The+Images+of+America

media type="custom" key="804879"**

"The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults. " ~Alexis De Tocqueville **


 * When asked in the beginning of the school year what it meant to be "American" many responded that **** America **** was a melting pot of different cultures, ideas, and history's combined. I chose to begin my space with a collage of various images representing **** America **** 's history both past and present. The theme I have chosen to explore has occurred in all the novels we have read this year. I have chosen to focus on all those who have been pushed aside, silenced, and ignored within **** America **** . Time and time again we have seen the same individuals marginalized within our nation. **** America **** allows the ability for change to occur both politically and socially and we have seen changes occur led by social movements. **** America **** offers each citizen liberty and freedom, and though we are a nation of greatness, there are still great changes which must be made to wrong the rights in the **** United States **** . **


 * In the center of the photo are images which stand for "God Bless **** America **** " a phrase we hear often. Surrounding that classic phrase I chose images of **** America **** 's history including the Civil War, Civil Rights Movement, Great Depression, and worker's rights movement. These images show the "past" injustices which have occurred in **** America ****, but also depict the ability for change and the hope of equality that **** America **** grants. All of these movements caused changes to be made to the nation's political and social system. **


 * Representing the cultural and social aspect of **** America **** I chose various images which show the media influence which has affected different areas of **** America **** . I chose the image of Elvis Presley because he is an American icon of rock & roll which brought about changes within society, however his demise was also due to his dependency on prescription drugs. I chose the combination of the Barbie icon, 50's woman and the woman with the ruler to show society's viewpoint on beauty. The concept of beauty is prevalent in the Toni Morrison novel "The Bluest Eye" and both society and the media and continued to fuel the beliefs that what is beautiful is blond-haired blue-eyed American girl, which has led our entire society to the self-degradation of people who do not fit the specific guidelines to what is "American Beauty". The drawing labeled "pimp" represents both social and cultural depictions of both African-Americans and minorities today. "Pimp" has become a term which is used frequently to label people who fit a certain stereotype. Embedding "pimp" into contemporary mainstream media and culture has continued to set the foundation for a series of stereotypes of an entire race and culture.

Though the images you see may be associated with all the negative history which has occurred in **** America ****, they are all movements that have taken place to end injustice within **** America ****. As De Tocqueville stated, though laws have been changed to abolish injustices within **** America ****, injustice created by society is not as easily ended. It is vital that we realize that the oppression of the American individual has held our society back from achieving happiness and freedom which is granted to each American citizen. **

  **"Oppression"**

you pray on us when we sleep oppression you chase after the tired the poor the weak oppression you know you mean only harm oppression you reach out with your long arm
 * Oppression

but oppression I won't let you near me oppression you shall learn to fear me

oppression you seek population control oppression to divide and to conquer is your goal oppression I swear that hatred is your home oppression you just won't leave bad enough alone

but oppression I won't let you near me oppression you shall learn to fear me

oppression I don't see how you sleep oppression for your bleeding conscience I weep oppression you may have the dollar on your side but oppression from the gospel truth you cannot hide and oppression I won't let you near me oppression you shall learn to fear me oppression I won't let you near me oppression you shall fear me**

~Ben Harper 

 media type="custom" key="804879"**

"The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults. " ~Alexis De Tocqueville **

** When asked in the beginning of the school year what it meant to be "American" many responded that America was a melting pot of different cultures, ideas, and history's combined. I chose to begin my space with a collage of various images representing America's history both past and present. The theme I have chosen to explore has occurred in all the novels we have read this year. I have chosen to focus on all those who have been pushed aside, silenced, and ignored within America. Time and time again we have seen the same individuals marginalized within our nation. America allows the ability for change to occur both politically and socially and we have seen changes occur led by social movements. America offers each citizen liberty and freedom, and though we are a nation of greatness, there are still great changes which must be made to wrong the rights in the United States. **


 *  In the center of the photo are images which stand for "God Bless America" a phrase we hear often. Surrounding that classic phrase I chose images of America's history including the Civil War, Civil Rights Movement, Great Depression, and worker's rights movement. These images show the "past" injustices which have occurred in America, but also depict the ability for change and the hope of equality that America grants. All of these movements caused changes to be made to the nation's political and social system. **

** Representing the cultural and social aspect of America I chose various images which show the media influence which has affected different areas of America. I chose the image of Elvis Presley because he is an American icon of rock & roll which brought about changes within society, however his demise was also due to his dependency on prescription drugs. I chose the combination of the Barbie icon, 50's woman and the woman with the ruler to show society's viewpoint on beauty. The concept of beauty is prevalent in the Toni Morrison novel "The Bluest Eye" and both society and the media and continued to fuel the beliefs that what is beautiful is blond-haired blue-eyed American girl, which has led our entire society to the self-degradation of people who do not fit the specific guidelines to what is "American Beauty". The drawing labeled "pimp" represents both social and cultural depictions of both African-Americans and minorities today. "Pimp" has become a term which is used frequently to label people who fit a certain stereotype. Embedding "pimp" into contemporary mainstream media and culture has continued to set the foundation for a series of stereotypes of an entire race and culture.

Though the images you see may be associated with all the negative history which has occurred in America, they are all movements that have taken place to end injustice within America. As De Tocqueville stated, though laws have been changed to abolish injustices within America, injustice created by society is not as easily ended. It is vital that we realize that the oppression of the American individual has held our society back from achieving happiness and freedom which is granted to each American citizen. **  <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; color: rgb(20, 153, 45); text-align: center; display: block"> **"Oppression"**

you pray on us when we sleep oppression you chase after the tired the poor the weak oppression you know you mean only harm oppression you reach out with your long arm
 * Oppression

but oppression I won't let you near me oppression you shall learn to fear me

oppression you seek population control oppression to divide and to conquer is your goal oppression I swear that hatred is your home oppression you just won't leave bad enough alone

but oppression I won't let you near me oppression you shall learn to fear me

oppression I don't see how you sleep oppression for your bleeding conscience I weep oppression you may have the dollar on your side but oppression from the gospel truth you cannot hide and oppression I won't let you near me oppression you shall learn to fear me oppression I won't let you near me oppression you shall fear me**

~Ben Harper <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; color: rgb(20, 153, 45); text-align: center; display: block">

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