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?
Monday, June 29, 2009
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, June 15, 2009
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.
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.
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