Poetry Project
My Poem is titled Syncopation and is about stereotypes and rising above them to untie as a society
Poem Presentation
https://youtu.be/rSTXCZtgbbQ
Globalization Project
Throughout the time we spent studying the ideas behind globalization and the spread of diverse ideas. We learned about global economy, and the discriminated expansion of wealth through WTO (World Trade Organization) and NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement). In addition we studied work regulations in countries that are full of production facilities. These factories generally damage the environment and break countless laws. After learning about Globalization we wrote OPEDs on chosen topics, that we learned about during the studies. My OPED covered Americas corporate growth and the destruction of culture from American businesses. We had a week to find all of the information wee needed to create the writing piece, and then two weeks to write and edit in order to have a well crafted final product.
During this project I learned a lot about the repercussions of economics, and the governments true place in a majority of third world countries. I find it appalling coming from a country that is fairly fairly nationalistic through the government, where we try to take pride in regulations that protect the environment and spend a lot of time enforcing human rights, it is interesting to watch countries no do that. For example the race to the bottom when countries are bidding on factories so that their government can supply more jobs for those in need. However through this processes these countries loose laws that affect the environment, minimum age requirements for working conditions, and maximum time you're able to work someone.
Looking back on the first draft of my cartoon, I believe my cartooning skills have grown immensely in the art of portraying a face. For example in my first draft the gun wielding Ronald McDonald, has a sly face while the world has a sad one. However in my final draft the clown has a horrible crazy face while the world appears not only sad but also angry and ready to fight back. I am proud of this growth because it made it so I was able to portray my cartoon more clearly so that the audience would be able to understand my message without reading the OPED that goes along with the cartoon.
The type of writing I did in this assignment I would consider to be factual opinion. This is because not only are you showing your opinion you are giving evidence to back p your thoughts and opinions. From this project I need to take the idea of presenting my ideas clearly, because I feel as if I did a very god job of doing this in my OPED. All of my opinions had facts that would in turn connect to other opinions or solutions Therefore the biggest take away for me from this project was to make sure you know what you really want to say before you say it. Being confident with your opinion makes you a stronger person which can really help for [presenting yourself in the future.
During this project I learned a lot about the repercussions of economics, and the governments true place in a majority of third world countries. I find it appalling coming from a country that is fairly fairly nationalistic through the government, where we try to take pride in regulations that protect the environment and spend a lot of time enforcing human rights, it is interesting to watch countries no do that. For example the race to the bottom when countries are bidding on factories so that their government can supply more jobs for those in need. However through this processes these countries loose laws that affect the environment, minimum age requirements for working conditions, and maximum time you're able to work someone.
Looking back on the first draft of my cartoon, I believe my cartooning skills have grown immensely in the art of portraying a face. For example in my first draft the gun wielding Ronald McDonald, has a sly face while the world has a sad one. However in my final draft the clown has a horrible crazy face while the world appears not only sad but also angry and ready to fight back. I am proud of this growth because it made it so I was able to portray my cartoon more clearly so that the audience would be able to understand my message without reading the OPED that goes along with the cartoon.
The type of writing I did in this assignment I would consider to be factual opinion. This is because not only are you showing your opinion you are giving evidence to back p your thoughts and opinions. From this project I need to take the idea of presenting my ideas clearly, because I feel as if I did a very god job of doing this in my OPED. All of my opinions had facts that would in turn connect to other opinions or solutions Therefore the biggest take away for me from this project was to make sure you know what you really want to say before you say it. Being confident with your opinion makes you a stronger person which can really help for [presenting yourself in the future.
AQOTWF Seminar
Dylan Williamson 09/13/14
Seminar Reflection
This seminar gave my many different reactions, that ranged from interest to conflict but over all two comments stood out to me, “Soldiers are the only ones that really realize that who they are fighting isn’t always the enemy, sometimes war is.” Even though I don’t remember exactly who said those words, they stuck in my head for a very long time. I began to think about not only how war is the enemy but conflict, how in every argument or misunderstanding the ideas are the ones fighting, not the people. However, it is in our nature to be at conflict, that’s how ideas grow, that’s hoe our world develops. Which leads me to another comment during the seminar, “ Is this an anti war book?” Is life an anti war book. We celebrate those who return to us; to the United States. However we dislike those who fought on the other sides, those who returned home to their families, to there three year old daughters just as we do. This added to my ideas of war, not because I began to realize that we need conflict to strive as humans, because without it we would make no progress. However I can’t decide if it’s necessary to have war in our world. Is it necessary to kill one another over an idea, or a higher conflict; I would have to say no.
One of the major questions during seminar for me was the question that we all wonder about at some time in our lives. “We fly form our life’s, from ourselves.” What is the consequence of having this mindset? In my opinion there is no consequence, simply a desire. A desire to be someone or somewhere else. In the book there is a passage, it states, “Everyone talks of peace and armistice. All wait. If it again proves an illusion, then they will break up; hope is high, it cannot be taken away again without upheaval. If there is not peace, then there will be no revolution.”
All Quiet on the Western Front, pg. 293, Remarque. What I take from that is that when despair surrounds you, even the most imaginative glimmer of hope can separate you from death to life. I think this is true in everyone’s life as well. We all need something to look forward to, so that we can make it through the day. In the passage it says, “Hope is high”. After years and years of despair they still cling on to the slimmer of hope that they started with, that the war will one day cease, and they can began to live again, rather than survive. Furthermore, I think the main theme of this book is hope; how much we need it, how much we love it. It shows that even in the most desperate of circumstance there is still one thing that can keep us above water. No matter how small, hope shines through.
A large connection I had with this book was a connection to a piece of literature called “The Book Thief”. This book takes place in 1939 near Munich Germany. It is a story of a girl named Liesil, and her adoptive parents during the holocaust. I made many connections between “The Book Thief” and “All Quiet on the Western Front.” However, there were two large ones the stood out the most. The first was the use of a completely humanized character to portray a sorrow filled story. In “The Book Thief” they use Death to tell the story. He is humble and has empathy and gratitude to everyone he takes from this word. He knows the enemy is not the fighters, but what is being fought and pities those who understand not. Death states a quote that captures me completely, and I think it is something that Paul would also say, “I am haunted by humans.” Markus Zusak, The Book Thief. I think that Paul also says this on many occasions as well, stating quotes such as, “In the afternoon about three he is dead. I breathe freely now. But only for a short time. Soon the silence is more unbearable then the groans. I wish the gurgling were there again, grasping hoarse, now whistling softly and again hoarse and loud.” All Quiet on the Western Front, pg. 221, Remarque. I think this passage is a basic representation of Paul feels about life. He knows what is being lost. No matter idea, language, or uniform.
Another connection I found between the two books was an idea of symbolism. In “The Book Thief” the little girl, Lielsel, steals books, for the most basic sense of happiness, or excitement. I think that is almost the same as what Kat and Paul do when they steal food. Sure, there hungry but it is also the idea of freedom, which makes them become thieves. They need to feel like individuals, that there is still simplicity behind the curtains of complication. I think that is why Kat, Liesel and Paul steal. “Sometimes when life robs you, you have to rob it back.” The Book Thief, Marcus Zusak.
I think that reading “All Quiet on the Western Front” has changed my views of war completely. In the book there is a passage, saying, “ Comrade, to-day you, to-morrow me. But if I come out of it, comrade, I will fight against this that has struck us both down, from you, taken life- and from me-? Life also. I promise you comrade it will never happen again.” All Quiet on the Western Front, pg. 226, Remarque. Before I read this book, war to me, was irrelevant. I knew it was there and the purpose it served. But in all honesty I figured people went. And sometimes they didn’t come back. I didn’t loose sleep over the thought of it. However, after reading this, I understand the hardship and the pain that the soldiers go through. There life is taken regardless if they stop breathing. When they come home they are lost, confused and afraid. Because we as humans cannot possibly live in the present, when we are still haunted by the past.
Seminar Reflection
This seminar gave my many different reactions, that ranged from interest to conflict but over all two comments stood out to me, “Soldiers are the only ones that really realize that who they are fighting isn’t always the enemy, sometimes war is.” Even though I don’t remember exactly who said those words, they stuck in my head for a very long time. I began to think about not only how war is the enemy but conflict, how in every argument or misunderstanding the ideas are the ones fighting, not the people. However, it is in our nature to be at conflict, that’s how ideas grow, that’s hoe our world develops. Which leads me to another comment during the seminar, “ Is this an anti war book?” Is life an anti war book. We celebrate those who return to us; to the United States. However we dislike those who fought on the other sides, those who returned home to their families, to there three year old daughters just as we do. This added to my ideas of war, not because I began to realize that we need conflict to strive as humans, because without it we would make no progress. However I can’t decide if it’s necessary to have war in our world. Is it necessary to kill one another over an idea, or a higher conflict; I would have to say no.
One of the major questions during seminar for me was the question that we all wonder about at some time in our lives. “We fly form our life’s, from ourselves.” What is the consequence of having this mindset? In my opinion there is no consequence, simply a desire. A desire to be someone or somewhere else. In the book there is a passage, it states, “Everyone talks of peace and armistice. All wait. If it again proves an illusion, then they will break up; hope is high, it cannot be taken away again without upheaval. If there is not peace, then there will be no revolution.”
All Quiet on the Western Front, pg. 293, Remarque. What I take from that is that when despair surrounds you, even the most imaginative glimmer of hope can separate you from death to life. I think this is true in everyone’s life as well. We all need something to look forward to, so that we can make it through the day. In the passage it says, “Hope is high”. After years and years of despair they still cling on to the slimmer of hope that they started with, that the war will one day cease, and they can began to live again, rather than survive. Furthermore, I think the main theme of this book is hope; how much we need it, how much we love it. It shows that even in the most desperate of circumstance there is still one thing that can keep us above water. No matter how small, hope shines through.
A large connection I had with this book was a connection to a piece of literature called “The Book Thief”. This book takes place in 1939 near Munich Germany. It is a story of a girl named Liesil, and her adoptive parents during the holocaust. I made many connections between “The Book Thief” and “All Quiet on the Western Front.” However, there were two large ones the stood out the most. The first was the use of a completely humanized character to portray a sorrow filled story. In “The Book Thief” they use Death to tell the story. He is humble and has empathy and gratitude to everyone he takes from this word. He knows the enemy is not the fighters, but what is being fought and pities those who understand not. Death states a quote that captures me completely, and I think it is something that Paul would also say, “I am haunted by humans.” Markus Zusak, The Book Thief. I think that Paul also says this on many occasions as well, stating quotes such as, “In the afternoon about three he is dead. I breathe freely now. But only for a short time. Soon the silence is more unbearable then the groans. I wish the gurgling were there again, grasping hoarse, now whistling softly and again hoarse and loud.” All Quiet on the Western Front, pg. 221, Remarque. I think this passage is a basic representation of Paul feels about life. He knows what is being lost. No matter idea, language, or uniform.
Another connection I found between the two books was an idea of symbolism. In “The Book Thief” the little girl, Lielsel, steals books, for the most basic sense of happiness, or excitement. I think that is almost the same as what Kat and Paul do when they steal food. Sure, there hungry but it is also the idea of freedom, which makes them become thieves. They need to feel like individuals, that there is still simplicity behind the curtains of complication. I think that is why Kat, Liesel and Paul steal. “Sometimes when life robs you, you have to rob it back.” The Book Thief, Marcus Zusak.
I think that reading “All Quiet on the Western Front” has changed my views of war completely. In the book there is a passage, saying, “ Comrade, to-day you, to-morrow me. But if I come out of it, comrade, I will fight against this that has struck us both down, from you, taken life- and from me-? Life also. I promise you comrade it will never happen again.” All Quiet on the Western Front, pg. 226, Remarque. Before I read this book, war to me, was irrelevant. I knew it was there and the purpose it served. But in all honesty I figured people went. And sometimes they didn’t come back. I didn’t loose sleep over the thought of it. However, after reading this, I understand the hardship and the pain that the soldiers go through. There life is taken regardless if they stop breathing. When they come home they are lost, confused and afraid. Because we as humans cannot possibly live in the present, when we are still haunted by the past.