presentations 2

There were a number of really interesting presentations today
a few really struck me because of personal interest in the movement and some just because they were so different!

The first presentation that was really informative was the Picken's plan. I had actually heard of this and signed an online petition, but I really didn't know the details of the plan. So that was a great presentation to hear about. I also think it would be interesting to look at Picken's himself, he seems to be an interesting character.

I already did a blog about the weather underground and again just noting they are a really fascinating movement! especially hearing the interviews of members now, who talk about the personal investment they put into the movement; and how they still feel that everything they did was right.

The last two movements were really interesting guess I just have some logistical questions about "freeganism". Like how do they get medical attention, or where do they give birth to children? Also I think that it would be interesting to see the opinions of people who are homeless and poverty stricken, not by choice, how would they react to what the "freegans" are doing, and what they stand for?

Act up

Just remembered that I meant to say something about the group Act Up....this is a really fascinating organization for AIDS/HIV and GLBT rights. I think their emphasis in symbolic art is really interesting and effective in their movement. As the girl mentioned they are often extreme in their action, rhetoric and symbols...I wonder if this had been toned down would they have been more effective, because perhaps they could have lasted longer. Or I guess maintained a constant voice in the media?

Act up

Just remembered that I meant to say something about the group Act Up....this is a really fascinating organization for AIDS/HIV and GLBT rights. I think their emphasis in symbolic art is really interesting and effective in their movement. As the girl mentioned they are often extreme in their action, rhetoric and symbols...I wonder if this had been toned down would they have been more effective, because perhaps they could have lasted longer. Or I guess maintained a constant voice in the media?

presentations 1

The group of Feminist/ Suffrage presenters brought up a number of interesting groups, facts and ideas that I had not yet been introduced too (and some that I had heard of but didn't know as much about). I thought this group also did a great job of identifying issues and ideas that aren't your typical "feminist" research options.

The paper about 3rd was feminism was really interesting. I took a woman studies class a few semesters ago and we talked about a lot of things, but this was one topic we didn't really have time to address. I think the ability of this movement to shift and "keep up with the time" is incredible, also the shift in membership and member identity/ focus. Now that the movement focuses on women of multiracial and multinational identities and back grounds.

One aspect of the pro-life movement which really struck me, and I had never heard of before was the "die-in", in reference to the sit-ins of the civil rights. This tactic is really interesting and I would like to know more about it, how effective is it in "scaring" people or interesting potential new members? I don't know how I would feel to see this happen. Also one of the girls mentioned a book called Iron Jawed Angles? wrote it in my notes but wasn't sure which movement this was associated with.

Finally the Suffrage movement is something that I should know more about but really it is just not well studied or addressed in many mainstream history classes. I didn't know that originally it was attatched with the abolitionist movement (although this makes a lot of sense). It was interesting to hear this part of the presentation because later that night I actually had a conversation with a JMU French professor, who told be that it was only 50 years ago (or something like that) when women gained the right to vote in France. Her grandmother was alive and recounted the story of the first time she could vote, this was amazing to think about!

MLK "Letter From Birmingham Jail"

Martin Luther King's letter was and still extremely powerful and moving. It is clear here the degree of his intellegence and ability as an writer (and inextricably as an orrator).

I believe that these men who wrote to him saying his cause was "unwise and untimely" were writing this in hopes that no one would ever know of their letter, and that the movement would quiet down.

Martin Luther King completely blows this idea out of the water. He does this however with a respectful tone of disagreement. This letter when read by the public becomes a guide for those in the civil rights movement who may feel that there work is not "going the way they want" or just not moving quick enough for whatever reason.

I think a number of his sections are so moving, so eloquently writing and so undeniably intelligent that the men whom he was responding to, must have been some what awestruck.

One of these sections is about how to define a law as "just or unjust". Here as in so many places not just in this letter, MLK makes the fight not about black or white, not about male or female, not about rich or poor. It is about something more than that, something that is basic to our human existence. MLK quotes Thomas Aquinas and other legal philosophies, but I find this simple statement to be undeniable, "Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust."

It is comments like this that make MLK so effective. He succeeds in what I believe was his purpose of letting these men know that some "note" will not stop this movement because we all have waited much too long. Also to let his followers know that now is not "unwise or untimely" because for the oppressed there is no such thing as wise or timely when confronting ones oppressor. Instead the movement must push harder and become stronger and continue to succeed.

pentecostal vist..."praise Jesus"

Went to a Pentecostal church service with my boyfriend, for one of his classes, and found politics and religion coinciding into a social movement. His interest in this subject actually sparked my interest in this group and is why I chose to focus on the Evangelical movement for my case study.

Found the service to be FULL of interesting behaviors and attitudes especially towards the government. Including what sounding like a good bit of distrust with the new President Elect, and a HUGE lack of faith in his ability to lead this country. Also as with many/most Americans a great amount of fear about the economic future of this nation. Throughout his sermon the pastor was discussing the root of "problems" and how to "solve" them.

The pastor mentioned Obama and his perceived in ability to follow the "rules" of problem solving as laid out by this church. The pastor also alluded to another political issue very very briefly...abortion or teen pregnancy. In accordance to there emphasis on family he said, "if you are man enough to make the baby, you better be man enough to take the baby". This provided for a VERY awkward moment for my boyfriend and I seeing as we were the ONLY two people there who were unmarried.

Overall this was an eye opening experience for a number of reasons, it was very interesting to see how religion not only infiltrates state, but state infiltrates religion.

election

A late reflection.
The most important thing that I got from this election (especially since it was my first) was not just the win of my candidate.
But the feeling of success, and importance and meaning of MY vote and that of my peers.
It was monumental to be a part of this
My hope for the future....
is that my generation keeps up the momentum we have gathered behind OBAMA and apply it to other issues.
keep the change going, can't wait to see what happens next!