Why All the Hate?

     It was a sunny and beautiful day of my senior year and high school was getting out early.  At firt thought, this sounds like a dream come true.  However, the buses and parking lots were being re-routed so that cars would not pass the front of the school.  Police cars were lining up near the entrance and an armed security force was nervously guarding the area.  Everyone knew what was happening and students, parents, and the community had been warned weeks in advance.  A "religious" group was coming to our school to express the freedom of speech.  This highly controversial group calls themselves the Westboro Baptist Church.  

     The people of the Westboro Baptist church have a very unique set of beliefs that they try to spread.  They travel the nation and target schools, military funerals, military bases and much more to try to evoke as much disruption as they can.  As the photo shown expresses, their ideas mainly propose that God hates.  They have numerous different signs that can often cause so much anger in witnessing individuals that violence occurs.  These hate protests and occurrences of violence are a radical example of how the freedom of religion has separated instead of united the people of society.  

     The Westboro Baptist Church is obviously an extreme example of religious hate but when thinking about it, society is a lot more separated because of religion than we think.  Each religion's viewpoints are often much different from each other, which in turn isolates members of each religion to their own groups.  In order to stop this separation people need to be more tolerant of other peoples' beliefs.  Society does not need to agree on the same beliefs but rather just accept the fact that everyone has their own viewpoints.  As a result, members of society will be more united and there will be fewer disturbances such as those that the people of the Westboro Baptist church cause.  

Mashup... Will It Survive?

Everyone likes it when a new style or trend emerges whether it be fashion, technology, music or even people. Gregg Gillis is trying to do just this in the media industry. Introducing a new form of art, or rather music through the combination and blending of previously reordered and copyrighted songs. This idea commonly referred to as, mashup, has made quite the name amongst individuals today. His shows, Girl Talk, have raised an interest in many listeners who are excited about the possibility of this new, unique and good sound produced through mashup. However, the possibility isn’t as easy as Gillis spreading this new art and success in his work; artists and multiple companies are questioning the legality of his work. Is Gillis in line with copyright regulations? Finding the balance is the key, because we can’t limit the opportunity of a new era, or genre of music developing.

The unique and captivating sound presented in this style of music is created through the mixture of anywhere from two to thirty (or so) songs into one. With this being said, the length of each song is so short that it shouldn’t require authorization. Gillis is using this argument to hopefully progress his creations and allow his work to continue to spread across America. Contrary to the previous statement, Gillis is taking someone else’s work (money) and applying it so his own productions. Thus, Gillis is receiving the full benefits that in reality incorporate the work of many. With a production that involves so many different artists the ability to regulate and determine a fair policy will be rather difficult. The talent and opportunity for a new and developing part of our culture that has already had much success should not be limited. Gregg Gillis is raising a question that may be marking history, solving endless copyright problems or just releasing a new style in our society today.

Graphic Communications...Huh?

As freshmen, we enter the world of college with a fresh start from high school. In many cases, it is a different environment to get used to, and new people to meet. Whether it is at orientation, the first hall meeting, or the first day of classes, we see new faces and learn new names. We are bombarded by the typical “freshman questions”. What is your name? Where are you from? Why did you choose Clemson? What is your major? The list goes on. The question that I get further asked about is the major one. My major is graphic communications; a concentration that often puzzles people when first mentioned. Many classmates I have come across are often studying in the fields of engineering, biology, or business. When mentioning graphic communications to people, their usual response is either “that’s cool” or a confused, “what exactly is that?” When asked, it is usually hard to come up with a basic definition in a quick second answer, for the graphics industry is more than just design and people who play around on Photoshop all day long. The industry is a lot more technical. Here at Clemson, our GC department states graphic communications as being “The processes and industries that create, develop, produce, and disseminate products utilizing or incorporating words or pictorial images to convey information, ideas, and feelings. GC products facilitate learning, enjoyment, motivation, and commerce. Graphic Communications includes the family of market segments embracing the technologies of printing, publishing, packaging, electronic imaging, and their allied industries; they are often referred to as the graphic arts, print, or imaging industries.” This gives a good description of what we do and how our field should be perceived, but imagine trying to whip this information out in a moment’s notice. Complicated, right? It is important to share this field and the developments in technology we are reaching in order to break the stereotypes of simply being graphic designers who make brochures. Graphics involves the realm of printing that we see every day. There are various stages involved in the graphic production process, starting from basic ideas and concepts, to prepress and presswork, to the delivery to the customer, and the many steps in between. Whether in advertising and promotional materials, publications, packaging, or web related, GC uses rhetorical appeals, innovation, and creativity to convey certain messages and visual substance to the public. It is artistry with a technical side. The field of graphic communications does just that—communicates. It’s a bit misunderstood, but it has an importance in society. Without visual material around us, product and brand identities would not exist, and the world would become a much duller and bland place.

Wow this is "Virtual Insanity"?

Virtual Insanity is a very unique video from the 1990s. Jamiroquai, the artist, is in this room that is very white and plain, but futuristic looking as well. The furniture in this room is black and very common. The moving floor is the most interesting thing in the room. The hallway scene, with the men in white, had a gust of wind pushing objects to the back of the narrow hallway. There are scenes with water bugs crawling around and a crow flying across the room. There was also a scene where blood or paint came out of the couches on the floor. This video symbolizes so many things and can be interpreted in so many ways.

The video definitely has a deep meaning, but I believe Jamiroquai is trying to get the viewers to truly think of our society. I believe there is no wrong answer while trying to figure out what the video’s point is. There is a reason why the rooms are white, why bugs are crawling on the ground, why the furniture moving across the room, and why the men are dressed in white. I believe that the white rooms and white outfits worn by the men in the videos were showing how society is getting more and more typical, or becoming less original. The song says how technology and the idea of greed in life are taking over our society. In other words, the things that make us human are being redefined by technology and materialistic things. Since crows usually symbolize something dark is happening or is going to happen, I believe the crow flying across the ceiling could be the death of our country for depending on technology and this unreasonable standard we as a country live by.

The lyrics also explain how the US seems to be selfish when it comes to living .The blood or paint on the ground in the last few seconds of the video could mean the US is being hurt by all of the technology and the bad aspects of culture that our country follows. The blood could also mean that our acts as a whole in life are hurting the US. The moving furniture could represent the people in the US making these typical decisions, and not thinking outside of the box. In this time period, a lot of changes were slowly being made to the US. The wind gusts in the hallway could represent how it is hard to escape from the damaging ways of the US. Since there are so many interpretations of this video, it will always keep the viewers thinking no matter what. Jamiroquai could have been trying to persuade the people in the 90s generation that things should not have been the way they were then. The artist lets our minds wonder with this unique video.

Link to Virtual Insanity: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JkIs37a2JE

“Love is all you need”

The real meaning of a holiday dedicated to love has become so different from what it originally was. Valentine’s Day has become so much about couples and all the mushy things that go with them that singles feel left out. But the real meaning of Valentine’s Day should be to be thankful for all the love that surrounds you, no matter who it comes from, be it your friends, family, or parakeet. From the earliest records about February 14, it was traditionally the holiday held in celebration to honor the martyrs Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni. No romantic links were held between the martyrs and romance until sometime in the 14^th century, generally due to romantic legends. Supposedly, (a) St. Valentine was a Christian priest that was interrogated by Roman Emperor Claudius II who later put him in jail for secretly marrying single soldiers of Claudius’s army. The night before his execution, St. Valentine wrote a note to a young girl presumed to be his lover, reading “From your Valentine.” Through this legend, the holiday is no longer a day to honor the martyrs but to celebrate the love between two romantically involved people. But who’s to say that singles have to feel left out? I will admit that it is a special feeling to be surprised as I was for Valentine’s Day, but there is no need to feel as though you aren’t loved. Love is a universal feeling that will overcome almost any obstacle. The love between family members is incredibly strong. Just the other day, I was reminded of how lucky I am to have a family that will support one another through all that life will throw at us, whether it is a bad grade, a car accident, or cancer. Having all these thoughts put in perspective for me really made me think about how this holiday ought to be celebrated in the future. It really should be focused on the love that binds us all together and makes us stronger as a whole, no matter if it is from boyfriends/girlfriends or spouses or friends and family. So remember to quote the Beatles next year on February 14 and say “All you need is Love.”

The Strength of Grace : Is a Dancer an Athlete?

There are many different necessary qualities to fulfill to role of an athlete. All sports require at least one type of strength; whether it’s natural talent or the result of years of hard work and determination, you usually won’t get too far as an athlete without it. So what do you think of when somebody asks you to name an athlete? Is it a famous football star or a college basketball player? Maybe a baseball pitcher or a tennis player you watched in the US Open. Whichever of those it might be, I would like to bet that a professional dancer or principle ballerina didn’t come to your mind. The thought of a girls in leotards and tutus on a stage doesn’t really sound like a sport, and it isn’t; but, that doesn’t mean those girls aren’t athletic. Unless somebody has actually been in a real ballet class, they aren’t going to give the dancers the credit they deserve. I have been dancing every day of the week for the past 10 years and I personally know how much strength, endurance, and determination it takes to dance in a ballet. It doesn’t come easy and just like an Olympic athlete, ballerinas train hours on end and are often told to be on certain diet to remain a particular weight and size. Still, people still say “It’s just dance” or “Anyone can do that”. From someone who has been through torn muscles, day-long rehearsals, and physical and mentally tiring dance classes, take it from me that dancers are, and should be considered, very athletic. Though tutus and stage makeup usually hide the pain, the strength that a dancer has pulls through for her entire performance, leaving the audience unaware of the pain and strength it takes to last throughout a show. Football players might have long practices, special diets, and weight requirements and runners may need to run miles on end to lengthen their cardiac ability, but dancers have requirements too and all of that grace doesn’t come easy. It just takes a different type of athlete to be both graceful, and full of strength, and more people should recognize and respect the art and ability within a dancer.

The Rise of the Female Demographic

Women have worked their way from the titles of mother and wife to mother, wife, doctor, CEO, entrepreneur and many other professions. No longer does every female stay at home, cook, clean, and look after her children. Now opportunities are open everywhere to women. They can vote, go to college, and become successful all while having a family. They are now emotional supporters as well as financial supporters. Along with this shift has been a shift in attitude towards women. They are now well respected and have become role models for many people.

Does this make women our leaders in the world? Are they carrying the world on their shoulders such as the women portrayed in this image? I think women are capable of it. Most are not publicly recognized this way such as Oprah Winfrey, but they are still juggling a lot and handling it well. The women in the photo is not slouched down and tired from carrying the weight of the world; she is standing up independently and confidently.

It has been said that “women do it all” and now they really do. Once constrained by discrimination, now they have almost completely broken free of it and have made themselves capable of doing anything. I think this attitude has begun to encompass women who do not work also. Maybe a woman does not hold a coveted job or any job at all but they can still be seen as successful. There was a day when stay at home moms were seen as unskillful and lazy. Now the stereotypical “soccer mom” is given more credit than ever as she is seen also juggling many things at once.

This is important to women because they are tired of being told that they cannot do something because of gender. They want to be respected and viewed as on or above the level of males. Women found the best way to do this was to do what men do plus more and it has worked for them. They have had the chance to be successful and many have taken it. Carrying the weight of the world sounds like something weak women could not do; but with the movement among women they have become stronger and more capable than ever to lead and “carry the world”.

Masculinity and Femininity: How They Shape Our World

What are the first words that come to mind when you hear “masculine”: strong, hairy chest, physical appearance, deep voice or temper? What about when you hear “feminine”? Do you automatically think emotional, pretty face, nice clothes or housewife? Society has trained us to think in such a way and it has shaped our minds to believe this stereotype. Modern masculinity and femininity are fighting back, and they are fighting with hope and perseverance that this stereotype will be put to rest.

When I first saw this cartoon, my mind was wondering in a million different directions. It combines masculine and feminine with the roles each gender should possess. I did not know if I really believed what it was saying or if I was angry at the way it was portraying the two sexes. I look at it and I see the ripped lifeguard that is brave and is portrayed as a hero. The woman is juggling all the stresses of having kids: grades, bottles and tending to screaming babies. Even though this picture is not realistic, the message is quite clear; men are suppose to be the brave and heroic ones while women are suppose to tend to the house and kids.

What if a woman chooses not to take on this role? Is it considered wrong? Would men receive the same reaction if they decided to go against society’s standards? That is where modern masculinity and femininity come into play. Women are now venturing out into the work force and accepting positions that only men once held. They are somewhat finding their independence and realizing they can hold jobs just as men can. On the other end of the spectrum, men are now able to stay at home and tend to the household duties. There was a time when that was unheard of, and they are now finding that it can be a possibility, especially if their wives are out in the work field. If you sit back and think of how gender roles and femininity/masculinity have drastically changed in recent years, you will be amazed. I feel like it will only change more in the years to come and who knows, it might come to a point in time where we see our first female President take office. The future is unknown, but I have confidence that gender roles and masculinity/femininity will continue to transform in order to completely terminate the original stereotype that once controlled them.

Sharing is Caring

What qualities do you think about when you think of the president of the United States? Someone who is strong, intelligent, wise, charismatic, honest, compassionate, and above all a leader of men. In the past the position of president in this country has been taken by a male. Women have made significant strides in the political arena considering they were not even allowed to vote in the beginning. These feminist political movements culminated in a close race last presidential election where Hillary Clinton made a run to be the first female president in our countries history. Many people, however, said that they could not see a woman leading our country. Their argument is that traditional female characteristics could easily get in the way of successfully running a country. While it has been done before it has never been done here. It is said that women are too emotional or that they are not strong willed. They are not natural leaders as men are seen to be in the traditional view of family life. However, all these obstacles are not stopping women from entering the political world. A good example of this is right here in South Carolina with our first female governor Nikki Haley. This seems to break the stereotype of a governor as well as a female. Women are proving that they can be just as effective in leadership roles as men yet when comparing them to certain individuals that is not saying much. It is now being seen that women can in fact bring new and useful traits to a leadership post. This is only one example of the changing gender roles in modern society which we have been discussing lately. Society itself has been preaching more and more acceptance of being whatever you want to be and not being caged by outdated gender stereotypes. This is a good strategy of diversification in order to develop a better competitive advantage for our country. If we stayed limited by our traditional views of gender we would be in a much different situation and more than likely it would not be any better.

An Unusual “Tail”

Hopefully most everyone has seen the Disney Pixar movie Ratatouille (if you haven’t, you really should watch it). Today, I was glancing at the shelf my roommate and I keep our movies on and when I saw Ratatouille, I instantly thought about the gender roles portrayed in the film. The basic premise of the movie is about a rat named Remy who, much to his peers’ disapproval, dreams of becoming a chef. His family and friends criticize and frown upon his dream and claim that rats aren’t supposed to cook, they are supposed to steal food from garbage cans. However, this trash disgusts Remy and he dreams of fancy foods with many diverse flavors. At a near death experience, Remy befriends a garbage boy at a restaurant. It is through this new friend that Remy is able to pursue his dream of cooking. One thing about Remy that caught my attention was his physique. Most male Disney stars are very muscular, strong and fearless. Remy, on the other hand, is somewhat skinny, and, at the beginning of the movie, timid. In my opinion, he is a little goofy looking, and has a nerdy voice. I wonder what the significance of creating such a character is. What messages are the creators trying to send to the audience? One message I get from this movie is that modern society is more accepting of different and unique people.

I think this movie is a prime example of modern gender roles. If Ratatouille had come out 50 years ago, I think the plot would be drastically different. For example, I think Remy would aspire to be a successful businessman, or perhaps star athlete; but I would never ever picture him wanting to be a chef. After all, isn’t cooking for “women”? Indeed, this used to be the case. In today’s society, however, gender roles have been exceptionally widened. It is perfectly socially acceptable (in fact, respected) for men to become chefs. Although Remy’s dream comes true, which follows the typical Disney format, Ratatouille is definitely an atypical story; but it is, without a doubt, a product of modern society.