TOW #20 - IRB "Tuesdays With Morrie"

Tuesdays With Morrie

      For my IRB this marking period, I chose to read "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom. As mentioned in my earlier IRB post, this book is about a student, Mitch Albom, and his dying college professor. These two had a very close bond since Albom's college days, and in Morrie's final days they spend a lot of time together discussing about the meaning of life and its lessons. The first chapter of the book is the Curriculum-the Syllabus. In it, Albom introduces the audience to the weekly meetings he has with Morrie. Rather than describing it as a out-of-place meeting, he depicts their meetings as a continuation of his studies. The classes are held in Morrie's house. This is where we are introduced to the pink hibiscus plant, a symbol that would later come to represent life and death.  

     As Morrie's sickness worsens and his body deteriorates, the petals of the hibiscus plant begin to fall losing life. They wither and fall, one buy one as Morrie's dependence on his oxygen aid grows. The hibiscus plant is continuously used as a symbol for life, specifically Morrie's. It is understood that the closer Morrie approaches death, the death of the plant grows closer as well

     A particularly upsetting moment so far in this book was when Albom, during one of his meetings with Morrie, recalls the summer of 1979 when he graduated. After receiving his diploma, Morrie approached him to greet his parents, describing Albom as a "very special boy." In turn, Albom presents Morrie with a tan briefcase engraved with Morrie's initials. Both men's eyes well up with tears and they promise each other to keep in touch. 

     Although I have just recently begun this book, I already fill greatly enraptured by it. I too have an extremely special teacher who greatly impacted my life. I feel I can relate to Albom in the ever great thanks I feel towards my teacher. This book is also extremely meaningful with beautifully sad moments. I feel very enlightened every time I open this book and am excited to continue reading.

TOW #19 - Visual Analysis of "We Can Do It" War Poster

"We Can Do It"

     For this week's TOW, I chose to do a rhetorical analysis of the iconic "We Can Do It" war poster. More commonly referred to as the Rosie the Riveter poster, it was designed by J. Howard Miller in 1942. He was a freelance artist from Pittsburgh who was commissioned to draw up a poster that would portray American patriotism, regardless of gender, to garner everyone's war effort. When this poster was made, the United States were in midst of World War II. As the males left to fight on the forefront, women were left behind and job positions opened up. Posters such as this one called for women to take these jobs upon themselves and prove themselves equal as men. Through the artist's use of color and portrayals of strength, he is able to effectively sell the idea of America as the home of the free and equal by conveying to his audience that women are just as necessary to the war effort during this time. 

     The color scheme of this poster is very iconic and practically blares out American patriotism: blue, white, and red. As America was fighting a war during this time period, any and all public support was necessary. A movement of sorts began to bring in women into the workforce to help the nation. The bright blue shirt, red and white headband are very patriotic articles of clothing. It appeals to the audience of primary women and make the workforce and war effort an appealing thing. Despite fashion of this time consisting primarily of dresses and/or skirts, Rosie is seen wearing a blue-collared shirt; a motif of the working class. Hankerchiefs were not something that women used as sweatbands, but Rosie proved that women do not have to be held down by fashion standards either. Ads such as Rosie the Riveter were very successful in appealing to women and encouraging them to step out of the norm.  

     Physical attributes of Rosie are also key in portraying an uncommon perspective of the potential of women. Her iconic pose of flexing her arm shows the audience her muscles, which aren't overly muscular, but enough to show strength. Her facial expression is also stern and bit aggressive, showing conviction and power. Both her facial expression and her curling of her arm were out of expectations of women as dainty beings. Instead, it challenged societal expectations and showed that there are other alternatives for women. Put all together, Rosie appears to be a very hard-working woman. It conveys to the audience that women are strong enough and capable enough of men's jobs. 

     Artist J. Howard Miller did a brilliant job in illustrating a women of the workforce, especially given the time period. Rosie the Riveter would soon become an iconic image for women's rights, challenging societal norms from various different angles. It is through advertisements such as these that women were encouraged to join the workforce, and America was able to expand upon their ideology of equality and gain support for the war. 

IRB Intro Post #3 - Tuesdays with Morrie

     For my third IRB, I chose to read Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. As the title suggests, this book is a memoir about author Mitch Albom and the life lessons he learned from his old proffesor. 78 year old Morrie Schwartz was Albom's sociology professor back in college. Albom, currently a  newspaper sports columnist, hadn't heard from his professor until one day he received news that the Schwartz was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Album immediately goes to visit his professor, and to his surprise Morrie remembered his student. Together they recount their experience as a student-teacher, and from what I gather, the book ends with their last conversation. The entire book is a recount of the conversations between the Mitch Albom and Morrie. I am extremely excited to read this because my friend who recommended it to me has only said good things about it.

TOW #17 - Trump's Immigration Ban

Protests at Airport against Trump's Immigration Ban

     This photo was taken just hours after the federal judge passed President Trump's 'temporary ban' on immigration. This ban affected immigrants from seven countries where Islam is the national religion: Iraq, Iran, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Libya. Immediately following this decision where loads and loads of protests, most notable the campaigns against the ban at airports around the country. As depicted in the photograph, hundreds of people from all races, genders, age, ethnicities are protesting at the the airport. I felt strongly that the photographer well captured the facial expressions and diversity at this particular protest and effectively demonstrated the rejection of the people against President Trump's executive order restricting refugees. 

     At first glance, the disdain on each and every one of the people's faces is obvious. What makes this image particularly effective are the people sadly gazing at the American flag. It sends a more powerful message of upset and disappointedness towards America as a whole. The words "We are America" are crumpled up in the folds of the flag, and the protesters can only hope that they can make a change. This ban prevents even those with green cards from coming back into the country after leaving the U.S.. Refugees from Syria run the risk of being banned indefinitely. However the protesters clearly believe that these actions are not what America is about. Banning immigration is not American, protesting for what is right is. On top of facial expressions, the photographer focused on an extremely diverse section of the protests at the airport. By doing so, the artist is able to strengthen the image of America as a strong nation of diverse people and not just one character. The picture works as a proof of defiance as well as a symbol for unity and strength. The true America welcomes people with open arms and will not quietly allow such injustice to unravel. 

     Trump's immigration ban has raised many eyebrows and heightened tensions between many people. Some immigrants have gotten lucky with being able to remain in the states with a green card. Unfortunately, for some their luck is limited and have had to lose family members to the law. Many stories have come about on families who have become separeted because of the law. Fortunately, with people like these protesters standing up for equality, America can remain strong and defiant in the face of injustice. 

TOW #16 - Blink, Malcolm Gladwell (IRB)

"Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell

   
     In the second half of my IRB book Blink, author Malcolm Gladwell discusses about the "right-and wrong-way to ask people what they want" and "the delicate art of mind reading." Through his use of expert testimonials  and anecdotes, Gladwell is able to effectively convey his theories to his audience.
In the chapter "right-and wrong-ways to ask people what they want," Gladwell utilizes expert testimonials to establish the credibility of his theories. The theory discussed in this particular chapter suggests that, contrary to popular belief, body language can reveal a lot more about a person than asking them directly. He first offers John Gottman as evidence, who found that "we can learn a lot more about what people think by observing their body language or facial expressions or looking at their bookshelves and pictures on the wall." Gladwell then mentions Vic Braden, who found that while people "are very willing and very good at volunteering information...those explanations aren't necessarily correct." Gladwell then goes on to offer his analysis, saying that there is a lot more to people than what you see outside. Finding out about people may seem as easy as asking a few questions and relying on an honest speaker. However, he mentions that many people tend to over dramatize things that observing behavior is a much more accurate way to understanding a person's mind. By having experts to speak on this idea, on top of offering his own explanations, was very effective in proving the feasibility of his theory.
In the chapter "the delicate art of mind reading," Gladwell uses anecdotes to explain his theories and appeal to the audience's emotions. He begins this chapter with an anecdote about a twenty-two year old man from Guinea who lived in South Bronx, working as a peddler in lower Manhattan. Having come to the U.S. just recently, his English was poor and he had a stutter. While enjoying a night out right by his house, a group of plainclothes police officers marked him as suspicious because of two things: His loitering, which made him look like a "lookout for a 'push-in' robber;" and his appearance, which fit that "of a serial rapist who had been active in the neighborhood." So, the four white policemen got out of their cars, chest inflated by their bulletproof vests, and approached Diallo. When he ran away from these men, who looked frighteningly like a gang, he was shot numerous times. The truth about Diallo was discovered shortly. Gladwell believes that "there is almost no other impulse so basic and so automatic and at which we so effortlessly excel." His anecdote shows how important this impulse is in daily life, because for the four policemen, failure of at this most fundamental task cost Diallo his life. "Every waking minute that we are in the presence of someone, we come up with a constant stream of predictions and interferences about what that person is thinking and feeling." We try to read every person we meet, and that is what allows us to see the truth, or at least a glimpse of it.
By using expert testimonials and anecdotes, Malcolm Gladwell is able to convey the complexities of his theories to his audience. He effectively illustrates how body language reveals more about people than conversations, and how making snap judgments is the most fundamental and human impulse. In completing this book, I was able to view the world a bit more differently. Blink is a very good read that I would recommend to everyone.

TOW #15 - "Crimes Against Kansas" (Charles Sumner)

Charles Sumner on the Crimes Against Kansas

     In the year of 1856, the Union was undergoing a difficult time period known as the "Bleeding Kansas." As the name suggests, much blood was shed on American soil primarily because of conflicting opinions on abolitionism. Charles Sumner was a strong advocate for abolitionism and denounced the Kansas-Nebraska Act (which stated that the Nebraskan territories can become free or slave by popular sovereignty). This act angered many abolitionists of the time because it quite clearly favored southern slave states. In retaliation to this, Charles Sumner delivered his "Crime against Kansas" speech on May 19 and May 20 that argued for the immediate admission of Kansas as a free state. He also denounced the "Slave Power" and their criminal behavior of raping a virgin territory. His vivid imagery and passionate tone helped struck a chord in many people, successfully increasing abolitionism support. 

     Sumner first attacked the "Slave Power" in an attempt to denounce the peculiar institution of slavery and criminalize slaveholders. He says, "Not in any common lust for power did this uncommon tragedy have its origin. It is the rape of a virgin territory, compelling it to the hateful embrace of slavery; and it may be clearly traced to a depraved desire for a new Slave State, hideous offspring of such a crime, in the hope of adding to the power of slavery in he National Government." Sumner compared southern slaveholders rapists with animalistic desires to rape a pure territory. This 'pure territory,' of course, referring to the Western lands that had just recently been acquired from Mexico and Britain. By making comparisons between slaveholders and rapists, Sumner is able to sway his audiences' opinions against slaveholders. If enough people see the evil sinful side of slavery, Kansas and Nebraska would be able to become free states. Even better, slavery may be able to be suppressed. 

     Throughout his entire speech, Sumner is passionately voicing out his feelings. Sumner was well-known to be a speaker with a temper, which fortunately, proved to be useful in his case. Legal scholar William R. Long states that the speech was a "gauntlet thrown down, a challenge to the 'Slave Power' to admit once and for all that it were encircling the free states with their tentacular grip and gradually siphoning off the breath of democracy-loving citizens." And sure enough, Sumner's speech and the conflict that came about later was crucial in advancing the abolitionist cause. It also proved that abolitionists were not afraid to fight for what they believed in, even if it was by violent means.

    American politician and Massachusetts's Senator Charles Sumner successfully furthered the abolitionist cause through his characteristically graphic speech "Crimes Against Kansas." He denounced the Slave Power and advocated for Kansas' immediate admission as a free state very passionately with use of great imagery. It is through his use of such rhetorical devices that he was able to prove his great support of the abolitionist cause and fight against injustice. 

TOW #14 - A Romantic Portrayal of Napoleon

"Napoleon Crossing the Alps"

     This oil-painting is of Napoleon Bonaparte, a prominent and ambitious political and military leader of the early 19th century. This painting by French artist Jacques-Louis David is just one of the five versions of and oil on canvas portrait of Napoleon crossing the Alps. Commisioned by the King of Spain, this romantic portrayal of Napoleon illustrates the strongly idealized view of Napoleon's crossing with his army. 

     In the spring of 1800, Napoleon led the Reserve Army across the Alps through the Great St. Bernard Pass. This is a portrait of just that. His intention was to "retake" the territory seized by the Austrians. A most prominent visual of an idealized Napoleon is the hand gesture of Napoleon. The raised hands was a well known gesture of reprimand of emotional displays. In Napoleon Crossing the Alps, the gesture leaves no doubt as to the will of the commander to arrive to his goal. It does not indicate the summit, but rather shows the observer the inevitability of victory and at the same time orders his soldiers to follow. The bare rather than gloved hand may indicate Napoleon desiring to appear as a peacemaker rather than a conqueror.

     David uses inscriptions to reinforce the symbolism in eight of his known works. In this picture, the rocks bear the names of Hannibal and Charlemagne alongside Bonaparte, linking them by their crossing of the Alps, and portraying Napoleon as their successor. The inclusion of Charlemagne and the "IMP", signifying an Emperor status raises doubts as to the level of Bonaparte's involvement with the addition of the inscriptions. 

     The first two of the five copies of this painting was exhibited in the Louvre Museum in France in 1801. This romantic portrayal of Napoleon is the most famous painting and sought after painting by David. Although they lost their appeal to the French community after Napoleon's downfall, today it is a well known painting depicting the turmoils of 19th century France.