Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris

"Rather than ignore those who choose to publish their opinions without actually talking to me, I am happy to dispel any rumors or misconceptions and am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest and feel most fortunate to be working with wonderful people in the business I love."

These are the exact words from one Neil Patrick Harris in November of 2006 after he was comfortably able to “come out” to the public about his sexuality. However, NPH is far more than just a LBGTQ figure.

Neil Patrick Harris (born June 15, 1973) is an American actor, producer, and director. He is known for playing Barney Stinson in the television comedy series How I Met Your Mother (2005–2014), the title character in Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989–1993), the title role in Joss Whedon's musical Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (2008), and a fictional version of himself in the Harold & Kumar film series (2004–2011). He has also appeared in the films Starship Troopers (1997), Beastly (2011), The Smurfs (2011), and The Smurfs 2 (2013).

Harris was named as one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in 2010, and was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in September 2011. Harris has also hosted the Tony Awards on Broadway in 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2013.

Harris is a visionary. Gracing everyone from TV screen to big screen, Neil is always a topic of discussion in a positive way.

Neil and his romantic partner, David Burtka act as one to be one of the great symbols of the LGBTQ community and proving that equality can most certainly mean happiness if treated fairly.

One thing that NPH proves more than anything is the overwhelming fact that you should never feel the need to hide from the world who you truly are inside. Being gay has often been victimized for years in the world, and still is today. However, once we can all come together and be comfortable with the acceptance that we’re all different, I believe that even Neil can say this place with be “LEGEN…… Wait for it…… DARY”

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000439/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Patrick_Harris

Oprah Winfrey

She is one of the most successful women known in the world. Owning her own talk show, magazine, radio, studios, film, and foundation. Her reach is internationally, available in 85 million homes. Speaking out to those who are willing to listen, helping those who are willing to accept the help granted. She is encouraging, uplifting, entertaining and giving; she is Oprah Winfrey.

She started out broadcasting in high school, and at the age of 19 she became a new anchor for Nashville's WTVF-TV. Her very own show known as the Oprah Winfrey Show wasn't known as that at first. After leaving Nashville she hosted WLS-TV's morning talk show in Chicago, which became the number one local talk show after she joined. It was then later named after her and it became her own show.

She was the third woman in the American entertainment industry to own her own studio in 1988. For 25 years she influenced her viewers and fans, giving helpful advice and tips on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Her influence reached out to 150 countries, up to 40 million viewers per week. In 2008 she partnered with Discovery Communications created OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network which became the first and only network named for a single iconic leader.

Oprah radio, constantly on and open to anyone who needs some motivation. O, The Oprah Magazine, is her very own women's lifestyle magazine with almost 2.5 million readers per month. Harpo Films, where she has produced multiple films based on classical and contemporary literature. Along with the Oprah Winfrey Foundation, reaching out to those in need of help. She is widely known for her fundraisers, Oprah's Angel Network raised over $80 million in 1998, Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation raised over $40 million in 2000 and her "Christmas Kindness in South Africa" sending 50,000 children received gifts in South Africa.

With her unlimited care for children, she went on to testify in front of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee with determination to establish a national database of convicted child abusers and in 1993 President Clinton signed the bill into law.

With hard work and dedication, she was able to achieve more than she ever dreamed of. Becoming one of the most iconic leaders in America, known worldwide and an inspiration to all.

http://www.oprah.com/pressroom/Oprah-Winfreys-Official-Biography

Blog 5: Alaina Mills

Martin Luther King Jr. 
Social Issue- Racism     

           Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream. He had a dream that “one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'" He believed that what is inside a person should affect how someone views you, not the outside. And he said that your color should not determine your rights to citizenship or certain things.
         
           Michael Luther King Jr. (who later had his name changed to Martin), was born January 15^th, 1929 in Atlanta, GA. He completed high school, college, and graduate school and eventually followed in his grandfather and father’s footsteps by becoming a pastor. He was the pastor Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. He met his wife, Coretta Scott, while in graduate school in Boston. They had two children together. Racism in this time was a huge social issue, and because of this MLK was an active civil rights leader and was a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). In this organization he took part of a bus boycott that lasted almost 400 days. During this boycott King was arrested, he suffered physical abuse, and his home was bombed. However, the boycott was successful because segregation in busses became illegal.

          During the time period of 1957-1968, MLK traveled over 6 million miles to different places where there was segregation and protests, giving his many memorable speeches. After giving over 2500 speeches, writing 5 books, and many articles, he began to catch the attention of many Americans. He is most famous for directing the march on Washington D.C. and delivering his “I Have a Dream” speech to over 250,000 people. Due to his strong protests he was arrested almost 20 times and assaulted 4 times. But was also awarded 5 honorary degrees, was the youngest man to receive the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 35, and was named Man of the Year by Time Magazine in 1963. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968 on his balcony right before leading a protest march.

          Although he died young, his legacy did not die with him. He was a brave and influential man who made a lasting impact on the world and the thought of racism. He was a leader and still continues to lead. He is not only a symbolic leader of American Blacks, but he is also a world figure. Martin Luther King Jr. and his dream will never be forgotten.  

 

 

 

 

http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1964/king-bio.html

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm

http://wamc.org/post/dr-martin-luther-king-jr-i-have-dream-speech-h-carl-mccall-and-dr-jw-wiley

Michael Sam- TV Williams

Michael Alan Sam was born January 7, 1990. He chose to go to the University of Missouri where he played football. After having four outstanding seasons and being a consensus All American in the SEC, which is one of the best conferences in the NCAA. Michael Sam publicly came out to the media as gay. After announcing to the world Sam took a lot of criticism. With just one announcement Michael went from being one of the most loved football players at the time to one of the most hated, but that didn’t change his view at all. He was happy to be able to free with the world. If he could accept the world, why couldn’t the world accept him?      

            After Michael Sam’s senior season in his collegiate career he was one of the top players in the country with very good reason to believe he would go first round in this years NFL draft. When he released his statement about him being gay, ESPN along with other TV stations started to suspect his current draft stock would drop. Again this didn’t bother Michael Sam at all; he wanted all the pro teams to know of his sexuality.

            Should his sexuality matter to the NFL teams? he played outstanding in college and got along with all of his teammates who by the way support him after his statement but also never had any problems with him being gay while he was on his collegiate team at the University of Missouri. Sam led the Mizzou defense to the SEC championship where they fell just short of the title to the Auburn tigers who would go on to the national championship and loose to the Florida state Seminoles.

            With Sam publicly being gay he would be the first active NFL player to have declared gay publicly. To some this causes hatred but to some he is a hero.

Leitchfield

Most days you'll find her dressed up,
in a raggedy kind of way.
Wearing a ball cap that has seen better days
and an old t-shirt that always looks dirty.

Fishing rods already in the truck bed,
a couple boxes of worms in the cooler.
Bug spray is a must have or you'll be sleeping with bugs that night.
Sunscreen to keep from being marked by the hot sun.

Driving down the one lane road heading to the backwoods.
The dirt road leading to the woods is bumpy
and the trail to the river is overgrown.

Wafting through the woods watching for snakes and spiderwebs.
Sneak peaks of the glistening water can be seen through the trees.
The rough sound of boat motors echoing all around.
Her summer days are her best days.

She doesn't have much to offer with being a small town
mainly a few antique shops, a few schools...
The "city" part has all the restaurants and buildings
however, the best part is filled with farms and wide open land.

Cows and horses can be seen everywhere,
houses are few and far between.
Most businesses here don't stay open long
since there aren't many people to begin with.

A few golf courses and mini golf courses use to be open
along with a bowling alley and movie theater.
Now the things to do in summer are limited...
Unless you drive to the surrounding cities.

One of her favorite days is the fourth of July.
When fireworks are set off over the river...
Bright, expensive fireworks combined with small cheap ones.
Cars lined up on the side of the road for miles,
while chairs and blankets litter the ground all around the river.
It may not last long, but it is an event that gives life to her.


This is about a place I go to every summer, and it's the place where my grandparents grew up at. I call it my home away from home because I come from the city area and this is the country where I can go fishing and swimming in Rough River which is the main attraction there. I go there during summer time with my family and we spend a few weeks there.

STANFORD (BY: Alaina Mills)

One day you’ll find her dressed in her Sunday best,
Hair curled, makeup applied.
Sittin’ in church with her family,
and also half her high school.
Goin’ to church is something everyone in this town does.
Born and raised in a conservative Christian town,
Church was a place everyone enjoyed goin’.

Then the next day you’ll find her dressed in camo head to toe.

Four-wheeling through the mud and creeks,
To the best dang huntin' spot in the county.
Sittin’ in the blind with her daddy just waitin’,
Til a big’n comes into view and she shoots.
Posin’ with a big smile for the picture with her turkey.

The next day you’ll probably find her and her friends,

Friends she’s grown up with her whole life,
Sittin in Coleman’s on main-street,
waitin’ on Orangeades and milkshakes before the big football game.
Then ridin’ with the windows down and music loud,
Down the street to the high school.

The football games at Death Valley attract the whole town.

The whole student body and teachers and parents.
Dressed in red, white, blue, cheerin’ the Patriots.
Today she’s wearin’ these colors with her friends,
Cheerin’ on the team in the pep section.
School spirit is something’ she and everyone has.

It’s the summer days that are her favorites though.
She’ll sing and dance next to the bonfire,
Shootin' the gun, practicing for huntin' season.
She’ll play 18 holes with her daddy at the golf course,
Before walkin’ over to the pool at Dix River Country Club.

Her favorite thing to do though is go to the Drive In,
Friends haulin up in trucks,
Meetin’ the whole high school there.
Then headin over to the Dairy Dip for ice cream.

Her life is simple, small town livin’ on the farms.

She knows everyone… wavin’ on the road is common.
She’s sweet but you best believe her tea is sweeter.
Yeah, she’s just a good ol’ Southern girl,
She is Stanford, KY.


**I am from Stanford, KY. Its south from here about an hour away. It is from the point of view from a high school girl. I would say specifically myself, but everyone there is the same! So this description describes myself, a lot of my friends, and pretty much every other teenage girl in Stanford, which is why I chose this. I come from a very small simple country place. Not a lot happens and when something does happen everyone knows. To do this blog assignment I just made a list of the first things that came to my mind when I think of home and incorporated them into this description. (P.S. the football stadium at my HS was nicknamed Death Valley)***

-Alaina Mills  

 

WELCOME TO SAN DIEGO: Leon Cummins

Welcome to San Diego, California’s second largest city, where blue skies keep watch over 70 miles of majestic coastline and a gentle Mediterranean climate and friendly locals create a welcoming vibe all its own.

Go-to get-away destination.

spur-of-the-moment.

Ideal weather.

beautiful place.

lots of restaurants.

Large malls:

·         Torrid

·         Hot Topic

·         Buffalo Exchange

·         Frock You Vintage

·         American Apparel

Sublime Music Atmosphere:

·         +44

·         Blink-182

·         Angels & Airwaves

·         Pierce The Veil

·         Rocket From The Crypt

·         Box Car Racer

Beaches.

Laid-back vibe.

Active people.

Lots of dog-lover.

Lush.

Green.,

Sunny.

That's what this leather jacket wearing, tattoo having punk adores.

The diverse neighborhoods of San Diego are spread out over 4,200 square miles, offering endless opportunities for exploration and activities.
"This is where I belong"

Spending days relaxing in one of the many beach communities, then hiking in the east San Diego County mountains the next.

Exploring the urban neighborhoods of San Diego’s downtown.

The regions are so unique and diverse; there are plenty of options to discover something new each time you visit.

The heart of every city lives in its downtown, and San Diego is no exception.

Accommodations.

Activities.

Dining.

Cultural attractions.

Walkable city blocks.

Take a stroll along the Embarcadero.

Catch the trolley.

The world-famous San Diego Zoo.

Old Town San Diego. 

And when the sun goes down, the city's Gaslamp Quarter comes alive as it takes center stage in San Diego's happening nightlife scene. 

And That’s just downtown.

Let's talk about Atom's favorite part of San Diego (as if there was JUST one)

Hillcrest

A true neighborhood of locals with a warm and welcoming spirit.

The center of San Diego’s LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community.

Main streets are lined with 1950’s style storefronts.

Colorful awnings.

One-of-a-kind boutiques.

Salons.

Great restaurants.

Adjacent to Balboa Park.

A more "local" San Diego.

Uptown local vibe. 

What more can you ask for?

This place is awesome.

A+

I will definitely come back to visit.

San Diego is more than just a residence.

It’s a way of life.

A true paradise.



I adore the San Diego/Encanitas/Hillcrest area more than any other place in America. I visit there at LEAST 10-12 times a year. Sometimes with extended stays. It's just an unmatched atmosphere, and it's pretty much my second home. I took some site summaries and personal reviews to map my place. San Diego is so much that you can't even begin to describe all its glory in 300-500 words. I also look to work for MacBeth, Glamour Kills, or any of the alternative/punk/skater based apparel stores when I finish with school. 

My character's name is Atom, because he is a former member of Angels & Airwaves. They are an alternative band from San Diego, and I just chose one of their members to base this off of.

Camera Eye: Hayley Hedden

I can't stop crying...
I haven't felt this low ever before. What do I do? I have no one to talk to, to tell my problems to. Sure I have my friends but how much help will they be? Will they even listen to me? No. I can't tell them, they'll judge me.

I have an idea... No, I shouldn't do this. Should I? Is this what it's all come down to? My boyfriend just broke up with me and I'm struggling to pass my classes at school. I haven't told my family yet, I'm too scared to know what they'll think about me...

I've never struggled in school before.
Why would he leave me on New Year's day?

I can't take this stress, these thoughts, this pain.
Everyone is asleep, I should go now. Nana keeps it in a jar next to the sink in the kitchen, she won't notice it's gone for the night. I'm going to do this, I have no other option...

I need an outlet... An escape...

I finally found it, but let's be careful about this. First I need to clean it, I'm sure it's dirty. Tears streaming down my face, I can barely see, barely breathe. I'm too emotional right now, I know this isn't the right choice but I can't resist the urge anymore.

Sitting on the cold floor, rolling my sleeve up. Where should I start? I'll just start at my wrist...
The sharp pain only lasts for a minute, then dies away. My arm swells with pain as I keep going... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5... I need more. I need to forget my emotional pain... Not too deep though, I don't want to harm myself real bad.

The blood pools over the cuts. I've lost count of how many I've done now. I just can't stop, I feel an urge to keep going, at least until I got halfway up my arm. Looking in the mirror, my tears have stopped. I have to clean this up now, wrap my arm up so my family won't see what I've done.

There's some bandages in the bottom drawer, I can use that. I'll put the razor back before my Nana gets up. Guess I'll wear long sleeves until these heal.

I know all about this type of self-harm. I know it's addictive and leaves scars. I realize I have made a terrible decision...
Regardless, I'll wear these scars for the rest of my life. They're part of me now, part of my story.


This camera eye is capturing the moment when I began to have an emotional breakdown from all the stress and pain that was occurring in my life at that time (back in 2012). It's about the time I decided to become a cutter. It is all my thoughts from that night and decisions I made. It's a personal topic, but I'm not ashamed to admit it. I can't say it's the worst decision I've made, but it was a terrible one.

Camera Eye: Alaina Mills

                lights go dark          whooshwhooshwhoosh   
scooting my way across the smooth ground…. it Is pitch black
there's a cough
          a baby crying
                    the faint rustling of people
I stop walking. Is this my spot?
I can’t see, my heart is pounding, fingers trembling.
I look around… it is pitch black. I think I see Shelby, or is that Krista?
I can’t see.
Whooshwhooshwhoosh, a slight breeze blows my hair. I freeze, staring into darkness,
another cough
It’s time. Breathe in
                Breathe out.
Chin up, smile on.
CLICK       I’m blinded.
Spotlights light up the dark room.  I look out, I still can’t see even with the lights.
Everything is  black, but the light is so bright.
The heat from the lights is hot,
There’s the music,
1234567812345678 12345678 12345678 12345678 1 and 2 and 3, 
 4567 and8. my mind is racing with counts. Moving fast,
Spinningandspinning turning, flying.
Smiling , just keep smiling, smiling into the darkness ahead of me.
Music is blaring, 12345678. I see Shelby and Krista. Moving fast,
Spinningandspinning turning, flying.
I love this.

We are all moving in unison. 12345678 12345678 now my heart is pounding from moving so fast, not from nerves. I am in the spotlight now, I see Miss Gina sitting in the darkness. She’s in the front, smiling up at me.  Hands bent, moving in unison with mine, but smaller movements.

I can start to make out faces in the darkness, but they go as quickly as they come into view. I do not see anyone I know. 12345678 1 and 2 3, 4, 5,  ,678
                   Suddenly I stop moving, breathing hard, still smiling…
I am frozen, don’t move. The room explodes with noise… cheers and claps coming from the darkness out in front of me.

CLICK I am engulfed in complete darkness again, the spotlights are gone. Still frozen.

Whooshwhooshwhoosh, the same slight cool breeze rushes past my face,

I unfreeze, walk back off         feeling happy.

 

 

 

I am a dancer of 15 years, and this camera eye is me in the moment of a performance. The “Wooshing” Is the curtain closing and opening, I am always nervous when first going on the stage. Everything is dark because the lights are off. When the curtain opens and the lights come on the stage is full of light but the audience is still dark. The “12345678” Are the counts I am repeating over and over in my head for the dance. Flying is how I feel doing jumps and leaps. Shelby and Krista are people who dance with me, and Miss. Gina is our dance teacher who sits in the very front and while sitting in the chair can’t help but dance along with us as best she can sitting down. While dancing my nerves relax and I have the time of my life on stage doing what I love, then the dance ends, the crowd applauds, the lights go out and the curtain closes. I go back off stage. I love dancing and performing!! J

Camera Eye: Leon Cummins

*BEFORE READING. THIS IS A REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE FOR ME AND IT IS A TOUCHY SUBJECT FOR ME. IF THERE ARE ANY INQUIRIES YOU HAVE ABOUT MY PERSONAL HEALING AND COPING WITH THIS SITUATION, PLEASE COME TO ME PERSONALLY. IT'S SOMETHING I AM FREE AND OPEN TO DISCUSS.*


Well. There goes another cover up relationship...
Why in the hell do I keep doing this? Oh yeah, because my Jehovah's Witness mother and Baptist father would never take a faggot in their house.

Why'd they create one, then?

This is so confusing. I have a lot of friends. Maybe they'll back me up...
I told one of my best friends and he never responded. I just told him to keep it a secret.

It was on a Friday. That Monday I went to school like normal, but something was different. People looked at me differently. Almost with disgust. What did I do this time? I match today (for once). I took a shower. Brushed my teeth. Maybe my zipper... Nope. It's fine too.

Wait.
No.
He didn't.

Pffft. I'm just overreacting.

Alright, something has GOT to be up. Even at football practice, they're treating me differently. Like they're afraid of me. What's the problem?

Jamaal, did you get my message from last night?
"Yeah, fag boy."
What...? Look, I don't care. Just tell me you didn't tell anybody.
"I didn't tell anybody."
Then why the hell is everyone acting so weird to me?
"Maybe they don't want your gay to touch them? I don't know?"
THEN YOU FUCKING TOLD THEM?!?
"You told me to say I didn't tell anyone. I did that. Look, you better get to practice before Coach Simpson makes you run even more..."
...

Great... Now everyone knows. Maybe I should just put a label on my head that says it. ALRIGHT, DAMMIT. YES! I'M GAY! Alright, world. Give me all of your wrath. Give me your disagreements. Give me your Christians coming to my house throwing holy water on me and all my so called "peers" alienating me to face this on my own. I mean, I clearly always liked boys. This isn't exactly a choice. What makes me so different now that it's known? Yeah, I had girlfriends. Ever heard of a cover up? I'm young. I don't know what I want... I should be thinking about my next chemistry test; not how many times someone calls me faggot in a day. I thought Jamaal would have been able to at least talk to me man to man on this.
But I'm not a man.
I'm a pansy.
Just some little sweet fag that doesn't deserve to show his face.
So, he could talk to me bitch to man.
Or man to bitch, because I'm obviously not important enough to be put anywhere but last.
I have no one to turn to...
I posed the hypothetical question to my parents on what they would if I was gay, and my dad said he'd laugh in my face and disown me while my mom pleaded she'd try to get me "right".
Right.
What is right?
"It's Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve!"
What about it's a kid who doesn't even believe those 2 beings exist? Also, every other man isn't named Adam or Steve.
So I guess I have to soul search and find out what's wrong with me. But I can't do this alone....
I'll ask da.... Nope.. Not dad.
Mo... Not mom.
Not Jamaal. If I can't go to him, that already cuts out Jordan, Elijah, and Jalen, since they're all and the same
Maybe Dayvid. He's Jordan's brother, but they aren't ALWAYS connected. Well, the only part about that is that Dayvid committed suicide last week.

What's the point of even living if this body is nothing more than a lie of illegal affection?
What the hell am I?
Oh yeah, that's right.
I'm gay...

Wonder how much damage a fall from here would do?...
...

This camera eye is capturing the moment of my life in my sophomore year of high school when I came out about my pansexuality. It is very descriptive and gets down to pretty much every nook and cranny of the personal thoughts I was experiencing and the actual actions that took place. These thoughts reflect how I was thinking AT THAT TIME and are not indications on how I feel against specific religions, groups, etc.

Newsreel: LOVE IS IN THE AIR

And it's nothing like I've never known before

Love is an open door

 

Submit your cutest couple picture into the contest for a chance to win FREE tickets...

 

I've loved you for a thousand years,

                                           I'll love you for a thousand more

 

Every Kiss Begins With Kay...

 

 

-Alaina (Since it is almost Valentines. :) )





SOURCES:

http://www.disneyclips.com/lyrics/frozenlyrics4.html

wbul.com

https://www.google.com/#q=a+thousand+years

http://www.kay.com/en/kaystore?utm_campaign=SEM-{campaign}&utm_source=msn&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term={keyword}&cm_mmc=msn-_-keywords-_-M_Brand_Exact-_-every_kiss_begins_with_kay

Newsreel: Accepting the Pain

Newsreel: Accepting the Pain

By: Hayley Hedden

I started to feel the pain all over again

And that was the moment I knew

So, this is my life. And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I'm still trying to figure out how that could be.

Turing Away From A Path To Suicide

Sources: 

1. http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/25/a-fathers-grief-and-the-toll-of-his-gun-control-crusade/

2. Taylor Swift -Moment I knew - http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/taylorswift/themomentiknew.html

3. Perks of Being a Wallflower - https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/12898.Stephen_Chbosky

4. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/22/nyregion/turning-away-from-a-path-to-suicide.html?_r=0

News Reel: Leon: The LGBTQ Army

News Reel: The LGBTQ Army Forms

By: Leon Cummins

LGBT Immigrants Stand Up for Dignity and Respect

T-Pain Calls Out Hip Hop For Homophobia

Neil Patrick Harris: 'I Can Totally Understand' Why Anderson Cooper Waited To Come Out

BREAKING: First Division I College Football Player in History Comes Out as Gay

 

Sources:

1.  http://www.fuse.tv/2014/02/t-pain-homophobia-hip-hop
2. http://www.glaad.org/news/lgbt-immigrants-stand-dignity-and-respect
3. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/28/neil-patrick-harris-closeted-gay-celebrities_n_4171044.html
4. http://muckrack.com/link/mo1Q/breaking-first-division-i-college-football-player-in-history-comes-out-as-gay

Newsreel - Wrath

STAB IN THE DARK

 

face me as I unleash

this hate refined

 

HIJACKED JETS DESTROY TWIN TOWERS

AND HIT PENTAGON IN DAY OF TERROR

 

I wanna kill you,

I wanna kill you,

now I'm insane

 

 

Alaina Mills

Leon Cummins

Chandler Whaley

Hayley Hedden



“Destitute pea pickers in California. Mother of seven children. Age thirty-two. Nipomo, California” (Leon)

“Destitute pea pickers in California. Mother of seven children. Age thirty-two. Nipomo, California”

You can see a woman with 2 kids (possibly her kids) barrowing into/behind her body. Everyone in the picture looks extremely malnourished and poverty/disaster stricken. Their skin looks dirty, along with their skin in general. Wrinkly and lacking moisture. On the lady’s lap, there is also a little toddler or baby laying down sleeping (or even possibly dead). The first two things I notice are the lady’s expression on her face. She seems beside herself. Not exactly a look of distress or sadness, but more like a look of, “why is like this way?” One can only imagine the expression of the faces of the children. The other thing I noticed would be the greyscale tone for the picture. It definitely sets the tone of the photo. This scheme does more than just take out the color. It affects the mood of the entire photo. Sets the tone and almost evokes specific emotions of sadness or despair from the observer. There isn’t really anything in the sense of objects. There looks to be maybe a blanket or some sort of cloth around the baby, but that very may well be her clothes. Aside from the clothing of each individual, there really isn’t anything in the line of concrete objects. Due to the greyscale, you can’t tell accurately what time of day it is in the picture. I would toss my assumption out there and say it’s probably midday. Nothing else in the picture can give away anything about the physical setting. The biggest details that can be examined are physical ones on the bodies of the woman and the children. In the case of the woman, you can see a lot of wrinkles along her forehead (vertically and diagonally. Her skin also looks rubbery and dry; not very healthy. You can’t really see anything on the children’s faces. On the toddler’s face you can see what looks like dirt or some form of residue around her cheeks. I actually did not notice the baby on the lady’s lap upon first glance. Due to seeing this picture before, I was already aware of the focal points, also my eyes were drawn into the expression of the lady’s face and the children turning away, it took a full examination of the picture to even notice the baby. The “lighting” of the greyscale sets the tone throughout the picture. It’s the only true since of lighting or any other detail you can get from the picture. So, the lighting does a lot for the overall effect of the photograph on the reader. The photographer would have to more than likely be at the same level as the individuals in the photo. The vantage point of the photo helps because it’s fairly close up and extremely clear. Allows the possibility of up close and detailed examination of the photo. The overall mood is somber. Lacking hope. Almost apathetic, in a sense. This imagine gives a specific concrete example of the hardships of this time period and puts it into perspective. In a nutshell, I believe this photo could be an overarching introduction into the society of the 1930’s

Relief checks in Calipatria, CA

     Upon first glance of this photo, I would of never guessed it was from the Great Depression. When I think of the Great Depression, I think of despair and poverty due to the economic downfall the U.S. experienced. However, the people depicted in this image appear to be in favorable circumstances. The civilians are nicely dressed compared to those who live in refugee camps and near irrigation ditches. The gathering appears to be held at a few small shops such as the Bakery and Johnson's. In this image, these civilians are waiting to receive relief checks, which helped people buy necessities during the Great Depression.
     Dorothea Lange captures the essence of the civilians trying to maintain a way to pay for necessities for their families. As they are gathered waiting, any person examining this image can see the severity of the Great Depression because this is one of many areas that offered relief checks and in this image alone there are around 30 or more people. This image does not depict a negative mood or emotion, the reason for that is when examining this image, the groups of people are talking among themselves, smiling, generating a positive mood. Had the background information of this photo been unknown, it would be hard to determine what exactly is happening in this image. The setting takes place at a couple stores, people gathered outside, that doesn't necessarily explain the image.
     The other reason this image is more positive than negative is the fact that during the Great Depression, relief checks were helpful to these civilians, and this image depicts one of the positive attributes of the Great Depression rather than the hardships and migrant workers struggling for pay and a place to live. Based on my observations of this image, Dorothea Lange wanted to show that even in a time of despair and tragedy, people could still come together and socialize and find something positive during a time like the Great Depression.

- Hayley Hedden

"Migrant Mother" blog 1 by Alaina Mills

In this photo “Migrant Mother” by Dorothea Lange the first thing I notice is her expression and the two young children clinging to her. I later notice the baby in her lap after studying the photograph more closely. I was very surprised to see in the description of the photograph that the women was only 32 years old. Her face looks so tired, I assume that stress and worry and lack of money needed for clothes, (her sleeves look ragged on the ends like they have been torn) food, and maybe even shelter, (I cannot really tell but it appears that they are outside), has aged her looks. And the coloring of the photograph is rather depressing, I feel if it were in color it would not portray the dark burdened mood as well as the black and white does.

Going back to the women’s expression, I thought of many reasons behind her expression. It could be that one she was wondering how in the world she was going to find the money and food to feed 7 children and herself enough to keep them strong and healthy. Or since there is only 3 children pictured, maybe the other 4 were off to find food for the family and she is worried that they will be safe. Or maybe she isn’t worried at all. Or she is waiting for her husband and she is worried about his safety. I can also see determination in her face. She could have a more optimistic view on life and is determined to keep her children fed, warm, and safe. If this was to be the case, it is very inspiring to see that even in the hardest of times she isn’t giving up.

Based on this photo and my assumptions, I gather that the 1930’s was a time of economic despair. The times were hard and the only thing people were trying to do was to make it with the little money they had. This photo, even though not a very happy picture, it is a great photograph.

 

-Alaina Mills