzales’. A legal immigrant at a young age, Frank joined the Minutemen after September 11th. He stated clearly, “9/11 was an immigration related issue,” and saw the illegal entry of people into the United States a large problem leading to the dissolution of the country. After Frank enters the Gonzales home and meets Rigoberto, his wife Patty, and their children, especially the outspoken Armida, he hears more of their story. After coming into the country 12 years ago, they still have a small living space, and try to make it through each day as best as they can. As Rigoberto says, “Given our situation, we don’t live on a large scale.”
Although the family claims to not live on a large scale, there are many situations that could be considered surprising, especially in the case of Armida, who always brings up the search for the ‘American Dream.’ As an avid golfer and ambitious student, she is attempting to get into Princeton University. However, even though two of her younger siblings are legal U.S. Citizens, Armida does not have proper identification or even a social security number. It begs the question, how do these people survive undocumented? This is one that Frank visibly struggles with throughout the episode. As he works with Rigoberto as a handyman, talks with Patty, interacts with the entire family, and finally makes a trip to Mexico to see the family’s former home, a change is visible in Frank’s mindset. After experiencing all of these events, Frank says, “There comes a time when you love people for who they are, all politics aside.” At this point, it would be very easy for a viewer to see a conflicting situation and the solution posed. However, it goes much deeper than that.
From the beginning, we are given the background of both Frank and the Gonzales’. A legal immigrant at a young age, Frank joined the Minutemen after September 11th. He stated clearly, “9/11 was an immigration related issue,” and saw the illegal entry of people into the United States a large problem leading to the dissolution of the country. After Frank enters the Gonzales home and meets Rigoberto, his wife Patty, and their children, especially the outspoken Armida, he hears more of their story. After coming into the country 12 years ago, they still have a small living space, and try to make it through each day as best as they can. As Rigoberto says, “Given our situation, we don’t live on a large scale.”
Although the family claims to not live on a large scale, there are many situations that could be considered surprising, especially in the case of Armida, who always brings up the search for the ‘American Dream.’ As an avid golfer and ambitious student, she is attempting to get into Princeton University. However, even though two of her younger siblings are legal U.S. Citizens, Armida does not have proper identification or even a social security number. It begs the question, how do these people survive undocumented? This is one that Frank visibly struggles with throughout the episode. As he works with Rigoberto as a handyman, talks with Patty, interacts with the entire family, and finally makes a trip to Mexico to see the family’s former home, a change is visible in Frank’s mindset. After experiencing all of these events, Frank says, “There comes a time when you love people for who they are, all politics aside.” At this point, it would be very easy for a viewer to see a conflicting situation and the solution posed. However, it goes much deeper than that.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Tick tick tick...time for a quick video instead of a snapshot??
When looking at stereotypes, my plain words definition would probably be: relying on one quick image or viewpoint rather than taking the time to get to know the real situation. In Walter Lippmann’s Chapter VI, I noticed several important ideas in this quote about stereotypes that align with my view. “But modern life is hurried and multifarious, above all physical distance separates men who are often in vital contact with each other, such as employer and employee, official and voter. There is neither time nor opportunity for intimate acquaintance. Instead we notice a trait which marks a well known type, and fill in the rest of the picture by means of the stereotypes we carry about in our heads.” Although the stereotype is not necessarily a bad thing, it can still cause problems. Because of the convenience of relying on that initial picture, many people do not really take the time and effort to get the ‘behind the scenes’ story. Interestingly enough, it is always that side story that catches attention and sparks new ideas. Although the stereotypes will never fully disappear, if everyone would just take a few minutes each day to get a back story, many of the negative stereotypes would not be perpetuated. I know that I’d absolutely love to rip apart some of those pictures in my head and replace them with a movie clip of some true experiences whenever possible!
eBay is everywhere...you just don't see it at first!
After taking the time to look back on my favorite media outlets, I researched a little more about Skype. However, it’s good to note that my other favorite, AIM, would fall under Time Warner currently, and thus under synergy as it’s part of the ‘Big 6.’ However, it’s interesting that AIM was created in 1997, before the merger with AOL and Time Warner. Using another form of media that I frequent, Google, I found out a bit of history from Wikipedia. Sharing its founder with Kazaa, a more music associated mp3 file sharing system, (sorry I would link to the real website, but Westminster censors that usage *note a very real gatekeeper!) made an interesting connection. However, most surprising to me was that eBay had acquired The Skype Group in October of 2005. I would not typically have connected eBay, a source that I can honestly say that I’ve never used in the past, with Skype. When looking at the Acquisitions & Investments section of the description of eBay, I truly see the synergy and how they must often use each other for advertisements!
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