Reflection-p.1

America is known as that land of the free. Americans posses the freedom to say what they wish and be whoever they want to be. Americans are unique in that they admonish conformity and yet often ostracize those that appear different. So when we say the //American Individual,// what does that necessarily mean? Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Throughout my room I chose to show example of American response to individuality at its best and its worst. On this first wall I tried to show some basic examples of each. The photos by Roy DeCarava portray sort of similar images in the way the light and dark portions of the photos are contrasted. The subjects of the photos stand out because they stand alone. The photos portray individuals because, one, they are alone and, two, the feeling of the photos is that they shouldn't be alone. The subjects have in some way been ostracized or excluded. There is a clear message of separation. DeCarava portrays this with his use of light. Hester Prynne is an obvious choice as an example of the chastising of individuality. She was forced to live outside of the town just because she did not conform to the puritan way of life. She was an individual just because of the scarlet "A" on her chest. In this case America responded to Hester Prynne's differences in a negative way. They chose to simply disregard her because she was different. This was a common response to many historical figures who represented or lobbied for change in our country. For example, lobbyists of equal rights such as Martin Luther King and Malcolm X were certainty met with a lot of resistance from the American public. Reform is almost never without opposition. However, all examples of Americas treatment of individuality aren't negative. Sometimes there will be a cause that all Americans can get on board with. For example Upton Sinclair's //The Jungle. The Jungle// described the unsatisfactory and often disgusting conditions of the meat packing industry. It told stories of workers falling into vats of lard and various other gruesome details of our packaged meat. His book caused a public outcry and was an integral part of passing the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906. His book also exposed the exploitation of women and children workers and helped to gain support for worker's rights and an age limit on work. Upton Sinclair felt dissatisfied with a situation and spoke up. He presented a different opinion and lobbied for change in the meat packing industry and he was met with a positive response. This not only is an example of America excepting reform but also of the power of literature. Written work can reach citizens all over the country. The accessibility of Sinclair's book allowed him to gain support from the public and make a change.

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