Sunday, February 18, 2007
right now this blog should be called "thoughts of a stressed out scholar" I am about 76 pages in to the novel. Several of people I asked knew the novel, maybe 2.3 had read it. Still interested in doing the semi circle activity.
This activity
Reading "Black LIke Me". I got this book from Michael Merry, along with three others. This book is in a narrative form. Very gripping. John Howard Griffin has turned himself black for his novel.He experiences intense fear after his transformation, and also begins to feel as if he can not sit as an equal in another white person's presence. Likewise. He reveals his inital skin color to two other people, his friends at the shoe shine stand. I do not remember their names, which could be a sign of intital character underdevelopment. Griffin assures that ... This maybe be potential ...
I also ordered a book at the library called "Ten Little Niggers." By Agatha christie.
I wonder what part of me is really compelling this project. Realizing the suckiness of partitioning time.
Trying to make poems ryhme.
This activity
Reading "Black LIke Me". I got this book from Michael Merry, along with three others. This book is in a narrative form. Very gripping. John Howard Griffin has turned himself black for his novel.He experiences intense fear after his transformation, and also begins to feel as if he can not sit as an equal in another white person's presence. Likewise. He reveals his inital skin color to two other people, his friends at the shoe shine stand. I do not remember their names, which could be a sign of intital character underdevelopment. Griffin assures that ... This maybe be potential ...
I also ordered a book at the library called "Ten Little Niggers." By Agatha christie.
I wonder what part of me is really compelling this project. Realizing the suckiness of partitioning time.
Trying to make poems ryhme.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
http://www.channel3000.com/news/10132893/detail.html
Funeral Marks The End Of The Negative Word
POSTED: 7:51 pm CDT October 22, 2006
UPDATED: 8:08 pm CDT October 22, 2006
BELOIT, Wis. -- In a somber and meaningful ceremony on Saturday the N-word was laid to rest.
The word has been considered both derogatory and controversial over its lifetime. Which is why a Beloit group made a big statement about the word in a day-long funeral celebration.
It's a word that originated during times of slavery, meant by its creators to bring an entire race of people onto a level that justified them as servants to a higher class.
"We're really trying to say to young people this is not a term of endearment," said Wanda Sloan, Co-Chair of the Black Star Project in Beloit. The group developed the idea to literally bury the word and all the negativity that comes with it.
"We want to symbolize that whole history that we've gone through and to say, look where we are today and this is how we should think of ourselves," said Sloan. "On a much higher plan than as derogatory as not being able to use our God given names."
Supporters gathered at high noon, a time when many slaves historically were hung and heard the word as the last thing before their death, to discuss why it has persisted. Young people like some Madison East students in attendance said they know it's something their generation has embraced in things like rap music and hip-hop culture.
"There's so much negativity associated with the N-word, we just feel like it's time to make a change," said East junior Maya Williams. "It's been around for a while and we just want to set an example for our peers."
"Slaves have died for the word to stop it, and by us bringing it back up it's not doing anything," said junior Makayla Allen.
"The term is meaningless in reality, but it has become a useful word for those who help perpetrate the negative stereotypes of Africans worldwide," said Black Star Project member Tasha Bell.
While organizers of the rally and funeral know their efforts are only a small step, they hope it will make others think before using the word.
"The word is horrendous, this is something that's being done, so if anybody says something to you, at least you can look around and say you made a difference today," said Black Star Project member Emmett Riddle.
The word was actually laid to rest in East Lawn Cemetery in Beloit, with a casket containing a mirror, which organizers said was meant for all in attendance to reflect on the negativity inside them, as well as cards with words each person contributed.
taken form channel 3000 news
Funeral Marks The End Of The Negative Word
POSTED: 7:51 pm CDT October 22, 2006
UPDATED: 8:08 pm CDT October 22, 2006
BELOIT, Wis. -- In a somber and meaningful ceremony on Saturday the N-word was laid to rest.
The word has been considered both derogatory and controversial over its lifetime. Which is why a Beloit group made a big statement about the word in a day-long funeral celebration.
It's a word that originated during times of slavery, meant by its creators to bring an entire race of people onto a level that justified them as servants to a higher class.
"We're really trying to say to young people this is not a term of endearment," said Wanda Sloan, Co-Chair of the Black Star Project in Beloit. The group developed the idea to literally bury the word and all the negativity that comes with it.
"We want to symbolize that whole history that we've gone through and to say, look where we are today and this is how we should think of ourselves," said Sloan. "On a much higher plan than as derogatory as not being able to use our God given names."
Supporters gathered at high noon, a time when many slaves historically were hung and heard the word as the last thing before their death, to discuss why it has persisted. Young people like some Madison East students in attendance said they know it's something their generation has embraced in things like rap music and hip-hop culture.
"There's so much negativity associated with the N-word, we just feel like it's time to make a change," said East junior Maya Williams. "It's been around for a while and we just want to set an example for our peers."
"Slaves have died for the word to stop it, and by us bringing it back up it's not doing anything," said junior Makayla Allen.
"The term is meaningless in reality, but it has become a useful word for those who help perpetrate the negative stereotypes of Africans worldwide," said Black Star Project member Tasha Bell.
While organizers of the rally and funeral know their efforts are only a small step, they hope it will make others think before using the word.
"The word is horrendous, this is something that's being done, so if anybody says something to you, at least you can look around and say you made a difference today," said Black Star Project member Emmett Riddle.
The word was actually laid to rest in East Lawn Cemetery in Beloit, with a casket containing a mirror, which organizers said was meant for all in attendance to reflect on the negativity inside them, as well as cards with words each person contributed.
taken form channel 3000 news
My Big Projects: As apart of BHM and my senior thesis I am
researching the n-
word. I want to go to a BSU meeting and ask that we have a
discussion about this
topic. I asked Jasmine Nears to give me the contact info
for their advisor that
wrote the poem-"nigga" because she had mentioned that she
led a group of
highschoolers in a discussion of those words. So I will ask
her for assistance.
After I go to BSU with the discussion, I would like to
invite BSU to participate in a
larger fishbowl discussion with other students. I think
that the fishbowl technique
will be highly relevant because the word causes people to
react and act and
respond vividly. I think that the fishbowl will also allow
the observers to
demonstrate that the tensions or feelings behind this word
are palpable and visible
when being discussed. I think that this event will be an
important step in the
dialogue that William Berry spearheaded with his newspaper
article a semester ago.
I would want to have the fishbowl someplace that is intimate
and yet structured,
perhaps the MCC would be a good place. I also like the way
that it is on the res
side, which is closer to home life.
I would like to record the event; my professor is going to
let me borrow his video
camera...I am not sure if it will be uncomfortable for
people to hAVE T that playing,
or if they will be able to let it slide into the backgroud.
I would want to have the
discussion last for maybe 45 minutes, an hour, and then have
some time to
process over snacks. So I will need to go to belcon or
somewhere for money for
this event. I think that I should make people as
comfortable as possible in their
environment so that theyu can be more open.
I am waiting back on Jasmine at this point to get the ball
rolling.
researching the n-
word. I want to go to a BSU meeting and ask that we have a
discussion about this
topic. I asked Jasmine Nears to give me the contact info
for their advisor that
wrote the poem-"nigga" because she had mentioned that she
led a group of
highschoolers in a discussion of those words. So I will ask
her for assistance.
After I go to BSU with the discussion, I would like to
invite BSU to participate in a
larger fishbowl discussion with other students. I think
that the fishbowl technique
will be highly relevant because the word causes people to
react and act and
respond vividly. I think that the fishbowl will also allow
the observers to
demonstrate that the tensions or feelings behind this word
are palpable and visible
when being discussed. I think that this event will be an
important step in the
dialogue that William Berry spearheaded with his newspaper
article a semester ago.
I would want to have the fishbowl someplace that is intimate
and yet structured,
perhaps the MCC would be a good place. I also like the way
that it is on the res
side, which is closer to home life.
I would like to record the event; my professor is going to
let me borrow his video
camera...I am not sure if it will be uncomfortable for
people to hAVE T that playing,
or if they will be able to let it slide into the backgroud.
I would want to have the
discussion last for maybe 45 minutes, an hour, and then have
some time to
process over snacks. So I will need to go to belcon or
somewhere for money for
this event. I think that I should make people as
comfortable as possible in their
environment so that theyu can be more open.
I am waiting back on Jasmine at this point to get the ball
rolling.
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