Seventh Blog

            In my opinion, getting the opportunity to watch the Urban Bush Women pieces was very cool.  Each piece told a story, which I found to be very interesting.  Each one was very different, but a lot of them related to each other. 

            The first video I watched was “Walking with Pearls- Southern Diaries.”  I found that many different dances were happening at once and each women played a different role in the entire piece.  All of the women were wearing the same color, which I thought was interesting because in the second video, “Walking with Pearls- African Diaries,” the women are in all different colors but doing a dance in unison, for the majority of the piece.  In “Walking with Pearls- Southern Diaries” a lot of stomping was involved.  In my opinion, it made the piece seem more powerful.  The next video I watched was “Cool, Baby Cool.”  The overall tone was much lighter because of the music that was being played.  The audience’s reactions were also light, there was a lot of laughter throughout the performance.  The Urban Bush Women piece, “Girlfriends,” was very different from the rest.  There was less dancing going on and there was no music or singing in the background.  Although each performance may be different, they all come together in a sense that they tell a story.

            After viewing these videos, I read “Memory Walking with Urban Bush Women’s Batty Moves.” I had searched “Batty Moves” on YouTube to watch the performance and I didn’t realize how precise everything was until I read the article on it.  A cymbal began the performance, which signaled the dancers to perform their movements.  A specific rhythmic break ended the first episode, but at the same cued the next section.  Each performer was able to share their own personal voice and movement, which I thought was very interesting and nice.  I knew that a story was related to each piece, but for them to be able to share it with the audience in a clear manor is even more engaging.  Caroline Garcia, one of the dancers, mentioned that they are able to just be themselves.  In addition, they reflect on memories of theirs, such as memories of ballet and modern dance classes when they were younger. 

            I feel that many people can relate to the style of dancing performed by the Urban Bush Women.  Ama Oforiwaa Aduonum, the author of “Memory Walking with Urban Bush Women’s Batty Moves” was inspired to read and learn about African American history and culture from slavery to present and about African American women’s issues and concerns after watching this piece.  I think that any women in history or in present time can relate to certain issues that are reflected in “Batty Moves.”  Even if one’s memories aren’t pleasant, it is amazing to see that they have a voice and are able to present their memories in expressive way.

Fifth Blog

            As a person who has a love for art, this week’s discussion on Mexican heritage, with quilt designs included, really caught my attention.  Personally, I feel that art is an amazing way for a person to express himself or herself and have an opportunity to tell a story about anything they desire.  Sometimes one’s story isn’t so great and is seen as more of a struggle.  “Ana’s Choice” by Patricia Zavella was a story that began as a struggle for Ana and José García.  They migrated without any authorization across the U.S. border to have a “better life,” with their toddler son.  Ana and José represent many immigrants who had similar struggles and experiences as them.  Immigration is also recognized as a feminist issue because more women than before are migrating to the U.S., especially from Mexico.  According to the reading, “Ana’s Choice,” women now make up 46 percent of authorized migrants from Mexico and about one-third of all unauthorized migrants.  Stories like these make me feel really fortunate for the life I have in the U.S.  Learning in this reading that women migrants, such as Ana, often have to separate from their children or other close family members when they come to the U.S. and live in constant fear that they could be deported is truly heartbreaking.  No one should have to feel so vulnerable on a regular basis; it seems like such a terrible situation.  In addition, unauthorized migrants and family members are also denied access to many important things, such as obtaining a driver’s license and receiving a college scholarship. 

            “Ana’s Choice” reminded me of a quilt called “Mexican Dream/American Dream” by Carmela Valdivia that was featured in this week’s guided activity.  I had never really observed the differences between the Mexican culture and the American culture until this past week.  In my opinion, Carmela Valdivia did a good job of contrasting the Mexican and American way of life in this quilt.  For example, the way that the houses are built and the land surrounding them are very different.  Carmela Valdivia also incorporates certain colors in each part of the quilt and they definitely reflect the two different lifestyles and create two separate tones.  In addition, in the American portion of the quilt, the children are playing along the side of the houses.  It appears that they are all together playing a sport.  On the other hand, the children in the Mexican portion of the quilt are busy at work.  It seems as though they do the same work as the adults.  It is such a shame that they are not given the same advantages as other children the same age as them.  Overall, the two cultures seem very different, but relate at the same time.  It appears that once a person crosses the boarder, although it may be a struggle, the U.S. is where they can live “the American Dream.”

Fourth Blog

          The movie, Frida, is one that I find to be very interesting for many reasons.  First, I had been assigned to do an art project on Frida Kahlo in 8^th grade and it was cool for me to get even more background on her than I had previously.  In addition, I enjoyed seeing the paintings that I once learned about featured in this movie, such as “The Two Fridas,” “A Few Small Nips,” and more.  Frida’s character is very strong and powerful, especially for the time period that she lived in.  She was strong after her bus incident and also during the times her marriage with Diego wasn’t so great.  For the many times Diego had affairs with other women, Frida seemed to not let that get her down.  She was able to see through his lies.  For example, after Diego had sex with one of his naked models, he told Frida he was at the ministry, but Frida did not fall for this lie and when she confronted him about it he finally told her the truth.  I was happy that after Frida had caught Diego in yet another affair, but this time with her own sister, she had left him.  It is just a shame that it took her that long to do so.

            Frida never let her disabilities stop her from doing what she loved, which was drawing and painting.  She continued to draw and paint from bed shortly after the incident had occurred, her dad even bought her a wooden easel, giving her the ability to follow through with her love for art and she no longer had to resort to drawing on her body cast.  It was the start of her incredible career.  I thought it was very courageous of Frida to try walking after she had painted a portrait of her sister.  She got out of her wheel chair and walked over to her family who were hesitant about it, but she showed them she was capable.  I loved the way the movie ended.  This showed that the beginning and the end connected.  It was amazing that she showed up to her art exhibition because she had people carry her there, while she was still in bed like her doctor ordered her to do.  Frida’s disabilities relate to the feminist theory discussed in “Integrating Disability, Transforming Feminist Theory” by Rosemarie Garland-Thomson.  In this reading, Garland-Thomson includes, “Cultural stereotypes imagine disabled women as asexual, unfit to reproduce, overly dependent, unattractive- as generally removed from the sphere of true womanhood and feminine beauty.  Women with disabilities often must struggle to have their sexuality and rights to bear children recognized. (Finger 1990)” This relates to Frida Kahlo, but at the same time does not.  In my opinion, being unable to reproduce depends on the specific disability a woman may have.  In Frida’s situation she was not able to reproduce.  She had a miscarriage.  On the other hand, Frida was not dependent.  She did not rely on other people to take care of her unless she really needed something.  She fought through her struggles and her artwork is still greatly appreciated today.

Third Blog

          The United States of America is a society of classes.  In my opinion, there is a huge difference between the top 1-2 percent of people in this country and the people who are considered poor.  While the economy is continuing to grow at a slow rate, the income is rapidly increasing for the top 1-2 percent.  The concept of classes didn’t really occur to me until I got older.  I am very fortunate to have a life where money isn’t really an issue.  It is interesting to see the difference between social class now and social class back in the nineteenth century.  For many years I have learned about Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels and their book, The Communist Manifesto.  Their book discusses the poor working conditions and low wages of the working class in nineteenth century Europe.  Both Marx and Engels opposed capitalism.  They did not want the income for the top 1 percent to be so high.  Marx and Engels believed everyone must view the history of social class and the struggles that occurred between the classes.  They explained the most important classes were the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.  The bourgeoisie owned all of the major factories and companies, while the proletariat had to sell their labor to the capitalists and owned a very small amount.  They argued that the conflict between these two classes would eventually lead to a revolution where the proletarians would win. With the disappearance of the bourgeoisie as a class, they believe there would no longer be a society of classes.  

Following the writings of Marx and Engels, the idea of communism came about.  This caused the creation of communist groups, such as The Communist Party of the United States (CPUSA), which had peaked in the 1930s.  During this time period there was another huge conflict, The Great Depression, which lasted from 1929 to 1941.  Family incomes had dropped drastically for many.  I found the slide “Judging Poor Women” to be intriguing.  I didn’t know there was such thing as the deserving poor vs. the undeserving poor.  The Migrant Mother with Three Children picture is an attempt to reflect the deserving poor, but the truth behind the picture shows that the circumstances of the mother and children featured in the picture are actually false.  I can see though how the image captures what is seen as someone who is considered to be “the deserving poor” based on the emotional appeal and the positioning of each person. 

The reading this week, Peyton Place by Grace Metalious, relates to the topics we have discussed in class.  The setting of the book is 1937, which is the middle of The Great Depression.  There is a clear distinction between each character and what social class they belong to.  In the book, we see the struggles Selena faces as a member of the lower class.  She lives in the poor area of town.  Selena is the victim of abuse by her stepfather, Lucas.  Although this is a totally different time period than today, Selena can relate to many women who currently struggle in poverty and face abuse.  It’s scary to me that women can live such harsh lifestyles, while there are fewer women who are currently receiving welfare than in the middle of the twentieth century.

In my opinion, there seems to be a trend in the advantages given to those who are considered to be wealthy.  In my old high school, majority of the students have an advantage that gives them the ability to move up the socioeconomic ladder.  For example, many are provided private tutors paid for by their parents.  This helps them and gives them an advantage for getting into a better college, when there are Americans today who don’t even attend college at all.  After attending a good college or university, they are then able to receive a degree and get a successful job.  These advantages are continuing to take place today.  After becoming aware that social class definitely exists here in the United States of America, I am intrigued to continue learning what certain things pertain to the higher and lower classes.

Second Blog

           As a female living in the United States, I am intrigued to learn more about the history of women’s rights in the U.S.  The idea of first wave, second wave, and third wave feminism catches my attention because I like to see the trend of change for women here in the U.S.  In the 1830s, it was not acceptable for women to speak in public.  Growing up in the late 1990s/early 2000s, I am surrounded by powerful, women speakers that I have seen, especially on TV.  In particular, Hillary Clinton and when she ran for president.  In my opinion, her speeches are very motivational and make her seem very confident.  I feel as though there were many women in the 1800s that had the ability to speak like Hillary Clinton, but weren’t given the opportunity to do so.

Moving onto second wave feminism, where women started finding a voice.  In the 1940s when the country was in a time of war, millions of high-paying industrial jobs opened to women and the government had began to offer minimal day care and house-hold assistance.  Two specific characters who stood out to me during this time period were Rosie the Riveter and Wonder Woman.  They are both strong women icons.  Lastly, third wave feminism is where I believe our country is now.

The reading from this week, The Feminine Mystique, caught my eye as well.  This book was written by Betty Friedan in 1963.  It analyzed the lives of housewives and was very influential for housewives and young college women too.  One of the parts that I found interesting within the select text from this week’s reading was when certain women refused to do specific actions because it was considered unfeminine.  For example, on page 17 of The Feminine Mystique, “In a New York hospital, a woman had a nervous breakdown when she found she could not breastfeed her baby.  In other hospitals, women dying of cancer refused a drug which research had proved might save their lives: its side effects were said to be unfeminine.” (Friedan, 17) This quote showed that many women wanted to be as feminine as possible, and would do anything they could for this to happen if need be.  I think its absurd that women would risk their lives by refusing drugs in order to be seen as feminine.  Another quote from the text found on page 18 said, “A girl refused a science fellowship at John Hopkins to take a job in a real-estate office.  All she wanted, she said, was what every other American girl wanted- to get married, have four children and live in a nice house in a nice suburb.” (Friedan, 18) I don’t think that this quote holds true as much in this current time period.  Many women are mothers with full-time jobs.  It’s cool to see how far our society has come with feminism.  I am also very interested in seeing what the future holds for women in both the U.S. and the world.