Race Relations

We all know that descrimination is bad. But how many people know that descrimination is still a problem today, in the 21st Century? Maybe you knew that, and maybe you didn't but the point is that you should, we all should know that descrimination is still a problem. I had to read some articles and American Studies class, and I am now supposed to be writing about my findings and answering some key questions. The real question: Is anybody reading this? Anyway, when racism makes its appearance this day and age, the whole world pretty much knows. This likely has an immense effect on the community in which the incident took place because now people know that there is racism within that community. For example, when a woman posted a "Public Pool: Whites Only" sign in Cincinati, it caused a lot of outrage, and people were offended, even though the woman claimed that it was intended to keep certain hair products used by a certain black from clouding up the pool. Or how I might not look at Panera the same way, now that I know that there was some supposed descrimination in one of its franchises. This is also true with the incident at MSU; I might think that it is a really racist school based on one racist incident. Now, I am by no means suggesting that these incidents are insignificant and sould be ignored, as I think that these incidents are important, and they do have a huge impact. Racism is looked down upon today, and that is most definitely a good thing. Whites are definitely shown in a negative light in these article, and that has an impact. But I think it makes people all the more conscious about what they say and do, which is also a good thing. Lawsuits are often filed against whites who do such outrageous and racist things, such as both the pool incident, as well as the Panera descrimination. But these actions need to happen; people should not be able to get away with such atrocities. Blacks are certainly impacted by this, as they probably feel that they are not safe, even though the Civil Rights movement is long over. I mean, you would think that this is long said and done, but it is not. Blacks are outraged that descrimination still exists, and they take action for what is right. The fight for true equality is not over. I am not convinced that the fight will ever be over, but it is something for which the country (and the world) should continue to strive.

Mark Twain's Portrayal of Jim

I believe that the second picture, the one of Jim and Huck wading throught he river with the raft, is the most faithful illustration of the text.  It is a lot more subtle and difficult to interpret than the other pictures, but I think it works the best because it seems to be the least exaggerated.  I contend that Mark Twain portrays Jim as more of a character, rather than a charicature.  Yes, Jim seems to be a bit of an exaggerated character, but he also seems quite real and extremely tangible.  He is not the stereotypical slave of the time; he is knowledgeable in a number of areas, and he is extraordinarily opinionated.  Jim is clearly his own, unique, living, breathing, human being.  I believe that Mark Twain fairly portrays Jim in a way that any human being deserves to be portrayed--as a human being.

Photos of Jim from the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Pictures that agree with my description of Jim

Jim's face just radiates kindness and a love for being with people.  Looking at the picture, Jim seems like a nice and easy-going guy, and that is how I read him to be.  In reading about Jim, he is someone I would like to spend my time with, and this picture certainly portrays that sort of a person.

I was drawn to this picture because it shows the sadness that Jim experiences on a daily basis, thinking about his family and how he might never see them again.  I also saw this picture as Jim being helpful, and I think that is something for which he always strives.

Pictures that do not agree with my description of Jim

This picture portrays Jim as being a lazy, uncaring person, something that I do not believe him to be.  The way his is dressed makes him seem almost ignorant and incapable, when the truth of the matter is that he knows a lot

I was particularily bothered by this picture because it makes Jim look almost wild and crazy, like some sort of a deranged animal.  He also looks completely out-of-it, and that is simply not true of Jim and his character.

Jim- from the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Words that describe Jim in terms of his beliefs, actions, and feelings

caring
kind
helpful
stubborn
woeful
gullable
knowledgeable
easy-going


Words that describe Jim in terms of his physical appearance

big
tall
muscular

Emerson's "Self-Reliance" Essay

"The inquiry leads us to that source, at once the essence of genius, of virtue, and of life, which we call Sponteneity or Instinct. We denote this primary wisdom as Intuition, whilst all sater teachings are tuitions."

History Speaks

The words of the distinguished individuals of our past are ever-relevant in the present, as the country remembers the tragic events of September 11, 2001.




"...but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death." -Thomas Paine





"...whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst and to provide for it." -Patrick Henry

Extremely Lound & Incredibly Close: Response One

At the end of "Heavier Boots," I have mixed thoughts about Oskar.  On one hand, I believe that he did an extraordinarily terrible thing by wishing death upon his own mother.  Nobody, under any circumstances, should wish death onto another human being.  Well, that is my belief, anyway.  On the other hand, Oskar is only nine-years-old, and he still lacks impulse control, as expected for someone of that age.  The problem I have with that is that, for the most part, Oskar acts much, much more maturely than most nine-year-olds.  In fact, I would venture to say that he acts more maturely than many adults, yet most adults have better impulse control.  When I want to criticize him for not being better, I have to remind myself that he is still a young kid, going through a really difficult time in his life.  Everyone is entitled to his or her moments of extreme anger, and it is certainly expected of someone of Oskar's age and situation.  So at the same time, I feel a large amount of sympathy for him, as I know that he only said what he did in the heat of the moment, and he truly feels horrible about what he said.