What's the deal with reconstruction?

Reconstruction is the period after the civil war when states that were formerly apart of the Confederacy were brought back into the United States. During reconstruction, the south was divided into military districts so that the elections could be supervised to set up new state governments. These governments often included carpetbaggers (northener who went to the south and became active in Republican politics). However, former officials of the Confederacy were not allowed to serve the carpetbaggers. Eventually, the new state governments apprved 3 ammendments to the constitution: the 13th ammendment which outlawed slavery; the 14th ammendment which kept some former supporters of the Confederacy out of public office until Congress allowed them to serve; and the 15th amendment which guaranteed voting rights for black men. Once a state approved the 13th and 14th ammendments, it was to be readmittd or returned to the US and again represented or brought back up in Congress. The official end of reconstruction came n 1877, when the last troops were withdrawn or taken away from the south.
~Excerpt From Modern Issue~

A recession is a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in real GDP, real income, employment, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales. A recession begins just after the economy reaches a peak of activity and ends as the economy reaches its trough.

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/r/recession_and_

depression/index.html

Reconstruction relates to today because there are a variety of different thing in our society and the world that are currently being reconstructed or needs to be reconstructed. One issue that currenly stands out to me right now is money and the recession. Due to money not being used properly in a lot of different situations, lots of banks were shut down, and as a result lots of peoples funds and bank accounts became messed up. I believe that obama and the society is currently trying to reconstruct the spending of money by being a lot more aware of what is being bought, what banks are and aren't handling money correctly, and how spendings are being prioritized. It's a process that takes lots of time and thought, but eventually will be completed.

Media Saves The Beach in The News

"We see the warning signs-the closed fishing seasons, the listing of endangered species, the posted beaches-but we dont have a comprehensive picture of the magnitude of these problems," Griggs, a Marine scientist said." We need a better understanding of how the coastal environment functions and how human activity has affected this zone so we can develop effective and informed environmental policy."

The article that this excerpt was taken from was about a research program started by the University of California, that helps to solve the major management problems facing California's 1,100mile coastline.

The excerpt and the article itself really does tie into the roject and connects to our class because both are trying to get people to gain a better understanding, and become more aware of the water and oceans around us, and what's within the water and the oceans that can make a major impact on not only our society, but the world as well.

(click link below for article)

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5367/is_200103/ai_n21469947/

Media Saves The Beach

The main thing that I'm really excited to learn about while doing this project is the process of how the trash makes it's way in the ocean and on the beach. I know that there is lots of trash and pollution on the beach, but I've never gotten a full understanding of how it gets there.


I know that there are a lot of options and mini projects you can choose from with the Media Saves the Beach project. However, I love music so I think that I'm going to create an album. The actual booklet that will go inside the album cover will incorporate the writing and some facts, while the actual song on the album will incorporate most of the facts along with a fabulous beat. Then, the album cover will be some sort of creative designed picture that somehow connects to the beach and the things that go in within the beach water.

AmericanIcons~ Final Product

Fab⋅u⋅loc⋅i⋅ty [fab-u-los-i-tee]

-noun
1. An act of being yourself, unique, smart, fabulous, creative, and above all, humble.

Looking at Beyonce is similar to looking at myself in the mirror. I see beauty, hard work, power, and intelligence. I’ve never been one to pattern the things that I do after someone else, but I have been one to become inspired by someone else. I consider myself a blooming flower. A flower that needs my own elements to grow and bloom properly, but also the help and guidance from others to bloom to my fullest potential.

Beyonce first inspired me when I was around 8 years old in the year 2001. During this year Beyonce was not yet a solo artist, and her first album Writing’s on the Wall, was released with the former group Destiny’s Child. There are lots of songs that I remember hearing and enjoying at the time, but not as much as I enjoyed listening to Destiny’s Child and the lead voice of Beyonce.

I’ve always been a very prissy girly girl that was attracted to girly activities and objects, along with girly music. Sometimes, it was almost a mind tug of war between an alter ego and myself. One side of me only wanted to be that fabulous diva, while another side of me wanted to let that side go and become more open-minded to more meaningful and important thoughts and ideas.

Through the lyrics of Destiny’s Child, I began to find myself. I became a lot more connected to life and the different decisions that I was making. Unfortunately, it was still something else that I was longing for, something more that I wanted to connect to and be apart of. Soon…it was found.

In the year 2004, Beyonce became a solo artist and I became a reflection. I began making and gaining all the connections that I was hoping for. Everytime I watched Beyonce on and off stage, she exhibited such diverse characteristics, emotions, and ideas similar to myself. It was almost as if Beyonce and I both had an installed knob in our minds and bodies that turned itself from high to low according to what situations and environments we were in. Making this connection helped me to understand my icon and I a lot better.

Everyone knows that I am a very smart girl, but at times can be a little too loud and energetic. Over time, however, I’ve learned to control my strong personality and adapt to my surroundings. For example, if I’m in class listening to a lecture or trying to take notes, my knob would turn to low and I would become a little more reserved and toned down. The reason for this, is so that I would not distract myself, or others from learning and absorbing new information. Now, if it were time for a project, my switch would turn to high so that I could incorporate my traits, creativity, and energy into the project.

As a result of having these mental switches and becoming inspired by Beyonce, I’ve become a lot more balanced, and my actions and thoughts have remained well thought out and organized. I’ve learned that It’s all a matter of staying true to myself, while also being aware of my audience and knowing how to portray and exhibit myself in front of them. I am an icon that would like to be known and remembered as a fabulous hard worker that tried my best to spread positivity, and help myself while helping others along the way.

Sources

Oscar Hidalgo, New York Times, “Beyonce Knowles,” http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/reference/timestopics/people/k/beyonce_knowles/index.html. (Accessed September 13, 2009)

Norment Lynn, Ebony, “Beyonce heats up Hollywood,” http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-88581939.html. (Accessed September 13, 2009)

American Icons~ Reflection

While doing this project I discovered that my writing is very creative and organized. I have a way of getting my points across, while also keeping the reader's attention.

Two writing technique that I found myself constantly using for my artist statement were "Make meaning early" and creating a relationship with my audience. When I first began writing my artist statement, I knew that I wanted to get straight to the point without including unnecessary information. By learning and using making meaning early I was able to do that in a way that was in order and not too confusing for the reader to understand. I chose to really emphasize creating a relationshiop with my audience because I feel like when a reader is able to connect and grasp your writing, they enjoy it a lot more, and they don't get bored as easily.

If I had time for one more draft, I would probably focus more on the speed of my writing. I tend to add lots of commas when I write because when I read the writing out loud, it sounds like pauses are needed. But after learning that speeds can vary and switch up according to how fast you want the pace of your writing, and your reader to move while reading your writing, I wanted to experiment a little more with speeds but it was a little too late. So maybe next time I will try out different speeds and include them in another writing piece.

Looking at Beyonce is similar to looking at myself in the mirror.

This sentence from my artist statement really stands out to me because it was my guiding sentence. After I began with this sentence, everything else started to flow and I knew what direction I wanted to go in. This sentence also stands out to me because its almost like I'm making a hidden comparison. I'm telling the reader that I feel like looking at Beyonce is similar to looking at myself in the mirror, but they dont find out the reason why I feel that way until they continue to read everything else.

Photography Techniques

*Movement*

- I wanted ny hair to blow to add more of a beyonce affect

- I feel like movenent is a lot more interesting in a picture than just being still

- I wanted the picture tolook as if i was actually doing something

*Background*

- I used the studio as a background because Beyonce is in the music industry and I wanted to incorporate that

- The background enhanced my photo and made the whole idea come together

*Camera Angle*

- I wanted the picture taken from the top because not a lot of people do that and I wanted to be different.

- The shot made the hoto appear a little 3D because my body appeaered really zoomed in at the top and smaller at the bottom, which made the picture look as if it was poping out of the paprer.

Latest Draft~ Photo

Ok so this is what I have so far. I havn't done any work on it because im debating rather or not I want to use it. So tell me what you think. Too much blur? Is the movement nice? Get a new picture? just let me know.

Latest Draft~ Artist Statement

* Well I wasn't here when the in-class critiques were done. But when i sat and showed Randy the beginning of my artist statement, he suggested that I make the beginning of my artist statement look like a real dictionary definition.

* I know I'm going to add more to my artist stsement. I'm qalso going to change a little bit of my word choice and incorporate some of the writing tips I learned in class.

* My #1 goal is to write an artist statement that my audience can understand, enjoy, and learn from.

*Artist Statement*

Fab u loc i ty [fab-u-los-i-tee]

-noun
1. An act of being yourself, unique, smart, fabulous, creative, and above all, humble.


Looking at Beyonce is similar to looking at myself in a mirror. I see beauty, hardwork, power, and intelligence.



I've never been one to pattern the things that I do after someone else. But i am one to become inspired by someone else. I consider myself a blooming flower. A flower that needs it sown elements to grow and bloom properly, but also the help and guidance of others to bloom to my fullest potential.



I first became inspired by Beyonce when I was aound 8 years old in the year 2001. During this year, Beyonce was not yet a solo artist, but a member of the former group Destiny's Child. Their first album, Writing's on the Wall, was released and went straight to number 1 on the charts. There are a lot of songs that I remember hearing and enjoying, but not as much as I enjoyed listening to Destiny's Child.

American Icons~ Resources

~BEYONCE~

*VIDEO- CRAZY IN LOVE LIVE*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v-13sFxwDv7hw

This live performance of Beyonce is an example of her energy, glamour, and alter ego being shown. Her hard work and new ideas were also shown through her powerful voice, dance moves, and stage presence.

*INTERVIEW*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v-eiQe9EHpBeA&featur-related

This interview is an example of her calm, cool, and collected side. She has the potential to turn her energy on, but also knows how to adapt to her surroundings and turn it down. So still be interactive and lively, but on a lower level.

*MOVIE CLIP- OBSESSED*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v-6EwpKJhAOyO

This movie clip is an example of her diversity and skill to take on a challenge. Beyonce had never been actress in a suspense movie before. But after lots of hard work, guidance, and dedication, she was able to take on the challenge and focus her mind and body on the role.

~TINA TURNER~

*VIDEO- BEYONCE ON TINA TURNER*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v-euXcZF81cpM&feature-fvw

I used this as an example to show that even though Tina Turner was in the music industry way before most of the current artists, shes still influencing and inspiring most of them today.

*VIDEO- PROUD MARY LIVE*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v-6-6-7N9AxTE&feature-related

I used this live performance as an example to show that Tina was able to endure all negativity and still pour her heart and energy into her performance. Seeing her on stage, you wouldve never guessed that she was abused mentally and physically, because she was so good at putting the negativity to the back and the positivity to the front.

*BOOK- I, TINA*

I used this book as an example to show that Tina Turner was not ashamed of sharing her experiences with others, and allowing them to learn not only from the mistakes she made, but the positive decisions as well.

American Icons~ Ideas

I absolutely love Beyonce. shes not only a beautiful performer, actress, singer, dancer, and former group member of Destiny's Child, but also a person who has positively inspired, encouraged, and influenced people of all ages. Beyonce became important to me when she released her first solo album; Dangerously in Love. When she was a member of Destiny's Child her talent shined through the group almost as if she already knew that she would become one of the top female artist in the industry.

I look up to Beyonce because she has her own unique way of communicating with her fans and the entertainment business. One minute she can be trying to help less fortunate people, another minute she could be owning the stage at a sold out concert. Every time Beyonce goes to record in the studio, shes always sure to make sure that every song recorded by her has a message that her fans can relate to. So as a result, people go out and spend their money on an album to not only support her, but her meaningful well thought out lyrics as well.

Beyonce has always been influenced and inspired by the style and singing of Tina Turner. Tina Turner incorporated lots of style, energy, power, and control into her dance moves and songs. Beyonce does the same thing, but adds her own younger and latest dance moves, sounds, and beats. To this day, Beyonce continues to sell millions of albums, and have countless #1 hits, including her most recent; Sweet Dreams. Beyonce is currently on top right now and its going to take lots of effort and hard work to bring her down.



Tina turner is the queen of R&B. Tina Turner has paved the way for countless female solo artists and groups. If it wsn't for Tina Turner, lots of the songs that we all love to listen to wouldnt even exsist. I wasnt born during the time when a lot of her outstanding albums or singles were released, but after watching the Ike and tina movie I became really inspired by her. She experienced not only mental pain and negativity, but physical pain and negativity as well. However, in the midst of all the obstacles she was facing, she was able to remain resili ent and find ways to still be successful and overcome the obstacles. I find myself doing the same thing when im in difficult situations as well.

As a result, I found myself becoming really inspired by Tina Turner because I felt like I saw myself through her. Tina Turner has and will always be the foundation of current and upcoming female artists. Tina Turner's intelligence shined through her lyrics and actions. While being in this class I will follow in her footsteps and let my intelligence shine ythrough my schoolwork and my actions.

Michelle Obama has a long road ahead of her. Although her husband is the president of the united States, she still has her own really big responsibilities to take care. Not only does she have 2 daughters to take of, but she also has to be around to keep Barak Obama's in the proper stste of mind to handle his family and the USA.

Ever since Michelle Obama came on the scene, I've looked up to her. The reason why is because no matter what the media or anybody says about her, a smile continues to remain on her face with her head and her spirits still held high. That's why Michelle Obama reminds me a lot of myself. I am not easily broken an it takes a lot of hardwork and effort to bring me down. Positivity is the key to success and Miichelle Obama demonstrates this theory of mine very well.

I do believe that Michelle Obama should be important to everyone. Not only because shes the first lady, but because people can gain lots of knowledge and positive thoughts just by listening to some of her speeches or paying attention to her actions. Her words are powerful and meaningful, and her actions portray a very smart, attentive, and kind-hearted woman. I love Michelle Obama and I wish her husband and kids lots of luck.

My Goals

I hope to gain a lot of things out of this Humanities class this year. I've always been a very hard worker, but I would like to gain more responsibility skills as well as different ideas on how to incorporate music into my humanities work in a very creative and effective way. I love showing my fabulous personality through all the work that I do. But maybe after being in this class, I can learn more about how to incorporate my personality in a way that doesn't overpower my main message.

A main goal that I would really like to accomplish is becoming more diverse with my choices. Sometimes I lock my mind into liking only certain things when I really need to become a little more open minded to new off the wall ideas. For example, instead of using a rap or hip-hop song for a project or assignment, maybe I can try using a country or jazz song. Or maybe instead of using colored pictures for an assignment or a project, I can use black and white to give a different feel to the overall appearance. So just really expanding my choices and thinking not only out of the box, but out of this world as well.

I am sooo excited about this year and this class, and I can't wait to put forth lots of creativity and effort in all the things that I do.