Identity.

My identity is key.  Without it I am not unique.  There are many aspects of my being that make up my persona.  I am an artist, a hippie, a snowboarder, a student, a surfer, and a worker.  But all of these characteristics that make me who I am today were developed over time by life lessons, practice, and hard-work.  Although I love everyone of these unique qualities I possess, I was able to create them for myself.  My heritage though, was created for me.  The heritage that you are born with is uncontrollable and it can not be created or changed.  Before you can build up a "persona" for yourself, you must become comfortable with your heritage; it is a part of self-acceptance.  

Throughout my life I was always proud of each of my different ethnic-backgrounds.  I am a mut.  An Irish, Italian, German, Scottish, and English mut.  And that is what makes me who I am.  I get many of my physical and character traits from being born to and brought up by people of these ethnicities.  I had always found each country that I derive from interesting and unique in different ways.  I love the italian language and the art that inhabits the beautiful country.  I think that the Irish landscape is breathtaking and that the people are wonderful.  Scottish music is fantastic and German steins are unique and interesting.  The English seem to have a great sense of "cleanliness" and give us so many sensational musical artists.  Each country has something to offer to me and I take pride in each one of them.  And although I have yet to travel to any of these places I know them from learning the Italian language, having Irish friends, and studying these countries throughout my years in school.  I am proud to call myself a mut because it means that I have qualities that derive from different places in the world.  And what makes us different makes us who we are and those unique qualities are what makes us all beautiful and gives us a specific IDENTITY. 

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LETS MAKE IT A LESSON!

This past month a group of my fellow classmates and I were assigned to read the book, Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson.  The book touches on a lot of racial issues regarding Japanese-Americans during WWII and post-war.  It takes you through a series of lives that are affected by racism, whites and Japanese.  So the topic of this lesson is Racism after WWII: How the Japanese-Americans were treated.  

Part One: Background research on the novel

- Give a brief plot summary 

- How did the book illustrate the racism during and after WWII against Japanese-Americans?

Part Two: Japanese Internment Camps 

- A big part of the racism factor in the United States against Japanese-Americans during WWII was the bombing of Pearl Harbor.  Shortly after the tragic event there was an outburst of fear and racism towards Japanese people living in America at the time.  These people were eventually evicted from their homes and moved to Internment Camps.  Do some research about these camps and the racism factor that went along with them.

Follow these guidelines:

- Introduce the book and how it relates to racism against Japanese-Americans during and after WWII (include information about the Japanese Internment Camps)

- Give examples of the racism in America at that time

- Research the photographic documentaries of the Japanese Internment Camp Manzanar done by artists such as Dorothea Lange and Ansel Adams (look at the pictures on my powerpoint)--> when you get to the page click on "start presentation" in the upper right hand corner 

- how did their depiction of the camps affect people's opinions about Manzanar during and after that time period

- research motives behind their desire to photograph inside the camp

Part Three: Be Creative=)

Create your own documentary! Exercise the creative side of your brain and follow in the path of the great Ansel Adams.  Make a documentary via camera or video-camera about a political issue today.  The documentary does not have to be about racism, but anything that has been having a greater affect on people today.  The documentary does not have to be about racism, but anything that has been having a greater affect on people today.  Focus on displaying this issue how you want people to perceive it.  After creating the documentary write a brief explanation and reasoning behind the creation.

Sources to use for research are tagged on my delcious

For the itunes podcast which include information about Japanese Internment Camps 

- go to search itunes store

- search: Misuse of Land: Japanese Internment Camps (the author is George Brimhall)

- just subscribe (its FREE)

Also check out Ali's blog post about racism during WWII (the link is under "friend's blogs")

Also check out this blog about racism

Quotes from Snow Falling on Cedars 

"Everything else is ambiguous. Everything else is emotions and hunches.  At least the facts you can cling to; the emotions just float away."

"When they looked out into the whiteness of the world the wind flung it sharply at their narrowed eyes and foreshortened their view of everything."

"There are things in this universe that we cannot control, and then there are things we can...let fate, coincidence, and accident conspire; human beings must act on reason."

"Here was the Jap with the bloody gun ..."

Interracial Marriage

    While searching through websites about Asian-American issues, I came across a website article dealing with Asians and interracial marriage.  The article states the facts about interracial marriage in the United States.  "Asian Americans engage in more interracial relationships than any other racial or ethnic group in the United States" (Interracial Marriage).  Interracial marriage between Asians and Caucasians was illegal in the United States until Perez vs. Sharp in 1948 (for California) and until 1967 for the nation.  Although interracial marriage for Asians was legalized long ago, the "negative perspective on such unions has been slow to change" (Interracial Marriage).  The negative concept does not just come from whites, where one might expect it to, but also from a traditional Asian perspective as well.  Interracial marriages between Asians and Caucasians started heightening during World War II when United States soldiers were stationed in asian countries near villages.  Many of the women were drawn to these different, intriguing white men.  The low economic conditions in these countries led these women to culturally different male figures.  Because of cultural differences these marriages were frowned upon during that time by the women's families and their society.  Although acceptance of interracial marriage by Asian families today has grown, "there continue to be difficulties because of cultural differences" (Interracial Marriage). 

   

 In the novel, Snow Falling on Cedars, an Asian man named Kabuo is put on trial accused of killing a white man.  

The trial takes place on a small island off the coast of Seattle post WWII.  The racial tension is high and the town is very small.  Other than the trial, there are other racial topics that are touched upon within the novel.  The town reporter, Ishmael, covering the trial, a middle-aged white man, takes us back into his memories.  This is where we discover his past relationship w

ith Kabuo's wife Hatsue.  The relationship was complicated because Hatsue was asian and interracial relationships were highly uncommon at that time.  Because of the racial tension between the two groups due to WWII, the couple was forced to hide their love for one another which also caused them to drift apart.  The relationship between Ishmael and Hatsue could be considered very similiar to the interracial relationships discussed in the article.  If the couple

 decided to display their love publicly, they would have endured ridicule from both sides: the asian and caucasian perspective.  The races intertwining was looked down upon because of cultural differences.  In my opinion, I feel that everyone can grow from learning about different cultures and that interracial relationships benefit both sides. It forces cultures to come together and learn about each other.  The differences they have must be put aside in order to gain the respect of someone they love.  As much as it may pain them to see their son/daughter with a person of a different race or even religion, family should always come first.

Interracial Marriage  

             

         

Heterosexual Priviledge

    "The Office" is a comedic show about a

 Pennsylvanian office branch and the people who works in it.  In this episode, "Cocktails", we meet Michael's girlfriend and are introduced to their relationship.  Although the newly established relationship may be complicated because of the two people (a branch manager and a more important executive), no one ever questions the relationship due to the gender of the two.  This is an example of heterosexual privilege.  Heterosexual privilege is defined as the discrimination in favor of heterosexual people.  It is the assumption that everyone else is heterosexual.  In the episode of "The Office", heterosexual privilege is clearly exemplified.

    When at a restaurant after a long day at work, a heterosexual couple was able to sho

w their affection towards each other in front of their co-workers without worry of harassment, neglecting, or attack.  Michael and his girlfriend were also able to attend a business party together, feeling comfortable and safe.  Public displays of affection are a normal part of a heterosexual relationship, but for some same-sex couples the worry behind publicly displaying their affection is too much to risk.  Depending on who is around or what part of the country they are in, a same-sex couple must be very aware of how much they show affection toward each other. They do not have the privilege that heterosexual couples do, they are different to some and completely wrong to others.       

    Throughout the episode Michael and his friend discuss Michael's relationship and his friend's struggle with women.  Another heterosexual privilege; reference sexuality to someone without fear of discrimination or other negative consequences.  Sometimes gay people are not as fortunate to be able to feel comfortable around everyone about their sexuality.  Making a reference to their sexuality, relationships, or even their partner to the wrong person could have negative consequences.  It is a heterosexual privilege to feel comfort around other people about sexuality, to live life without fear of discrimination based upon sexual orientation.  Something as basic as these heterosexual privileges, some people take for granted, while others just pray for acceptance.   

Gender Bender

   In a Washington Post article, Young Feminists Split: Does Gender Matter?, posted in 2008 the author discusses the feminism of this years presidential election with college students at an all-women college, Wellesley.  The article encompasses the two different views of a feminist in this years election.  With a woman running for president many other women began to feel empowered.  It was a progression for all women everywhere.  But, the election stirred up a debate at the all-women college.  "Do you vote for a woman to shatter the glass ceiling and further the cause? Or do you make an empowered, individual decision that is not confined by gender?" (Saslow)  Many of the students, like sophomore Katie Chanpong, at Wellesley gave Clinton, an alumni, their full support.  Thinking up different ways every minute to help her win the election.  But there were others, like Ona Keller, who felt that being a woman was simply not reason enough to gain her vote (Saslow).  She decided to base her decision less on her feminist instincts and more on her opinions of the candidates' ideas and plans.  "Keller said, 'I don't think gender is a good enough reason on its own to vote for or against anybody. I'm sure there are going to be other women in my generation, soon, who are able to run for president. This isn't like our only chance' " (Shaslow).  Keller and other non-Clinton, democratic voters, decided that because both Clinton and Obama were minorities, it would be a giant step for minorities everywhere if either one of them were elected.  They determined it sexist to base their votes on gender rather than opinions and promises. But, for others, it didn't seem sexist, it seemed right.  Keller's classmates teased her at her support for Barack Obama and the school was powered by "clinton pride".  But with the battle for equality continuously being fought is it right for a feminist to base their vote towards supporting their gender rather than their opinion?  

    Since the beginning of time there has been a fight for equality.  And in our era we are starting to accomplish this goal; with a black president, laws about integration, females being able to vote and hold the same jobs as men and so much more.  Sometimes though, ignorance allows us to take a step back in our fight towards equality.  The article clearly demonstrates how our powerful opinions may sometimes get in the way of our practical judgement.  The feminists at Wellesley may have felt empowered by the idea of a female president, but it raises the question that their votes may have been based more on Clinton's gender than her political values.  If Clinton was a republican would some of these democratic feminists still have supported her?  I totally the support the idea of a strong female mind in the white house one day, but there is no rush if the candidate is not the right one.  Like Keller said, gender is not a good enough reason to give support to a candidate.  A person's decision should be based strictly on the candidate's ideas and promises rather than their gender (Shaslow).  Even basing a decision based on the candidate's political party should be ethically wrong as well.  The idea that a person should always support the "group" that they belong to even if they don't agree with it isn't right.  A person's opinions should not be based on the groups they associate with, but on their morals, gut feelings, and what they feel is right.  

    In conclusion, my vote, in four years, will not be based on the fact that I'm a girl, a liberal, or white, it will be based on what I think is right for our country at the time.  That is what everyone should be doing.  No one should have to follow the crowd they are in just to satisfy others.  Do what you think is right.    

     

     

Saslow, Eli. "Young Feminists Split: Does Gender Matter?" The Washington Post. 11 Jan. 2008. 15 Feb 2009. .

Hippie

Hey guys, this is my first time blogging and this is my first post.  It is a poem written in the style of Jamaica Kincaid's poem "Girl".  It is about the rules a person must follow in order to be accepted into their niche in society. 

Listen to your Janis Joplin, your Grateful De

ad, and your Bob Dylan albums; always preach against "the man"; never worship the government; hold your protests signs up high; voice your opinions even higher; never sound uptight; let your words roll out of your mouth, "go with the flow?"; dress the blue jean with anything; slip into your sandals everyday; let your hair down, let it lay wavy down your back; never apply makeup too heavily- you don't want to look punk rock; keep a peace sign near your heart; hang it on a necklace; this is how you show your commitment to the cause; give back to your community; always feel guilty about not recycling; this is how you make a difference; never cringe with pain when you get a tattoo; it is a way to hold onto something meaningful forever; this is hold you hold a paint brush, gently between the index and the thumb; this is how you throw clay; this is how you make a bowl; glaze it with the utmost care; it is a work of your own; this is how to develop a roll of film; it is a rewarding process you must learn; each person has an artistic ability; you must find your own; this is how you interact; share stories; listen carefully; there is no better person than a caring one; always have an open mind; accept all types of people; there is no such thing as a harmful race, gender, or sexual preference; there is no better person than a loving one