uclahorror

[uclahorror]

Blog Post #5

This week’s lectures covered a wide range of subjects, including the distortion of American history and the significance of the course's final projects. It stressed the significance of doing a critical analysis of racial dynamics and the problems that the present generation is facing. It also gave parameters for the final project and introduced the idea of Afrofuturism as a way to imagine a better future.

The distortion of African-Americans in American history was one important issue that was brought up in the talk. The speaker emphasized how the traditional narrative frequently minimizes the impact of slavery, Jim Crow laws, and persistent prejudice on African-Americans' financial condition. The presentation was a challenge to the idea that any discrepancies are simply the product of human flaws by recognizing these historical circumstances. It inspired students to consider the underlying structural problems critically and to challenge the dominant narrative.

The lecture's examination of the problems facing the present generation was another thought-provoking element. The speaker expressed sympathy for the students because he understood how difficult it must be to carry on conflicts that earlier generations had assumed were settled. A somber reminder of the continuous fight for equality was the notion of the clock rolling back, which represented a reversal in cultural development. The talk, however, also urged students to find comfort in Afrofuturism, a subgenre that offers upbeat depictions and hopes for a brighter future.

We also covered the practical aspects of the final assignment and gave students comprehensive guidance. The other possibilities were described, including writing an essay, a short narrative, or making a short film. The necessity of early project planning and submission was stressed since it provided for teacher input and direction. The instructor wanted to encourage students to put effort into their projects and get high scores, so he or she set deadlines and provided incentives for additional credit.

The talk clarified the thorny problems of racial injustice, historical distortion, and generational difficulties overall. It promoted creativity, critical thinking, and involvement with Afrofuturism as a method of imagining a more just future. The useful advice offered a clear road map for the practical instructions ensured that students had enough time to explore their ideas and get direction from the teacher by providing a clear path for the final product. It was an insightful and instructive speech that made the audience ponder on the topics covered and be motivated to take action in the cause of social justice.

[uclahorror]

Blog post #4

This week’s lectures were not only thought-provoking but also interesting discussions on racial relations specifically those that are presented through Steven Barnes' novel, "Lyons Blood." We started the lecture with a conversation about the racial dynamic in the film and then Professor Due introduced the guest speaker, Steven Barnes. He not only is an outstanding writer of films but also an accomplished novelist. Barnes told the class about the inspirations behind the idea for "Lyons Blood" and what motivated him to create the film the way that he did. He discussed how his perspective on the power dynamics and image systems in America drew him towards wanting to better understand the themes that he uses throughout his works. I found it so inherited to hear his view, especially as a person of color who was sharing his honest experiences and how he felt compelled to delve into the theme of inequality in his work. I loved how this lecture was really raw, and truly gave me a sense of really hearing what these issues mean to someone who has to handle them on the day-to-day. I think this could easily be one of my favorite lectures from the entire semester because of how candidly Barnes was sharing his outlook on the various dynamics that are relevant to the power imbalances within the United States. I really appreciated how Barnes said that the pressure of providing for his family held him back from truly delving into the topics in the ways that he wanted in the early time of his career.  I find so much beauty in the struggle for artistic expression and the real-life implications of pursuing a life in the arts. One other aspect which I think made the lecture so much more interesting was his honest take on the movie "White Man's Burden, which I also think failed to properly address the racial dynamics and how significant they really are. 

I would conclude this reflection by saying that hearing Steven Barnes talk honestly about his journey in the industry inspired me in so many ways.  Not only was he sharing about the challenges he faced and the stigmas he wanted to address in his work, but he also gave us a raw perspective on what it is like for such changes to be made on the highest levels, although not easy. I have a new found sense of responsibility as I continue in my life beyond the walls of this classroom.

[uclahorror]

Blog Post #3

This week we discussed a lot about the film "Daughters of the Dust". To me, I got a lot from watching and analyzing the various details of the film. I really liked how thought-provoking it was and how it was so culturally rich in terms of the characters, costumes, and settings. I also really liked that we got an introduction to who Julie Dash is and how we as an audience could better understand what she is trying to send over to her viewers. The fact that she produced the first national distribution by a Black woman really made me appreciate how special this film is in it of itself. In addition to the gorgeous cinematography, such as the repeated visual of trees and nature, Dash amazingly captures their cultural richness through the dialect and emotional themes. The significance of the film is so far-reaching. I like how Professor Due pointed out how the film shows a lof of cutting edge technology for its time. The cameraman in the photography scene, the bubbles, and so many other scenes show how the film has forward-thinking themes. This added many elements of looking back into the past through its cultural symbolism while also having messages that are directed toward the future. The themes of memory and ancestry through the rituals which are shown throughout the film, such as the bottle tree and teaching the slowly lost language of Indigo make the film so much more rich and powerful and truly enable it to leave a lasting impact on its audience, regardless of their own culture and spiritual background. To me, the theme of familial bonds and sexuality are so universal, and they way in which Dash conveys these themes enables the viewer to appreciate those themes as their own lives as well. Thursday’s class we talked about Brother from Another Planet. This was one of the most interesting of all the things we have watched in class thus far. I loved how lively and busy the scenes were and how the story kind of developed on its own. One thing I liked how was Professor pointed out that the Alien noticed the gun. Although the scenes serve to be a metaphor, I appreciated how Professor Due recognized the inconsistency.  To me, the two lectures we had this week were so interesting and truly were so thought-provoking. I was very intrigued as Professor analyzed the film and I honestly didn’t want it to end. 

[uclahorror]

Blog Post 2 (part 2)

This way we could make the most out of our resources and nurture our earth for giving us so many abundant sources of life. As Lauren did, I would also use self-sufficiency and my community as keys to the survival of my Earthseed community. Also, as I mentioned before in regards to the quote I would use, I think that education is the most important factor in ensuring a thriving community that can succeed in the long term. One step that I will take in building a better future for my Earthseed community would be sustainable farming. As Lauren did, I would also see that having a good amount of food production is key to sustaining a thriving community and that could be done through maintaining healthy soil and using organic materials. Additionally, I would emphasize creating sustainable housing. I noticed how Lauren’s community had to often move and that is something I would try my best to prevent. I think having a sense of security is very important for community members, and that includes having a home. I would try to be as sustainable as possible by using eco-friendly materials while being conscious of our carbon footprint while doing so. 

[uclahorror]

Blog Post #2 (part 1)

Octavia Butler’s idea of an Earthseed community is one which I could personally appreciate. One real-life issue that makes it necessary for me to create my own Earthseed community is the rampant wealth disparity between different communities, otherwise referred to as Economic and Social Injustice Inequality. Another real-life issue would be climate change. I think these two issues are so rampant in our modern world and I would build my Earthseed community in response to these. One Earthseed quote that I would use from Parable of the Sower is "The shape of the world Is shifting constantly And the only constant Is change." I like this quote and I feel that It's the most important thing that we as a society must not only recognize but also, appreciate about the world we live in. I think that we need to always be ready to adapt, and those who don’t end up having a much harder time surviving and thriving in our modern world. I would use this verse to inspire my community members to be more adaptable to change and open-minded in learning about things as they develop. I would want people to be interested in learning about new things whether it be through classes or community learning events, I think my goal would be to lead the members of the community to approach new things with an open mind and recognition that change could be a good thing. Change should be embraced, and not resisted. Another verse that I would use from Parable of the Sower would be “Belief Initiates and guides Action-Or it does nothing." I like that this verse put so much power into our hands and our minds. The things which we can accomplish once we believe in it and set our mind to it are amazing. I would lead my Earthseed community with this message, as I, like to do for myself. Through the members having a shared vision and uniting purpose in why they are a part of my community we could best navigate around challenges that arise when it comes to leading a new community free of the issues we left behind. I love that through believing alone, we already have so much of the task done, and the rest is much easier to follow through.I would aim to have my Earthseed community in an area with a good climate especially given that climate change is one of the factors that would incline me to make my community. Furthermore, in that good climate, I would notice if it is abundant in its resources so that I could ensure to my best ability that we can thrive on the natural resources of the area, which would also affect our social and political stability. Also, I would ideally want it to be away from large urban areas. Essentially, somewhere like the Amalfi Coast in Italy, which has a great climate, abundant resources, and easy access to water, however, I would want it to not yet be an established area of course so that we as an Earthseed community can make it our own. I would want my Earthseed community to be both diverse and inclusive so that we can each bring our differences to the table and create the best possible community with a united front. The one criterion I would have for those who want to join would be that they are team builders and are willing to work together to build a community that is thriving on our communal work at large. The leadership model I would have in my Earthseed community is one of the elected council members who each are responsible for certain areas of the community. For example, one person would be responsible for education, one for security, and one for managing food production. I like that through having shared space to discuss ideas we could try our best to prevent authoritarian rise to power. The future technology I would create to help improve life at my Earthseed community would be one which could speed up the composting process so that the positive effects of composting could be reaped much faster and more efficiently and with less land area needed to do so.

[uclahorror]

Blog Post #1

In our first class we had an “Intro to Afrofuturism” and discussed the short film Pumzi. This is a science fiction short film that really got me to think about Afrofuturism and what it means in today’s world.  To me, Afrofuturism is a broad movement that envisions a future for people of African descent that is rooted in their cultural experiences and traditions. I think that Asha’s character and her pursuit of a better future is truly empowering and beautiful in a deep way. When I saw that we have to watch Black Panther at home I got extremely excited. I would say that when I first watched it, I definitely became one of my favortie films. Besides the outstanding cast, I think there really is a beautiful message which could be taken from the film. Especially in regards to looking at it from the perspective of this class, I would say that Black Panther has made a huge impact on the black film community and the messages its aims to empart with its audience. 

My next discussion I want to address in the Dirty computer film. After watching it partially in class, and then the rest at home, I got to gain a new understanding of what such a film could really mean. "Dirty Computer", a film by Janelle Monáe who is very prominent in the Afrofuturiast community, tells the story of Jane 57821, a young woman who is captured by a totalitarian government. She is labeled as a  "dirty computer" because of her non-conformity to societal norms. I really appreciated how there was an emphasis on the importance human connection and the themes of technology was so evident. My favorite part would probably be that the main character is played so well. Through her amazing acting I was able to notice so many of the subtle messages that were being presented from the films themes. Also the film does have a really nice soundtrack that helps in its storytelling, and social commentary that the film is aiming to relay. 

I would say that overall, I am really looking forward to seeing more about what this class has to offer. Specifically in how Professor Due approaches discussing topics that are new and foreign to me as a Political science major and senior at UCLA. So far, in just our few sessions together I think that I have already been introduced to so many new concepts that are extremely applicable to our modern world.