1950's

Today, the thought of segragated schools by race seem strange, werid and unethical to most people, although in the 1950's race was a huge factor in determining where you went to school and what type of education you got. When thinking about it, it seems like de-segragation was such a obvious solution; a neccessary step to create an equal America. But it was not, it was very difficult for many people and for a few, still is. If you think about it, the simple thought of "i'm better than you" grew and grew until it became accepted belief and created a giant uphill batle for African Americans to fight.
Black Americans have come a long way since the days of segragation and slavery, but have they gone far enough? As much as we like to think we, Americans, veiw everyone as equals, racism and a small amount of segragation still exsist. Looking around we seem Kamehameha, admit only Hawaiian students into their schools. This IS a form of segragation because by doing this, we promote them to higher status, that they are better than other people. The grows and grows and dislike toward other races becomes more and more evident. It may seem like a small isolated problem, but is definatly a viable example of segragation and the impacts it has. On the other hand, student who arn't Hawaiian and cannot afforod to attend private schools, feel less wanted and are stuck with junk public school as a last resort. The issuses of segragation in Hawaii are not as black and white as athey were in the 50's although unfortunately they still do exist.

1940's Homewok

The war simulation was not near or remotely close to the scence that a real war actually would produce. I am not saying this is a bad thing, seeing as real war entails killing, blood, homesickness etc. but in attempting to compare it to the attack on Normandy beach is somewhat of a reach. ALthough, We did accurately portray the ratio of soliders on one side vs. the other and we also applied some of the same tactics (ie. the parachutters).
The simulation in class did not change or effect my veiws toward war in anyway, I simply veiwed it as a game. On the other hand, the reading and looking back on the facts of the time did strengthen my position agaist war. It re-enstated my feelings of hate toward the brutality of war in general and it made me angry to think of the mass slaughters of soliders all over the world. The threat of nuclear attack is much greater now, and it would make the slaughtering the thousands of Japaneese look lik nothing. There has to be a better way.
Overall, it was a fun expirience, more than anything, and i think it is safe to say the everyone enjoyed having a paper ball fight in class.

1930's

I learned that comics first came about during the 1930's. That's intresting because the depression also happened during that area, they may be unconnected but it leads me to ask, were people looking for a hero in that time?
Another fact I found interesting was that the first color movies came out during the 1920's. After watching the clip of Wizard of Oz, I was amazed at how far technology has come since then and how much of a impact it has on our lives.

http://www.thepublican.com/Pictures/web/p/v/p/FINALCherylBarhighres.jpg

Coke Zero

It's amazing how much of our culture is driven toward how we look. I mean, almost all advertisments have to do with self image. When it comes down to is, all companies say the same thing. "Wear this, Drink that, Buy this if you want to look good or be cool." (if your are cool then you look good). At first glance it seems to be in good light, i mean every company want to sell their product to make a profit, but it is the flip side, the downside to this type of self image focusing advertisements which cause problems in much of the youths or within the general publics self image of themselves. People are, either subconsiously or consiouly effected by these advertisments, and these advertisements are everywhere we look.
I chose an image from a recent Coke campaign, thier new prduct is called "Coke Zero". It has no calories, no sugar, yet it somehow miraculously tastes like Coke. What on earth is in this stuff? The fact that people are willing to drink this show just how much advertisments, media and culture effect the veiw of ourselfs, unfortunately in a negative way. People are obviously striving for this nearly impossible image of the perfect body and Coke is cashing in on their insecurities. I just hope that people open their eyes and see beyond this ever present pressure by companies to be perfect, or to buy thier products to be cool. In the end it's merely a marketing plot, and they're making a whole lot of money off of it.

THE HIPPOPOTAMUS

by: T.S. Eliot (1888-1965)

HE broad-backed hippopotamus
Rests on his belly in the mud;
Although he seems so firm to us
He is merely flesh and blood.

Flesh-and-blood is weak and frail,
Susceptible to nervous shock;
While the True Church can never fail
For it is based upon a rock.

The hippo's feeble steps may err
In compassing material ends,
While the True Church need never stir
To gather in its dividends.

The 'potamus can never reach
The mango on the mango-tree;
But fruits of pomegranate and peach
Refresh the Church from over sea.

At mating time the hippo's voice
Betrays inflexions hoarse and odd,
But every week we hear rejoice
The Church, at being one with God.

The hippopotamus's day
Is passed in sleep; at night he hunts;
God works in a mysterious way--
The Church can sleep and feed at once.

I saw the 'potamus take wing
Ascending from the damp savannas,
And quiring angels round him sing
The praise of God, in loud hosannas.

Blood of the Lamb shall wash him clean
And him shall heavenly arms enfold,
Among the saints he shall be seen
Performing on a harp of gold.

He shall be washed as white as snow,
By all the martyr'd virgins kist,
While the True Church remains below
Wrapt in the old miasmal mist.