Semester 1 Overview:

Over the course of the first semester of Senior lit.comp/comm. we have studied and worked on college essays, literature analysis, memoirs, movie analysis, and narrative photography etc. While working on these assignments , and many others it was important to test out new writing styles - depending on prompt, type of essay, or other factor. Writing style varied on each assignment, but was progressive in teaching how to change the direction of writing, and how to better collect ideas, and how to project them. For example; when working on story analysis (reading 'the fourth state of matter' and 'the Laramie project') we had to analyze each differently the meaning, certain phrases, the events and consequences, opinion etc. To differentiate between the two different writing styles and how different it was to have to analyze each. Or when we chose a memoir and wrote basic plot details and an interchanging discussion about the book overall - from characters and internal conflict to connections between the novel and the impact it had on the reader. Whether it be answering questions from a prompt, or analyzing a certain scene or dialogue between two characters, the knowledge accumulated from over the time is and will be helpful for future reference. When we first began class, my writing needed improvement and to expand - and from working on through the semester I am more confident in my writing ability - and ability if I were to analyze a form of literature I would have a better idea on what to do. I look forward to next semester, and what we might be learning, and if it will be more analysis work or reading/writing in general.

The Laramie Project: Reflection Pt 2

In The Laramie Project: Act 3. A group of anti-gay protesters show up at Matthew Shepard's funeral.They say that gays should not deserve 'special rights'. (Possibly referring to the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Hate crime prevention Act of 2009). Oct 1998 Matthew Shepard's Funeral Video - many of the protesters proclaim hate against gays and their 'filthy lifestyle'. (2:05-2:30) This form of hate is also present in The Laramie Project  when reverend Fred Phelps speaks at the funeral "But this murder is different because the f*gs are bringing us out here trying to make Matthew Shepard into a poster boy for the gay lifestyle". / "If God doesn't hate f*gs why does he put them in hell?"  Act 3 (pg 77 - 80). Then in response to the hate, there have been speeches and some prevention acts put into place (James Byrd / Matthew Shepard hate crime prevention acts - which Obama speaks about. With all of the commotion at Matthew Shepard's funeral, and the case in general, it implores the question: just how far do we need to / and are we willing to protect people against all different types of hate?

http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/president-obama-commemorates-enactment-hate-crimes-prevention-act

http://abcnews.go.com/Archives/video/abc-archives-ntba2252a-14742533

Reflection - The Laramie Project (20/20 special report)

In the aftermath of the events in Laramie, Wyoming - and throughout the time or possibly after the play The Laramie Project came into focus, attention was brought to the town and the murder that happened there. During the 20/20 special about Laramie, the reporters went to go talk to Russell and Aaron - the two who beat up and killed Matthew Shepard. This brought into light, some new information that could bring an new perspective on the case of Matthew's death. There are many other factors that were not added in / or things that people did not go into very much detail about in the play. For example: both Aaron and Russell had a rough upbringing - and Aaron got addicted to drugs. There is also the fact that Matt was also involved in drugs - after a traumatic experience of being gang raped while on a school trip to Morocco.  He found out that he had HIV afterwards. This new information also plays apart into the background of Matthew's murder. While talking to both Aaron and Russel - Aaron testified to saying that he was on drugs (meth) most of the week prior to killing Matt. Mckinney claims that Matthew sought they out for drugs and a ride home. Aaron, knowing that Matt had money - reportedly decided to rob him, and started to beat him when they arrived near the fence. Once Matthew handed his wallet to Mckinney, he only found $30 inside. (my theory from this perspective is that once Aaron found only a small sum of money off of Matthew he became enraged, already fueled by the meth, and its possible he was looking for more money to buy drugs and was disappointed when he didn't get any).  Also Henderson while talking to the reporter claims that he did tie Matthew to the fence, but he did not harm him. Later on in the night both Aaron and Russell planned to rob / break into Shepards house, but found two other guys and ended up getting into a fight with both of them. I think that there is more to the case, that might have been overlooked, like the drugs and money aspect, and the fact that in most reports most people skip over the other details of Matthew's life like the school trip, and the drugs as well.

The Laramie Project analysis Act 1

The Laramie Project: (Act 1) - analysis

Throughout Act 1 of The Laramie Project while the residents are being interviewed about Matthew Shepard's death, each and every one person has their own opinion on the matter, on the topic of his death, and about being gay in Laramie (so far that I have seen/noticed). For example some of the residents might talk about being open about gay people living in Laramie while at the same time criticizing how or what they think being gay is, or how it should be seen, or how it is viewed by others in Laramie.  For example of further analysis Doc O' Conner - a limousine driver states in the play "They're not particularly, ah, the whattayou call them, the queens, the gay people, queens, you know runaround f*****-type people. No, they're the ones that throw bails of hay, jump on horses, brand 'em and kick ass, you see what I'm saying?" (Doc O' Conner / Kaufman, The Laramie Project, pg 21 Act 1). While this does not represent the overall opinion of Laramie, it hows one opinion made by a resident during the time of the interviews about the death of Matthew Shepard. This quote may show how some people might think separately about certain 'types' of gay people, and what some people might expect them to act like, or to be like.   This quote could be interpreted on how on one hand not all stereotypes of gay people are true, and at the same time it could be seen as bashing on another certain group of gays - who might participate in more events that are considered 'feminine', or not as masculine - like throwing bails of hay - as the quote suggests. For another example Matt Galloway -the bartender at fireside / student at the university of Wyoming in the play says "They say he's gay, he's gonna come on to people like that" (Matt Galloway / Kaufman, The Laramie Project, pg 31 Act 1).This might suggest the expectations some people might uphold gay people to. How they might believe that gay people act a certain way, or are supposed to act a certain way. The quote may imply how some people's opinions are that they expected Matthew to 'come on' to two guys because he was gay. I have noticed while during the course of the first act of The Laramie Project play there are many viewpoint differing from this, or some which might agree, it might make the reader question what does it mean for something to be considered 'feminine' or 'masculine' - and what does being gay have to do within the boundaries of those standards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfPJ7exstiU




Matthew Shepard

Forgiveness is Key

Throughout time, people have used war as a means of resolving conflict with one another. And in doing so the main focus of achieving peace is lost in the bloodshed of others on the opposing side. The task of obtaining peace through the method of killing falls to those who are sent to fight for it. The brutal tactics of war used to gain an advantage over the other side could be considered traumatizing to anyone experiencing it. The distress caused by such events could effect a person in such a way that the recollection of memories from that time would make it a painful thing to remember for any individual. In relation to experiencing combat it may take a while to be able to cope with the passing of events and to come to terms with what happened, as well as the ability to recognize the details of the war, and let it be at peace.
In the movie The War Steven Simmons is a retired war veteran back home from the Vietnam War, and he suffers from PTS. (post traumatic stress). He frequently suffers from nightmares about the war, and is often reminded of what occurred while he was there (i.e: radio broadcasts, people speaking of it etc). When the Lipnicki's father starts to attack Stu - Steven grabs him in a choke hold. He still remembers the training he went through as a solider, and when put in a stressful situation he reacted on instinct. (He also grabs Stu when Stu tries to wake him).  He doesn't want to resort to violence, but will use it if need be. Because of his pts and the time he spent in the hospital he has trouble holding  a job, but is able to get one working in the mines. Later when the rocks collapse on him and a friend of his - Moe, he saves both their lives. In this way he is making up for the mistakes he believes need to be redeemed from the war. Earlier on during the war he left his friend Dodge -to save his own life. Steven is put in the hospital, and later is taken off life-support and dies. But he redeems himself by saving his friend and helps to put his family in a better house. In the end Steven forgives and makes peace with himself for the things that went on in the war.

Lidia and Stu - Steven's children are both always getting into trouble with other people - normally the Lipnicki's. During the summer they and their friends decide to build a tree house.Also during the summer while the girls (Lidia and her friends) are busy dancing and building the fort - Lidia once calls one of her friends a racial slur - but apologizes afterward. Then, during class the teacher, while talking to the children about memoir's makes all of the black kids sit in the back. Lidia then stands up for and defends her friend against the teacher's racist remarks. She redeems her earlier mistake and is forgiven.  Later on the Lipnicki's make some bets with Stu and Lidia about the fort - because most of the parts are stolen from their house. In this way they have a private little war of their own. They dare Stu to swim across the water tower, and steal the key from the fort and throw it on the roof. Later after the Simmon's father dies and the Lipnicki's attack the fort, the kids use their father's old battle gear to wage war against them. After that catastrophe one of the Lipnicki's - Billy goes back to the water tower and tries to retrieve the key - but falls in. Stu and Lidia rescue him - and the two feuding parties come to an agreement. Much like their father - they have their own demons and must face them, but by coming to an agreement with the Lipnicki's they settle their differences and forgive each other. 
Overall the narrative throughout the film - is Lidia's own memoir - and her memories of that summer. In the beginning she sees and describes her father as a deadbeat man, who can't hold down a job, who also takes advantage of them and their mother. She thinks about him in an almost disgraceful tone, ashamed for him being the way he is. Later on she recognizes the tragedy of the war, and how it broke him. How he had to live with the aftermath and pain the war brought him. In the end, after their father dies and is gone, they find out about the house. Lidia gains a new perspective of him, and starts to change who she thought he was. Now instead of thinking him a coward, she thinks of him as a hero. She accepts the fact that it was the war that made him estranged. Both the war - the one their father fought in, and the one the kids engaged in with the bullies (Lipnicki's), are parallel's in each other. They both makes mistakes along the way, have trouble coping with difficult times, but in the end they stop the fighting and come to a truce. The kids and Steven's wars are different but alike. They both fought their own battles, and won some, and lost some. But the conflict of war ends with the peace between both families and Steven with rectifying his past. They all find ways to redeem and save themselves, after the end of the wars. The past is remembered but forgiven. 
Forgiveness is the key. On both sides of the story it is earned and the conflicts are absolved. But is there a point where something cannot be forgiven? When can a deed not be undone? In The War Steven being a soldier the the war haunts him, and he believes he cannot be forgiven for what he did. But in the end he accepts this, and forgives himself for the past. It was only to the point of death did he realize that he could be forgiven, and does so. Although the deeds he had committed were not easy for him to get past, he see's in the end that even some grace is possible. 

Knowledge on the War in Vietnam:

(What do you know about the Vietnam War?)

Although I personally was not present to witness the Vietnam War, I possess some knowledge on the subject. For example; I know that the officials used The 'Domino Theory': that if Vietnam fell so would the rest of East Asia. and 'Policy of Containment': strategies used by the US Government to 'contain' or stop the spread of Communism. These were their ideas on why/how we (the US) needed  to stop communism from spreading. The Vietnam War lasted 19 bitter years. And in that time - the war only worsened. For the soldiers it was difficult to tell who was the 'enemy'  really was. As many of the civilians were farmers at daytime, but turned lethal in the night. They set up many kinds of traps for the soldiers. The soldiers (US) were sent on 'search and destroy' missions - where they were ordered to demolish anything within sight - to kill people and animals alike. Later on there was the 'Tet offensive' - where the soldiers expected a cease fire on the Tet lunar year (a holiday) - but on the other side the Vietnamese were supplied by Ho Chi Minh. But luckily the US managed a counter attack. On the other side of the country - back in America counterculture was taking place. People started to see what was happening after the war was being broadcast. Woodstock Festival also took place. (Where there was music and drugs). There was also supporters of the war (called the Hawks) and the anti-war people (the Doves). The hawks believed it was America's patriotic duty to go fight in the war, while the doves questioned why America was even involved.

The Inner Workings of Narrative Photography

Narrative Photography:


The first thing that catches and holds my attention from the picture is the man sitting in a subway train. More specifically the fact of what the man is wearing: a cardboard box covering his head. A smiley-face icon is painted onto the front of the box facing the camera. The next object that caught my attention is the silver pole directly in front of the man - slightly off center. The only other object in complete clarity in the frame is a 'no smoking' sign in the upper right hand corner of the subway car. The shining red, is the only contrast to the rest of the shiny silver, and black reflected about the train. Almost everything else residing in the frame of the picture is out of focus. My feelings in relation to this particular picture are confusion and maybe a sense of calm. The  abstract sense of calm comes from the constant continuation of the colors - save the red from the no smoking sign. It is a familiar color blend and it is seen often throughout the picture of the subway car. even in the back with the lines blurred. I feel confusion perhaps from the point of view the picture is depicting. There is a man sitting on a subway train with a cardboard box on his head, but why? I cannot fully tell what  the purpose is of the man with the box covering his face. Why use cardboard? It perplexes me to think about the 'why' of the picture without knowing the reasoning behind it. The meaning, could be a variety of things. Just guessing the back story of the photo, for example: with the smiley -face on the cardboard, it could mean the opposite. That while the man's face (the cardboard) might give off the appearance of him being happy, he is not. He could be pretending to be happy while hiding behind false expressions. Or he could be tired and in need of a reprieve from the outside world, so he masks his pain.

my favorite things

2 favorite things:

Book:  “Looking for Alaska” by: John Green

One of my favorite nooks is looking for Alaska by John Green. One of the many things I enjoy about this book is the underlying concepts of plotline as well as the subtext. The journey of the main character is not only a physical location but functions as mental process as well. Throughout the story the main character must overcome new changes as he moves away for boarding school and makes new friends. Another thing I love is how the story arc projects the changes and new experiences that the character must handle. Not only must he deal with the new concept of living on his own, away from his parents, but how to deal with the death of a friends who changed his life. Overall what I admire the most about the novel is how the author allows the reader room for speculation on the friend’s death and the effects is has.

Music:

Another one of my favorite things is music. The main reason I love it so much is when I listen to music or certain songs / bands I feel like I can relate to it. For me, I believe music can help express thoughts and feelings for you when you cannot explain it yourself. Music is important to me because it is there for me to listen to when I need something to balance myself. Songs can be many things to people – including an escapist’s way to distract themselves from the outside world. It could be a distraction from difficult times, to help you through them, or merely a way to lift your spirits. Many kinds of music can be comforting to listeners who may feel like someone understands what they may be going through, if no one else does. It can also be there just for fun, to listen to.  It is in general a favorite thing of mine because there can also be powerful messages encoded in the lyrics, and with the many variations in genres of music it is nice to get a variety of all sorts of different types of music.

Best Experience In Life:

            One of the best experiences I’ve had in life was going to NDK (Nan Desu Kan – an anime convention) with two of my friends. It was a wonderful experience; trying something new, and seeing all of the people and attractions held there. For example the Dealer’s Room is where you can buy merchandise from the corresponding conventions depending on which ‘con’ is going on. There is also a trivia session and costume contest. It is exciting to see a cross mix of culture and people all attending the con, and even more impressive with all the effort some put into their costumes. It was also an experience in the sense that when going to a con and seeing all of the people and fellow fans, it is nice to know that you are not alone in your passion. If you know, or watch or read anything from practically any series you are free to flaunt it, and embrace it along with everyone else there.