Reconstruction is the time in which Southern states were reorganized into the Union. It took place after the Civil War and was led over the course of years by Andrew Johnson and Ulysses S. Grant. The reason Reconstruction took place was because of how the war destroyed the South. The South had issues with their economy, politics, and society and was in desperate need of help.
Some things that went well with Reconstruction was the fact that it was reintegrated into the United States, and it was no longer a separate group. Another good point Reconstruction brought on were the Amendments 13, 14, and 15. The papers gave rights to to any race and freed slaves.
Some things that didn't go so well, though, were the fact that the freed slaves could not vote because of the Grandfather law (which meant if your grandfather was a slave, you couldn't vote). At the time, the president Andrew Johnson thought he was doing great and noble things, but instead of letting the South vote for their governors, he appointed their leaders instead. This was another downfall because it took away the Southerner's rights and the governors created black codes. Black codes passed for black people to have "second class" rights. A few more not-so-great things that came from Reconstruction happened to do with white supremacists that formed groups like: the KKK, the Red Shirts, and the White League.
All of this is relevant today because with such instability and racism in the South today, it creates a boundary of ignorance and bad reputation for the South. Assumptions that each and every one of the Southerners are racist today, give a bad meaning.
One reputable instance the Reconstruction is known for is the fact that the Union created an army that fought to enforce laws. The general South did not like the North for a long time, 130 years to be exact, until some voted for Ronald Reagan (a Republican). One comparison to today's world is the US troops being sent to Iraq. One motive for the Iraq war was to go and help control the Taliban. When the Taliban was rumored to have fallen, the US troops went in and have been there for many years now. After all this time, the Taliban has actually gotten even stronger.
An example of this is quoted from Fox News: "And it's getting worse because the Taliban have reemerged, the 68,000 American troops combined with the NATO forces, according to General McChrystal, are not enough to regain lost momentum..."
To view the full story, go to http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,557640,00.html
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Re: Blog #9- Media Saves the Beach in News
Excerpt from Union Tribune:
"Dozens of scientists, engineers and volunteers in wet suits and immersed in 67-degree water are setting up sensitive equipment along Imperial Beach's shoreline to better understand water pollution.
The work is part of a $1.5 million experiment that may help manage beach closures along the entire California coast.
Scientists with UCSD's Scripps Institution of Oceanography say the goal of the Imperial Beach Pollutant Transport and Dilution Experiment is to track how pollutants are moved by waves, currents and tides.
Yesterday, investigators dropped floating devices called drifters, which move like dye, into the Pacific Ocean. Dye testing is set to begin Monday.
Drifters and dye both simulate pollution. However, drifters provide better data for how fast pollutants spread along the shore while dye better monitors cross-shore movement.
The drifters and nontoxic dye will be released from the Tijuana River to just north of the Imperial Beach city limit, depending on the swell and other conditions. "
The issue for this story is that scientists are studying the flow of pollution from the Tijuana river to north of Imperial Beach. They took trackers and put them in the water to see where they end up in a certain amount of time. To find out more information, we could research and follow up the Union Tribune's articles that feature San Diego's water pollution.
The story relates to our class because of pollution, investigating the water, and writing an article on it. It could tie into our project if anyone does a topic on water pollution.
"Dozens of scientists, engineers and volunteers in wet suits and immersed in 67-degree water are setting up sensitive equipment along Imperial Beach's shoreline to better understand water pollution.
The work is part of a $1.5 million experiment that may help manage beach closures along the entire California coast.
Scientists with UCSD's Scripps Institution of Oceanography say the goal of the Imperial Beach Pollutant Transport and Dilution Experiment is to track how pollutants are moved by waves, currents and tides.
Yesterday, investigators dropped floating devices called drifters, which move like dye, into the Pacific Ocean. Dye testing is set to begin Monday.
Drifters and dye both simulate pollution. However, drifters provide better data for how fast pollutants spread along the shore while dye better monitors cross-shore movement.
The drifters and nontoxic dye will be released from the Tijuana River to just north of the Imperial Beach city limit, depending on the swell and other conditions. "
The issue for this story is that scientists are studying the flow of pollution from the Tijuana river to north of Imperial Beach. They took trackers and put them in the water to see where they end up in a certain amount of time. To find out more information, we could research and follow up the Union Tribune's articles that feature San Diego's water pollution.
The story relates to our class because of pollution, investigating the water, and writing an article on it. It could tie into our project if anyone does a topic on water pollution.
Re: Blog #8- Media Saves the Beach
For the Media Saves the Beach project, we reviewed some of the different categories everyone can do. I think that the photography category stood out most to me because I personally enjoy photography. To up last year's final products, I think that working with different angles, lenses, and film will give a more creative feel to the photos.
I'm really excited to portray my creativity, and for my project I plan on studying Sunset Cliffs because of the controversy surrounding the dangers of the falling cliffs. I might use a fish eye lense, and different colored lenses too. Or I might use my Diana camera.
I'm really excited to portray my creativity, and for my project I plan on studying Sunset Cliffs because of the controversy surrounding the dangers of the falling cliffs. I might use a fish eye lense, and different colored lenses too. Or I might use my Diana camera.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
American Icons Final Product
Emulating Compassion
By Dani Toscano
Altruism. Philanthropy. Humility. Three words that came into my mind as twenty African children swarmed around my family and me, as we were welcomed into a Masaii village. Women gathered around and gingerly ran their fingers through our hair, as if it was the most precious silk, while theirs was closely shaven. I had never experienced anything that could prepare me to come face to face with such a small foreign tribe of African people. We walked around for a bit, traded jewelry, and finally reached the school hut where children looked at us with huge brown eyes, wondering who we were. I watched as flies found their way to their beautiful brown cheeks, eyebrows, and even ears, yet they didn’t flinch one bit. They were used to these conditions as they had never experienced anything else. In that instant I wanted to help these people somehow- with water, with food, with anything I could. I wanted to practice pure altruism, giving them whatever might make their lives even a bit better. I thought of the people I had read about and what they had accomplished. I thought again of those three words. Who embodies altruism, philanthropy, and humility? Who could I emulate if I could choose one person? The answer became clear immediately: Audrey Hepburn, for her tireless efforts working with UNICEF, for her beauty inside and out, and for her overall love of doing favors for others.
With her upbringing centered on her having so little, she knew what poverty-stricken children lived with. Her first trip was to Ethiopia, which at the time was the poorest country in the world. At a press conference after the trip she said, “I’m very impressed by the people of Ethiopia. By their beauty by their dignity by their patience and by their enormous desire, their enormous will is to help themselves. Not to simply sit there waiting. Their patience is a patience which comes I think partly from their religion, partly from their characters, of dealing with their luck the best they can, facing facts the best they can.” Guatemalan drinking water, Bangladesh schools, and camps for Sudanese orphans became well known missions Audrey undertook successfully. Truly this woman had only selflessness in her heart, constantly giving to those less fortunate than herself, and always with an open mind.
Like me, she was never closed-minded to the situations of those around her. Growing up, my family taught me to be open to everyone, including people who may be ignorant themselves. To this day, I have shown that quality whether the person is of color, age, or another stature.
Audrey took full of advantage of her God-given talents in all facets of entertainment, philanthropy, art, and numerous endeavors. She was a ballet dancer, a model, an actress, and a distinct role model for many who had never thought to travel to foreign lands to help others. Although I don’t possess all the talents Audrey had myself, I practice other forms of art such as sketching, painting, and photography. I think that as I get older and find other resources I can tap into, I will be a role model to others someday, showing that when a person lives selflessly while doing something they enjoy, they set a positive cycle in motion that others will follow. Audrey did that for me, through her examples of the right way to live as a talented humanitarian, and a dynamic role model.
Works Cited
Hall, Susan G. “American icons: an encyclopedia of the people, places, and things.” Vol. 1. Greenwood Group. Google. <http://books.google.com/
Jackson, Denny. "Audrey Hepburn." Audrey Hepburn- Biography. IMDb. <http://www.imdb.com/name/
"UNICEF People: Audrey Hepburn." UNICEF- UNICEF People. UNICEF, 14 Oct. 2004. <http://www.unicef.org/people/
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Re: American Icons Reflection Part 1
For our first project, we had to research a person, object, or event that has had an effect on American culture. After researching, we had to choose 3 icons (and their pictures), and blog about them. We then narrowed it down to one person and created an 8x10 inch black and white self-portrait in which we creatively exhibited a connection to one of their photos. With that, came an artistic statement where we wrote about the American icon and our connection to them.
I chose Audrey Hepburn- a famous actress, model, and ballet dancer from the 40s. To me, she is an inspiration because she held a high status position while retaining grace, beauty, and charm. Out of everyone who met her, most said she was extremely charasmatic and unusually beautiful. While researching her, I thought about how she has had an effect on American culture now and it seems she has a ton of fans even in today's pop culture. After reading many articles and biographies on how she expanded her social popularity, I began to view pictures. The most popular one, which is sold on a huge canvas in Ikea, is the photo of her with a cigarrette in her famous little black dress. Over time, I debated which photo to portray because many photos seemed interesting to me. Eventually I chose the classic Breakfast at Tiffany's shot that is widely known.
Over the writing process, I learned that my writing required a little more higher vocabulary terms, so I added them after my drafts were corrected. I think that one writing technique I used was creating a story. In my statement, I begin it with a personal story from Africa, connecting Audrey Hepburn more to my events. I used this after Randy told us to catch a technique from our partner's paper. In my case- Alia's. Her whole artistic statement was about how she connected to her mom so that definitely helped me in the end because it gave better flow.
If I had time for one or a few more drafts, I'd reread my statement and check if anything needs to be revised. I had to shorten my original 994 essay to 600 words, which I didn't enjoy one bit!
One sentence I believe is well written is "Who could I emulate if I could choose one person? The answer became clear immediately: Audrey Hepburn, for her tireless efforts working with UNICEF, for her beauty inside and out, and for her overall love of doing favors for others. " These sentences are in the first paragraph, and states the thesis in a clear message.
I chose Audrey Hepburn- a famous actress, model, and ballet dancer from the 40s. To me, she is an inspiration because she held a high status position while retaining grace, beauty, and charm. Out of everyone who met her, most said she was extremely charasmatic and unusually beautiful. While researching her, I thought about how she has had an effect on American culture now and it seems she has a ton of fans even in today's pop culture. After reading many articles and biographies on how she expanded her social popularity, I began to view pictures. The most popular one, which is sold on a huge canvas in Ikea, is the photo of her with a cigarrette in her famous little black dress. Over time, I debated which photo to portray because many photos seemed interesting to me. Eventually I chose the classic Breakfast at Tiffany's shot that is widely known.
Over the writing process, I learned that my writing required a little more higher vocabulary terms, so I added them after my drafts were corrected. I think that one writing technique I used was creating a story. In my statement, I begin it with a personal story from Africa, connecting Audrey Hepburn more to my events. I used this after Randy told us to catch a technique from our partner's paper. In my case- Alia's. Her whole artistic statement was about how she connected to her mom so that definitely helped me in the end because it gave better flow.
If I had time for one or a few more drafts, I'd reread my statement and check if anything needs to be revised. I had to shorten my original 994 essay to 600 words, which I didn't enjoy one bit!
One sentence I believe is well written is "Who could I emulate if I could choose one person? The answer became clear immediately: Audrey Hepburn, for her tireless efforts working with UNICEF, for her beauty inside and out, and for her overall love of doing favors for others. " These sentences are in the first paragraph, and states the thesis in a clear message.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Re: Photo Critique
Here are my revised photos. I like the first one because of the lighting and the old film look, but the other looks cleaner and softer. I'm still deciding.
The main photo technique I used was posed potrait. 
The main photo technique I used was posed potrait.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Re: Photography Techniques
Reflections:This photo was taken in Tanzania, Africa, and has an extreme contrast between the blues and whites which gives an amazing reflection in the lake. Not only can reflections be created with water, but they can also with mirrors, shiny objects (like spoons), or television sets.
With Reflection photography, it's easier to get more creative especially if your icon is someone you're related to, or if it is yourself. You can picture someone that can be portrayed as someone else, but you being the model. I also think it gives an original feel since most photos will be self portraits.
Reflections also work well if you want your audience to look closely at your photo because with some reflection photography, people really have to get a good look at what actually is in the photo. In one example, there is a photo of a wine glass with water in it, creating a reflection that people really have to get a good look at. I know when I first saw it, I was curious about what actually was in the reflection.
Macro Photography & Unique Perspectives: In this photo, I used the Macro setting in order to focus on the rose's detailed petals. If you click to view the picture larger, you will notice that some petals are focused on, while others are blurred. This was not photoshopped, and you can see that the edges of the petals look crisp and sharp while some others look a bit more brown. I think not only does this picture demonstrate Macro, but it also shows a unique perspective. Getting lower closer to the subject helps create a more centered and focused on effect which gives your audience a different feel.
In my opinion, Macro photography is a good technique to use when you want to portray something very small, in a lively way. I also think that unique perspectives draws an audience towards the photo and it definitely shows creativity.
Rule of Thirds & Bokeh: The shot I took of the peacock was obviously not centered, and I used Rule of Thirds in order to give the photo a little more dimension. The basic definition for the technique would be-
"The rule of thirds is a compositional rule of thumb in photography and other visual arts such as painting and design." One way to visualize it is by dividing the photo into 9 boxes. The subject of your photo can never go into the middle boxes; you want them to always be in a third of the photo.
While the bird is in a third of the photo, the background gives a Bokeh technique. It's not focused on at all and it gives that look of being painted. Bokeh techniques makes part or the whole photo look soft.
Re: Artistic Statements & Critiques
Critiquing always helps me tremendously with my work. Today, I learned that my first draft needed to be revised because it sounded more like a biography. I also got feedback that I need to be more specific, and use more examples as to how I am like Audrey Hepburn. I realized that I was being pretty vague in the first draft, so for my second draft I plan on using specific examples, and polishing up my work.
As for learning more concepts from other people's work, I learned that it would be interesting if I made my artistic statement more of story instead of a biography. I think that if I put some of my own experiences to back up information on how I am like Audrey will give the audience better clues of who I am.
Here is my first draft:
I was always, you could say, the type of girl who would look up to classy and successful women. With all of media’s provocative influences on young girls, I decided to take the other route and be a bit more sensible. Blouses, dresses, and clean basic shirts have ruled my closet since I was 14, and to this day I feel inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s elegant style, aura, and persona. Even after all of the success of winning four Oscars, more than any other actress, Audrey still kept her values. She once said, “Success is like reaching an important birthday and finding you're exactly the same.” One thing that I admire most about her was the fact that she became a well known ambassador for UNICEF, working with children in Africa and Latin America. When I traveled to Tanzania and Kenya two years ago, I went to visit a Masaii village. We toured the village and went to the small school hut. About 20 Masaii children looked at us with their huge brown eyes, with flies swarming around them, landing on their faces that didn’t twitch one bit. At that point, I realized joining and working with Humanitarian organizations would be something that I would do one day. I think that by following Audrey Hepburn’s style of pursuing her dreams and becoming a success both physically and mentally is something I can look up to, and do myself.
Most people don’t understand the success Audrey has accomplished, being a person who started off with so little. From recovering from malnourishment after WWII to becoming a well known icon- has been a great achievement in anyone’s eyes, including mine.
Audrey wasn’t only committed to acting and dancing and modeling, but as she grew older she realized the importance of helping others. She danced for anti-Nazi organizations and later became an ambassador for UNICEF. Her first visit was to Ethiopia, where famine and much poverty reigned. After visiting Ethiopia, she projected UNICEF’s importance to the media, taking on 15 interviews a day. “I can testify to what UNICEF means to children, because I was among those who received food and medical relief right after World War II,” she once said. With such passion, Audrey became a regular traveler for UNICEF’s projects. Ecuador’s famished children, the protection of Venezuelan women, Guatemalan drinking water, Bangladesh schools, impecunious children of Thailand, and camps for Sudanese orphans became well known missions Audrey did.
Being an ambassador was not viewed as a job to her, but more of a mission. Her values were kept even though she was an unbelievably famous icon.
As I get older, I am learning to become my own person, and not fall into any influences society forces upon us. And one day, I hope to become as successful as Audrey, especially as a person overall. Although I might not be as famous as her, I will definitely do my part in the future by joining Humanitarian work whether it’s UNICEF or another organization.
Here is my second draft (with more examples and revisions):
Twenty African children swarmed around my family and me as we walked into a Masaii village. Women gathered around and delicately felt our hair, as if it were silk, since theirs were shaven. I had never been introduced to such a small foreign tribe. While the chief’s son showed us around the village, the women asked to trade our five dollar bracelets for their hand crafted jewelry. We reached the school hut where children looked at us with their huge brown eyes. Flies landed on their cheeks, or eyebrows, or ears, and they didn’t flinch one bit. They were used to these conditions since they had never experienced anything else. While the children, whose ages ranged, sang us an alphabet song in Swahili, a small boy walked up to me timidly. The other children watched intently and his hand reached out and slightly brushed mine. In that glimpse he smiled, eyes wide with joy, and ran back to his schoolmates. I thought about how their society was completely untouched by the media. In that instant I wanted to help these people somehow- with water, with food, with anything for that matter. UNICEF was one option, and someone who I look up to for not only their humanitarian work but also their success in life is Audrey Hepburn.
The well known actress’s second job was a UNICEF ambassador where she helped and aided children, globally. “I can testify to what UNICEF means to children, because I was among those who received food and medical relief right after World War II,” she once said. With her past of starting from so little, she knew what poverty-stricken children had to go through. Her first trip was to Ethiopia, which at the time was the poorest country in the world. She visited food distribution centers, refugee and work camps, orphanages, and health centers. At a press conference after the trip she said “I’m very impressed by the people of Ethiopia. By their beauty by their dignity by their patience and by their enormous desire, their enormous will is to help themselves. Not to simply sit there waiting. Their patience is a patience which comes I think partly from their religion, partly from their characters, of dealing with their luck the best they can, facing facts the best they can.” Ecuador’s famished children, the protection of Venezuelan women, Guatemalan drinking water, Bangladesh schools, impecunious children of Thailand, and camps for Sudanese orphans became well known missions Audrey did. By far, this woman had not one bit of ignorance in her heart. And like me, she was open-minded. Growing up, my family taught me to be open to everyone, including people who were ignorant themselves. And to this day I have shown that quality whether the person is of color, another nature, or of other stature. My dad and his family are Mexican, so when I travel to Valle de Bravo I understand their culture. They have very high standards of what a real lady should be like, which has taught me to achieve high standards, and be as successful as I can be. This is another reason why I look up to Audrey Hepburn.
Audrey took full of advantage of her talents in all degrees of entertainment art. She was a ballet dancer, a model, an actress, and sang a little too. Although I don’t have these talents myself, I practice other forms of art such as sketching, painting, and photography. I believe that as I get older and find other resources I can tap into, I will continue to do what I can to help those less fortunate than myself. I want to be a role model to others someday, showing that when a person lives selflessly, they set a positive cycle in motion that others will follow. Audrey did that for me, through her examples of the right way to live as a talented humanitarian, and a dynamic role model. One day, I hope to succeed as much as Audrey did, setting examples for other people. I know I won’t be as famous, but I know that holding selfless qualities, passions, and values will be a role model to someone in the future.
And here is my third draft (corrected by family members and old teachers):
Altruism. Philanthropy. Humility. Three words that came into my mind as twenty African children swarmed around my family and I, as we found ourselves welcomed into a small, foreign Masaii village. Women gathered around and gingerly ran their fingers through our hair, as if it was the most precious silk, while theirs was closely shaven and without adornments. I had never experienced anything that could prepare me to come face to face with such a small foreign tribe of African people. While the chief’s son proudly showed us around the village, the women asked to trade our five dollar bracelets for their hand-crafted jewelry, probably feeling as if they were getting the greater of the two, yet we knew better. We reached the school hut where children looked at us with huge brown eyes, questioning and wondering who we were and what we were doing in their village. I watched as flies found their way to their beautiful brown cheeks, eyebrows, and even ears, yet they didn’t flinch one bit. They were used to these conditions as they had never experienced anything else forcing them to question their living conditions. While the children, whose ages ranged from little to big, sang us an alphabet song in Swahili, a small boy walked up to me timidly. The other children watched intently and his hand reached out and slightly brushed mine. In that moment he smiled, eyes wide with joy, and ran back to his schoolmates. I thought about how their society was completely untouched by the media. In that instant I wanted to help these people somehow- with water, with food, with anything I could, large and small. I wanted to practice pure altruism, giving to them whatever might make their lives even a little bit better, without expecting anything in return. I thought of the people I had read about and what they had accomplished, sometimes without having much themselves. I knew that first and foremost I would need to practice pure humility, and help with what I could, and understand that there would be some things I simply could not change. I thought again of those three words: altruism, philanthropy, and humility. Who embodies those three words? Who could I try to emulate, if I could choose one person? The answer became clear immediately. Audrey Hepburn. For her beauty inside and out, for her tireless efforts working with UNICEF, and for her overall love of doing favors for others.
The well known actress’s second job was as a UNICEF ambassador where she helped and aided children, globally. “I can testify to what UNICEF means to children, because I was among those who received food and medical relief right after World War II,” she once said. With her upbringing centered on her having so little, she knew what poverty-stricken children lived with on a daily basis. Her first trip was to Ethiopia, which at the time was the poorest country in the world. She visited food distribution centers, refugee and work camps, orphanages, and health centers. At a press conference after the trip she said, “I’m very impressed by the people of Ethiopia. By their beauty by their dignity by their patience and by their enormous desire, their enormous will is to help themselves. Not to simply sit there waiting. Their patience is a patience which comes I think partly from their religion, partly from their characters, of dealing with their luck the best they can, facing facts the best they can.” Ecuador’s famished children, the protection of Venezuelan women, Guatemalan drinking water, Bangladesh schools, impecunious children of Thailand, and camps for Sudanese orphans became well known missions Audrey undertook successfully. Truly, this woman had only selflessness in her heart, constantly giving to those less fortunate than herself, and always with an open heart and an open mind.
Like me, she was never closed-minded to those around her and their situations. Growing up, my family taught me to be open to everyone, including people who may be ignorant themselves. To this day, I have shown that quality whether the person is of color, young or old, or even of another economic stature. My father and his family are Mexican, so when I travel to Valle de Bravo I understand their culture. They have very high standards of what a real lady should be like, which has taught me to strive to be a polished lady, and be as successful as I can be. Audrey also embodied this sense of being a “lady,” which is yet another reason I look up to her.
Audrey took full of advantage of her God-given talents in all facets of entertainment, philanthropy, art, and numerous endeavors. She was a ballet dancer, a model, an actress, an ambassador, and a distinct role model for many who had never thought to travel to foreign lands helping others just to help them. Although I don’t possess all the talents Audrey had myself, I practice other forms of art such as sketching, painting, and photography, and I attempt to do what I can to help those around me as best I can. I believe that as I get older and find other resources I can tap into, I will continue to do what I can to help those less fortunate than myself. I want to be a role model to others someday, showing that when a person lives selflessly, they set a positive cycle in motion that others will follow. Audrey did that for me, through her examples of the right way to live as a talented humanitarian, and a dynamic role model. One day, I hope to succeed as much as Audrey did, setting examples for other people. I know I won’t be as famous, but I know that holding selfless qualities, passions, and values will be a role model to someone in the future.
As for learning more concepts from other people's work, I learned that it would be interesting if I made my artistic statement more of story instead of a biography. I think that if I put some of my own experiences to back up information on how I am like Audrey will give the audience better clues of who I am.
Here is my first draft:
I was always, you could say, the type of girl who would look up to classy and successful women. With all of media’s provocative influences on young girls, I decided to take the other route and be a bit more sensible. Blouses, dresses, and clean basic shirts have ruled my closet since I was 14, and to this day I feel inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s elegant style, aura, and persona. Even after all of the success of winning four Oscars, more than any other actress, Audrey still kept her values. She once said, “Success is like reaching an important birthday and finding you're exactly the same.” One thing that I admire most about her was the fact that she became a well known ambassador for UNICEF, working with children in Africa and Latin America. When I traveled to Tanzania and Kenya two years ago, I went to visit a Masaii village. We toured the village and went to the small school hut. About 20 Masaii children looked at us with their huge brown eyes, with flies swarming around them, landing on their faces that didn’t twitch one bit. At that point, I realized joining and working with Humanitarian organizations would be something that I would do one day. I think that by following Audrey Hepburn’s style of pursuing her dreams and becoming a success both physically and mentally is something I can look up to, and do myself.
Most people don’t understand the success Audrey has accomplished, being a person who started off with so little. From recovering from malnourishment after WWII to becoming a well known icon- has been a great achievement in anyone’s eyes, including mine.
Audrey wasn’t only committed to acting and dancing and modeling, but as she grew older she realized the importance of helping others. She danced for anti-Nazi organizations and later became an ambassador for UNICEF. Her first visit was to Ethiopia, where famine and much poverty reigned. After visiting Ethiopia, she projected UNICEF’s importance to the media, taking on 15 interviews a day. “I can testify to what UNICEF means to children, because I was among those who received food and medical relief right after World War II,” she once said. With such passion, Audrey became a regular traveler for UNICEF’s projects. Ecuador’s famished children, the protection of Venezuelan women, Guatemalan drinking water, Bangladesh schools, impecunious children of Thailand, and camps for Sudanese orphans became well known missions Audrey did.
Being an ambassador was not viewed as a job to her, but more of a mission. Her values were kept even though she was an unbelievably famous icon.
As I get older, I am learning to become my own person, and not fall into any influences society forces upon us. And one day, I hope to become as successful as Audrey, especially as a person overall. Although I might not be as famous as her, I will definitely do my part in the future by joining Humanitarian work whether it’s UNICEF or another organization.
Here is my second draft (with more examples and revisions):
Twenty African children swarmed around my family and me as we walked into a Masaii village. Women gathered around and delicately felt our hair, as if it were silk, since theirs were shaven. I had never been introduced to such a small foreign tribe. While the chief’s son showed us around the village, the women asked to trade our five dollar bracelets for their hand crafted jewelry. We reached the school hut where children looked at us with their huge brown eyes. Flies landed on their cheeks, or eyebrows, or ears, and they didn’t flinch one bit. They were used to these conditions since they had never experienced anything else. While the children, whose ages ranged, sang us an alphabet song in Swahili, a small boy walked up to me timidly. The other children watched intently and his hand reached out and slightly brushed mine. In that glimpse he smiled, eyes wide with joy, and ran back to his schoolmates. I thought about how their society was completely untouched by the media. In that instant I wanted to help these people somehow- with water, with food, with anything for that matter. UNICEF was one option, and someone who I look up to for not only their humanitarian work but also their success in life is Audrey Hepburn.
The well known actress’s second job was a UNICEF ambassador where she helped and aided children, globally. “I can testify to what UNICEF means to children, because I was among those who received food and medical relief right after World War II,” she once said. With her past of starting from so little, she knew what poverty-stricken children had to go through. Her first trip was to Ethiopia, which at the time was the poorest country in the world. She visited food distribution centers, refugee and work camps, orphanages, and health centers. At a press conference after the trip she said “I’m very impressed by the people of Ethiopia. By their beauty by their dignity by their patience and by their enormous desire, their enormous will is to help themselves. Not to simply sit there waiting. Their patience is a patience which comes I think partly from their religion, partly from their characters, of dealing with their luck the best they can, facing facts the best they can.” Ecuador’s famished children, the protection of Venezuelan women, Guatemalan drinking water, Bangladesh schools, impecunious children of Thailand, and camps for Sudanese orphans became well known missions Audrey did. By far, this woman had not one bit of ignorance in her heart. And like me, she was open-minded. Growing up, my family taught me to be open to everyone, including people who were ignorant themselves. And to this day I have shown that quality whether the person is of color, another nature, or of other stature. My dad and his family are Mexican, so when I travel to Valle de Bravo I understand their culture. They have very high standards of what a real lady should be like, which has taught me to achieve high standards, and be as successful as I can be. This is another reason why I look up to Audrey Hepburn.
Audrey took full of advantage of her talents in all degrees of entertainment art. She was a ballet dancer, a model, an actress, and sang a little too. Although I don’t have these talents myself, I practice other forms of art such as sketching, painting, and photography. I believe that as I get older and find other resources I can tap into, I will continue to do what I can to help those less fortunate than myself. I want to be a role model to others someday, showing that when a person lives selflessly, they set a positive cycle in motion that others will follow. Audrey did that for me, through her examples of the right way to live as a talented humanitarian, and a dynamic role model. One day, I hope to succeed as much as Audrey did, setting examples for other people. I know I won’t be as famous, but I know that holding selfless qualities, passions, and values will be a role model to someone in the future.
And here is my third draft (corrected by family members and old teachers):
Altruism. Philanthropy. Humility. Three words that came into my mind as twenty African children swarmed around my family and I, as we found ourselves welcomed into a small, foreign Masaii village. Women gathered around and gingerly ran their fingers through our hair, as if it was the most precious silk, while theirs was closely shaven and without adornments. I had never experienced anything that could prepare me to come face to face with such a small foreign tribe of African people. While the chief’s son proudly showed us around the village, the women asked to trade our five dollar bracelets for their hand-crafted jewelry, probably feeling as if they were getting the greater of the two, yet we knew better. We reached the school hut where children looked at us with huge brown eyes, questioning and wondering who we were and what we were doing in their village. I watched as flies found their way to their beautiful brown cheeks, eyebrows, and even ears, yet they didn’t flinch one bit. They were used to these conditions as they had never experienced anything else forcing them to question their living conditions. While the children, whose ages ranged from little to big, sang us an alphabet song in Swahili, a small boy walked up to me timidly. The other children watched intently and his hand reached out and slightly brushed mine. In that moment he smiled, eyes wide with joy, and ran back to his schoolmates. I thought about how their society was completely untouched by the media. In that instant I wanted to help these people somehow- with water, with food, with anything I could, large and small. I wanted to practice pure altruism, giving to them whatever might make their lives even a little bit better, without expecting anything in return. I thought of the people I had read about and what they had accomplished, sometimes without having much themselves. I knew that first and foremost I would need to practice pure humility, and help with what I could, and understand that there would be some things I simply could not change. I thought again of those three words: altruism, philanthropy, and humility. Who embodies those three words? Who could I try to emulate, if I could choose one person? The answer became clear immediately. Audrey Hepburn. For her beauty inside and out, for her tireless efforts working with UNICEF, and for her overall love of doing favors for others.
The well known actress’s second job was as a UNICEF ambassador where she helped and aided children, globally. “I can testify to what UNICEF means to children, because I was among those who received food and medical relief right after World War II,” she once said. With her upbringing centered on her having so little, she knew what poverty-stricken children lived with on a daily basis. Her first trip was to Ethiopia, which at the time was the poorest country in the world. She visited food distribution centers, refugee and work camps, orphanages, and health centers. At a press conference after the trip she said, “I’m very impressed by the people of Ethiopia. By their beauty by their dignity by their patience and by their enormous desire, their enormous will is to help themselves. Not to simply sit there waiting. Their patience is a patience which comes I think partly from their religion, partly from their characters, of dealing with their luck the best they can, facing facts the best they can.” Ecuador’s famished children, the protection of Venezuelan women, Guatemalan drinking water, Bangladesh schools, impecunious children of Thailand, and camps for Sudanese orphans became well known missions Audrey undertook successfully. Truly, this woman had only selflessness in her heart, constantly giving to those less fortunate than herself, and always with an open heart and an open mind.
Like me, she was never closed-minded to those around her and their situations. Growing up, my family taught me to be open to everyone, including people who may be ignorant themselves. To this day, I have shown that quality whether the person is of color, young or old, or even of another economic stature. My father and his family are Mexican, so when I travel to Valle de Bravo I understand their culture. They have very high standards of what a real lady should be like, which has taught me to strive to be a polished lady, and be as successful as I can be. Audrey also embodied this sense of being a “lady,” which is yet another reason I look up to her.
Audrey took full of advantage of her God-given talents in all facets of entertainment, philanthropy, art, and numerous endeavors. She was a ballet dancer, a model, an actress, an ambassador, and a distinct role model for many who had never thought to travel to foreign lands helping others just to help them. Although I don’t possess all the talents Audrey had myself, I practice other forms of art such as sketching, painting, and photography, and I attempt to do what I can to help those around me as best I can. I believe that as I get older and find other resources I can tap into, I will continue to do what I can to help those less fortunate than myself. I want to be a role model to others someday, showing that when a person lives selflessly, they set a positive cycle in motion that others will follow. Audrey did that for me, through her examples of the right way to live as a talented humanitarian, and a dynamic role model. One day, I hope to succeed as much as Audrey did, setting examples for other people. I know I won’t be as famous, but I know that holding selfless qualities, passions, and values will be a role model to someone in the future.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Re: American Icons: Resources
Posterart: Audrey Hepburn's famous Breakfast at Tiffany's photo became incredibly famous for it's elegant and classic charm. Being one of the most sought out and sold photos, Audrey Hepburn's face is even in household living rooms. The portrait, along with another photo of her, is sold at Ikea and quite possibly many other stores.The posterart has reshaped some of movie posters today because no movie poster has been as famous as Audrey Hepburn's.
While Audrey was a model, and had many beautiful photos, this one was by far the most famous. With this information I propose that I can use the poster art as an inspiration to the 8x10 black and white self portrait I have to take myself. I think that I'll take the little black dress, thick jewelry, and hair concept she has.
Breakfast at Tiffany's: Audrey Hepburn's legendary movie, Breakfast at Tiffany's, is widely known for her acting. She's an inspiration to most actors because she is the only actress who's received 4 Oscars, which is a lot in the Hollywood career. For my artistic statement, I'm going to use this resource to see how everyone else viewed her, and how I relate to the millions of viewers who idolized her.
Audrey Hepburn: The Paramount Years by Tony Nourmand: Tony Nourmand's book gives an overview of all Audrey Hepburn's movies and includes photos, magazine covers, lobby cards, costume sketches, and even more memorabilia. It also includes short essays on the importance of the woman and how she had a lasting effect on pop culture. I'll use the information from the book to help give evidence in my writing piece.
Barbie invention: Ruth Handler was mostly known for her creation, the Barbie doll. Usually when people think of Barbies, they think of little girls and the big time company, Mattel. Although, since 1949, Ruth Handler has been the original inventor. When her daughter was young, Ruth realized that children used dolls to act out the future instead of their present life. So one day, she went into a Swiss shop and found a German doll which was not for young children but instead- adults. Ruth decided to buy it and reinvent it for young girls, and in a New York toy fair came the debut of the Barbie doll, named after her daughter Barbara.With this information, I would like to use it to tell the original story on how the woman created it.
Dream Doll: The Ruth Handler Story by Ruth Handler
The fact that the book is written by the orginal inventor helps tremendously because it gives me a chance to hear her perspective of the creation or "dream doll" as she called it. I could use this to interpret her ideas through my artistic statement and portray how she viewed it as a "dream doll", while others viewed it as a nightmare.
Black and white photo: For the photography portion of the assignment, I could use the black and white photo of her in a room full of Barbie dolls. She's younger in the photo, with a necklace of pearls and a black dress, with an old fashioned hair-do. I think that I could use these elements and give the same aura of the photo in mine.
Website: http://www.ameliaearhart.comThe Amelia Earhart website written above is considered the official site for her. It contains information on what is going on today with information on Amelia Earhart. I could use this in my written piece to discuss what goes on today in tribute of her.
20 Hrs. 40 Min., Our Flight in the Friendship: The American Girl, First Across the Atlantic by Air, Tells Her Story by Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart was not only a female aviator, but an author as well. And in the book she wrote, I could find her perspective on what she thought about being the first to cross the Atlantic ocean.
Photo: For the photography portion of the project, I would use the photo of her near an oldfashioned airplane. I think I would have to photoshop the airplane into the background because there are not many left today that I know of.
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