Extra Credit Blog

         

   I remember this quote from a movie, I believe it was “Shes the Man”

"Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em." –William Shakespeare

            What defines greatness? Better yet, what defines a great moment?  Is it the suspense, the triumph, the hardships, the time, the place or even the amount of people watching you achieve? Having that great moment where you become a better being, when you have this excitement that no one can take away from you. To have this great moment has become this natural high that everyone strives to obtain. For me, having this great moment doesn’t come off as arrogance or some sort of bragging right, but rather a moment of reflection. Being able to look at all of my hard work to get to the point of success and self-preservation was the most fulfilling reward I could ever wish for.

Three Stricks to American History

"Take me out to the ball game. Take me out with the crowd,” this song typically sung by Jack Norworth and by many other Americans during many Major League Baseball games. It is the song that many young boys remember as they are sitting with their fathers, while clutching on to their bag of peanuts. Although, football has been said to be quite enjoyable, it does not take away from baseballs constitutional history and its upstanding popularity to many Americans.
 “Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball” (Jacques Barzun). Baseball dating back to the early 1800’s would grow with the country, seeing all the hardships from civil war, labor issues, and urbanization. Being a domestic sport it allows people of average height or weight to play. Baseball is also known as easygoing and slow pace, bring relaxation to those playing it and those who watch. Conversely, football which started in mid-1800, is more aggressive in its standards, speed and height are key elements to the game. Football is a more physical sport which focuses on its more violent behavior and its fast paced play.  
Baseball represents the nation’s history, the pride and passion of America. It has bound all citizens with one common interest for over one hundred years. Being that it brings everyone no matter what their size together and able to enjoy a slow pace game which allows them to escape from everyday lives.

Milwaukee Art Museum

I felt very youthful in the exhibit. Within all of the art forms I could see history. One of the oil paintings that really got myself thinking about the time in history was the Princess Henrietta of Lorraine Attended by a Page. This oil painting was very odd to me. It had a very tall women pressing on the shoulder of a young dark skin boy holding flowers. I started to think of slavery, but the boy was very nicely dressed and was gazing up at the women as if she was the most fascinating creature in the world. I still could not put the pieces together. I still think about that art work now and wonder what the artist was trying to tell us.

Although I paid very close attention to the exhibits, I could help but think about the building that holds such beautiful pieces. The architecture of the building was more interesting that the art inside. The lines that the museum contains on the outside, along with the retractable wings made it very fascinating to look at. How it is placed along Lake Michigan allows the white building to stand out. The hallways inside are not the usual square halls and the building itself is very artistic in itself.  It is a building that looks very simplistic but has become an iconic symbol to the city.

Journal #3: An houe and 57mins

During a good book, story, or film there are always important scenes that are absolutely necessary to the plot. The most important scene in the Prestige is when we find out that Borden has had a double the entire time. This is the big twist that nobody sees coming even though Angier thought that it was the only way Borden could do his famous reappearing man trick. The scene starts right after Borden is hung. The rubber ball bounces toward Angier and he is shot suddenly. The scene is very dark and a man approaches and lifts his hat. It appears to be Borden, but that is impossible because he is just been hung. This is where Angier and the audience discover that Borden and Fallon were actually doubles. Angier asks “a brother, a twin, you were Fallon… the whole time!” Borden replies calmly “no we were both Fallon and we were both Borden.”  Angier’s face is full of pain from being shot, but more importantly shock from realizing that Borden had always had a double. Angier also feels betrayed by Carter because he knew the entire time.  The movie flashes back and shows how they switched disguises several times and how they shared a double life. They even depict a scene where Borden cuts of Fallon’s finger so they can be identical. This twist adds so much to the movie and causes serious confusion the first time it is viewed. It is by far the most vital scene in the movie because it unveils the true trickery behind the stunt. The audience has also been tricked the entire movie much like Angier was. Keeping this fact of the brothers keeps the whole story moving. We realize in the end that it all adds up as the scene flashes back to different instances where Fallon and Borden switch disguises and even cut off Fallon’s finger to match Borden’s. It is a truly shocking part of the film and gives the whole movie a sensible ending.

Journal 2: Remembering so much more than the Titains

Remember the Titains

Inspiration, drive, and achievement really draws me to my all-time favorite movie Remember the Titians. I have loved this movie since the first time I saw it and since then have watched it three times a year. I get emotionally involved with most movies that I watch and find that this one really stands out for me. Being part African American I can understand being looked at differently. I understand also that at times I may look at people differently as well. This movie shows how racial barrios can be broken down and brotherly bonds can be formed that help create a strong “family”. The fact that they are a very powerful and successful football team add excitement to the story line and really shows that when you come together as a team good things can happen. Remember the Titians not only shares the respectable side to break down racial tension but also show the trials that are often faced. My favorite part of the movie when I really shows true brother hood is when Gary Bertier (white) is in the hospital and Julius Campbell (black) comes to visit him. When he walks in the nurse scolds Julius and says “only kin are allows in here” Bertier replies back with a witty, “….can’t you see he’s my brother”. Although they were not blood relatives both boys considered each other “kin”. This example upon many others within the movie really drives the meaning in the views. Remember the Titians is about acceptance and friendship. This is why will forever be my favorite movie.

 

Published By: Raven Bodden

Journal 1: Winning is everything in this case

analysis of  the article "Winning actually isn't the only thing"
byline: David Maraniss

Author David Maraniss wrote an article in The Washington Post on the most talked game on Monday September 24, 2012. The Green Bay Packers had a debatable loss against the Seattle Seahawks. Maraniss jumps back to the day before when he was angered by what a man said on national television quotes one of the old Packer coaches, Vince Limbardi, and falsely quoted him. He made it seem as though Limbardi was all about winning when he was the exact opposite. He was about winning fairly and having all his players be fair and just play the game. Relating this back to the game on Monday Maraniss thinks that both the coach and the quarterback for the Seattle should see and speak the truth. They should admit that the game was not called fairly and not act like the win was because of their hard work. They cannot change the end result but at least take ownership to the fact that they were not the true winners. 

I believe that Davis Maraniss was correct. He was fair in saying that he can  not change the score but that winning team does not deserve to call that game a fair win. Winning isn’t everything. It is about integrity and dignity. I is about playing as hard as you can and whatever the outcome may be at least you tried your best and the best team won. Winning doesn’t always mean you walk out with a victory but winning can often times mean walking out knowing you did your best. The meaning of this article puts the blame and anger on the Seattle team rather than the refs in which all other people are putting the blame on.

Posted by: Raven Bodden 

"The Believing Game" Pro- Racial Profiling

Many people believe that racial profiling has a negative effect on the country, when in reality it has and will continue to be the nation’s helping hand. It will fight for the safety of others and can help in the nation’s defense. Since 9/11 there has been a rise in the nation’s security. One way that they have upped National security is in the airports and now performs random checks. Most of the time people of an Arabian decent or African American’s. Another way people are stereotyped through traffic stops. Often time people hear of the phrase “driving while black” and this because the law enforcers are making an effort to protect the streets by pulling over people who they believe are a threat to the community. Overall, this entire situation has protected the nation and will continue to grow.