LaKisha Michelle Simmons writes in “Geographies of Pain, Geographies of Pleasure” that “segregation was tied to progress, not simply to tradition” (Walking Raddy 32). When the Supreme Court legalized segregation in the South through Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896, segregation was institutionalized, through the guise of progress and the phrase “separate but equal,” as its definition suggests, to separate, to demarcate the black person. These words show just but one instance in which language has been euphemized or manipulated to justify, and veil, injustice. The newly developed urban space was an open space only to certain people. New public restrooms only served “the white people of New Orleans” (32). In 1902, progress in New Orleans and its modernization project was created in part by black people, the exploitation of their labor, but this “progress” and wealth was of and for only certain white people. Continue reading “Segregation & Progress”
Faith, Doubt, and the Big Machine
Yesterday in class when discussing in groups some of the ways Big Machine connected to large course themes, Andrew Weber brought up an interesting point about the concept of doubt. For me, doubt and faith have always been at odds with each other; however he said the opposite. He viewed doubt as an essential part of faith, stating that without doubt, faith is superficial. Just because we question religion does not mean we lack faith, merely that our faith is deep enough that we can ask ourselves about it without wavering.
Living Epistle
There is no doubt to state that Steve Prince’s art has plenty and if not always, biblical symbolism. Steve Prince is an artist from New Orleans, Louisiana and a devout Catholic. He in many of his pieces incorporates the messages and symbols from the bible in order to illuminate the importance and the consistency of religion in our lives and specifically the Christian faith. He is at work trying to ingrain how faith is apart of our human existence and how we are in fact the flesh, bones, and evidence of such faith. In his piece Living Epistle, Prince speaks on the living letters that we all are, people read and sometimes misread our surfaces. But we as human beings of good reason have the words of God written on us and so we must never forget to live by his grace, and praise.
Living Epistle Linocut “50 x 37”
Learning How To Blog
Originally, I wanted to dedicate my last blog post to one of the lectures I attended this semester. However, I started thinking about my first blog and how different it is from the rest that I have posted so far. In this last blog post, I will discuss my experience as a first-time blogger.
Writing my first blog post was very difficult for me. One of the major things that made it a difficult experience was my perception of blogging. Before, blogging appeared to me as some sort of area for what many consider to be “free writing.” So when I was given the task to write 10 blogs I knew I was going to have the same experience I did in high school when I had to free write; I was going to be horrible at it. And my first blog post did not tell me anything different. However, the style was just as I intended, Dr. McCoy described it as “open and conversational and thus eminently suitable for a blog post.” So when I received the grade I did I then wondered where did I go wrong? Dr. McCoy’s response to this question was that I needed to “SLOW DOWN” or as she says in class, “now unpack.” I then thought to myself how it was possible to have my writing be conversational but to also unpack its content.
After receiving Dr. McCoy’s advice, I decided to take a risk by writing my third blog post in a more academic tone. I reminded myself of what a typical essay consists of:
- Introduction
- Topic sentences
- Analysis
- Conclusion
Now how would I include all these things in my blog post and keep it conversational? I knew my AP Literature professor told me that a good essay has both quotes and analysis threaded throughout a paragraph. So I figured that the best way to have a conversational blog post and still be able to unpack was to thread the conversational and academic aspect throughout my blog posts. Therefore, I would be fulfilling both parts rather than having to choose one.
I think there is more to learn as I continue to blog. I now know how to intertwine both the conversational and academic parts the I was missing. I am eager to continue blogging!
(in)visibility
Just because you don’t see something does not mean that it does not exist.
Fulfilling the Absence of Art at SUNY Geneseo
When I transferred to Geneseo the fall of my sophomore year, I did not realize that there was no art department at the college. In the beginning of the 2013-2014 academic year, Geneseo not only cut out the studio art department— but the computer science and speech pathology department as well. So when I saw the opening for an interdepartmental class with the title, The Art of Steve Prince I was immediately interested and knew that at some point of the course, the absence of the department would have been recognized.
According to the Lamron article titled, Geneseo should restore studio art major, offer more resources to creative students by Malachy Dempsey, “the greatest reason to restore studio art is to demonstrate a commitment to the arts that many students feel Geneseo lacks.” It article continues to persuade the college by stating, “If the college does want to support the arts and, by extension, fulfill its commitment to a liberal arts education, it should consider restoring the studio arts program.” The deletion of the program also sets off the tone that the administration may not listen to the desires of the students.
Continue reading “Fulfilling the Absence of Art at SUNY Geneseo”
Getting Our GroOove On
I must admit, Dr. Mark Broomfield’s class was probably my favorite although I will admit that my love for dance might make this declaration a bit biased. I grew up listening to Spanish music so it comes to no surprise that I love dancing bachata, cumbia, anything! You name it. Walking into our classroom that Monday afternoon, I had about zero clue as to what our afternoon would consist of. This of course, is partly my fault for not bothering to look up Dr. Mark Broomfield in the Geneseo’s faculty directory— if I would have, I would have made the fascinating discovery that he is in fact the Assistant Professor of Dance Studies and Associate Director of the Geneseo Dance Ensemble. Whoops. Continue reading “Getting Our GroOove On”
Is Big Machine Linear or Cyclic?
Throughout the semester we have considered the function of linear and cyclic interpretations of time. It is particularly fitting this time of year as many seniors prepare for graduation. While I view my path as an accumulation of credits toward the eventual walk across the stage, Beth reminds us all of the incoming class that tours outside Welles every day. My journey toward graduation has been linear, though the college engages in continuous cycles of admitting and graduating its students. Thus, the college experience is both linear and cyclic. Of course, Big Machine is too. Continue reading “Is Big Machine Linear or Cyclic?”
Afro-Futurism… What the… Never mind
Throughout our African-American literature class, a common place that I have found my self is in the realm of “what is actually going on.” This is not just a recurring question but an entire “realm” of confusion. Surprisingly I have been becoming progressively more comfortable in my un-comfortability with the texts we have confronted. This process was not easy for me for a number of different reasons, the first being because I had aligned in my own mind, based on my own cultural experiences, what was normal and what was abnormal for all black people ever. Which after typing it out, sounds awfully ignorant. I am pleased to acknowledge that this class has opened me up to texts that I may not have chosen on own prior to this class and expanded my understanding of literary categories and sub-categories. Continue reading “Afro-Futurism… What the… Never mind”
Kitchen Talks: The Steve Prince Way
Recently, and by recently I mean three weeks ago, I was given the opportunity to hear Steve Prince himself give a lecture in Doty Tower Room. On my way to the lecture, I tried to think about what I would learn and how I could apply it to what I already know about Steve Prince and his works. By the time I finished hearing the lecture, I felt that Steve Prince both met and exceeded my expectations. I think it was because what I learned in that lecture was not only in connection to Steve Prince’s works but it also helped me to form connections in my own life which is what I will explain in this blog post. Continue reading “Kitchen Talks: The Steve Prince Way”