Assignments – Page 2 – English 101-1221 Fall 2021

November 8, 2021November 8, 2021

Sewing A Revolution

This week, I’m asking you to look at three examples of textile arts used as tools for social change. I hope you get inspired! Just like last week, choose one to focus on and MAKE A POST of at least 3 paragraphs discussing an interesting idea related to that topic.

NAMES Project (AIDS Quilt)

Please review these resources on the NAMES Project, better known as the AIDS quilt.

READ this website and WATCH the three videos on it. (Especially the first and second! I really like the second one.) https://www.aidsmemorial.org/quilt-history

READ Cleve Jones writing about the history of the quilt: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/how-one-mans-idea-for-the-aids-quilt-made-the-country-pay-attention/2016/10/07/15917576-899c-11e6-b24f-a7f89eb68887_story.html?tid=a_inl_manual

How-one-mans-idea-for-the-AIDS-quilt-made-the-country-pay-attention-The-Washington-Post Download

Spend at least 10 minutes exploring the quilt HERE: https://www.aidsmemorial.org/quilt

Social Justice Sewing Academy

READ the “About” page of the Social Justice Sewing Academy and WATCH the video on that page.

http://www.sjsacademy.org/what-we-do.html?fbclid=IwAR3qqFVM4IhcV42qPqm0oGLWnjDgCe6OcDgaONhBuDa_m6VwhRlLiOAQ7ZU

READ the “Inspiration” page of this quilt block pattern, designed by SJSA members Sara Trail and Melinda Newton, and chosen as the National Quilt Museum’s “Block of the Month” for January 2020. LOOK at the pattern itself, on page 4. https://quiltmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/JAN-2020-BOTM-pattern2.pdf

READ this article on the controversy that resulted: https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/museums/now-even-quilters-are-angry-how-a-social-justice-design-started-a-feud/2020/01/20/0e9874be-3951-11ea-bb7b-265f4554af6d_story.html

How-a-social-justice-themed-quilt-block-started-a-fight-among-quilters-The-Washington-Post1 Download

Chilean Arpilleras

WATCH this video on the arpilleras of the time of Pinochet’s regime in Chile (don’t worry — the video gives you some historical background)

READ this article on the contemporary use of embroidery as protest art in Chile today: https://www.pri.org/stories/2020-02-21/chile-women-use-traditional-embroidery-urge-political-change?fbclid=IwAR1TR31tjxATvtcUVc5noVgvHNDem0V_cp2WSPK3ClqCO2IfBTyqwn68CMk

EXPLORE this Instagram collection of those embroideries: https://www.instagram.com/bordasusojos/?utm_source=ig_embed

November 8, 2021

Confederate Statues and the Reshaping of History

After reading these articles, it’s become very clear to me that Confederate statues were never really about preserving history. In the video, President Tr*mp calls these memorials insignificant tributes to America’s past, but this is incredibly misleading. Most of these statues were erected several decades after the Civil War, and while many may argue that they symbolize the sacrifice of fallen soldiers (which, by the way, why are we glorifying soldiers as heroes in a democracy? But I digress.), they were “installed as symbols of white supremacy during periods of U.S. history when Black Americans’ civil rights were aggressively under attack,” according to Ryan Best.

During the early 1900s (and as recently as 2011!), when Southern states created laws to disenfranchise and segregate Black Americans, over 400 monuments were built in order to reshape the history of the Civil War. This effort was largely led by the United Daughters of the Confederacy (gag), a group whose purpose is to protect and revere Confederate memory after the Civil War (vomit). They claimed that their goal is to “prepare future generations of white Southerners to respect and defend the principles of the Confederacy,” according to Karen Cox, a historian and professor at the University of North Carolina. This group also denied that slavery was the central cause for the Civil War, and rejected any school textbook that says so. They praised the KKK, and gave speeches that twisted the cruel reality of American slavery and defended slave owners.

Black Americans have long understood the symbolism behind these monuments: they’re a reminder to stay in their place. Many of these were built outside of courthouses, a message of intimidation during a time when black Americans were fighting for civil rights. The people who argue that the taking down of these statues are erasing history truly don’t understand, in my opinion, just how much history has actually been erased, how Indigenous peoples and African-Americans’s histories were reshaped and erased. Hilary Green, a history professor at the University of Alabama, said that “Monuments do a very poor job in talking about history.” These are not the sources we go to in order to understand history. Removing a statue won’t change how people feel, and it won’t change what happened either. I hope, as more of these monuments are taken down, that more people will begin to ask themselves what history are we NOT telling through the worship of Confederate leaders?

November 1, 2021November 1, 2021

My American Dream and My Disappointment with Language (Liz Cortes)

I couldn’t start talking about language without telling first who I am, and that’s the reason is so difficult to explain which are my languages. Speak about it, is put my business in the street as James Baldwin explained in “If black English isn’t a language, then tell me, what is?”, and when that happens is impossible not to feel unsecured of others’ opinion. In addition is more difficult when you must speak in other’s languages.

To define my language and identity I will begin by saying that I am from Colombia, Bogota, I am 19 years old, and I grow up with my mother’s family (my mom, aunt, grandparents, and a cat). Based on this you can assume that my first language is Spanish and how special it is for me.

Dipping a little bit more in my language, something that catches my attention is the way that we spoke with our loved ones. “Mi niña”(my girl)- would say my mother, “mi chiquitina”(my little girl)- my boyfriend, “tesorito”(my little treasure)- my grandma, “cucu”(cucu)- my aunt and for my cat I would use “chonchito” (chubby )to call him. Those are some nicknames that we use, another word that I used a lot of is “cosita” (little thing) to name everything that I think is cute. This language makes me feel so comfortable and understood, but now I feel sad, because I am no longer with my family, and I have just moved to North America looking to continue my education and learn a new language. This new language, English, challenge me to communicate with other words and intentions, leaving back my accent and my own expressions. Getting adapted is being so difficult and more when Covid-19 circumstances make it hard to socialize and practice this new language.

The difficulties of learning a new language make you wonder about your identity and see how others classify you as “Hispanic” (a world that I never thought I will use to identify myself), and it gets worst when the stereotype of Hispanic is the first impression that people have from you. A lot of questions come to my mind: why I couldn’t get the same opportunities with my language? Why I must be different to make my dreams come true, how your own dreams could become true without your loved ones? Has any sense been here? I lose my time, my energy, and my life wondering all of this until I just resigned to wake up every day as one more day away from home.

I have been experiencing homesickness, willing to come back home and just be with my family again, but at the same time willing to know more about this country, learn more from new experiences, and see the world from another perspective. It pushes me to keep trying until English became part of my identity, as a lot of people must do as well.

Recently I heard a beautiful short history from National Geography about Naghmeh Farzaneh’s immigration and she mentioned her mother’s words when she worked in her garden “when you move a plant from one place to another you have to give it some time before to grow new leaves” to explain how long takes for a person accustomed to other ground, another language and food.

I feel I must give some time to myself to accommodate this new world and love the language and person that I am becoming to be.

Baldwin, James. “If Black English Isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?”

The York Times. 29 July 1979,

https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/98/03/29/specials/baldwin-english.html?source=post_page—————————

Youtube, uploaded by National Geographic, 14 October 2017,

October 31, 2021November 1, 2021

Special Languages (AAVE)

Darren Jean Baptiste

Within the African American community, is a separate form or dialect of the English language referred to as AAVE, or African American Vernacular English. Its roots can be found in the lives lived by our Ancestors not only in the United States as Slaves, but in Africa where our ancestors started as well. We use it everyday in our lives, and in our music and the music we listen to. Common examples of AAVE are shortened forms of words, such as “I Don’t Know” rephrased as “‘ion know ” or “I’m going to do it” rephrased as “ima do it”. As a Black American, choosing when or where to use AAVE has always been a challenge especially depending on the type of environment I was in at the time. Sometimes it can be seen as acceptable when around people of my own community, and can be seen as incorrect around others, or even my own family at times.

Being an African American has allowed me to see both sides of dialect and speech in this country. One reason for this is because I grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood, so the way that I spoke either didn’t match the way that they did, or I had chosen to speak a certain way to cater to the community that I was in. During elementary school, around 5th grade I often spoke AAVE publicly in front of my white friends and teachers. Many of them would look at me funny or say things that I did not know how to speak correctly. It even got to the point where I had white friends tell me that I sounded ghetto, as if me speaking in my community’s dialect made them uncomfortable and therefore it was wrong or incorrect to them. There were times when my parents even told me not to speak in a certain dialect and instead I should speak “ normal” .This excluded me from my friends and my environment which often made me very uncomfortable. It felt like because of who I was. Then when I got into middle school and high school, I was often told that I sound white because I had learned not to speak in my own dialect. This also confused me and excluded me now from my own people. Growing up I had often battled with identity and trying to figure out where and who I am, because it seemed no matter how I choose to speak or present myself I always was excluded.

In If Black Isn’t a Language , Then Tell Me What Is By James Baldwin, he makes the argument that People evolve a language to control the circumstances that they are in, and to avoid becoming engulfed by them. This directly relates to the circumstances that many Black Americans are under in the United States, because it is such a challenge to articulate or control these circumstances, we become engulfed by them. Many see AAVE as Ghetto or improper, and this view is not only in outside communities it is also in our own. Many of our own people within the Black Community choose to ignore AAVE because it places them at a disadvantage in American Society, and those who choose to embrace their culture and their dialect are seen as unruly or like i stated before ghetto. Dealing with the outsiderness that I have experienced, it was always hard to learn to code switch when necessary, and my peers and community would look at me differently depending on if I did it properly or not. Being able to embrace my culture in a community that did not accept me was often hard, and then being able to switch when around my own. Many outsiders do not understand the dialect in which many Black Americans speak, and we are even educated in a way that benefits White America and what they believer is proper.This idea is also brought up in James Baldwin’s essay, where he says Americanever had any interest in educating Black People, if it was not to their own advantage. We are taught to look away from our own culture because it isn’t acknowledged or respected in American Society. These are the reasons why I have personally struggled with my own identity, because I must face a world that doesn’t understand or appreciate the culture that I and my community comes from.

If America were to acknowledge the culture and dialect of African Americans, that would be a step towards healing the racial and social tension of America as a whole. If America would begin to respect and accept all types of cultures and dialects, then there would be more respect for one another, and people such as me wouldnt struggle with identity, or being able to code switch in different environments, we wouldn’t feel pressured to. We would feel comfortable, and our experience would be validated, as White America understands our story. Even if it means looking into the mirror and not liking what they see. Through understanding the way and reasons for why Black dialect differs from white dialect, then maybe White America would be more open to understanding why the Black Community celebrates things such as Juneteenth, and why we fight so hard for social justice for our people. Many of us have struggled with finding our identity while being able to have the same opportunities and chances as White America despite the differences that be. Through self education and knowledge, I’ve come to learn that there isn’t anything wrong with my African American Vernacular English because it is a reflection of who I am and the community that I belong to.

Work Cited: Baldwin, James. “If Black English Isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?”

The New York Times. 29 July 1979,

https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/98/03/29/specials/baldwin-english.html?,%2522%2520&st=cse

October 31, 2021October 31, 2021

Black Panther and Its Impact

One idea that I find worth attention is in the article about Black Panther, when the writer Carvell Wallace references a video posted to twitter, in which three young men make comments regarding a black panther poster. They all make jokes, but the one that strikes me most is “This is what white people get to feel all the time?”. What he means by this is the idea that the majority of big time movies, and shows, are majority all white cast, with minorities playing smaller roles. Though this time it is completely different, a Black movie where the main characters are Black, and play all of the significant roles. To add on, this movie is not yet another “Black Pain” movie, such as a movie about slavery, or segregation, but it is a movie depicting Black people in roles of royalty and of great purpose, and power. Black Panther doesn’t make its audience feel bad for Black People, it instead impowers Black People and all that can relate to it. It is a movie of excellence, and Black youth can now finally see people like them on the big screen, and that is a defining moment for Black America.

Not only is this a defining moment for Black America, but it’s also a big moment for the Black Lives Matter Movement. BLM, aims to bring justice to Black Americans, and dismantle systematic racism. Black Panther allowed America to see Blackness in its excellence, and in a positive light. Black people often are portrayed as criminals, or portrayed in movies in poor circumstances, which perpetuates the injustice that Black people in America continue to experience, it also shows Africa in a new light, which is that its not only a impoverished continent, but a place that is just as modern, and a place full of beautiful and vibrant culture. The Black Lives Matter Movement aims to change the narrative of Black people in America, and Black Panther does exactly that. Showing Black America, and America as a whole in a movie where THEY are the stars, and they are the ones that everybody is crowding into movie theaters to go see. This is a big step for Black America and BLM in terms of empowerment and representation.

Relating back to the first paragraph, and the comments made about a lack of representation in America when it comes to Black people in powerful roles. Black Panther gives Black America new hope, and new inspiration, which is that they can be powerful and strong too, that they can be the main stars if they want to, and that they are just as important as any other race. It is time for representation in American movies, and not just movies but everywhere else, and with the release of this movie and the large impact that it had even before its release, it is a step towards equality, and justice in America, and Afrofuturism.

October 24, 2021October 24, 2021

“The Greatest Thing”! Test Post

Sliced Bread

October 23, 2021November 1, 2021

Vogue

Ryan Smith

The Queer community has always found solace within itself and among its peers, therefore queer language was born. This language trickles down from various communities but the one with the biggest impact is the Black Community but more so the Black Queer Community. Queer people have taken these ideas and phrases, and brought them into a different light shared amongst the world.

There are limitless phrases and words that live within these communities that the Hetero community wouldn’t understand or resonate with. These phrases and words are ever changing in addition to evolving with newer generations and influences adding to the mix. As we use these words and phrases, we need to be mindful and be respectful about where they came from. One of the most famous sources for this is the film Paris is Burning. A film documenting the lives of Black and Latin queer individuals living in New York City during the 1980’s. Its primary focus is the “Ball Culture” but also dictates many words and phrases that are used today by so many different people. Nowadays there are many renditions of specific words, nevertheless they all share one quality and that’s they all stemmed from one place of origin.

The “Ball Culture” stemming from the very beginning of the 1920’s was a way for Black and Latino Queer people to showcase talents and “looks” within what they would refer to as their “Houses”. Houses were a family like group of individuals that have found shelter within each other. They would often compete amongst one another in these “Balls” turning looks and striking poses to earn trophies and a name for themselves. New York City was seen as the epicenter of the Ball room scene and still to this day it’s still unmatched. This culture and world caught the attention of many faces who were in the mainstream media at the time of the late 1980’s to early 1990’s. That’s when the world really saw the endless talent of this Queer Community. Arguably the biggest artist at the time was Madonna who really put the spotlight on Ball scene with her hit classic Vogue. The song starts off with the quotes “What are you looking at? Strike a pose, Strike a pose Vogue (vogue, vogue) Vogue (vogue, vogue)”. As familiar as those words are now, the term “Vogueing” simply states: To walk or dance in such a way that you imitate characteristic poses from a model on a catwalk. During her many performances she showed the world what it meant to “Vogue” by showcasing the talents of these artists in her shows who’ve directly come from the Ball Room scene for instance Luis Xtravaganza Camacho and Jose Gutierez Xtravaganza, both from the Legendary House of Xtravaganza.

This can all be seen as a direct relation to the famous essay “If Black English Isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me, What is? Written by James Baldwin. In the essay he states how “Black English” isn’t shown as a reputable language in terms of white people. Yet people are ever taking words and phrases from the Black Community, yet they put down their trying efforts and make it seem as if their language and words aren’t as valid as the ones used by white people. Baldwin states that white people belittle the Black Community with the language used but by no effort try to understand and respect the chosen language used but instead they look down upon it. To this very day it happens with Black and Queer language. Some saw Madonna as someone who’s white, essentially stole this culture from The Black and Latino Queer community with her hit single Vogue. But with further discussion she paid respects to the ones whose very life she showed the world. We must always remember where these words and phrases originated from and to be used with the upmost respect.

Language isn’t just words thrown together piece by piece, but instead is a beautiful work of art. It has history, culture, pain, and love. It’s all things that make it unique to people from all walks of life. These languages are deep rooted in so many different communities from all over the world and it’s what makes the human experience immeasurable. With each passing day we see these ideas and words develop into something original and innovative. Within the queer community there’s so many diverse groups but the one thing that seems to be unbounded is the language spoken. It’s a rare and beautiful thing to be a part of and should be celebrated in such a way.

Works Cited:

Baldwin, James. “If Black English Isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?”

The New York Times. 29 July 1979,

https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/98/03/29/specials/baldwin-english.html?,%2522%2520&st=cse

October 23, 2021

Janelle Monae

While reading the lyrics and listening to Janelle Monaes song Q.U.E.E.N. The first quote that stuck out to me was “They call us dirty ’cause we break all your rules down. And we just came to act a fool, is that alright? (Girl, that’s alright).” I was instantly reminded of the essay by Hadiya Roderique The Case for Black Joy. Both are referring to how as black people that being able to express joy and livelihood is somewhat looked down upon and having being constantly judged.

She also has another lyric in the song where she states: “Hey sister am I good enough for your Heaven? Say will your God accept me in my black and white? Will he approve the way I’m made? Or should I reprogram, deprogram and get down?” What I gathered from this was she was referring to herself being a queer individual and saying she isn’t “good” enough to fit into their mold of how someone should be. Yet she still stays true to herself because at the end of day her own happiness is what truly matters and not the opinion of others.

I’m posting a couple of remixed songs of Janelle Monaes that I’ve had in my playlists for a while now that are really good so I figured I’d share them and give you all a listen, The first one is a remix of her hit Q.U.E.E.N. and the other is Make Me Feel. Enjoy!

Category: Assignments