Let's see how far we've come

Protest happens when people aren’t happy with the way things are. When I came into class I was aware of various forms of protest such as boycotts, marches and riots. I still think that protest has to have a cause and can come in all sizes and forms. One thing that I learned in class is that protest is in the eye of the beholder. What is protest to one person may not be to another. For example let’s take The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. One person may take a joke as nothing more than comic relief, whereas others may find it a reason to change ways. By watching the clips of Jon Stewart I also realized that sometimes protest can be indirect rather than deliberate. Stewart has repeatedly claimed that all he wants to do is entertain people rather than rile them up. However he can’t deny the fact that many people use him as a legit news show. Some people may interpret what he says in more than just a comical sense. Some times protest can cause protest. An example of this would be Ann Coulter or Michael Moore. Both spark much controversy because of their radical views. This may lead people to boycott the books and movies respectively, itself a form of protest. Protest for the same cause can come in many forms. For example some people who protest abortion may choose to do so in a reserved way. Some people on the other hand may choose to do so in a chaotic manner. I would also like to say it has been a fun semester with you guys. Good luck to all of you!

Carpe Diem

The protest song that I chose is War by Bob Marley. It was written by Alan Cole and Carlton Barrett. The first verse is derived from a speech made by former Ethopian emperor Haile Selasise I. In the song Marley is protesting the violence and the racism that was taking place in Africa at the time. He also states that he is unhappy with the way the government in Angola, Mozambique and South Africa was denying equality. He states that untill all this stops there will be war. Marley is protesting the very actions that lead to protest. In other words the reason he is protesting is ultimately to stop protest. In this particulat situation Marley is talking about the brutal violence in Africa. However what makes this a great protest song is that it can be used in almost any situation. There have been many instances of racism throughout history in many different countries and places. I think protest songs can be very effective. However most of the time the artists of protest songs are trying to draw attention and convince people who are undecided. In order to convince these people I think protest songs have to combine reasonable lyrics along with entertaining music. What sets music aside from your average CNN speech is the entertainment. People knowingly listen and produce music because they get an emotional high from it. No one plays a song just because they “have to.” However too strong a melody may take away from the lyrics and ultimately the message. I think an effective protest song needs to be entertaining. However if the artist or production company is looking to do more than just sell records, the entertainment of the song shouldn’t obstruct the public’s ability to analyze the message.

I think Ann Coulter and Michael Moore definitely can be considered protesters. Coulter often times complains about the liberal media and the methods of left winged people. Moore on the other hand is her exact opposite. Although he has criticized Republicans of all sorts, he is most often identified as a George Bush basher. Both Moore and Coulter complain about the opinions and methods of certain people on current issues. I think the reason that the two are so popular is because we as Americans love it when people just speak their minds. We all have opinions on a subject if we are educated enough to know what it is about. Coulter is one of those love or love to hate people. If she wasn’t as arrogant do you think we would be talking about her at all? What about Michael Moore? If he wasn’t so biased would we be talking about him at all? Once more why do you think we are talking about both of them in the same blog? It’s because they believe in complete opposites, yet they both feel that they are unquestionably right. Coulter appeals to people that agree with her and angers people that can’t stand her. Yet I must admit as I said in class I just love hearing her speak just to see how radical she can be. Michael Moore is the same way. I agree with some of the things he says however at times he is too extreme. We as Americans just love agreeing and/or disagreeing. Its not necessarily about loving/hating these two political pundits. It is more whether you love/love to hate them. Everyone just seems to have an opinion and we just like knowing how we feel about certain things.

Mass media such as youtube has revolutionized the way the world attains information. I don’t remember ever seeing any of these news clips live but because of a broadcasting website like youtube people can watch them whenever. This affects what people say because nothing that goes on the air is temporary anymore. Also this past information is not just held by security personal only. The general public also can view these clips whenever they choose. Also because people can post comments on videos they can convince other people to believe what they believe. Ann Coulter seems to be very conservative based. She arouses much controversy by using words such as “broad” and talking about how people are “enjoying the death of their husband” and “Hillary’s chubby legs.” Judging by the fact that she often times elicits controversy it at first seemed to me that she like being criticized by the media. However in the Ann Coulter losing it clip she states that she is tired of having to defend herself. The language she uses is very explicit and straightforward. I don’t find her words persuasive because they seem degrading and offensive. Saying someone has chubby legs? What is she 8 years old? I think it is absolutely sickening that she thinks someone wants to get paid off of someone’s debt, especially a family member. Other people that find her funny might find her persuasive. She stated that she has written five New York Times bestsellers. Often times hearing what she wrote just makes me want to read more. Not because I agree with her actions, but because I just want to see what else she has to say.

The camp Jesus Camp brings in youngsters and explains the values of God. The kids are taught to be devout Christians. However I think that the film Jesus Camp actually portrays the camp in a negative way. Near the beginning of the film we listen to a radio talk show host who explains how the Jesus Camp is far too radical. He states that these kids are apathetic and too close minded on issues such as global warming and other social controversies. A radio caller calls in and agrees with the talk show host. He even goes on to say that the organization even makes Christians look bad. Throughout the film Becky Fisher lets the viewers know that she is disappointed in the decisions that the government has been making such as legalization of abortion and outlawing prayer in school. In interviews with the kids it seems that Becky has been successful in attempting to have the kids place God at the top of their priorities. I think the sermons are what portray the camp in a negative light the most. Some of the kids cry towards the end. This makes the camp seem too harsh. Becky also seems to be accusing more than preaching. Sometimes it even seems that Becky makes God seem more like a judge or a boss rather than a father figure. She talks about sin and how sin is everywhere. This seems to put a sense of fear into the kids. It seems the film is trying to portray the camp as overly radical. Throughout the film we hear clips of the talk radio hosts opinion on Jesus Camp, all of which seem to be negative. The radio host does state that he is a devout Christian, yet doesn’t agree with some of the processes of the camp. This tells the audience that the filmmakers are not bashing Christianity in any way. They just aren’t comfortable with a few aspects of the camp.

Man now that I think about it I really don’t think I have one single method of writing. I guess it depends on the assignment. If it is a big research paper I will probably first gather all the information I can get and write it down on paper. Then I will probably try to merge all the ideas and give it a nice flow to it. It seems college professors really like thesis statements. It is like a secret ingredient that they just can’t seem to get enough of. Often times it seems that getting started writing a paper can be the most difficult task. I also have to admit that I finish things at the last minute no matter how big or small the assignment is. Many times I overestimate the writing assignment when it is first given. I tell my friends how I don’t have time to work out, throw around the football, or do anything. However then I start writing the paper… and I go to the other extreme. I realize it is not that bad and actually underestimate the tediousness of the assignment. Then I find myself typing information the night before the paper is due. For less demanding papers I usually free write. Sometimes I will put some music on but I have come to find out that music leads to procrastinating. If I listen to an upbeat song I get too pumped up but if I listen to something nice and melodic I might fall asleep especially if I am writing the paper at 2 am. One of the biggest problems I have are run on sentences because when I have one idea it sometimes builds on another and sometimes it is hard to split them apart and I just don’t feel like correcting it. One of the lamest things I do is I type my papers single spaced first. For example a 6 page double spaced paper doesn’t seem much compared to a 3 page single spaced paper. It is quite the thrill just watching the paper explode whenever you make it double spaced. It is like catching a foul ball at a baseball game! You guys should try it sometime!

The Yes Men wear suits and have a professional look. It seems that they while they are rebellious they try their hardest not to look like it. However I think that the reason they dress the way they do is because they are trying to get inside information. Its not necessarily that they are trying to create a good ethos but rather a method of executing their plan. I really don’t think that it relates to their values. The Yes Men are very open about the illegal activities that they perform and dressing up like “good citizens” I think just helps them in their task. The Punk Rock movement I think varies from person to person. Some people may see it as a form of protest against society’s norms or what not. However many people I think just want to create a sense of individualism or uniqueness. I think that the Punk Rock group likes the fact that they are getting the attention they deserve. Over time it seems that the Punk Rock look has become more of a fad than anything. There are a lot of negative stereotypes with the look, but when you think about it negative stereotypes come with every look or idea. For example a hip hop look may be associated with being gang of drug related, a gothic look may be associated with being anti-life and a “preppy” look may be associated with being stuck up, arrogant or snobbish. I think appearance often times does create a sense of appearance one way or another, however if people are willing to look past that it doesn’t necessarily have to. Many times appearance actually serves the very purpose of creating an ethos.