TOW #20: "America's Best Picture? All of Them"

This article, published in the New York Times, is an introspective look at the film industry in 21st-century America, and what the art we produce says about our culture. The article makes strides in defining what exactly we as viewers value through the films we watch, particularly those nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

The argument the article makes aligns similarly with my own - as a culture, we are valuing black art and cinema more heavily than we have ever done before. This is a big step in taking over a white-dominated sector of culture. Movies like Hidden Figures, with three black female leads, and Moonlight, with a portrayal of black LGBT+ men, are making strides towards representation and equality in media. People of color are getting more and more opportunities to be on screen and write and direct their own films, which makes me incredibly happy.

The article also makes connections between the different stories portrayed within the films to the diversity of America -- suggesting that maybe what we need is not a unified America, but an America where differences coexist and intersect, weaving a portrait of diversity and strength through individual stories. It ends with the line: "If you really want to find out what America looks like, you have to watch all of them." This struck a chord with me, as a lot of people throw their support behind one movie or another for the Oscar. All of the nominees coming together are what make America.

Film has always been an inspirational medium to me, and seeing the amount of diversity that was portrayed in the Academy Awards was compelling. Now, more than ever, we need people to see the story of America -- not in the historical sense, but in the deeply personal, social sense. Movies like Moonlight, Fences, and Hidden Figures are incredibly important ones. Just as social change is often the driving force behind film, film is the driving force behind social change.

TOW #19: The Mile High Promise, And Risk, Of School Choice

The Mile High Promise, And Risk, Of School Choice is an editorial published on NPR by NPR Ed, a branch of NPR dealing with education and schooling in America. It discusses the merits and drawbacks of school choice being proposed by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos -- and how one district in Denver seems to be doing it right.

One thing that jumped out at me right away about this article was the way it seemed to use the classical model of oration almost as an introduction. They followed most of the parts, including refutatio, in the several lines that made up their introduction. This set up the rest of the article as evidence and example, and also detailed analysis. For me, this was an effective intro, as it showed they had done extensive research and already crafted an argument and thesis through that research.

The article also does a good job at establishing historical context around the occasion. The school choice initiative in Denver has been around since the end of segregation in public schools in the 70s, and was not newly implemented anytime recently. This means they have decades of experience and working on issues to make it what it is today. This was made very clear in the article, and provides a nuanced way of looking at the issues we face regarding school choice today.

Overall, the article did a wonderful job of providing the reader with things to think about regarding the issue of school choice. While it does have its merits, it also comes with drawbacks - particularly for impoverished families who lack transportation, and a still-wide achievement gap in many schools. The issues that confront us now are not new ones, and they are ones we need to think carefully about before making decisions on.

TOW #18: "We Accept"

Airbnb released a commercial for the Super Bowl that came just days after Trump proposed a travel ban on Muslim countries, making it a timely and representative advertisement of the company's beliefs and policies regarding refugees. They have a commitment to provide short-term housing for over 100,000 refugees, aid workers, and victims of natural disasters, and have committed to donate $4 million to the International Rescue Committee, which helps displaced people around the world. The ad read "We believe no matter who you are, where you’re from, who you love or who you worship, we all belong. The world is more beautiful the more you accept." This message was portrayed across faces of members of diverse groups of people, highlighting the company's dedication and commitment to diversity and inclusiveness.

The spot lasted only 30 seconds, but within that time Airbnb was able to effectively utilize visual rhetorical elements. The framing of the portraits of the individuals began with the eyes, gradually zooming out to feature other parts and eventually the full face. This small decision makes a big difference on the way the commercial is perceived. Basic features like eyes are largely the same across nationalities, religions, and races of people. Connecting the audience to this fundamental aspect of being human helps introduce the next layer of the argument: even with our similarities, we are different in where we are form, who we worship, and who we love.

The framing and way the camera gradually zooms out on the faces of the subjects makes the argument come full-circle, connecting back to the fact that even though we have differences, we are all human. The progression of the video in time to the music gradually gets faster, fading out to a screen with the Airbnb logo on it, proclaiming the hashtag "#weaccept". Rhetorically, the visual components like framing, choosing diverse subjects, and adding contemplative music all combine to create a lasting impression with the audience: one of equality and justice for all people, despite the contested political atmosphere surrounding such topics. The advertisement was, in my opinion, timely, and served to connect viewers with current political messages without being divisive.

IRB Intro Post #3: The Princess Diarist

For my third IRB, I will be reading Carrie Fisher's The Princess Diarist. The book is a collection of Fisher's memories from filming Star Wars, captured in journals and poems, as well as an introspective look on Hollywood and celebrity life. So many aspects of Carrie's life and personality are such an inspiration to me, and I am very excited to begin reading about her journey both on-screen and off.

TOW #17: "My Resistance Movement"

This article was incredibly powerful to read after months spent mourning the results of the election and wondering how I can use my powers to help resist and make real change in the world. Wajahat Ali's central claim was simple, yet impactful: resistance is existence. Resistance is hope, love, forgiveness, and "fight[ing] back when necessary." I believe that this is the simplest way to describe my own feelings regarding the election results, and agree strongly with his central argument. While so much of the recent political climate has brought out the ugly parts of humanity, it has also brought out some of the most beautiful parts -- showing that a community of people determined to make a change in the world can and will do so.

Whether it is the recent Women's Marches all across the world, Black Lives Matter protests, or simpler, smaller acts of kindness, a new kind of revolution is springing up in reaction to a campaign fueled by hatred and divisiveness. Ali addresses this by saying "even though the cruelty of the earliest days of President Trump's administration seems like the horsemen signaling the end of times, the crisis has also awakened a multicultural coalition in America determined to resist." We see this resistance everywhere we look, in small and big actions.

The line from Ali's essay that really struck a chord with me was "the days look bleak right now, but I refuse to give into cynicism, nihilism, or hate. My faith commands me to remain hopeful." He then adds a quote from the Prophet Muhammad -- "Even if you see the day of judgment coming around the corner, plant a seed." These kinds of messages of spreading love and hope in dark times are perhaps cliche, but needed. Ali's piece is written during a era where, at times, it seems as though hate has won out and greed has overtaken humanity. He reminds readers that resistance is not solely found in the bigger, bold actions like protests and demonstrations -- although those play a crucial part in the movement. Ali states that "resistance means arming yourself with ferocity and compassion... resistance for me is owning my multi-hyphenated identity...resistance is the Arabic names and caramel-mocha brown faces of my children, smiling in the age of carnage." This way of looking at the more simpler forms of resistance has inspired me in such a dark time. I exist, therefore I resist.