What Do I Do Now?

Conclusion…

Gosh, we got back late on the 15. It has been 5 days and I still do not know what to say. I feel like I have soo much I could say about this absolutely amazing trip. It helped me a lot and was the best [educational] experience I could hope for honestly. I have grown from it and my perspectives have certainly developed or completely changed even. I got caught “thinking sociologically” and that thrilled me. This way of seeing the world for more than just a simple black and white can be exhausting and disheartening sometimes. But then I only have to look somewhere else to find something that makes my heart soar. The good and the bad. The two together are what makes America so enticing for me.

I am drinking cucumber water currently. Before we left I hated cucumbers. Now I like the things so much I even want my water to taste like them sometimes! This is just an example of how I have changed ;). I feel like I will be realizing just how big of impact this has had on me for a long time, which makes me happy. I do know that this trip would not have been nearly as fabulous and sensational if the people who accompanied were not with me. So to them thank you so very much I enjoyed it greatly.

Oh another thing, the mayor of Rossford, Ohio told use that with this great experience comes great responsibility. I think this is very true. I also think that someone should find a way of telling American’s the truth about our country. Not just fixing the historical misconceptions like some books have done but also telling of what is the reality in the places where some may never go. Education that takes place within schools, growing up, does not cut it. I learned that first hand with so many of the experiences I had. So that means that if the institution is not working than an individual needs to work on it. I would love to say that individual was me but I don’t think I can sadly enough. Maybe I need a partner. Any advice or suggestions on this topic would be appreciated greatly.

A thanks also needs to go out to my readers! I hope you enjoyed them and I apologize if some were slaughtered from my tangents or unclear. I hate proof-reading:)

Last but not least I must acknowledge my professors Ken and Andi. Thanks does not seem like enough. They put up with a lot and did a lot and I am incredibly grateful. Thank you both so much!!

e.


P.s. I sort of like this blogging thing so be prepared for me to sometimes post something random on here. I am thinking once I am done drowning myself in papers I may explain to whoever cares why my new room is a wonderful mix of colors that do not ‘technically’ match ;)… Really.

I Hear a Lovely Sound

Music has played various roles in my life. It can allow me to exhibit a variety of emotions. For this trip it calmed me and helped me find my center one the days when I thought I might have just crashed or cracked. One very important song along the way was Nickel Creek’s “The Lighthouse’s Tale.” This song I originally listen too just because I adore Nickel Creek. However when I started listening oto the lyrics I found it was very relate-able to America! Who knew?!
Instead of the word lighthouse one can substitute the word America. And while this is completely corny (I am the reigning queen of all things corny and lame) it works really well. You find a song that can work as a metaphor. Now I must admit after realizing this I was kind of sad since this song was supposed to work as my escape. But still it does hold some irony. Here are the lyrics. See what you think. I will break down the metaphor that it holds for me post lyrics.

"The Lighthouse's Tale"
-Nickel Creek

I am a lighthouse, worn by the weather and the waves.
I keep my lamp lit, to warn the sailors on their way.

I'll tell a story, paint you a picture from my past.
I was so happy, but joy in this life seldom lasts.

I had a keeper, he helped me warn the ships at sea.
We had grown closer, 'till his joy meant everything to me.

And he was to marry, a girl who shone with beauty and light.
And they loved each other, and with me watched the sunsets into night.

[Chorus:]
And the waves crashing around me, the sand slips out to sea.
And the winds that blow remind me, of what has been, and what can never be.

She'd had to leave us, my keeper he prayed for a safe return.
But when the night came, the weather to a raging storm had turned.

He watched her ship fight, but in vain against the wild and terrible wave.
In me so helpless, as dashed against the rock she met her end.

[Chorus]

Then on the next day, my keeper found her washed up on the SHORE.
He kissed her cold face, that they'd be together soon he'd swore.

I saw him crying, watched as he buried her in the sand.
And then he climbed my tower, and off of the edge of me he ran.

[Chorus]

I am a lighthouse, worn by the weather and the waves.
And though I am empty, I still warn the sailors on their way.

America is worn and has been ravaged by the weather and waves of time. It has prevailed all though and can tell her story. Aka history. **Why his-story.. why wasn’t it her-story?** This lamp/history warns the citizens now of what things can happen if the right choices are not made.
The keeper is of course the American citizens. When all is said and done happiness for our fellow person is what we want. Just like the lighthouse. :)
And this is stretching but.. a girl who’s beauty shone through. That could just potentially be the “American Dream”.. May be? I mean American’s do love it and what it stands for. That iconic dream of happiness, prosperity and love. Maybe I am trying too hard with that one. Hehe

From there the song gets a little bit more down. But still it kind of works. With “watched her ship fight, but in vain against the wild and terrible wave.” American’s are watching as this dream gets battered daily in the crazy life that is led by people today. While the Keeper could not save the beauty in the song may be the American people can have better luck with the saving of the American Dream for all people.

Take me out... Outside that is. Silly

National Parks
Ken Burns is releasing a documentary titled “The National Parks: America’s Best Ideas”. After visiting a few of America’s most famous parks I must say that they are the forgotten gold mines of America. The American people are no longer seeking these slower pace destinations at nearly the volumes that was once popular. This could be reflective on a variety of issues that have arisen in the 21st century. Perhaps the progressive change (for the worst) work week that allows for more hours working, lower pay (in proportion to the increases in expenses for living), and minimal vacation time. Or maybe it goes back the car industry and the chaos that we saw in Detriot; plus, the lack of people moving like they used to do so with automobiles. Whatever it may be it makes me sad. Being outside in nature offers some fantastic benefits. But being outside in some of the most beautiful places on our country is even more impressive upon a person.
Every year on Thanksgiving and Christmas my family bundles up, no matter what state or city we live in and goes for a walk. Usually these walks lead us through the woods and property but sometimes we walked the new subdivision that was quickly replacing the woods. The combination though of family and the outdoors is powerful. We may leave the house all flustered from the hassle that the holidays bring but we always return cheery and ready for coffee, leftovers, and a few more precious hours together. The time is simple but gives a lot in the sense of happiness.
Now I wonder how much could be gained from going outside to the woods of a national park with the people you love for a few days. I think a lot. Maybe then we would not have the frantic pace in our steps so much or if we did at least I could find some peace of mind by excusing it as someone going to enjoy life and not to rush it always.

This is What?

Saint Augustine, Florida
Where do two roads meet? Where does education meet vacation? Can it? When did people decide that vacations were less about the personal gain and more about the materialistic ones? These were some the questions that popped into my head as a small group of us had the pleasure of talking to Sherry.

In Saint Augustine the group once again saw the portrayal of a certain kind of history. The kind where details are given in depth (repetitively), other details are shaded over, while the remainders are not acknowledged at all. This is what American history is all about. It reminds me of some foreign dance. You think you finally figured it out and the pieces are out in the open. Then you realize that half the puzzle is conveniently missing. But what is even more absurd is that we the people do not demand that all of the pieces be given to us in the very beginning. In fact we are almost relieved sometimes when they are not. For example, today we went to Mission Nombre’ de Dios. The place gave remembrance to the establishing of the first Catholic mission parish… Yay. It recognized the great fact that the Spaniards came here and were so very giving that they shared one of their most valued possessions, their religion. Which is a powerful thing and if that was all they did I could probably respect them a lot. But, it is not. First they failed their fellow people of today by not telling them the whole truth. Secondly, they failed me personally by the way in which they “shared” their religion to the Native Americans.

We demand our “criminals” to tell the whole truth and nothing else. We do not demand this of our storytellers and historians. Instead we feel warm and fuzzy when they do not. The Mission had this plaque that told of the 40+ missions they created in the new land. It even had this nice little picture. It portrayed a Father of the church with a little Native American boy (the gender thing is important too, do not overlook it). Later on this evening I learned that this plaque left out much in its commemoration. I am a student this is what I am supposed to be looking for. Just think about its impact on the many people who just take it for its face value without ever gaining any other additional information or perspectives. The, plaque failed to mention that prior to ‘sharing’ their religion and converting these people (converting… do we really want to convert, can’t we find strength in our differences? And by converting do we not completely eliminate something else…). Anyways that is a tangent to avoid currently. So before this converting took place the Native Americans had already endured a lot. They had been captured, imprisoned, and enslaved while others were just killed.

I liked St. Augustine, can you tell? No, honestly I did. It was a nice town. It is just like every other American town though. We fail to face our true history for its best and worst. This lack of embracing the entire truth can be a weakness. Especially when people are going to these important places and no longer are they recognizing their significance in American culture for all its complexities. Instead our culture is being altered to not include whole truths but rather t-shirts with cheesy designs on them.

Show me the Way

Charleston, South Carolina
I have no clue what to say about this place. I have sat here for 10 minutes now pondering what to write…

I got it: the way that class is portrayed with invisible lines that are evident but not completely clear in nearly every neighborhood and city that comes to mind. We were first introduced to this concept on the very first day when we did a driving tour of some of the various neighborhoods in Memphis. Now some 35+ days later I still find this occurring. In Charleston today it was just as true. First we had the market. This was a place that drew a collective bunch of people. What I would call an enjoyable mix of tourist and locals.
Then continue driving and two blocks later I find my surroundings to consist of Starbucks and Louis Vuitton! I like to think that this was a gradual change, but let’s be honest 2 blocks does not really allow for that kind of extreme transformation. So instead of a gradual change you experience this “invisible line .” It seems to be the habit that they start with the upper, middle class place on the perimeter of these areas. Now, do not be fooled, this is very strategic. Firstly, it establishes who should and should not continue down this route. After all if you cannot afford an outfit from Talbots and a highly commercialized and caffeinated beverage from some lovely coffee franchise then you probably cannot appreciate the even finer things like, $1000 purses that are in the center of this shopping island.

However, Williamsburg offers the even more different neighborhood. This one is the kind that people refer to as the “projects”. A.k.a the area where you end up if you miss that ever important left turn to the the upper class boutiques and stores. While it seems unlikely to occur, I can easily understand how it does. After all these two areas only have a couple blocks separating them too! Once again you experience the invisible line. No where do see a nice sign saying welcome neither to the overpriced shopping area nor for the “poor neighborhood”. It is all very contextual. A person just seems to know. How mysterious.

It is funny when you enter a new state you are always welcomed with the extravagant and unnecessary signs welcoming you. Seriously, they are under appreciated though. Many of us have become oblivious to the entering and exiting of one place to another. It is something that is taken for advantage of greatly in America. The ability to travel is something that is very American. I in fact have been so very privileged as to experience the power of it firsthand. However, with this ease and accessibility people are somehow, weirdly numb to the differences between various environments. They may recognize that they may not feel safe or something of the sort but rarely do we question why, who or what are you afraid from, and the truly most important question: how to change it. I believe this is incredibly important and something that people need to work on. May be if people did this we would not be so frightened to make a wrong turn every once in a while.

A Reaction that Speaks of Complexity

Washington, D.C.
“Secure the blessings of liberty”
Liberty is a key component to the American experience. It is something that many if not all of us hold dear to our hearts and recognize as a freedom that we all should have. However, being here, in this great nation’s capitol, has made me question what does it mean on an individual level, a group level, or an entire nation to have liberty? Better yet how does one judge the difference between possessing the right to liberty and the use of it?

One aspect that I will focus on for this blog is women’s right. :) According to a basic look at women’s’ suffrage we are free, and we (should) have all the same rights as a man does… Right? I am not so sure, especially after what I have seen and experienced in the past couple of days. In various places I have seen women fulfilling the roles of secretary, receptionist, and other similar level jobs. The most obvious question is why? Why are women playing the role of caretaker, still?! Especially in the capitol.

**Now before I continue on this train of thought let me just say that I am not trying to bash per say on America and the government. That is totally not the point I am trying to make. Instead I am simply pointing out what I think as some issues that could find better solutions and ways to fully enable equality.**

In Washington women were the most prevalent gender in office positions. Now I wonder a few things. First and foremost what does that say about the roles that we are playing in society. You can take it in two ways. One is that these roles of interns are highly competitive and the females are just kicking the guys butt. This view is empowering. Then though you have the compare/contrast view. Comparing the role that women play in the offices opposed to the ones that men play. In a hierarchical scale women would appear to play a lower level. We are filing papers while the guys (for the majority) are signing those same papers.

Next I consider what ever could be the explanation for this occurrence. Do women find these positions fulfilling and maximizing of their liberties? Are they/we taking advantage of what in paper is a free and equal system to its max. or are they settling for the free world that exists within speech. Settling sucks, I hope this is not the case. Not only because it disappoints me but because we would be disappointing the suffragists that fought so hard for equal liberties between the sexes and future generations of women.

Time for more clarification. The Preamble of the Constitution says, “secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves.” So in text it appears that American’s wish equal liberties for all people. But it is important to realize that all is no where within that statement. Instead groups of people have to fight years to achieve an amendment in the constitution to achieve in having their group become part of the greater but undefined “people”. This is true for African Americans, Native Americans, women, and more currently homosexuals. Then once this takes place it is said that the aforementioned group then has equal rights. This though does not always find truth in the actions of our fellow peoples. I am completely believe in the volume that actions speak as opposed to the words. Actions will always have greater strength for me than mere words.

The next day in Washington we were oh so lucky to have a tour of the capitol… Ugh so much to say on that. It will wait though because it is not relevant to this subject. Now I was still hoping for some sign that women were really on the same level as men in this important city. However I did not find that. We went into the House of Representatives Gallery. Exciting… Not. Annoying… Yes. It was almost completely filled with white, middle-older aged men. The diversity was barely existent. I think I could count the number of women on one hand, maybe two but that is pushing it. And the ethnic differences I know could be accounted for with one hand. It made me sad. This is a country that is founded on diversity within its citizens. However the ruling power does not properly reflect this at all. In fact it pretty much disregards it. You still have a similar make up of governmental officials that you would find 10, 50, or a 100 years ago.

Liberties exist in America. I know and believe this. I just have a hard time accepting that this is how little progress we have made. Due to this though it makes me even more motivated to be active with the position and opportunities that I hold.

America's Lucky Penny

I haven’t ever really thought much about Lincoln. I know that may sound terrible in some way, but he just was not ever really on my radar. In school we would just breeze by him when we spent our two days on the civil war. So when prompted to reflect on him I really have to make an effort to stop and think about the fellow.
When we were at the Lincoln Memorial in D.C. I got some mixed emotions. The amount of people at 9 oclock was pretty shocking. However, I got the feeling of faux pas interest. They are interested in the memorial, not so much the person. They wanted that facebook or myspace picture to prove they were there and that was about it. I would say may be 15% of the visitors actually read the inscriptions on the walls to the left and right of the huge statue.
America is proud of some of her history and those parts that make the cut are highlighted. Like Lincoln. However, Lincoln is great because of the things he did… most especially in relation to slavery. He went against a lot of people in his desire to abolish slavery, but I don’t know. Slavery was an American invented thing in the first place. It reflects way back to the Native American’s enslaving their captives from battle. We created our own monster honestly. It was only right that we would eventually have to slay it too. Lincoln happened to be the face of the time when that took place. I am sounding bitter now. I am sorry. I really think he was awesome but I cannot say that I have the same kind of interest in him as others.
I did get sad and disgusted though when so many of my fellow people did not stop for acknowledgement of the events that surrounded this man. They were phenomenal no doubt and changed America greatly.

Mr. Superstar

Presidency in America
The cliché but common dream of a child in America is to be president one day. I was one of those kids :) What about the people who really are? This year we saw the changing of president’s and it was a powerful thing in many ways, yet it was also frustrating too. The relationship between president and citizens is incredibly interesting.
The relationship is controlled by two things. The first controller is the media that takes place in many ways. I recognized this during the campaigning during this past election. It is obnoxious and exhausting. We hear little bits over and over. So by the amount of ways they tell you something you feel like you have something really. Where actually all you have is the same sound bite in like 20 different ways. So then you still have to wonder which way is legit?

The other controller in this relationship is the rest of politicians. Which… I saw firsthand, is typically upper class, white guys. :/ So then you have a major imbalance. And these people will be wanting your votes again in a few years so they will work either for or against the president’s image depending on their party affiliation. Le sigh. This is so complicated and yet appears basic in its foundations.
With Obama you have a very strange thing occurring. The press have super-starred him. This has had two things happen. The positive is that you have had what I consider to be a greater interest in the President. This is great. Not enough people are active within this sphere so the change of tone has aided the increase in this. Then though you have the negative. This being the fact that the role of president has been reduced from it’s incredibly and serious role to something much different. Instead of seeing this man as the leader of your country you see him as the guy next door and who, according to the press, has a dog… This could be problem forming I believe. Who knows though, I guess time shall tell.

My Dear Country

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
I try my best to be at least a semi-clean person and have a pretty good record as such. Dirtiness that is unnecessary grosses me out. So on that train of thought it would not be a big surprise to say that I did not originally find Philly to be very likable… do not lose faith though. I found my grey cloud’s silver lining before the day was out. What the city did not offer me in appearances it made up for with its people.

This evening we had dinner with some truly fantastic people. They gave me insight into the life that is attainable if I (or any other person) so decide to live it. Not through Mission Year specifically but through the simple, yet genuine giving of yourself to those who need it, especially your fellow neighbor. I think that may be the thing that is America’s glue, the gift of giving. It makes me think back the childhood book “The Giving Tree” (a classic.) I always found it to be sad but at the same time I always enjoyed it. Is the tree selfless and very giving or taken advantage of? Are Americans like that? Are they selfless or selfish? Would we be the boy or the tree? I keep debating and dang it if I don’t see the both instead either or.

I believe the take and give of the situation over all is what strengthens America and her people. Each plays a significant role. Without the need for giving or the act of giving the other could not be recognized. Society is like that, as well.
For example today we started the day at Liberty Hall. Liberty-> that one idea has impacted Americans’ throughout the ages. Without the realization that freedoms were needed no one would have given their lives to attain such. But upon gaining such freedom for the white man, Americans’ once again had to give more to get the freedoms for other races, genders, and now sexualities. You give your heart to a cause to get change. You give your heart to a community to get unity.

What is beyond the map?

New York, New York.
New York has offered an array of experiences for me. I believe the most recent and impressionable one was when a group of us went to the Bronx for a salsa concert. This was a neighborhood that I immediately felt out of place. It was not that the people were rude or any similar thing. It was more of a mentality that I personally had that was limiting to the experience. Do not get me wrong, we really were out of place in most fashions. But in the end we are all just people. How different can we be. We have the dreams, hopes, love, and fears. We are united in ways.

The neighborhood was unique. The citizens at the show were all enjoying the experience but were still aware of us entering into the area. It was one of the tmimes when i honestly did feel like the outsider. We experienced curious glances but that was all. When we were leaving the women that we asked for directions were helpful and very friendly. Just people.

From the Bronx we took the subway to Grand Central Station… How very different these two places were. There were only seven stops between the two but it was like they were on completely different planes of reality. After the 2nd and definitely the 3rd stop a person could visibly see the demographics of the area changing.
In the Grand Central a person was immediately overwhelmed with all the motion going on. People were once again speed walking or running to places. The dancing to live music had been replaced with the chaos that was closely linked to the constant announcements of train arrivals and departures.

We were weary travelers so we decided to rest our feet and sit on the floor in the main hall. Less than 10 minutes later we were informed by the guards (who drove a golf cart across the hall.. 25+/- feet) that we could not sit there because it put us in danger! That is ridiculous. It was a huge lobby, space was by no means a concern. People were sitting along the walls with legs stretched out and such; where it would be easy to trip over them but they were save... and out of the way.

It all went back to appearance. It did not look good to have 4 college students sitting in the middle of the hall, it did not look right to have us in the Bronx… We place so much emphasis on appearance.

The people walk these streets with a veil over their faces. Then though they dress in impressive ways, may it be business or casual. However the most valuable source of expression, their faces, they do not use to its full potential at all. What a dreadful shame. I am rambling. It is time for bed. Chao.


P.s./F.y.i. The Bronx neighborhood does not make it on to the visitor's map that is available to tourists. Once again appearance plays a role. Bronx... not the ideal image so instead of even giving people information to decide for themselves they assume upon themselves not to, for our safety. Aren't we fortunate. We may have freedoms but we can't decide make informed decisions about where to go or where to sit.

Food For Thought

Boston, Mass.
During this trip we have broken bread with many amazing people and shared fantastic experiences in doing so. While all of these have been rewarding I have not decided to blog about them as the “American experience meal.” Today however, I had that meal. I realized that for me this meal was not about the kind of food I consumed, but rather the environment and the meaning that I gained from it. This took place in Little Italy here in Boston. Cory and I went and ate at Café Pompei. The food was not amazing but the setting made it so much better. We sat across from the Freedom Trail and were surrounded by a charming mix of natives and tourist.
Being on the street just people watching was delightful for all of my senses. I could smell the food, the street, and even the people as pleasant and unpleasant that can be. I saw the families that were filled with diversity of age and appearance. Also there was a beautiful backdrop for all of this to take place around. The buildings were all so very old. At one point Cory and I even considered all the stories that had been lived out within them. How fascinating. So many stories, thoughts, emotions, and occurrences take place around us with such little acknowledgment, if any.
I could feel the slight coolness mixed with the heat and the thud that occurred every time someone stepped on the metal grate under my chair. The sounds were a feast for anyone’s ears. The variety of languages, laughter, horns honking, and even the light panting of the passing dogs. Such little and insignificant things, but all were incredibly important because each one was essential to the weaving of the fabric of this special and unique experience that I had.
I think that this is reflected to the larger image of what America is. We have many stories; not just one from a specific ethnic group. Instead one for each and every person. Sometimes they are not heard, respected, or recognized in society, but they are still very much a part of what America is.
\

Relax. Breathe in the Good.

Niagara Falls, New York
Do you remember grade school? You would go and the days were long but great fun. You got to partake in all these new and great things, but since you were still a beginner in the whole education process you did not immediately recognize that while doing all those great things you were learning very valuable life lessons... Well, that is kind of like what we are experiencing on this trip. We are having all these great adventures but since this is still a class experience we are also learning and stimulating our minds in ways that we don’t even recognize at first sometimes.

If you continue down memory lane for a bit longer you will also recall the thrill that any kind of break held for you. No matter if it was a week for Christmas or just an early release/ half day. Today was one of those delightful days for the crew. A break! We slept in later and some of us even ate a real breakfast! Later on we visited Niagara Falls and had class in the shade of trees where we could still feel the mist at times. It was a nice change for us mentally and physically.

A problem that we have found present not only on this trip but within many Americans’ lifes is the struggle between quantity vs. quality. The fact that we have to intentionally plan a day to do a minimal amount of things speaks volumes about the culture that we live in. Why should pure exhaustion be the commanding force of when a person should to take a break? The work and rewards system is a complex one no doubt. At one point in the day I spoke to a woman who said her family took their vacation to Niagara Falls…every other year. Now I did not ask the reason for this, maybe it was financially based or maybe it was rooted in the modern ideologies of tirelessly working; either way this reflects back to greater forces.

While I may have qualms with the reconstruction of desirable vacation locations I still believe them (and simple breaks) to be a valuable aspect to any person’s life. They help ground us and to put our goals, family, friends, and so many other things into perspective. So while today could have held many more events I think it was a great relief and wise decision to lay low instead.

What Would You Give?

Detroit, Ohio
Think about the word city… What do you imagine? A thriving metropolis with life, energy and a booming commerce? Alright, now think of pretty much everything that is opposite of that and give it a name, Detroit. But! We did find a nugget of gold in this sad place, the Henry Ford Museum. Now do not let the Ford thing mislead you like it did me. This place was much more than a shrine to the automobile like I had expected. Instead it had loads of information and even very impressive artifacts from various monumental moments in American history. I was incredibly impressed by the “With Liberty and Justice for All” permanent exhibit. It hosted a variety of things including the Rosa Park’s bus, the chair Lincoln was killed in, and information about the struggles that Americans have endured for freedom.

At one point in the womens' suffrage section I took the “Could you be a Suffragist” quiz. It told me that I was a radical and ready to be put on the fronts. This quiz and the fact that I just finished the movie “The Great Debaters” made me think though. America is strong now because the battles that people have fought in the past for their rights were stronger. Would I be willingly to commit myself to a cause and fight for it like so many before me have, especially if I knew that I could face horrible repercussions for speaking out against some current policy?

I like to think that I would. In fact I would love to fight for something so passionately. In the day I would want to be the one with the signs walking down the streets, while being taunted by the disapproving crowd. Even more importantly though I would want to be the person going in front of the crowds defending my view with resilience. I would also want to write the proclamations and declarations that others would be demanding. I want to lead. Anyone on this trip can tell you that I am not very good with following. I did not enjoy being behind anyone on the hike in the Grand Canyon nor do I prefer the back seat of the 15 passenger vans that we get in each city so I am pretty certain that I would not want to be following someone else when proclaiming my beliefs… I need to find an issue to fight for. Suggestions?

The Unrestricted American

Chicago
Naming this class (Re-Discovering America) was a challenge for the group. We dedicated nearly an entire pre-summer class meeting to the task of giving it an appropriate name. Our decision was very important because it would need to incorporate many things with minimal words. The final decision reflects not only a physical America but a person can also imply with ease that the discovery of the American identity is necessary too. This is very challenging. You have the arguments rooted in citizenship for one thing. In the book “The Thirteen American Arguments” by Howard Fineman you read the various arguments that support different definitions of the term American. At one point he refers to the ideas of American-ism that Teddy Roosevelt held. These ideas were that to be American a person can have on divided allegiance to another country. Before leaving for this trip I thought that this was a decent answer for this question. However after completing over half of our journey thus far I am no longer certain that I feel this way. The last few days have been spent in very different and unique cities. Each one showing me ideas and perspectives that I had not considered before. Each one also gave me more insight on what I considered to be American. I no longer think that one flag is necessary for a person to declare their Americanism. In fact that is slightly disgusting and pompous sounding now.

In Chicago I went into Boystown and it was the beginning to Pride weekend. I cannot recall seeing any American flags displayed. I did however see plenty of multi-colored pride flags. I loved it. At that point I recognized that a flag is meant to express emotion. What is truly wrong with loving something so much that one would wish to display it to the public no matter the amount of flack they may receive for it. In fact I find that much more compelling and fitting to the American idea of freedom of expression than a person who flies an American flag out of ignorance.

Fineman gives a better idea of what it means to be American by recognizing our differences.

"We are found on ideas, not genetics; on aspirations, not the accidents of geography. We do not trace our nationhood to tribal history, bit to a concept of liberty and constitutional order that was unique in the world… In theory anybody can become American."

After going around Chicago I was fully able to appreciate this statement. All Americans do not fit into just one box and cannot be defined by such.

Chicago's Lifeline/Timeline/Skyline

My family moves a lot and I have found the next place we should move to! You may have heard of it actually. It goes by the name of the Art Institute in Chicago. : ) I loved this place and love for someone to lock me up in there for a night or week or longer! While there I got to see some absolutely beautiful pieces of art. It was great I actually saw so many of the things my art experience professor talked about! It definitely helped me in my appreciation for art. I always loved it but a picture in a book really doesn’t do some things justice.
The class was asked to reflect on at least one piece of work in Chicago. Well mine is the Chicago skyline. I love that I realized its beauty while sitting for almost an hour right beside the Bean. The skyline is interesting. Because it is like there are two kinds of it combined into one. On the left there are more of the classical structures. These buildings are dominated by Greek columns and the likes. Then to our right there are the much more modern styled buildings. They are on average taller, sleeker, and less personal. I am a romantic so I think that is why I find the curves in the old buildings to be much more appealing than the more common straight lines found in the modern buildings to the right. What is great about a city and its buildings is that they are like a timeline able to be seen by everyone. This is a little way that history is made available to everyone, unlike its typical way of being available to only specific crowds or classes of people.
Then to make the skyline even more wonderful you have two stories weaved into this one thing. The day time and its night life. Now in the day time you see the shapes better. However the buildings are like shells where so many stories stow away while the sun is up. But at night the stories (pun intended) come alive a little more. The lights come on and battle the darkness. But they are scattered leaving a whole different image of the skyline. Then you of course have the lights that garnish the top of the buildings. Ah… It is pretty in its own way.

Can't Go Back Now

Rapid City, South Dakota
Anyone who is slightly in touch with the world knows of the current financial crisis that is taking place and affecting so many people’s lifes. Today when we headed out to the Pine Ridge Lakota Indian Reservation I was not really expecting anything very different from the Navajo one… How very wrong I was. I learned what I consider to be a valuable lesson today: not all reservations or places are created equal. The unemployment level for the Pine Ridge Reservation is hovering around 85%. This really hit home once we entered the reservation and you could literally see the quality of everything go way down. Houses that had boards over them and would typically be considered uninhabitable were the the homes to people and families. At one point I was disgusted with the life I know because I have literally spent my life around people and places that have had barns or even sheds that are much nicer than what these people were living their lives in.

While all this was incredibly moving I really had to look America’s bad side in the face when we went to Wounded Knee Massacre site. Going to the place I was pretty unconcerned. Wounded Knee was a place that I remembered hearing one or two remarks about in my history class but that was all; my doubts outweighed my expectations to put it simply...


We unknowingly drove right past the site where a mass murder and burial took place.
I hate that.


After our u-turn and hiking up a hill to a cemetery that had no signage we found the site. I had to fight the tears. It was heartbreaking. The grounds were wild and unkempt. This made me battle within myself. In one way I can respect the “letting nature take her path” idea but that contradicts almost all of my up-bringing. I was taught that you were supposed to respect the dead. This definitely meant you kept the cemeteries nice. I could not decide if the unkemptness was because of the way of life and traditions of these people or because of the lack of resources to do anything.

In the end as we pulled away from this place I realized that I was greatly changed. Americans’ have built their lifes on the backs of their fore fathers and mothers. Doing these deceased people the injustice of improper acknowledgment of their lives, battles, and deaths touches me deeply. I felt many things as we tried to plan our return route. Most prominently I felt a huge battle of emotions taking place in me. I experienced feelings ranging from: more American, great saddness, and yet more proud at that moment than I ever did this morning when I stood under Mount Rushmore.

A popular game that we have taken to playing regularly on this trip is “Would you rather….” Today I close with:

I would rather share this bit of history and take my loved ones to Wounded Knee
Before even suggesting a visit to Mount Rushmore.

Water Fountains on Street Corners

Seattle, Washington
The idea of going out to a new land was what the west was founded on. The great epidemic that took over the country was the desire to forge a new frontier, where rights, freedoms, and land were still for the taking. That is exactly what was accomplished. In 1893, Fredrick Jackson Turner said that the “frontier was gone.” After going as far west possible in the continental United States I must disagree with Mr. Turner.
It may be true that the physical aspect of the frontier has been discovered and learned by people, but that is not America’s only frontier. By saying that the frontier is gone I feel that we do not give proper respect to the many journeys that have yet to be made for the better-ment ( new word made just for this occasion) of America. A frontier is defined by me as a place where not only can a person learn of new lands, ideas, or people but they can also learn about themselves. From this definition I believe that saying America’s frontiers are dead is a complete falsehood. I believe that the battles that Americans’ fight in pursuing the American dream are forms of a different (but still very present and alive) frontier. Since these frontiers can find their battle fields in Americans’ morals and views, not just west of the Mississippi River they are harder to pin point and define.
While I feel this way I also think that I should give major props to the millions of men and women who made the hard journey west. The land was in no way forgiving or inviting even. There are places that are both barren and dry where living would require thinking very different from what was used in the east or the opposite with places like the Redwood Forest. There you find trees that are these beautiful but forlorn giants. I know if I was a pioneer on this foreign frontier I would be horrible company by that point. Looking at just the hardships that I can see through my 21st century lens of the world I know that these amazing people accomplished something spectacular. With that in mind I am going to curl up in bed. The next few days we will be in the National Parks with probable little to no internet and phone service so the group will be off the radar for a few days. Till next time peace my fellow people.




Ps. An explanation for the title.

In both Portland and Seattle I saw an abundance of random water fountains throughout the streets in the main areas of the cities. I thought they were a great contrast for recognizing just how far we have came as a nation. From the beginning when people were desperately seeking water as they crossed the frontier, to the need for public water that was recognized by high numbers of intoxicated people, to now and the complete ease that many Americans can come upon this precious commodity that almost all of us (myself included) take completely for granted.

What is up with California?

I have seen this state now with its sprawling cities, beautiful coast, and inland farms. I must say I am quite fond of it too. The place has an immense power and lure to it. I can almost understand why people are willingly to pay the ridiculous prices asked of them for desiring to live here. It is incredible. L.A. was exhausting. It took us 2 hours to drive 44 miles… Not cool. But oh the excitement that a city has can suck you right up. While in this city we hit up the places that are renown in American culture. We went to Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Huntington Beach, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Disney, and more. Wow. This all took place in less than 48 hours bear in mind. Hence my delay in posting. However now I am trying to squeeze one in before I completely crash from today. (We were in Portland today.)

I think the draw for California is its capability to offer more than just a single kind of lifestyle. A person can be active and business. The gold star for this idea is that it all can be done in 70ish degree weather. ;)

One of the popular things that people say about a place when we stop by is that XYZ is the friendliest city you will ever visit. I did not get that from L.A. in fact I formed a very contradicting opinion of that. While there all I saw were people stuck in their cars or with people they already were associated with for the most part. It was cold and depressing almost. In a place with all this beauty and possibility you have people completely annexed from their fellow mankind by the demands of their lifes and expectations from others. It was lonely.

I think that is why a city like L.A. can be booming. They need the beautiful weather and beaches to let people feel a live and free from the restraints of daily life. Otherwise I am not sure it would be able to continue its existence.

Neon Lights and even Brighter Ideas

Las Vegas, Nevada
I decided to have Vegas be my first city because it is a place that I have already been to and I had fond memories of being there with my family. When the class got to scouting around the city though I realized that both the great, big city and I had changed. We both had grown and learned some stuff. No longer was I able to see this place simply as a tourist destination; instead I continued to find my vision of it clouded with all that I have gained thus far in my education.

We began the day by going to the Las Vegas Convention Center. I thought it would be interesting to get an inside look at one aspect of the biggest industries in the city, county and even state: tourism. The tour shed light on ideas that are known about Vegas but are not always recognized within the public. Take for example the branding of Vegas, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” The branding of this city is second only to that of Google! With branding a person must once again reflect on consumption in America. Why is it that American’s wish to escape from their daily lifes to places where morals are not recognized generally or even expected? I believe that this mindset speaks of a greater issue within American society that I have yet to truly define. In fact, I am not sure one can define such a mentality until you fully understand what it means to be an American. So with that in mind let’s get back to the day.

While at the convention center we were also made aware of American’s consumption because of the trade show that was taking place within the building. It was a beauty trade show so all the exhibiters had merchandise for the betterment of the female body generally. The amount of men present was barely existent. However there were women flocking everywhere. Gender can be a great predictor of purchasing patterns. I wondered once again though why? Is it because we are socialized (until a recent, and slow change) that women are the ones that are always concerned with their looks while men are not viewed in such frames? This sounds plausible, and frustrating.

Sometimes a person just gets lucky. That was the case for me with going to Red Velvet Café for lunch. En route there all I could think was something along the lines of “oh my gosh, I hope this place is good and how much further.” It turned out that I/we got more than just a good meal! Another customer was a sociologist from Las Vegas. A group of us ended up talking to her for quite a while. She brought to surface some of the things that a tourist would most likely not realize about the city. One thing that stuck with me is she said that Las Vegas citizens tend to lack a cultural identity. Due to the way that they live their lives based on tourism their identity and unity is sacrificed at times. The city government has become aware of this situation, and is giving feeble attempts to fix this huge problem. It concerns me though. If a place doesn’t have an identity besides its business than it has no foundation in which it can fall upon if say a recession removes most of the aforementioned businesses. American’s are kind of like this too. Without our own personal identities America cannot be founded on a firm foundation either.

...
To be continued: either here or a new post.

My Ear Itches

Salt Lake City, Utah
The most exciting place to experience is one that contains two very different and possibly even opposing views. With these in existence a person can be assured a much greater sense of what limits and enables a place. Salt Lake City had just this and we were lucky enough to experience both. We went to Temple Square and quite honestly that place put me on edge and freaked me out. Then straight from there we headed to a viewing of Out Rage; which is a LGBT movie that documents homosexuality in politics, especially amongst prominent political figures. This was way more interesting for me. However, it is important to realize that both of these entities are part of something bigger, a city that is in the United States.
While at Temple Square I was on edge but I also was made to recognize something else. This place was by no means one that I belonged in but it was one that I thought deserved some respect. The Mormons who created it did do something impressive. They used their freedoms that America allowed them to make something very beautiful and powerful. (I think the power is what I do not like.) These people made some things that were full of beauty. The Tabernacle was awesome. The way that they used the building shape for the best possible acoustics was sweet and the pipe organ…wow.

While I was surrounded in this beauty I also got the feeling that it was meticulously cared for, and for more than one reason. Yes, it could be to show your faith in God and your desire to honor him, but there seemed to be more. If you have something so exquisite then people are more ready to look only at the outside layer and not look any deeper. This feeling was strengthened by the creepy way that the sister missionaries were so consumed with there work. It was like they had been hypnotized by their religion. The image they portrayed was one of a subject giving all to their religion and their church replicated that. I could not ever decide if the beauty and the actions of the missionaries (all female) were for the appearance of the religion or for the religion.

Their missionary ideas annoyed me today too. The role that women played within the church was not agreeable for me. A woman can only do her mission work after turning 21 and a man can after 19. What is up with that? Science has found that women mature faster than men so if anything it seems that these more mature young women would be more desirable… nope of course not. Then within the square all the tour guides were women. Why can’t a man lead groups of tourist around too? Is it too challenging or too simpleton for them? Then! When we did come across the rare man he was in a suit and standing around doing absolutely nothing! Definitely appearing to hold the position of authority. Is that right? Why would he have authority over the tours when obviously men do not even fulfill the role of tour guide, meaning he actually had no experience in the thing in which he was observing?!

Oh and one more thing. Going on with the hypnosis feeling that I felt was being emitted from this place was the South Visitors entrance. You walk in and find the walls home to Stepford Wives’ like homes. They are wonderful little homes that showed I don’t even know what (I did not read the signage because at that point I shut off seeing no relevance for such a thing to be present in a church surrounding.) The whole feel of the place was very surreal to say the least.

It is one big, grand hole?

Grand Canyon
Driving to the Grand Canyon I was not sure what to expect. Yes, I had seen the pictures and heard the tales of wonderment about it. Heck I had even watched a show about it on the Travel channel the week before leaving! I was excited. Once getting there though I felt this strange twist of awe and disappointment. I do not know it is very hard to explain… I will try, but just bear with me with it gets little scattered ;) .
The canyons were sweet and the view phenomenal but it was a very limited view. Like I look down and I see one thing, layers of soil in cool patterns. Oh okay let me try with an allegory. It was like those huge jaw breakers that you see in some stores. You see it and your pretty wowed by it. But honestly the size and just its existence are slightly perplexing. So of course you have to buy it. You start on it and you experience all these layers of colored, hardened sugar. It is yummy, but not quite as satisfying as you imagined possible before buying it. Well, that was how I felt about the Grand Canyon. It was great but still not completely wowed.

While I am not raving like crazy about this place I still feel it should be recognized for its power. I am not just talking about the physical power that helped create it. No, I mean the power that is has over people. This place is the iconic vacation destination. When you are a kid you dream of taking a trip with the fam. To see it. That is undeniable power. I think its reflects on both the simple beauty that the canyon does have and the way it has been sold to the public over many, many years. I mean after all it has a feature television show all about it. The only other specific place that immediately springs to my head that has such a thing is Disney and Mall of America.

Now both of those places have a key component that unites them and makes them greatly different from the ever famous Grand Canyon… They were created by humans, for humans. The Grand Canyon has this very significant difference. It was made by nature, the thing that bears some much more. This one detail changes this destination completely. Going here does not allow for you recognize the power and supposed unlimited genius of people and their creations. Instead it does the opposite. It lets you realize that you are small, very small. However, this realization is not done in a flaunting or judgmental way. It is just a little acknowledgment. You do not feel like you are failure as possible when you come in contact with other people or their creations. Actually, you feel (or at least I sure did) that since you are so small and have such a beautiful world to live in that you need to get your butt moving and do something for it. I mean if there is only one you and your tiny remember and one very big world that offers you a Grand Canyon at your very own feet then you should work hard to gain some sort of balance between the two.

This I think is a reason why families have made the trip to this place for so very long. I mean if you are a parent and you want your child to gain a lot in one place than the Grand Canyon is perfect! It offers lessons for sure. A few:
-timelessness
-power of nature
- size of the World and of people
-beauty
Plus, the few other things that are not covered by this teacher can be addressed in the car on the road at the various places you will have to visit while in route!

Can't decide

Navajo Indian Reservation: Gallup, New Mexico
A person can either walk through life oblivious to the trials and tribulations that millions endure or they can acknowledge them and try to change the situation. While on the Navajo reservation I realized just how small everyone is, including me. Our host told us of the important role each person plays on Earth. It was incredibly touching and beautiful. It left me yearning to achieve more, not for myself but those around me.

This day was amazing. I am not sure how to share it via blog or if I really want to, because it was powerful for me.

(U)nited by (F)un (O)utside

Roswell, New Mexico
This trip is broken into two parts for me. There is traveling and then everything else. One is by night and the other is typically at day but certainly not limited to such. It is a strange sensation to go to sleep in one city, state, and time zone and then to wake up and find that all of that has been replaced with something new all while you were sound asleep.

Today the group needed some down time so we headed 20+/- minutes out of Roswell (after UFO Museum time and interviewing a man from Alien Resistance) to Bottomless Lake State Park. It was gorgeous. So very flat but then there was a plateau. This was the first time we had seen the lay of America outside of cities. It was a very nice mental relief. Until today we had not been able to look at nature and its real beauty very much, everything we have experienced has been clouded by the cities. The ride out showed a strange combination between the uninterrupted roll of the land and hints of civilization. With those hints it removed the idea that we were in the wild. Does wild even exist any longer in America? I relate wild to being able to frontier something. However, the places we went today were only new to us not an entire generation like once before. I liked it though. While there were homes, they were not huge and ostentatious ones that I have become accustomed to in Tennessee. The building materials used were ones that were gathered with ease and necessity more so than for appearance. This may not have been wild anymore but it still held the captivating beauty that one can only find when they are surrounded by open land.

Once we got to the lake it was cool. We had been driving through dry land and then we found this little oasis. It seemed completely wonderful. But even it had been affected by people. This extra large pond had paddle boats available to rent by the hour. Definitely not natural or wild. I still felt a sense of serenity come over me though, which was huge relief.

Paved an Old World Paradise

El Paso.
Nature is a captivating thing for me. I long to find serenity in the outdoors so when I woke this morning in El Paso to find all these rugged and barren mountains I was at a loss of how to respond. By the end of tonight I have concluded that I really enjoy this beautiful yet strangely ugly landscape. They are not adorned with foliage or such but I feel in that simplicity they hold an odd magnetism for me.

While we were visiting Fort Bliss we visited the original barracks. It was strange to compare the new with the old. There was such a stark difference. What once was millions of acres of barren land was now covered with military stuff. It was a drastic contrast to what once was.

I cannot say that I liked it or did not. I saw the need for it and the reason; after all if you are going to spend billions on such a monstrosity then it might as well be in the middle of this once empty space. Still though I see the sadness in the act of paving over this desert land. The land around it has the appearance of having been there through the trials and tribulations that only nature and history can know. This upset because no where did I see this beauty preserved, only hidden or destroyed.

It's Texas AND America!

San Antonio
The market place once was where people used to buy the necessary groceries. Now necessity is recognized on nearly the same level as desired for some people. This is found in all the stupid gift shops! I apologize for any harshness, but only a little (I really feel strongly about them). Each one is the same over and over. The stamp on the shirt or shot glass is different with the location’s name is different but that is pretty much it. Yet people continue to buy earnestly. Taking us back once again to consumption! Oh us American’s and the pleasure we seek from buying things. Oh I just go tso excited about this post. It may be long f.y.i.

So today we were in San Antonio. They have the Alamo, remember? They sure hope you won’t so you will want to buy that little trinket so you can remember! Thank goodness for the opportunity to buy a GI Joe from the gift shop of this important place where real people’s blood was spilled for something meaningful…because of that little thing I am certain to “Remember the Alamo!” Whew that’s a big relieve. However don’t let me seem to harsh on only this city, because they all have them. It is one of the things that link them.

Why do people buy this stuff that will wind up in a bag for Goodwill or a yard sale in a few years? I think maybe it is because American’s are so rushed to do stuff and be stuff that they try to find the easiest way for everything. This being true for creating memories of those special times when their loved ones did get to spend time together for a change. When people were happy because, for just little while things seemed okay. Maybe that is because they have escaped into a simulated world or maybe it’s simply because the person beside you was smiling both at you because of their own personal happiness but also because of yours that is shines through a person’s eyes. In our desire to cut down on brain clutter though we buy stuff to initiate a memory instead of having to actively store away in head for a later reference. How sad.

Another thing about the Alamo’s gift shop was it looked so fitting. It blends in beautifully with its surroundings. So a person walks in assuming it is another barrack or something. Then they include a few artifacts just to make sure you take those key first steps into the store. But! I read the signs again and was left with a feeling of confusion and annoyance. This nice building was built with a grant from the government. The very same government that the Daughters of the Republic of Texas claim to not accept money from for the upkeep of this attraction! Then Ken pointed out another sign saying that “the sacred shrine [is to] be saved from the encroachments of commercialism.”! Oh how very contradicting. D.R.T.
There was also the Riverwalk in San Antonio. It is very quaint and pretty. I liked it at least. But it was so strategic I wanted to scream! You are having a nice time meandering down this walk absorbing the various sights and sounds then you actually read the signs as opposed simply smiling about the pretty colors of it. The restaurants aren’t new or special. In fact they are the same ones you can find in any other city or even suburb. Oh look! There is Joe’s Crab Shack and of course the all important Starbucks. So they create something special and unique but not too different. You don’t want to scare away the tourist after all.

Money and commercialism seem to be weaved into everything, very intricately but still there!

Architecture: Building and Information

New Orleans Continued
This city left me with a deep sense of fascination and puzzlement that I still haven’t put a finger on why yet. I honestly believe another trip (or 2 or more) would be necessary for that to occur.

I was talking to Jenni today about what we each enjoy taking pictures of. I love photographing things, because they are more fixed than people. And because they only exist because of many people meaning they have a story. I am a sucker for a story. They are many more reasons however this is the most important one so we will go with it.

Walking around Bourbon St and the French market is a remarkable experience for the eyes, actually all of New Orleans is because of the extremes that exist in such close proximity to one another. The architecture is breath taking because it is dramatic or because it is so desolate, both of which I find appealing. This city has potential I think, but before it ever begin to attempt at it much needs to be done. First and foremost with this is the remodeling of its image/s. There is great culture there, but I only saw that in the higher class hotel that we scavenged. I am certain that has to do with the time constraints that we faced but still. If people of higher positions continue to make the decision for others of lower class about what they find entertainment to be than we continue a cycle. Not only for the middle class person trying to “escape” (I hate that idea) his life for a short period of time but also for the people who actually live there. If a tourist only knows of the cliché New Orleans experience because of their socialization and the information given to them while there than they are limited greatly. Where is the freedom, or in a larger scheme the American dream? After all isn’t the American dream to make a better life for yourself and your loved ones. Is that possible for a typical person who has a only state issued education?

My Flashlight

New Orleans (catch up)
I view volunteering in a metaphorical way; it’s as if a person is chipping away a piece of his heart and squeezing out all the compassion, time, and love possible from it. It is important however to chip away the part of your heart that is reasoned but not hardened.

When the group went to do our first service project we had to drive through areas of New Orleans that I would have completely avoided otherwise. But why? The first answer is because of fright, which is a reasonable answer and would be accepted by many. I am not one of the many however so it does not cut it for me. The other reason is selfishness. I want to be charitable as most people do, but I am spoiled too. Going into the St. Bernard Parish was very different from the realm of America that I have resided in, and because of that I had a hard time communicating. I hate that. These are my fellow people I yearn to do more than being awkward. Then though I think but wait, this is what these people need. A connection. The connection that existed for me was by no means at all founded on a sturdy foundation. In fact I believe I would go so far as to say it is the beginning of the foundation. That right there is an important lesson in itself though.

American’s have freedoms. We have found thus far that these are what many people consider to be “American”. I wonder though, is that really enough? Another prominent theme is hope. Hope is a powerful thing. However, I have a thought about that as well. While hope may be a light for the American people it is only a light burning in the middle of a sunny day. It has potential to come in handy during times of darkness but even then it is only one little light. The people who work at, depend on, and volunteer at the St. Bernard Parish Community Center showed me that hope can find much more potency if it is shared, and not just temporarily. Years after Hurricane Katrina destroyed the small and what many would consider insignificant lifes that these people once lead they continue to struggle more in a day than I do in a week, a month, or longer. Out of tragedy can come something great. These people have lead tragic lifes I feel. They struggle but they also survive. I can think of nothing more admirable.

ME-De-UH

When I think of Americanism, patriotism, and other such similar words I quickly think back to September 11. It was a remarkable day, but there was one key component that allowed for it to have an even larger impact on my life. Media. Everyone was consumed by what the news was saying. While this sort of obsessive interest in the news has faded the broader obsession to the media has still endured. The past two days I have been observing just how great of an effect it holds over American society. Yesterday was spent in Little Rock, Arkansas (a much more impressive place than I imagined), and today in New Orleans. Each city was spectacular in their different and similar characteristics.
Many individuals have become so self absorbed or living only within their own spheres in this age that some things have inevitably fallen to the side. Due to this way of living a kind of numbness towards media consumption has occurred. Once upon a time the radio was a magnificent thing, it gave people a connection to not just a select group but many groups and peoples. Even more recently has been the television and the internet. With each new way for media to slither its way into our lifes the wow factor has decreased while the fascination and fixation for each has only increased.
In Little Rock I was first introduced per say to the idea of observing the impact media has when we visited the Central High School Museum. The desegregation of public schools was a huge moment in the Unites State's history. However, its importance was multiplied in part by the constant participation of the media. These students were taking part of an incredible movement and it was able to gain support and opposition through people consuming an all time high amount of media. That is even true now. If it was not for those newspaper clippings and interviews done then or now I am not certain that I would have appreciated this event in the same way as I do now. The next stop on our journey was Clinton’s Presidential Library. You can be certain that there was a large amount of media used for and within this place. Also within this place was what I wrote of in the last post. American’s interest in celebrities. Of course a president is little different than a singer but still people are intrigued by certain people. Why is this? Is it because we are told by the media to be interested in these people or is because it is a way to live in another realm for a temporary period that excites people?
Then we have New Orleans today. The media today came in the form of brochures and signage as opposed to yesterdays but it still has the same influence. It leads people in a direction. Because of this I yearn to ask even more questions. Such as how does something become a high feature place, person, idea, etc. Is it something that is preplanned or do we American’s actually have the choice and freedom to decide. I know today it made me think that while you could decide where to go it were not deciding the entertainment available to you on a large scale. Someone else had already taken it up to make that call, maybe it was by previous interest or maybe it is simply from preconceived notions of our ideologies.

By the grace of Graceland

I sit here on a little patch of grass next to a busy road in the mysterious city that people call Memphis and I ponder many things. Today was the group's first day out "in the field", and it was interesting, exciting, and exhausting to say the least.

In recent years Memphis's main claim to fame is Elvis. No doubt this man did accomplish some great things within his profession. Nevertheless, being in a city that has its most prominent claim to popularity through one celebrity (no matter how great he may have been to some) makes my mind wander onto a more broad but completely related topic. My 20 years of simply living in this country along with only one day out on the town with a group of intelligent peers has made me extremely conscious of the United States obsession with consumption. Especially with "celebrities". A great way to find out about someone/something is by looking at what things they find great amounts of appreciation for and where they focus their time and interests. Americans spend ridiculous amounts of time on those people that we have for various reasons deemed famous.

On a daily basis you are reminded of this. People can easily find celebrities part of American's everyday lifes, from the grocery store line where you find ridiculous gossip magazines to celebrity tourist attractions that mass 600,000+/- visitors a year. Graceland. The entire time, though we are being sold images. But bare in mind that they are typically only the favorable images. I honestly cannot recall seeing one picture of Elvis today, anywhere in Memphis, that was not showing him off in his precious, young man, baby face stage of his career. Not one picture strayed from this, how sad. If this is what we telling people repetitively what sort of implications does it have on the society?

The idea of images makes me think about Jean Baudrillard's theory about simulations. Graceland is a perfect example. Yes, it may have been the grand home of a long dead celebrity, but it is important to remember that was the past. Now it is a very important attraction for Memphis. Elvis may have lived there but the people who hustle your through like sheep now, are there for a very specific reason. Image! This place is to enable people to believe they are stepping into some special warp zone. I am not sure which is worse: the fact that so much is spent on creating images like this for living and dead celebrities everywhere in America or the fact that American's still purchase, at exuberant prices, tickets that privilege them to be part of this ideal, yet simulated world for a temporary time. This thought leads itself to the Elvis wedding as well. Our shuttle bus driver said a couple may purchase 1 out of 3 special wedding packages. There is only three, how in the world can such a wedding be special! People once again only buy the image of Elvis and "special".

I believe the second largest celebrity/ies in Memphis are the fine feathered ducks at the Peabody Hotel. ... Whew I do not even know where to start about that creepy and personally sad relationship. People come from all over and form a crowd around a red carpet to watch 5 ducks waddle to water. One would think this was a very nature thing, after all ducks and water seem to be a renowned pairing. Nope, not so at the Peabody, here it is special. No longer are people going to spend family time in places where they can connect with each other ( a dinner table even for some is too much to ask for), instead they are going to hotels to watch these little celebrities... How interesting.

If I hope to find out what it means to be an American through my fellow American's interest this will no doubt be a long journey. Our freedoms allow many things, but is one of them the right to sell and buy such ideals and simulations that can be found within the realm of our strange and slightly eccentric interest with celebrities big, little, dead, or alive?