My response:
"1. I never gave much thought on being articulate, but I grew up being taught that the dialect of a person should depend on the setting their in and the people they're talking too.
2. Jamila challenges traditional views of what it means to be articulate by showing that other dialects have value. Throughout her speech, her dialect switches from "proper English", English with a Caribbean twist, and even slang, emphasizing that she is articulate in one more than one type of English. Her switching these forms of language show that being articulate isn’t limited to one way of speaking but includes expressing oneself clearly in different forms.
3. I believe that Jamila was growing tired of people labeling her way of speaking as "improper" when, in reality, it reflects her culture and identity. The quote "But you can’t expect me to speak your history wholly while mines is broken"(2:56) is powerful because it re-enforces the fact that black people’s rights were stripped away—along with their culture and language. The speaker is preaching to the audience that being "articulate" is not only limited to "proper English", which is praised upon, but having different forms of language makes one more intellectual, pushing back against the stereotype that these ways of speaking are tied to lack of education.
4. Jamila alternates between various tones, dialects, and volumes in her speech. Her switch from proper English to "street talk" gives us an idea of the many forms of English she uses in her personal life. Additionally, the variations in her volume add dynamic momentum, further engaging the audience.
5. I don't remember an instance where someone judged my intellectual capacity based on how I look or speak."
My classmates response to me:
"Hey Klud, I really liked how you interpreted her switching forms of language of a way for her to express herself in different forms! I also grew up being taught that there is so many unique dialects of different languages based on the country you were born and raised in. The quote you chose for number 3 also stood out to me while I was listening to the Ted Talk as I thought of how African American rights, culture, and language was taken away from them as well."
My response:
"Titus Kaphar's "Can art amend history" delves into the theme of how art is a representation of history. Through physical alterations to existing paintings, he forces viewers to reconsider dominant perspectives in history. His starting example of his kid's confusion as to why the person of color was shown to be treated differently compelled him to think deeper on the relations between the two themes. Kaphar’s argument that art has the potential to challenge and amend historical narratives is thought-provoking. In semiotic theory, a "signifier" is the object or thing we can see or touch, like the strokes in a painting or a statue. The "signified" is the meaning behind that object. This connects to Kaphar’s work because when Kaphar changes parts of the paintings, he’s changing what these pieces have meant for a long time.This physical alteration forces the viewer to shift their focus and consider the boy’s role in the historical moment depicted. The artist is challenging the painting versus the meaning behind it, something we learned in Chapter 1 of Silverman and Radar (2018). The speaker also encourages viewers to shift their gaze, allowing for a deeper interpretation of the artwork. By covering the other characters, Kaphar highlights the Black boy, drawing attention to someone the original painting didn't emphasize. He describes how minor details such as the material of clothing worn by the characters is written about but the big image in front of us is looked over. This idea ties into the concept of viewing art through both a "window" and a "microscope," as discussed in Chapter 5 of our reading.When looking at the painting from certain people's perspective, they ponder on the minor details, such as the lace on the women's dress. This is not just at the fault of the viewers but also the people who write about these painting as they focus on these details. Kaphar, however, is telling people to look at the whole image. Focusing on the small details in this photo allows us to delve into the deeper meaning of the painting, like the necklace which signifies wealth. However, the artist wants us to focus on the little boy, who's details in the painting seem to be of less significance in the original artist's intention. Whether we are looking through a microscope or trying to see the big picture, we can analyze how overlooked the black character is. Considering race, class, and societal views also help us understand how the painting can be interpreted differently. He points out that traditional historical narratives often prioritize the perspectives of those in power while minimizing the presence of the other individuals, people of color. This perspective encourages us to see beyond what is presented and to recognize the deeper social and historical implications embedded in the art."
My classmates response to me:
"Hello Klud, I appreciate the way you framed your response to the TED Talk. The way Kaphar uses art to challenge dominant historical narratives is significant, and I think your response on how his work encourages us to rethink the roles people of color play in history really resonates well. Your analysis provided a deep understanding of how Kaphar's alterations to the painting compels viewers to reconsider what has been historically prioritized and what has not."
Dicussion 3: Unit 3 What is Solidarity and Integrity Embodied in Your Own Words?
My response:
"Solidarity, in my personal opinion, is standing with resilience for what you believe. It is about not being afraid to fight for what is right, or fighting anyway; regardless of fear. A person could stand in solidarity with a friend, a group of people, or even a nation.
To report with integrity is to be vulnerably honest when sharing information. It is about being just when providing information; especially with significant matters.
In the Howard Zinn Interview, the former WW-ll bombardier speaks on how his experiences led him to be anti-war. In the interview, we learned how he went on to support justice- going to Vietnam mid-war to help the American prisoners and protest the American attacks and being a participant in the Civil Rights Movement. Zinn is a prime example of standing with solidarity and reporting with integrity. His past didn't stop him from fighting for what's right, and his efforts became a powerful reminder that people can change, grow, and use their experiences to challenge injustice."
My response to my classmate:
"Hi Jazlin! I think you explained everything really well. I completely agree that being silent can be a form of taking sides. People blaming being "uneducated" the reason they aren't holding an inclusive position usually indicates they don't care enough for the issue. I think being self- aware and educated in significant issues in important."