Category: Passion Blog

Intro:

When you hear the word “liberty” what do you think of? The Statue of Liberty? The Liberty Bell? The Gadsden Flag and the Liberty Bell are two artifacts that hold within them lots of history and are the epitome for symbols of liberty. Both of these artifacts use their history to instill a strong sense of liberty among the American people.

Body:

Gadsden Flag

• The snake on the flag is inspired by Ben Franklin’s “Join or Die” political cartoon depicting a rattlesnake cut into pieces representing the colonies. Banded together these pieces would form something strong.
• After the year 1765 those colonists who became increasingly resentful of interference from the English government came to be know as the “Sons of Liberty”. These “Sons of Liberty” and others who felt similar began using the snake as a symbol representing liberty, American unity, and independence.
• The symbol of the snake accompanied by the phrase “Don’t tread on me” was first seen on the drums of a few marine units during the revolutionary war. It’s not certain where exactly where this phrase comes from. But think about what happens if you were to step on a snake. It won’t hesitate to fight back. Being tread on and stepped over is not something that Americans should stand for.
• Named after a colonel in the continental Army, Christopher Gadsden the flag came about when the colonel chose a man named Esek Hopkins to be the commander-in-chief of the Navy. On one of Gadsden’s ships, Hopkins flew the flag that would become known today as the Gadsden Flag.

Analysis

• There is a lot of American History behind the flag
  • Creates feeling of patriotism
• Flag is present in political movements making it a part of our culture

Liberty Bell

• The bell was created in 1751 and was to be placed in Philadelphia. It was to be very special one that would not only call representatives to meetings, but also summon the town’s citizenry to the State House for important events or announcements.
• It was to be the largest bell in the 13 colonies, with a voice to match its size so that everyone, including those on the outskirts of the province, could hear its ring.
• Since no bell the size of that envisioned by the Pennsylvania Assembly had ever been cast in America, the legislators decided to have it made in England.
• The Pennsylvania legislators eager to have the new bell put in place sort of had the bell rushed over. At the first stroke, it cracked, disaster believed to be the result of mishandling on the journey. In 1752 the sea voyage to America was hazardous, and the risk of damage great.
• The bell was eventually repaired and on August 1753, the refurbished Liberty Bell was place back in Pennsylvania and rang out once again. It would do so for the next 23 years. The Bell would be used to make some of the most important announcements in the country over those years.

Analysis:

• The Liberty Bell is something we learn about from a very young age. We learn about this as a symbol of liberty from the time we just start learning about the world.
• Since we are taught about the Liberty Bell at such a young and because of its history the Liberty Bell is ingrained in our culture.
  • Within this culture is a sense of Patriotism that is taught through such artifacts as the liberty bell.
    Viewing liberty as an important aspect of our history is also taught through what we learn with the liberty bell.

Conclusion: Artifacts like the Gadsden Flag and the Liberty Bell use their history and symbolism to create commonplaces of feelings of liberty and patriotism in America.

As a conflict photographer, Addario regularly faces challenges in her work and in her personal life. I mean, conflict is literally in the title of her job.

On pages 151-152 she said something that really hit me. “The sadness and injustice I encountered as a journalist could either sink me into a depression or open the door to a vision of my own life. I chose the latter.” While I’ve never had the experiences that Addario has had, such as financial issues, the struggles of pursuing a stressful career, or the strain of a difficult romantic relationship I have struggled with my own mind in the past. Addario’s quote is relatable to her audience because while the experiences she has had are unique, the quote itself can be applied to anyone who has had gone through struggles but stayed strong and pushed through them.

Back in 10th grade I went through a long 8 months of anxiety and depression. I won’t get into details but it was a very dark and difficult time for me. It was the biggest struggle I’ve had to go through in my life. Like Addario I could’ve let my problems keep me in a depression or even dig me deeper, or I could’ve done something about it and focused on making my life happier. Like Addario I chose the latter. Dealing with the struggle of my own thoughts everyday was tough. For the first few months I was stuck in a rut unable to pull myself out. I was sinking, going nowhere for quite sometime. Eventually I realized I was going to have to make a change even if that change would be difficult. Instead of choosing to stay in the dark place that I was at I chose to work to make myself stronger, happier, and better. I had to completely rewire my way of thinking. It was an active process that required a lot of effort but it paid off. I’m a much stronger and happier person than I was 2 years ago.

What does this have to do with my passion? Well, my passion is socks and I’ve never really had a struggle with socks. They’ve been good to me. However I did get serious about my sock collection in 10th grade.

 

Intro:

When you hear the word “liberty” what do you think of? The Statue of Liberty? The Liberty Bell? The Gadsden Flag and the Liberty Bell are two artifacts that hold within them lots of history and are the epitome for symbols of liberty. Both of these artifacts use their history to instill a strong sense of liberty among the American people.

Body:

Gadsden Flag
The snake on the flag is inspired by Ben Franklin’s “Join or Die” political cartoon depicting a rattlesnake cut into pieces representing the colonies. Banded together these pieces would form something strong.
After the year 1765 those colonists who became increasingly resentful of interference from the English government came to be know as the “Sons of Liberty”. These “Sons of Liberty” and others who felt similar began using the snake as a symbol representing liberty, American unity, and independence.
The symbol of the snake accompanied by the phrase “Don’t tread on me” was first seen on the drums of a few marine units during the revolutionary war. It’s not certain where exactly where this phrase comes from. But think about what happens if you were to step on a snake. It won’t hesitate to fight back. Being tread on and stepped over is not something that Americans should stand for.
Named after a colonel in the continental Army, Christopher Gadsden the flag came about when the colonel chose a man named Esek Hopkins to be the commander-in-chief of the Navy. On one of Gadsden’s ships, Hopkins flew the flag that would become known today as the Gadsden Flag.

Analysis
There is a lot of American History behind the flag
Creates feeling of patriotism
Flag is present in political movements making it a part of our culture

Liberty Bell
The bell was created in 1751 and was to be placed in Philadelphia. It was to be very special one that would not only call representatives to meetings, but also summon the town’s citizenry to the State House for important events or announcements. It was to be the largest bell in the 13 colonies, with a voice to match its size so that everyone, including those on the outskirts of the province, could hear its ring.

Since no bell the size of that envisioned by the Pennsylvania Assembly had ever been cast in America, the legislators decided to have it made in England.
The Pennsylvania legislators eager to have the new bell put in place sort of had the bell rushed over. At the first stroke, it cracked, disaster believed to be the result of mishandling on the journey. In 1752 the sea voyage to America was hazardous, and the risk of damage great.
The bell was eventually repaired and on August 1753, the refurbished Liberty Bell was place back in Pennsylvania and rang out once again. It would do so for the next 23 years. The Bell would be used to make some of the most important announcements in the country over those years.

Analysis:
The Liberty Bell is something we learn about from a very young age. We learn about this as a symbol of liberty from the time we just start learning about the world.
Since we are taught about the Liberty Bell at such a young and because of its history the Liberty Bell is ingrained in our culture.
Within this culture is a sense of Patriotism that is taught through such artifacts as the liberty bell
Viewing liberty as an important aspect of our history is also taught through what we learn with the liberty bell

Conclusion: Artifacts like the Gadsden Flag and the Liberty Bell use their history and symbolism to create commonplaces of feelings of liberty and patriotism in America.

Intro
1. “Don’t tread on me”
2. Explain brief history
a. The snake on the flag is inspired by Ben Franklin’s “Join or Die” political cartoon depicting a rattlesnake cut into pieces representing the colonies. The symbol of the flag accompanied by the phrase “Don’t tread on me” was first seen on the drums of a few marine units during the revolutionary war. Named after a colonel in the continental Army, Christopher Gadsden the flag came about when the colonel chose a man named Esek Hopkins to be the commander-in-chief of the Navy. On one of Gadsden’s ships, Hopkins flew the flag that would become known today as the Gadsden Flag.

Body:
1. Why was the artifact necessary? (What was/is the artifact responding to?)
The flag was originally necessary as a symbol to stand up to British tyranny. It was intended to be a symbol of American strength, willpower, unity, and liberty.

2.Has the need for the artifact changed over time?
The flag has gone from a military jack and symbol to protest the British rule, to a symbol of American strength and a symbol of liberty.

3. Does the artifact have different meanings for different groups of people?
a. The flag is often incorporated into the Tea Party movement. Due to its association with the Tea Party some people view the flag as a racist symbol.
b. The flag is also often incorporated in libertarian movements. Part of the symbolism behind the rattlesnake was to not initiate force but to be strong in defending yourself, a common libertarian belief.

4.What commonplaces are embedded in the artifact? Or, how does the artifact comment on commonplaces?
Commonplaces embedded in the Gadsden flag are the value and belief in American freedom and liberty. American’s love to talk about freedom. The flag is often used in response from overbearing government.

5. What makes the artifact “civic?” How does the artifact frame the civic?
A. The flag is civic in the fact that it started as a flag of protest to government control and policy and it continues to be a symbol of those same ideals. Although we’re not in a physical war like we were against Britain many can say we’re in a sort of  political war against higher taxes, liberty restrictions and forced unwanted laws and policies.

 

Conclusion:
1. To be civic is to be able to question the actions and policies of your own government. The Gadsden flag stands for and can be used exactly for that. What better way to be civic than to actively question overbearing policies and laws? What better way to be civic than to stand for liberty?

 

“KnifeUp.” The Knife News Magazine, 2014, www.knifeup.com/dont-tread-on-me-what-it-means-today/.

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Gadsden-Flag-Carries-a-Whole-New-Meaning-Today&id=2773915

Gadsden Flag History, gadsden.info/history.html.

While reading Addario’s book I’ve noticed how easy it is to read and how well she creates an image for the reader. Her word choice is often times very casual and it feels like someone talking right you. Her choice of certain words can often create a scene that can easily be imagined. “Alyssa was wide-eyed and manic, convinced the Taliban were coming any minute. She chose the ledge outside our window as an escape route; if they came, she said, we would crawl along the narrow ledge and jump to the next building only a few feet over.” This small paragraph really stuck with me because of the phrase “wide-eyed and manic”. Words/phrases like this grab your attention and really giving you more of a feel for the emotions of a character and I think Addario does a great job of this throughout her story. Also when talking about Alyssa’s escape route I could really get a sense of their fear and anxiety.

I can use word choice to make my blog more exciting and also easier to imagine what I’m trying to describe. Some people might think of socks as boring. With my blog I want to show how fun and interesting socks can be. I get excited when I get a new pair.

When talking about socks there are two major things that I will need to get across often; how they feel and how they look. Using certain words I can give a more accurate description of the socks. While I will provide pictures of some of the socks it is important that I use word choice to help my audience imagine the socks. I’ve worn many different pairs from many different companies. All brands feel different and have different styles. Lots of my socks have very detailed designs. I could simply say that I have a pair with breakfast foods on them. It would be better however to say “I have a pair of socks with various breakfast foods spread across a black background. Sprawled across the socks are a fat stack of syrup-covered pancakes, crisp bacon next to sunny-side-up eggs, and a side of steaming coffee”.

Nana’s story of love was quite interesting. It makes you think whether or not it’s better to gamble a little and pursue your passion or to pick the more stable option. Addario includes this story partly because she said she could never forget it. It was powerful enough to stick in her mind. The reason it stuck with her is because she doesn’t want to regret not pursuing her passion. Addario seems to be bought in totally to her passion, photography. She asked her father and his partner to give her money that would be reserved for a wedding, up front instead, so that she could invest it in her career. This is a big and bold move that really goes to show how much her passion means to her. Lots of people choose to pursue their passion as a career but this can often be extremely challenging. It’s often scary because the pursuit of a passion isn’t usually an easy career path. With the struggles of pursuing your passion as a career comes lots of doubts and uncertainties that can be terrifying.

 

As I am writing about my passion for crazy socks I cannot necessarily recall specific advice. Reading about Nana’s story and her thoughts on missing out on passion makes me think of a career. Pursuing a career through a passion is something most of us strive to do. Now as of right now I don’t intend to have a career that incorporates crazy socks. However recently I’ve been thinking about being a Behavioral Psychologist. This would incorporate my interest of Psychology and my curiosity of Business. There are plenty of sock brands out there that could use help with their marketing and overall selling of socks. I’ve been told many times before “No matter what you do in life, find something you love”. Well I definitely love socks.