1)While watching the Internship Talks, I was struck by the variety in the experiences people had. Some people found their internship to be extremely beneficial and thought they made a wise decision, while others said that if given the opportunity to redo their internship experience somewhere else they would have. It really showed me that your internship has the potential to be a very enjoyable experience that you can benefit from greatly, but for that to happen you have to take the internship finding process seriously.
2)Right now I can honestly say that I have no idea what I might want to do for and Internship. Given the talks I know that the internship could really help me so even though I am not exactly sure what I might want to do right now, I know that it is never too soon to start planning.
3)I though the first two talks, the ones about the first ride to the bakery, and the scratchy red chair painted the most elaborate pictures for me. I think that this has a lot to do with the fact that both of these scenarios were perfect candidates to be described through a vignette. With the first one, I think she did a really good job of describing her emotions and what was going on inside of her, whereas with the second one I think her strength was with describing her surrounding and what was going on outside around her. Even though they were each depicting different aspects of their experience, I got a very clear feel of what that particular moment was like for both of them.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Part II
I think that Suheir and Marjane were both effected by a revolution of some kind. They both seemed very fed up with stereotypes that were brought on by parts of the revolution. Attacks that had brought people to think that Suheir probably had some relationship with the people that did these morbid things because of nothing other than the shade of her skin and the type and placement of the vowels in her last name. They recognized that even though men in powdered wigs were not pointing muskits at one another in neat and careful formats, the fact that people and their opinions on everything political, social, and religous were being changed because of the current events happening around them, they were in the middle of a revolution. A cultural revolution. By recognizing this, I think that is how they can be thought of as defining it. They are defining revolution, at least a cultural revolution, as what was happening all around them in their culture.
In my opinion, Marjane and Suheir were never really saying the definition of a revolutionary, but they taught us their opinion of a revolutionary by being one. By standing up and speaking out about what they believe in. By just being involved, choosing to know enough to make their own informed decision. Marjane had said that she had read too many books to believe what she was told. From an age before most children can be interested in political issues independently from their parents, she was asking questions that her parents found hard to answer. She would choose to go to demonstrations, and she kept an ever-curious mind about everything political in her country. In Suheir's case she was being a revolutionary by writing her poetry. Writing it alone could have been enough, it was her choosing to think for herself and, choosing as an individual she would not go along with ways she did not think were right. She didn't stop there. By reading her poetry to others her ideas, and the qualities of her independent free-thinking mind were able to spread like wildfire. Not necessarily feeding her ideas, but putting people in a state of mind to conceive their own. Neither of these women had to demonstrate to prove their being a revolutionary, the fact that Marjane did certainly didn't hurt. But when they choose to think about what is going on around them, and be independent and informed, make their own decisions and not give into brainwash, by doing this they are being revolutionaries. By encouraging others to do this, not with their ideas, but with those that they have come up with, they are even better revolutionaries.
I believe that Suheir and Marjane have both seen war. The disgust and disbelief they sometimes are overcome with when talking about gruesome acts of war bring me to assume that these things that others can only imagine, have been real for them. I think that regardless of whether or not either of them thinks war can be necessary in some situations, should never be called upon, or is always the answer, they have a common belief on war that can be universally shared by all those who have seen it. They understand how big the impact war has is, on everything. Society, homes, civilization, culture, people. Families. Mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, and the list goes on. Even friends, people you barely knew. Neda Babalevy. Marjane was not her best friend, but that doesn't change the fact that she couldn't bring herself to a conclusion that there was any reason for Neda's death. War killed some, and changed others. Like Marjane's mom, who during the war decided to berate those who took more than they needed, and turned around and did the same herself. An act by a woman who, by the way Marjane described it, it was very out of character for. Suheir had to experience the affects of war as well. The effects on her culture, and how that effected the way others would treat her. It's effects on her family, her brothers. I can not imagine that with all of the bad experiences war has brought between the two, that either Marjane or Suheir could bring themselves not to detest it. I honestly am not able to say if they think that war may ever be necessary, in any situation, by any means, but I can say that I don't think they believe that war is something that should be taken lightly.
In my opinion, Marjane and Suheir were never really saying the definition of a revolutionary, but they taught us their opinion of a revolutionary by being one. By standing up and speaking out about what they believe in. By just being involved, choosing to know enough to make their own informed decision. Marjane had said that she had read too many books to believe what she was told. From an age before most children can be interested in political issues independently from their parents, she was asking questions that her parents found hard to answer. She would choose to go to demonstrations, and she kept an ever-curious mind about everything political in her country. In Suheir's case she was being a revolutionary by writing her poetry. Writing it alone could have been enough, it was her choosing to think for herself and, choosing as an individual she would not go along with ways she did not think were right. She didn't stop there. By reading her poetry to others her ideas, and the qualities of her independent free-thinking mind were able to spread like wildfire. Not necessarily feeding her ideas, but putting people in a state of mind to conceive their own. Neither of these women had to demonstrate to prove their being a revolutionary, the fact that Marjane did certainly didn't hurt. But when they choose to think about what is going on around them, and be independent and informed, make their own decisions and not give into brainwash, by doing this they are being revolutionaries. By encouraging others to do this, not with their ideas, but with those that they have come up with, they are even better revolutionaries.
I believe that Suheir and Marjane have both seen war. The disgust and disbelief they sometimes are overcome with when talking about gruesome acts of war bring me to assume that these things that others can only imagine, have been real for them. I think that regardless of whether or not either of them thinks war can be necessary in some situations, should never be called upon, or is always the answer, they have a common belief on war that can be universally shared by all those who have seen it. They understand how big the impact war has is, on everything. Society, homes, civilization, culture, people. Families. Mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, and the list goes on. Even friends, people you barely knew. Neda Babalevy. Marjane was not her best friend, but that doesn't change the fact that she couldn't bring herself to a conclusion that there was any reason for Neda's death. War killed some, and changed others. Like Marjane's mom, who during the war decided to berate those who took more than they needed, and turned around and did the same herself. An act by a woman who, by the way Marjane described it, it was very out of character for. Suheir had to experience the affects of war as well. The effects on her culture, and how that effected the way others would treat her. It's effects on her family, her brothers. I can not imagine that with all of the bad experiences war has brought between the two, that either Marjane or Suheir could bring themselves not to detest it. I honestly am not able to say if they think that war may ever be necessary, in any situation, by any means, but I can say that I don't think they believe that war is something that should be taken lightly.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Suheir Hammad & Marjane Satrapi on War
One line that stuck out to me was, "I will not hate for you or even hate you. I will not kill for you. Especially, I will not die for you." I liked this line because she was taking a stand, but at the same time being respectful to the person she was disagreeing with. Often times people who say that hate is wrong, will hate anyone who thinks hate is right. This just demolishes their point. Even though she was not agreeing with some people, she was standing by her own philosophy in not hating them. Another line that struck me was, "Everyone can be wrong." I liked this one because I agree with what she is saying. I like how even though she is preaching her own opinions she recognizes that there is room for mistakes in anyone, including herself. By recognizing this I feel like people can only become wiser. I also really liked the line, "This heartbeat is louder than death.Your war drum aint louder than this breath. huh" I like this one because it makes you feel like love really is stronger than hate, and the good in the world can overpower the evil. Like one kindhearted soul can be more relevant than a thousand of those who are chanting mean things. The final line that I really appreciated was, "Do not fear what has blown up. If you must, fear the unexploded." I really enjoyed this one. I think that she is trying to tell us that what has happened has happened and there is nothing we can do to change that, but the only way to turn a negative experience positive is to learn from it. Learn that how and why we should prevent it from repeating. That's why we should "fear the unexploded."
I feel like both Marjane and Suheir were simply fascinated by the world. Not necessarily disgusted by the morbid acts people can bring themselves to do to others. But genuinely interested in people, and thoughts, and feelings, and human connection, and love. Between parents and children, and husbands and wives, and anywhere else it could be found. They both seemed to be curious. I got the feeling both of them had "seen war", not just Marjane. They both seemed very emotional and very passionate about society and politics. I think they both disapproved of war and couldn't find a reason for it.
In Suheir's work, I really did find the way that she put each word together very perfect. The way in which she chose to decorate her thoughts and ideas with different words and the order she placed them in was very effective and beautiful. I also felt like because she read it with a different emotion for every concept, and so much passion behind each one, it made it so that her ideas were more relatable and you could really take on her perspective behind the things she was telling you. What struck me about Persepolis was not the details in the story, or the way it was crafted, but a part of the story itself. It really got me thinking about what it must have been like for everyone involved when Marjane had to move away from her parents. There must have been others in situations similar to hers and that entire part of the story was very enlightening.
I feel like both Marjane and Suheir were simply fascinated by the world. Not necessarily disgusted by the morbid acts people can bring themselves to do to others. But genuinely interested in people, and thoughts, and feelings, and human connection, and love. Between parents and children, and husbands and wives, and anywhere else it could be found. They both seemed to be curious. I got the feeling both of them had "seen war", not just Marjane. They both seemed very emotional and very passionate about society and politics. I think they both disapproved of war and couldn't find a reason for it.
In Suheir's work, I really did find the way that she put each word together very perfect. The way in which she chose to decorate her thoughts and ideas with different words and the order she placed them in was very effective and beautiful. I also felt like because she read it with a different emotion for every concept, and so much passion behind each one, it made it so that her ideas were more relatable and you could really take on her perspective behind the things she was telling you. What struck me about Persepolis was not the details in the story, or the way it was crafted, but a part of the story itself. It really got me thinking about what it must have been like for everyone involved when Marjane had to move away from her parents. There must have been others in situations similar to hers and that entire part of the story was very enlightening.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Islam
Topic: Role of men in Islam.
There is a clear role of men in Islam. It is to be the educated one. The one that works and supports the family. The man in Islam is the leader of the household. Though, the woman/mother is the one who is to be honored the most. The more respectful, kind, and civil a man is to his wife, a better a man of Islam he is. The man is the one who has the final word on all matters that pertain to the family. Although, the woman is allowed to seek higher education if she wishes to do so, the man must be the one to grant her permission. This must also not conflict with her ability to perform her role as the wife/mother which revolves more around working around the house, and caring for the children. In many countries where the Islamic Religion is tied into the country's politics, women are restricted from doing many things that men are not restricted from doing. This is because people may see that the things they are doing could be shameful to Islam when done by women, but not by men. For example, in Saudi Arabia, a country of Islamic rule, women have a very strict way of dress that they must follow at all times when out, and for men the dress is barely restricted if even at all. Women showing their bodies is seen as shameful, so they must be covered from head to toe and men can wear whatever they want.
There is a clear role of men in Islam. It is to be the educated one. The one that works and supports the family. The man in Islam is the leader of the household. Though, the woman/mother is the one who is to be honored the most. The more respectful, kind, and civil a man is to his wife, a better a man of Islam he is. The man is the one who has the final word on all matters that pertain to the family. Although, the woman is allowed to seek higher education if she wishes to do so, the man must be the one to grant her permission. This must also not conflict with her ability to perform her role as the wife/mother which revolves more around working around the house, and caring for the children. In many countries where the Islamic Religion is tied into the country's politics, women are restricted from doing many things that men are not restricted from doing. This is because people may see that the things they are doing could be shameful to Islam when done by women, but not by men. For example, in Saudi Arabia, a country of Islamic rule, women have a very strict way of dress that they must follow at all times when out, and for men the dress is barely restricted if even at all. Women showing their bodies is seen as shameful, so they must be covered from head to toe and men can wear whatever they want.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Asia Current Events (Thailand)
Thailand is in the southeast part of Asia. It is southeast of Burma. Thailand is next to two bodies of water. These are the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. At 198,115 square miles, Thailand is not one of the biggest countries in Asia, but there are still many smaller than it. In 2010 it was estimated that almost 66 million people make up the population of Thailand. In Thailand, the official language is Thai.
In April of 2010, 87 deaths consisting of largely civilians, but still some military were brought on by a new group of protesters in Thailand called, the "red shirts". This is an opposition movement, and there has been speculation that it is funded by Thaksin Shinawatra, who was once a prime minister, but is now a fugitive. The army's efforts to mitigate the "red shirts" had been unsuccessful, because they would use bombs and grenades to prevent the army from being able to shut them down. This would result in the army firing back, and thus lives of civilians and members of the military were lost. The "red shirts" would also carry out attacks on government officials.
In April of 2010, 87 deaths consisting of largely civilians, but still some military were brought on by a new group of protesters in Thailand called, the "red shirts". This is an opposition movement, and there has been speculation that it is funded by Thaksin Shinawatra, who was once a prime minister, but is now a fugitive. The army's efforts to mitigate the "red shirts" had been unsuccessful, because they would use bombs and grenades to prevent the army from being able to shut them down. This would result in the army firing back, and thus lives of civilians and members of the military were lost. The "red shirts" would also carry out attacks on government officials.
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