Month: September 2017

Civic Artifact Speech Outline

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*(Video of a nuclear explosion)*

Now we all now the devastating effect nuclear bombs have and the obliterating effect a nuclear war would have. The impact of such an event is unfathomable and would be life altering for just about everyone. In the 1950s, this was a very real threat, but thankfully has become less so, except in past few weeks, the threat has become over so present again. In response to increasing tension of nuclear war, in 1958 Gerald Holtom, a British artist, created the peace sign symbol as a symbolic representation of nuclear disarmament. The two angled lines represent the semaphore letter “N” while the two vertical lines represent the letter “D”, together they stand for Nuclear Disarmament. They are then encompassed by a circle that represents total, as in the total and complete nuclear disarmament.

The peace sign is probably one of the most recognizable symbols around the whole world and when people see it they understand the meaning of peace around it. It is a unifying force that can be used in a wordless stance for, or against, something. The peace sign is a symbol that is historically significant in the context of civic engagement because of its emotional persuasion to draw people’s attention to a cause, its development over time, and its ability to call people to action.

ATTENTION TO A CAUSE

  • A notable quality of the peace sign is that it was the ability to call peoples’ attention to a certain issue or cause going on in the world.
    • First rally in UK against nukes
    • Cold War
      • Vietnam war
      • Richard Nixon
    • Hippies
  • There has been many occasion where the peace sign was the backbone of a cause and was used as a unifying symbol. The symbol gave the group ethos in the sense that it gave the group credibility because it is known they are for peace.

DEVELOPMENT OVER TIME

  • The peace symbol has not always been the symbol it is today. Over the years, it has taken on new meanings and different appearances.
    • Downward stretched arms
    • Different colors
    • Meaning to different groups
      • Context in how each group used it
      • How they interpreted the symbol
    • Even though the peace sign is a universal symbol, there are still people out there who view it in different context as others and make their own interpretation of the symbol. Additionally, there are many different versions of the peace sign, each one slightly different from the last to fit the desired cause better.

CALL TO ACTION

  • When someone sees the peace sign, they assume there is a purpose, a cause, behind the use. People then become motivated to join the cause and make a difference in the world.
    • Growth of peace movements
    • Increase in world peace interest
    • Nuclear Disarmament
  • Since to introduction and the mainstreaming of the peace sign, interest in world peace has grown significantly. People from all backgrounds, from U.S. presidents to Chinese monks, have rallied and advocated for world peace.

The peace sign is an effective tool in allowing people to become civically engaged how they see fit. For some, this means something else that what the general public sees as the meaning behind the peace sign.  Whichever the case, the peace sign is a great tool for civic engagement because it calls attention to a cause, has developed over time to fit current needs, and is a call to action for people. The main origins of the main stream peace sign may have been rooted in nuclear disbarment, but it has grown from that to mean so much more. However, it still hasn’t lost its original intent of striving for nuclear disbarment, or others interpretation of it as unilateral disbarment. Which is once again beneficial in our current day and age with increasing tension between the United States and North Korea and the ever increasing threat of nuclear warfare. Hopefully, one day the peace sign can evolve to a symbol that represents how far we have come as a society because all nuclear weapons are gone and the peace sign would stand as a reminder of that fact that when humanity is pushed to the edge, we push back and strive for what is right

 

Citations

Dionisi, Dave. “Teach Peace Moment: Peace Symbol History.” Peace Sign History, www.teachpeace.com/peacesymbolhistory.htm.

“The Peace Symbol.” The True Story of the Peace Sign, www.peaceday.org/pcsign.htm.

 

What Stands Out

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When I was reading section II of the book, what really stood out to me the most was actually the very beginning. First off, Lynsey really got my attention with the title of chapter four, “You, American, Are Not Welcome Here Anymore,” (pg 69). I started thinking about the current issues in our nation with immigration and all but when I kept reading further, the title took on a new, and much deeper, meaning.

When 9/11 occurred, the whole nation, no, the whole world, was changed.  Lynsey does a great job of capturing that in her writing because she relates what is going on the other periods in time. She references how, in Afghanistan, other reporters drew connections of starting a ground war in Afghanistan was similar to that in Vietnam. Lynsey provides a great amount of detail throughout her writing that makes you feel immersed in what she is doing. Not only that, but she also manages to pull you in emotionally.

As a reader, I always find myself to enjoy books the most when they not only have great details, imagery, and historical facts but when they also manage to pull you in emotionally. I don’t like books that focus too much on appealing emotionally to the audience because then it seems too fake and not really a factual or compelling story. On the other hand, if a book focuses too much on the facts and details, it gets too boring, redundant, and unappealing.

It is my goal as a writer to find that perfect balance of facts and emotions to keep my audience both entertained and wanting to read more. Lynsey does a great job balancing these two things throughout section II which made me enjoy reading the section immensely. I want to try to have the same effect on my readers when they read my blog about D.C.

(and of course here are some more dog pictures because I love dogs and miss my dog Quincy a lot)

 

 

Is Passion Worth It?

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In the book “It’s What I Do A Photographer’s Life of Love and War”  by Lynsey Addario, she mentions the story about her Nana and how she didn’t follow her heart. When Lynsey reflects back on her Nana’s story, she comes to the realization that she doesn’t want to live with that same mistake in her heart. Rather than play it safe in life, Addario makes the decision that she will follow her passion. She is willing to take risks in order to do what she loves. By including this story, it gives the reader perspective as to why Lynsey is willing to take that extra step when doing photojournalism, even if it means putting her life in danger.

There is already a lot in my life that I regret. Fear in my life has held me back from doing certain things and from that, I miss out on certain opportunities. However, I learn from my regret and timidness and from them I become braver. I become more courageous and outgoing because I remember the times I didn’t follow my passion and what I wanted to do which led to me missing out.

In recent years I have become more outgoing and adventurous. An example of this is that I started exploring Washington D.C. more. In the recent years, I have gone to the city countless amount of times and each time I have tried to go somewhere or do something I didn’t before. My friends and I love exploring the city and seeing all it has to offer, even if it means going outside of our comfort zones. Trust me, we have gotten into some interesting situations in D.C.

I want people to get the sense of adventure out of my blog and be inspired to go to the places and do the things most people don’t do.

(also here are some more photos of my dog because why not)