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Blog #5 Environmentalism

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

-Margaret Mead

I completely agree with this, when you think about it big revolutions are started by small working groups seeking a change. Something that I think is extremely important is cleaning the ocean. Being from Long Island means I'm surrounded by water on both sides, i.e the Long Island Sound and Atlantic Ocean. Recently there has been a major breakthrough in cleaning up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch where a test run of System 002 or Jenny was completed and successfully picked up 19,841 pounds of debris. This group called the Ocean Cleanup created this system to snatch up debris in the water while allowing for fish and ocean life to not get stuck in the nets. This is something that needs to be talked about more in order to spread awareness. I was shocked to see items like laundry bins, containers etc in the ocean. These everyday household items should not be in the middle of the ocean.

There are many things we can do as a society in order to help keep the ocean clean. The immediate response many people jump to is to recycle, however this is not enough. We need to stop supporting these major companies that are mass producing plastic products, for example, instead of buying a 24 pack of water bottles buy a gallon of water and use a reusable water bottle. For starters, this is better for the sole fact that you can keep your water cooler faster and also it's just better for the environment. Also using reusable plastic bags for grocery shopping goes a long way. I know many people complain because it's another thing to remember when you're in a rush but it can keep the number of plastic bags down. However, even if you do use these plastic bags you can find ways to use them around the house like, lining your trash cans, protecting your plants, dying your hair or even saving your paint brushes for later! Small steps like these go a long way in order to keep plastic out of our ocean.

A few more things you can do is pick up any liter while out for a walk or around your property or even join a beach clean up! I'm sure we all have been to a beach and have seen the amount of plastic that is washed up due to the tides yet how many of us stopped to pick it up? I have seen so many individuals walk by this garbage on the beach because it is simply not theirs. Many times we need to make up for other people's mistakes and take accountability. When you think about covid times and the amount of masks individuals have gone through, the number is crazy to think about. I am guilty of going through many masks and not even considering the consequences of this. When you look around there would be masks discarded on the ground but everyone is afraid to touch them due to the virus, the animals however were not afraid of these products.

Small steps like reusing products can go a long way compared to just recycling. Even if you recycle some of these products won’t even break down in your lifetime, which is crazy to think about. We are responsible for spreading awareness and talking about what is going on in our community. Talk to a friend about using a reusable water bottle, create art projects you can do with the extra plastic you have laying around or participate in plastic clean ups around your community. We only have one Earth, one place we call home and one community that has a special place in our hearts so let's take care of it.

References

Li, L. (2021, October 21). More than 63,000 pounds of trash removed from one of the biggest accumulations of ocean plastic in the world. CBS News. Retrieved November 8, 2021, from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trash-removed-from-great-pacific-garbage-patch/.

Noonan, J. (2017, February 8). 10 brilliant ways to reuse plastic bags. Bob Vila. Retrieved November 8, 2021, from https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/10-brilliant-ways-to-reuse-plastic-bags-50843.

Society, O. (2021, August 12). 7 ways to reduce Ocean Plastic Pollution Today. Oceanic Society. Retrieved November 8, 2021, from https://www.oceanicsociety.org/resources/7-ways-to-reduce-ocean-plastic-pollution-today/.

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Blog #4 - Gender performativity

After watching the video I thought it was very interesting hearing the perspectives of these younger children. Something that really stood out to me was when the boy talked about how his girl friends hate dolls and would rather play in the dirt with the boys but they are expected to play with these dolls. I also liked the take the young girl had on stereotypes for boys. For example, she talked about how boys are expected to be rough, tough, strong, athletic and confident when in reality most boys are not like this. I think sometimes young boys have this added pressure to not show their emotions and to be this competitor against their peers.

To gender is performative is a little different because for something to be performative means that it produces a series of effects. Growing up we are told and most importantly shown what is right and wrong and how certain individuals should act. For example, young girls idolize Disney princesses, women who fall in love with their captor, who are successful once they marry into a rich family and women who cannot save themselves. There are constant themes across Disney that have these princesses giving up their voice, ther family and their lives for these men. We need to stop and ask ourselves how this is beneficial for our children? It is also showing boys that they need to be these mascluine men and save the day in order to get the girl. As a society we are creating these categories that males/females need to fit into. What do you think? Which would you say is a good role model?

Women are seen as delicate, dainty and effortlessly beautiful. Commercials, funways, brands etc show these beautiful, skinny, women modeling their items but with a lack of diversity or power. After watching some of the films shown in class I was shocked to see the power dynamic in photography. For example, when shot with males they are either on their knees, held down or looking up at them ready to serve. This was disgusting to see and something I did not even realize. Something as simple as a held tilt compared to holding their head high like men sends a message to people in our society. Women are presented as not paying attention to their surroundings, as a sex symbol or in a way that makes them vunerable. As a woman I believe that society expects me to portray these ideas in the way I dress and act. For example, wearing femine clothes in order not look masculine or even like a lesbian. I think lesbains have a bad reputation because they are butchy girls who want to be like men, when this is not the case. Even the way we speak has an effect on how we are looked at. Some people believe it is unladylike to curse when I think it is part of who we are. I think our dialect/accents make up who we are as individuals in our society and are a way to express ourselves. I think the media also plays a role in this, especially social media. Influencers are on the rise and are rarely showing off the “bad parts: of themselves. For example, they are these skinny girls that are basically saying be pretty, and skinny and you will have what I have. Social media is damaging to young children growing up because they do not know how to differentiate between what is real and not. I think some platforms are definitely beneficial but you have to be looking for them.

I think society has a major effect on how we grow up to see ourselves and act. From a young age we are taught how to act like a lady or how to be masculine when in reality there is no defining line in this category. I think children, adults, whoever should do what they want to do and when they want to do it. Playing with barbies and wearing a dress does not make you girly and you can still play in the mud and not be considered a tom girl. It's 2021 it's time we stop trying to play individuals in a mold. If children want to identify in a different way than expected then it is our responsibility to respect and protect them for who they are.

Staff, T. H. (2017, April 21). 15 reasons Disney Princesses are actually terrible role models. TheThings. Retrieved October 18, 2021, from https://www.thethings.com/15-reasons-disney-princesses-are-actually-terrible-role-models/.

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Blog #3- Racism

When it comes to the topic of racism there are many underlying feelings and questions that individuals have. As a white female I have been privileged enough not to have to deal with many things my peers go through. I never get looked at twice for my actions, I rarely get discriminated against and I have a step up in many competitive situations. “White privilege is seeing mostly people who look like you on TV and in movies. It’s having the history of people who look like you taught in textbooks. It’s not necessary to worry about whether the negative actions of another White person will reflect badly on you," (Harmeet Kaur, CNN). This class has opened my eyes to things I did not even realize, for example, when looking at movies many characters that are German, Asisan, Black etc all play the same kind of role.

I went to a predominantly white school and always had many opportunities to do whatever I wanted academically. My school was well funded and although some of the teachers were questionable there were many levels of classes I could take. The teachers expected us to work hard and put pressure on us but never judged us in any way. Oftentimes my school district was looked down upon due to the lack of diversity but our community was very united and welcoming. My learning experience at my high school was great and I was able to go through a program that allowed various classes I took in high school to transfer over to a college level. It definitely affected the way people thought because everyone was so like minded so growing up there I did feel sheltered from certain things.

I am aware of the privileges I have and I think more people need to stop hiding from this privilege but using it for something greater. I think many white individuals are uncomfortable when discussing the topic of racism or privilege out of fear that they will say the wrong thing or offend someone, but it needs to be talked about. Staying silent is enabling those who are wrongfully accusing and preying on those who might not be able to stand up for themselves or who does not have the platform to do so.

References:

How to Recognize your White Privilage . (2020). TED. Retrieved October 5, 2021, from https://www.ted.com/talks/peggy_mcintosh_how_to_recognize_your_white_privilege_and_use_it_to_fight_inequality?language=en.

Kaur, H. (2020). Your big questions about race, answered. CNN. Retrieved October 5, 2021, from https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2020/us/racism-questions-answers/.

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Blog #2: Identity

As a society today the word identity is thrown around a lot but not many people know what it even means. For example, when I think of identity I think of cultural identity, racial identity, sexual identity etc the list goes on and on. Identity can be expressed by the clothes we wear, the music we listen to, the art we make and even the way we talk. Even though I am not an artist or singer I believe that our friends/family serve as our own creative directors. I know when I see something my sister likes I am quick to take a picture, send it to her or buy it for her since it fits her “brand.” My friends and family do the same for me; oftentimes when I come home from college my mother leaves a bunch of things in my room that she believes messes with my identity and it even gives me new ideas for how I want to express myself.

A perfect example of someone who is unapologetically themselves is Lil Nas X. He is someone who expresses his identity directly by his wardrobe, lyrics and performances. His recent music video and performance was seen as controversial by some viewers but I saw it as him being proud of who he is. I think he could be seen as a role model for some young boys and even girls who are struggling with their identity.

Overall I believe individuals build their identity through their friends, family and other artists. Seeing something they like or aspire to be like is a way to have your identity to continue to grow. There is nothing like seeing an artist you love have the same style as you, it makes you feel closer to them. When I take a look at myself and my community I am an example of this. People I look up to I often try to copy in a way but with a twist. Growing up I always would try to copy my sister, and then I soon started using her ideas and ways to build my own identity.Coming to Penn State from Long Island it was funny to see the difference in the way people dress, communicate and express themselves. A huge part of my identity is my hometown on Long Island so I had to hold on to that more closely since I was not surrounded by individuals who knew what it was like. I believe an identity is ever changing. I am not the same person as I was two years ago, and I definitely wouldn't want to be. As I grew up the way I express myself and my “brand” grew with me.

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Blog #1- MoMA

The artist did a great job capturing the indivdual and drawing attention to certain features. For example, the nose really stood out to me and the fact that it is a different color than the rest of his skin tone. There are yellow undertones through the face but it stands out against the more browner features on the face. There are dashes of pink throughout the face as well which I found interesting since it is in places that are uncommon like the top of his head. Looking more closely at the clothes I wonder why the artist chose to include so many dashes of white lines. I am not artitsic and lack the painting education that many might have but I was torn between if these marks meant the clothes were newer and shiny or were ripped? Due to the style of these clothes I believe this indivudal dates back to less modern times and was during the coloinal times. This made me curious about his situation due to what it was like back then.

History and repetiton is used by this artists due to the various other pieces of art that were made for this certain exhibit.

History and repetition is used by these artists due to the various other pieces of art that were made for this certain exhibit. These two pieces of artworks are very similar to the style of the first artwork I chose. The gaze in these paintings is very powerful because you can see how they are feeling from their eyes. The looking straight ahead gaze is very direct and forward in the meaning while the image of the lady in yellow is looking to the side she seems more vulnerable. History plays an effect on these images because the timeproof says alot about why they seem the way they are.

When I first saw these pieces of art I was reminded of the Emmett Till painting that was done by Dana Schutz. Right away I googled the artist and wondered if their intentions were like Dana Schutz or if they were also in a position where they received backlash from the black community. This relates to the idea of social construction because race is always an important and sensitive topic when it comes to artwork. You can assume a lot from the drawing yet might not want to say it aloud due to insensitivity or a misconception you might have. For example, I did not want to jump to a conclusion that these individuals were slaves or free during this time period. Being afraid of saying the wrong is what stops people from speaking out or saying their opinion.