blue style

Aging America

2007-12-22T03:15:00.000-08:00

A Review on the Growth of Aging Population in America

America’s population is going to be a gray one. Although this idea may seem exaggerated but this is a scientific prediction according to the census burse of the United States.
“According to the 2000 Census, the United States population is older than it has ever been. This graying of America occurred gradually over the latter half of the twentieth century and it will continue for much of the first half of the 21st century. This section examines both the absolute and relative increase in the size of the elderly population” (SSDAN, 2002:2).
Data Warehouse, also declared that the U.S. population increased by about 59 million between 1981 and 2002, representing a 26 percent increase in the total population. There are interesting points in its statistics that shows the situation of genders, races and ethical groups in the time.

The data
· The U.S. population age 65 and over has grown year after year, with the female portion of that population dominating the group.
· The percentage of all those age 65 and older, the proportion of whites declined steadily from 1981 to 2002.
· The proportion of blacks and American Indian/Alaska Natives remained fairly constant.
· The proportion of Asian/Pacific Islanders, in contrast, has grown significantly in the same period.
· As a percentage of all persons age 65 or older, Asian/Pacific Islanders grew from 0.93% up to 2.80% accounting for nearly all the decrease in the relative size of the white population.

Analysis
Growing the aging population comparing with the others age groups have some positive and negative points. About the positive points it could be said that the presence of older members of family helps to improve intergeneration relations; this process can lead to “primary” social support in the family for children as Peter Berger set it out in The Social Construction of Reality (1991).
But one problem would decrease the positive impacts of presence of this group. The first problem is historical and it relates to the changes of family pattern in the United States.
The change of family pattern from Extended to Nuclear leads to changes of its members’ role. Goode in The Family (1964) analyzes that after World War II the form of family was changed. He also believes that industrial revolution influenced in the process very latter. The United States in 1870s joined to the process of industrialization (Landes, 1969). Goode (1964), discusses that one of the consequences of isolating family, from extended form to nuclear, is neglecting aging members like grand parents. In the family structure that mother and father work out of the home and children study in school what do they need the grand parents?
The data of this report also shows that the population of women is growing more than men. This growth may resulted less social support for aging women in the patrimonial society of America; because if aging population be regarded less than the other age groups, the women consists much of them.
According to the data the growth of whites are less than the other ethnic groups like blacks, American Indian/Alaska Natives and Asian/Pacific Islanders. The bitter history of whites’ racism and discriminations against the ethnical groups especially blacks would result that there is no great support for the aging population of these groups, too.
The last point is about the marriage condition of the aging groups in the future. A report of Census Bureau declares that: “Householders living alone had become the most common specific household structure in 2000, replacing the 1990 combination of householder, spouse, and natural and/or adopted children” (Hobbs, 2005: 1). This is a warning for future because it means that current generation will be the aging population of next years, without family support. Social planners of the United States should think about this problem more.

References
1- Goode, W, 1964, foundation of modern sociology series: The Family, London, Prentice- Hall.
2- SSDAN, 2002, US population structure: an aging America, Module 4.
3- Berger, P and Luckmann, T, 1991, The Social Construction of Reality: A Treatise in the Sociology of knowledge, New York, Penguin Books.
4- Hobbs, F, 2oo5, Examining American Household Composition: 1990 and 2000, U.S. census bureau, Washington DC, U.S. government printing office.

The Partial Representation: Mississippi Burning

2007-11-26T02:38:00.000-08:00

The first pictures in my mind about Blacks in the United States has been formed since that day that I saw a film about the discriminator actions against Blacks. Two things were very strange for me on that time. First was the racial reactions about the people who were human just with black color and second was about the people who was human, also, but was just woman. I asked myself: why are these white men this much bad against the black and white women?

The Movie Characters
Seeing that film last week repeats the questions of childhood in my mind again. The film that I saw in 12 or 13 was Mississippi Burning that was directed by Alen Parker in 1988. The two F.B.I. characters of this film were sent to look murders of the civil-rights workers who were killed in their car. The leader of the two-man team is Ward (Willem Dafoe), a neat young man who wear the fashion glasses of 60s decade. His partner, and the film's volatile center, is a not easily categorized fellow named Anderson (Gene Hackman). Anderson is one of those independently minded Southerners who confound the works that were done with Blacks. He is not only worries about blacks but also the things that are done on one of police officers’ wife, is important for him. The tensions that develop between Ward and Anderson are not entirely unpredictable although both of them tried to do their best for finding the murders. So the film's resolution depends on two different characters.

Historic Highlights
Studying American Studies clears for me some of dark sides of old questions: about the history of Patrimonial actions of White men in America. In fact in this culture white men are superior and White women in the lower stage and Blacks in inferior. Women and black in patrimonial tradition are a part of property without any equal right. This bitter reality is portrayed in the American Promise (2005) and People’s history (2003), with pointing out the house and land’s organizing orders in 18th century. In this organization white men were master and blacks were slaves who work for whites. The white women had responsibility of organizing house affaires and take caring their husband. They had no identity just with the name of their fathers or their husbands. In this system the marriage of girls were planed according to the father’s choice and for improving the net of men’s capital. So women had no duty just reserving men. This right abuse although led to women movement but the heritage of that tradition still has been seen in the USA and of course in this movie. The condition of woman, who is the wife of police officer, represents this historical function, with her silent, her fear and her obey in one hand and her humanity and worry about black’s destiny in the other hand.

Mississippi Events according to News
Reviewing the news of real events shows that Mississippi Burnings is one of the several events of bloody 60s.
The time line of U. S. civil rights, which is started from 1950s, shows the other bitter events: "Ten blacks shot in Mississippi race riots" (25 April 1960), " Active Herbert lee murdered in Mississippi" (25 September 1961), "Mississippi race riots over first black student" (1 October 1962), "three civil rights activities found dead" (4 August 1964). 4 April 1968 also had shocking news of Martin Looter King’s dead by shooting gun.
“Three civil rights activists found dead” was a title of BBC web site in the day of 4 August 1964. The different dimensions of the event comparing with the movie are cleared when you understood that the story of three men’s dead was happened after Mount Zion Church’s destroying by KKK group. This is more interesting to know that the two important men who were killed in that event, Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman, were with, as well as two of that three death civil right activities. Schwerner’s wife, Rita, said: "My husband, Michael Schwerner, did not die in vain. If he and Andrew Goodman had been Negroes, the world would have taken little notice of their deaths. After all, the slaying of a Negro in Mississippi is not news. It is only because my husband and Andrew Goodman were white that the national alarm had been sounded."

Representing of which Reality?
Mississippi Burnings shows the challenges among white men, Blacks and women in that period of time very well. The challenges of whites who want to declare their idea about their prosperity is portrayed clear. This challenge is not only about whites and blacks, and white men and women, but also between white men themselves. Two FBI officers who methodologically and theoretically had problem represented this moral challenge well.
But there is a blind point in the news that is pointed out in some of the analysis and critics. The event of Mississippi Burning in fact had two parts, the first in the church and the second in the car of three men; the problem that resulted to driving to Mississippi were Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman, two white men. this side of reality is not represented in the movie! In fact during the movie we see that how white men abuses blacks’ human right, how the other white men try to improve blacks’ right, but what about that part which talks about the plea of noticing this event. Has Mississippi Burning highlighted for Blacks’ right or for showing whites’ affaires?
This is the artistic power of Director and Cinematic tools to form our mind and answer our questions. But unfortunately all of the audience have not the opportunity of studying Cultural and Historical studies.

References
1- Roark, J, Hartmann, S , Lawson, A, Stage, S, Cohen, P and Johnson, M. 2005, The American Promise: A History of the United States, Volume B: 1800-1900, Boston: Bedford.
2- Howard Zinn, 2003, People's History of the United States: 1492 to Present, Tandem LibraryBooks.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/4/newsid_2962000/2962638.stm

Scot Case

2007-06-27T05:31:00.000-07:00

Before and After the Project of Nation Building

Sending out a broadcaster of Radio was hot news of media one month ago. He was sent out because of saying offensive things about a black man, this event makes me thanking about the changes of condition of African Americans in USA. Dred Scot is a good example in the History of America that shows how white thought and may think about them.

Dred Scot is one of the most infamous causes of United States history. The processes of his sue in the courts of USA although longed about 10 years but it resulted to two consequences. First of all declaring the attitudes of Euro settlements (whites) about African American (blacks); I mean up to that time American claim about all the citizens was equal rights, the mottos like Democracy, Liberalism and Freedom are rooted in this claim, but Dred Scot case showed that all of the ethnicity groups of this multi ethnical country are not supported equally. About the second consequence it could be said that Dred Scot case was one of the main the pretexts of Civil Wars, the first sparks of the firing war that destroyed all of the new flourished civilization of South.

Scot's Life
Dred Scot was born in a slave family in Virginia in about 1800. He moved with his owner, Peter Blow, to St. Louis (Missouri) in 1830, where he sold to John Emerson, a U.S. Army surgeon. In 1836 he moved to Minnesota, the land that banned slavery under the Missouri Compromise, with his master and married with a slave. In 1837 Emerson left Minnesota for Missouri and after one year Scat family joined him. In 1846 Scat sued to gain his freedom for himself and his family after Emerson died, he argued that living in Minnesota had made him and his family free according to Missouri Compromise. According to this compromise slavery in some states and north of Missouri prohibited. Scot in the first court could gain the freedom but Mr. Sanford, brother in law of Mr. Emerson appealed to the Supreme Court and this result changed and Scat never gained his right just by buying.

The Right of Citizenship as the Race
Scot appealed to four courts St. Louis Circuit Court, Missouri Supreme Court, Federal Court and U.S. Supreme Court. Although Scot case was represented by very famous men like Montgomery Blair and George T. Curtis but finally they couldn't do anything. The main subject was the citizenship right of Scot that has been addressed in ratification of the Constitution of the United States in 1787. At that time some or all adult black males could vote in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and New York, and blacks had held public office in Ohio and Massachusetts.
In March 1857, the court ruled in a seven to 20 decision that Scot was still a slave and there fore not entitled to sue in court. Justice Taney in 54- page majority opinion of the court argued that free blacks could never be U. S. citizens. He argued that blacks are not included and was not intended to be included, under the word "citizens" in the Constitution. Taney based this unprecedented legal argument entirely on race. So as Scat was not a citizen of United State he could not sue his freedom in Supreme Court. He just nine month of buying his freedom by the sons of Blow, the old master, died in 1858.

Gaining the Right that was Given 10 Years Ago
There is an upset question that why Scot family fallowed Mr. Emerson in 1338. As I said Scot was a free man in Minnesota and he could choice another job out of working as a servant. So why he accept to join the Emerson family in slavery state, Missouri, when he didn't have any obligation?
One of the possible answers could be unknowing, he didn't know about his freeman rights so, or maybe he knew but his freedom in that time was just fiscally and not mentally! I mean that Scot didn't believe his freedom in all of domination of his life!
Another answer could be the feel of blacks about their masters that formed toward history of slavery; they think that they have to be faithful about their masters always even after giving freedom right. And I think the problem of African Americans in United States is rooted from this form of freedom that they did not Gain it but it was given them. In fact it could be said that beyond the injustice pressure of whites, blacks themselves had passive role in believing the freedom.
Finally I think the Scot's unknowing rooted in one of the recent communication theories, information gap. According to this theory information is extended in the society and among all of the people equally but the using and understanding it is not same and it dependents on the social statue of them. Wealthy, education and race are some of the main factors that determined the social statue. People fallow that new information in society firstly, as much as their understanding that about the blacks in 19th century it could be said that was so weak because they could not use of educational system in majority. Secondly people mention the information as much as their importance statue in the society, when blacks are calculated in the society as inferior statue, automatically they go away of getting information of society. Obviously the black that were not saw in the American Society as Slave, didn't care about the information. The process of their understanding about laws and social affairs was time consuming and this time so longed that Scot could not gain his freedom right, the right that he was received it 10 years ago!

The Process of Nation Building
After the Republican and northern victory, Congress and the states passed the Civil War amendments to overturn Scot. In 1865, slavery abolished in United States, in 1964 Civil Right Act and in 1965 the Voting Right Act happened. But these events were not actions to redress an injustice done to blacks! Even civil wars that seem for slavery were for pursuing the economic interests of Southerns and Northerns. The process of calculating African Americans as citizens is a part of nation building in America, this act also is fallowed for American process. The reactions about Affirmative Action by Republicans acknowledge this point. The process of nation Building makes strong narrative of being American for all of the residents of the country. So the situation of 1850, now is changed; the situation that made the injustice sentence: "Blacks could never be citizens of the united states, even if they were born in the country and considered to be citizens of the states in which they lived." Now we face to some meaningful reactions about Blacks and it seems that these reactions are in parallel of putting the common sense among the all of ethnicities in USA, nor real respect to them.

Incomplete Modernized World and Insecurity for Americans:

2007-04-08T06:55:00.000-07:00

Review on Different Representation of Societies in Babel Film (2006)

Three years after popular 21 Gram, the new production of Alejandro González Iñárritu , Babel (2006), came to the world maybe more popularity! This time we heard that this film is Islamic phobic and representation of uncivilized violence in East. After seeing the film I found that some of the comments about it are not so true, this film is world phobic if we mind America in the separate side. Putting four stories together from four countries makes a global sphere in Babel that accounts the insecure world for Americans.

Because of a gun shot
The narrative of this film suburb on a gun shot to an American tour bus which goes to visit Morocco, and fallows by showing a part of Japanese school girl whose father gave the gun to a Moroccan family, during the film also an American family who deals with the gun shot and a Mexican family that one of them is watcher of American children (kids of the couple who travels to Morocco), are represented.

In Shadow of Modernity
I think modernity and the process of its entrance to world’s countries is main point for contributing Babel. The face of Modernity in one hand and the consequences of Modernity in the other hand are bold representation of feeling security in the Babel’s created world.

In Babel’s world, Morocco is not modern society, the structure of community is primitive, the families live in deserts or houses are plastered with cob, is not rational separation among family life, sexual life and entertainments. Japan but is modern society, with tall buildings, big highways, luxury clubs, developed digital systems like screen saver phone and finally great welfare for citizens. Mexico has different representation, keeping traditional costumes in parallel of trying to join modernity, is represented clearly in the wedding party of the watcher’s son. And finally America, the poor Americans who are worry about their security at the first moments of their representation. The face of modernity is complete in the American representation, for example encourages using of pure water in travel or supporting the security of citizens with checking the cars at night and requesting the parent’s permission for bringing the children to Mexico.

It could be said that the representation of modernity just in American version has deeply layers but in Japan we see it apparently! Modernity in Japan with Babel’s views has wonderful manifestation, so wonderful that even we didn’t see it in representation of America, but this context has another mean, the process of modernization is not completed in Japan! I mean the philosophy of circulation of modernity in the world is criticized by Babel. How does Modernity publish in the world? What does the elements of modernity? Who are publishing elements of modernity? Who are using the elements? And what are the consequences of this process? There are main questions of this narrative. The questions which just are asked but in half answered and even some of them leave unanswered.

America as Exceptional Society
In the face of modernity we see that Americans receive to a stage that make suitable and supported situation for themselves in their country, such a stage that they want to aware of their outside. But the entire world is shown in Babel unsecured, because of the incomplete circulation of modernity! Supplying the gun for a Morocco family by a Japan man, injuring American woman in Morocco or wandering American children in frontier’s dry deserts between Mexico and USA, the problem of sexual relationship for Moroccan boy and Japans girl and inability to solve this human instinct (in both society, civilized or uncivilized), and finally representing the role of Police in all of the societies are not accidental events, they are meaningful. The clear message is this: although Americans join to modernity themselves without problem (as in film we don’t see any problems in American society in this way), but it is not meaning that they don’t have any challenge with entire incomplete modernized world!

So it could be said that Babel represents the American society in exceptional side of the other three societies, the society which fell insecurity and rights in it. Babel in the other words notifies the potential dangerous for continuing this circulation of modernity in the world, warning for world’s people and of course for Americans.

Incomplete Representation of Societies, Regardless about Audience
Babel although is successful in representing some problems of global modernity in the world but its representatives are so spiteful, especially in Morocco that is contributed as an Islamic society. Also Babel has total timid and worried character for introducing Americans that is not true, even the Americans who are in the tour bus as representatives of American society are white and speak English but this is not true representation of American multicultural society!

Babel although wins to draw audience’s attention to different life style in four countries and connecting them approximately, but it doesn’t have acceptable answer for them; leaving Japans girl satisfied with his father talks, killing the boys and their father in Morocco and putting the Mexican woman out of job and finally the project of surviving the American family, are defrauding ends that not only confuse audience but also insults their intelligence perception.

In fact I think Babel with all of the attempts to not titling American role could do it under the layers of the narrative, and creates a big question:
What could be done for Americans in this insecure world?

Valentin as a Famous Teribune

2007-02-14T07:51:00.000-08:00

Flowers, lingerie, candles, photo DVD, custom candy hearts, diamond earrings, concert tickets, silk sheets, chocolates and Ted beers are the familiar things for the show windows of city’s shops on February 14 every year, Valentine comes laughing, with a wave of happiness, gift and smile in many streets of the world. The days before the Valentine day young girls asking each other what do you guess about your valentine’s gift? Where do you go with your lover? Although this day becomes so famous in the world that the young or middle age people ashamed of absent minding it, but the knowledge of philosophy of this day is hidden for a lot of them yet.
I don’t want to consider root and history of naming this day, the documentary is available. I am to know that why among the days of love in many countries of the world, valentine became well- noun as charismas day? What was the guarantee of this day since 1847 in the North American society and publishing it in the other societies?
The Global Days of Love

Koreans with black day on April 14, Japanese with white day on March 14, Chinese with the couple days of the night of sevens, Iranians with Sepandarmazgan day on February 25, Colombians with Love and Friendship Day on September and also Dragobete day that is celebrated by Romanians on February 24 celebrate especial day for the lovers and this point shows that the determining this day have been globalize for many years in the world. So we could see that Valentine is not unique event in the world!
Try to show your love on best

The art of Capitalism system is popularize the custom culture, Valentine came to North America with in the 19th century with the message of market. In the U.S the first mass-produced valentines of embossed paper lace were produced and sold shortly after 1847 by Esther Howland, her father operated a large book and stationery store, and she took her inspiration from an English valentine she had received. Modern Valentine symbols include the heart-shaped outline and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten notes have largely given way to mass-produced greeting cards. The Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year behind Christmas. The association estimates that women purchase approximately 85 percent of all valentines.
The cyber space also help to economic power to create the luxury demands of gifts for example with listing the shops which sale the things or introducing the designers who could supply the costumers’ needs or with locating suitable place at the top of famous web sites researchers like MSN and Yahoo for counting the days left to Valentine’s day! Also this arena gives suggestions for costumers to select suitable gift according to their gender or their single situation.
The Most Famous Tribune, Famous the Day

So it could be said that the Economic with access to main tools for connecting to young people enable to determining people’s demands, preference of think and regard to events and finally selling. Valentine, in fact is famous because it has the powerful guarantee like this and the main sailors have main tribune for influencing on customers.

Behind of Luxury Smiles:

2007-02-12T06:26:00.000-08:00

Analyzing The image of Bush

and Arab Crown Prince

“Q Mr. President, the Crown Prince raised the prospect of Saudi support for Iraq's oil embargo, and are you concerned that Arab nations might use oil as a -- try to use oil as a bargaining chip in the Middle East crisis?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, Saudi Arabia made it clear, and has made it clear publicly, that they will not use oil as a weapon. And I appreciate that, respect that, and expect that to be the case.” [1](2002/04/20)

This was one of the Bush’s answers to journalists’ questions in the Ranch of Crawford, Texas, after Meeting with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. Although president in this press conference remarked that the most important points of this meeting were about the “peace” and its “stability in the Middle East and the world”, “the

war on terror”, “Israel and Palestine” and so on, but the wave of attitudes and critiques about the published photos of this visit showed that this event has been contributed more than the simple news that was spared about it! Nonetheless the photojournalism is one of the main tools of media for influencing on public opinions but the extended chance of Visual Analysis today, let people to think about the visual icons of news more than before.

Analyzing Visuals

Many studies were titled on visual analysis like Images of Welfare (Golden and Middleton, 1982), Visualising Deviance (Ericson, Baranek and Chan, 1987), Triumph of the Image (Mowlana, Gerbner and Schiller, 1992), and also in Mass Communication Research Methods (Hansen, Cottle, Negrine and Newbold, 1998) one section is devoted to the methods of analyzing “still and moving images”. In this section the authors remarked that “the four means of visual analysis labeled for convenience “distortion”, “symbolic”, “Semitic’, “epistemological” approaches have each deployed a number of methods and techniques”, and in explanation of Epistemological guarantee came that “ the analytical focus and interest is not on the veracity or ‘truthfulness’ of certain images and their forms of distortion analysis, nor on the symbolism of images and their role in the construction of particular story- related meanings, but rather the way in which such images help construct a sense of news as a distinct, and trustworthy, from of knowledge.”(Hansen and others, 1998: 213 and 214)

So with this background I want to begin my work on the journalistic photos that was published with the news of ‘President Bush Meeting with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia’, the photos that in formal view talk about the good relationship between U. S. A, and Saudi governments but behind of these luxury smiles and the climes of protection of Peace in the published news a history of events is existence! As “the project news epistemology, or ‘way of knowing’, pursued by news analysts concerns the generalized ‘objectivity’ climes of news.” (That reference: 214) I am to work on the massages that this verbal Document or record want to transmit and I want to point that how the related photos have been representing this event in the different words!

The Reflections

There are some of clear and agreeable things in this photo, they handed and laughing, they are walking or stand for getting photo, they don’t have any translator, and they are ready for showing off themselves for the newsmaker cameras (main photo) more than it the other things lick the light of sun day or the green colure of the grass that is in their background talk about a kind of happy situation; for the contributing the reflections of this events we could divide audience to three groups, in the names of American, Arab and global;

For American Audience
This photo for American audience, it could be said that, don’t have any means just foreign policy and of course the interests of USA in Persian Golf, in the other word oil, my witnesses for this audience are the journalists points on the press conference that I bring it at the beginning of my article, when they talk about some worries about the decisions of Crown Prince in the future about the oil embargo!

For Arab Audience
But the Arabs reactions about this photo could be over the agreeable relations! My witnesses for this claim is the documents that Craig Unger worked on them (2004), in his book he regarded the relationships between USA and Saudi, during the eighties to September 11, he talked about the majority of “Wahhabis” in Saudi who “ see the United states as the Great Satan” (2004: 83), and they are not satisfied of deep relationships between their country and USA! Also Unger in this book bring some sample for showing this hatefully, for example the car bombe exploding in Riyadh, on November 13, 1995, that killed seven people – five of them Americans-!

Global Audience
The global audiences are the users of cyber space in internet, I mean. In this part I want to bring the other versions of this photo that are formed and emphasized differently.
The first photo emphasized on the Bush and Crown Prince’s hands, this sign pointed that this showing is regarded.

Second and third formed with adding some comments from Bush and Crown Prince, the second’s discourse is about a plan for the oil price and third talks about the culture of Arab nation in one hand and willing to join to it in bush’s idea, about the participation of women in the other hand.

Fourth case has official language, and talks about the oil.

The last case also emphasized on the oil as the undeniable thing for the American newspapers, after the visiting.
So it could be said that the deeper state of routine news is important for global audiences not the absolute information in the news!

Conclusion
“War on terror” according to bush’s comments was main case of discourses between him and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia in his meeting, so we contributed this as the claim of news, but something like reactions in internet about the related photo show that this clime is not true, it means main part of audiences, as American journalists and internet’s users, don’t accepted it! The epistemological approach in analyzing studies images in the construction of knowledge, not simply in relation to particular news items or stories. The context of audience’s opinions and in fact reactions about the news is this knowledge, I mean.

The last reminding is this that Bin Laden as main target of the project of War on Terror has such popularity in Saudi country that “Several militant Islamic fundamentalist groups, claimed credit for Bin Laden and cited him as their major influence.” (Unger, 2004: 171)he Bin Laden in Bush’s comment about Saudi? If the main discourses in that meeting were about Peace so what they think about the main target? So this is the main question that we should think about it more.

References:
1- Ericson, R, Baranek, P, and Chen,J, 1987, Visualizing Deviance: A study of news organization, Milton Keynes: Open University Press.
2- Hansen, Cottle, Negrine and Newbold, 1998, Mass Communication Research Methods, London, Palgrave.
3- Golding, p, and Middleton, S, 1982, Images of welfare, Oxford: Basil Blackwell.
4- Mowlana, H, Gerbner and Schiller, 1992, Triumph of the Image, Oxford, Westview.

[1] http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/04/20020425-4.html

Shhh for you

2007-02-07T03:29:00.000-08:00

Miss. Christian Amanpour
Journalists are respectable in the world, from every nation every religion and under the govern of every political country, sometimes. They work with this aware that they play with their life! In the best situation or worst, they might are in the danger of misunderstanding! Journalism in developed countries or developing has special dangers because the right and objective report of right always is not in interest of powerfulness! But I think being journalist in the countries that are at the beginning step of practicing Democracy is harder than the others! Defense of freedom of speech, sometimes has heaviest prices for them. They don’t have any guarantee for their job and even suitable insurance for their health their security during their work and retirement, but what is the cause of continuing this way? Attractiveness of policy is not good reason! Because the policy has its interests for the people who could play with this vague tool. All of the journalists in these countries logically could not be policies. I think patriotism and hop for becoming better situation for the country is acceptable answer. At the beginning of February Iran was the host of some experts and journalists for reviewing the nuclear institutions. Like the other journalists, CNN agency also set his famous reporter off to Iran, Christiane Amanpour. She is CNN’s chief international correspondent based in London and before joining CNN, Amanpour worked at WJAR-TV, Providence, R.I., as an electronic graphics designer. Amanpour has reported on most crises from the world’s many hotspots including Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Israel, Pakistan, Somalia, Rwanda and the Balkans, throughout her career Amanpour has succeeded in securing a number of high profile and exclusive interviews with world leaders. Just as Iran’s nuclear crisis was developing, Amanpour secured the first and only interview with Iran’s new president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Without any justice about every country’s right to access to nuclear technology or respect to the internal affairs of every country I am to pointed this interesting things about this symbol of Journalist in the world of media and news! Amanpour who recently, was named a Fellow of the Society of Professional Journalists and she has also been bestowed with a number of honorary degrees from America’s prestigious universities has surprising reactions with Iranian journalists in Iran! Iranian people in February 3 of 2007 were witnesses of shockingly face of Amanpour with Iranian journalists in IRAN TV, “Twenty and Thirty” program showed that how she refuse of answering to questions of Iranian Journalists with rudely voice of Shhh! She didn’t let them to ask and when they want to know they also could go to USA and make report about American policies, he answered hard that “I don’t know.” She practices this rude voice several times and I think this is the sign of her culture or professional work that several times were admired from American media! This professional journalist that talks with Iranian journalists in Persian language (because her ancestors are Iranian) saw herself in the safe guard, this is not important that what she think about the other nation! Maybe she know herself as original American and according to the American illusion, American Exceptionalism, she think is the best nation! But this is very important question for me that what she think about the other journalists as a symbol journalist!? This is the question that should be worked about it! To attention to problems and dungarees of journalists’ work in Iran let me to say Shhh to Mis. Christian Amanpour , because she is not hero for all of the journalists in the world and she doesn’t have right to limit the freedom of speech in every place of the world.

The century of Public opinions

2007-01-14T05:15:00.000-08:00

Review on Bush and Clinton’s
Discourses for Attacking to Iraq

Just five years was enough for changing American foreign policy since “Iraq Liberation Act” to “War on the terror”! The human Right project which is started from expending democracy and definition of poor Iraqi people, who were in the power of evil dictator, became the definition of all of the World’s people, in the other mean program of attacking Iraq in four days changed to attack in more than four years! “In mid- 1970s, when American Congress instead that U. S foreign policy pay considerable attention to human rights, all administrations have listed human rights among the official priorities of their foreign policy” (Weiss and etc,2004:77), who could believe that claim of Human Right would be a important plea of U. S for considering to the other countries’ affairs?

Bill Clinton was a democrat president of America who is only president between Republican boy and Republican father. Although the difference between Clinton and Bush is more than their political tendency but I think they had common plea for attacking to Iraq, the December 1998 bombing of Iraq (code-named Operation Desert Fox) was a major four-day bombing campaign on Iraqi targets from December 16-December 19, 1998 by the United States and United Kingdom, It was a major flare-up in the Iraq disarmament crisis. The stated goal of the cruise missile and bombing attacks was to "degrade" Saddam Hussein's ability to produce weapons of mass destruction. March 20of 2003, is the date of invasion of Iraq in another time, by United States in the program of Bush “ War on Terror” that is created after 11september and according to his comments one of the elements of “the axis of evil”.

Expanding “American peace” on Iraq has not been done so easy as some politics in USA thought! Yet the conflicts of power were not finished in the country that Clinton and Bush claimed to send Freedom gift for its people. “War Plan Iraq, Ten Reasons against War on Iraq” is the title of Milan Rai’s book who works on the interests of American foreign policy (2002). Milan in this book works on breadth of opposition like the control of oil and some reasons against war like a humanitarian disaster. This is very interesting point that USA who claim to defense human right in the world How cloud be accused of destroying Human right in Iraq? I am to work on the main differences between these two presidents politically for attacking Iraq. The methodology of finding result for this study is discourse analyses.

Power is a main articulation in Clinton’s discourses

Power and human rights discourses were points in Clinton’s speech in november15, 1998 (1), who attributed it in Iraq one month before Iraq Liberation Act. “United Nations Security Council’s” votes for demanding Saddam Hussein reverse course pointed to human rights discourses and finally use of “world opinion” for showing isolation of Iraq from the world, “Iraq must accept” according to “once voice of the world” that Clinton addressed to it, are pointed to the power discourse that USA is representative of the world.

Exceptionalism and stereo type also are main point in the Clinton comments that are perceptible easily; Talk about “U.N. Security Council” for giving the relevant resolutions for Iraq problem (its weapons of mass destruction), “our willingness” and “our military” for encouraging importation of US nation in this process, are pointed to American exceptionalism, “its weapons” and “it must accept all weapons of mass destruction-related resolutions”(the forth article of conditions that was enforced to Iraq” are rooted in stereo type of thinking that conducted Clinton in his actions.

The Profit of our Century

In competition of Clinton, The discourse of justice and war are more titled in Bush discourses, in December of 2006(2) Bush in the press conference Bush said that: “This war on terror is the calling of a new generation”, so Bush, when five years is passed from 11September and the fire of War is lighted for it, declared profitably that War on Terror is “Calling for new generation”, and it could be said that this discourse also rooted in American Exceptionalism. In this sentence that bush said it in fifth anniversary of 11 September(3), connection between these two discourses is clear: “With our help, the people of the Middle East are now stepping forward to claim their freedom, from Kabul to Baghdad to Beirut.” I have to add that bush in his previews comments in this speech explained “our help” with the “war”, the tactic “that America must confront threats before” enemies “reach our(Americans) shores”. So in this time in Bush’s discourses American’s interests are important because they are the world’s interests!

From the government to the nations

Maybe differences of these two presidents are came from their times! Or their policy! Or the situation of Middle East! But with attention to analyzing their discourses, I think attention to public opinion is main point for study; I want to say that in bush discourses we see War and Justice together, and this is for nothing just convincing the public opinion! Although in Clinton discourses we have power and human right together but the comments behind of his concepts of human right was UN and it is meant that the governments were more important in Clinton discourses.

So it could be said that attention to public opinion is main difference in between Bush and Clinton for representing their policy. Another point is changing the American policy in this five years, with this findings I can said that American policy is not change in these years, just peoples and their opinion is more regarded and America yet follows his policy with attacks.

References:

1- Rai, M, (2002), War Plan Iraq, Ten Reasons against War on Iraq, London, Verso
2- Weiss, T and etc, ( 2004)Wars on Terrorism and Iraq, Human Rights, Unilateralism, and U.S. Foreign Policy, London, Routledge

Web Sights:

1- http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/meast/9811/15/clinton.speech/index.html?eref=sitesearch
2- http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/12/20061220-1.html

3- http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/09/20060911-3.html

American Idol

2007-01-14T02:45:00.000-08:00

Review on representation
of American culture in cyber space

Internet is an interesting gift of Modern society that has clear and unclear influence on the people in the world. The Search engines in this cyber arena are important element that serve majority of the people; according to a communication theory “Agenda setting”, the preferences of Press media determines the preferences of Public opinion, so it could be said that the titled news of search engines could determined the Preferences of users in the world.
Today one of the news of MSN is this: What twists will be coming up on 'Idol'? this news is about changing some elements of presenting American Idol, one of the most popular reality shows in the USA. This news is beginning with this sentence: "American Idol" is nothing if not familiar, and outside of the competition itself, the show is predictable. It could be said this news is a declaration for consulting the audiences in this twist.

One of the Family’s Number

The United States was a leading pioneer of T.V. as an entertainment medium, and the tradition remains strong to this day. Many American television sitcoms, dramas, game shows and reality shows remain very popular both in the US and abroad. Reality television is a genre of television programming which presents supposedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and features ordinary people instead of professional actors. It could be said that these Shows have important place between Americans and their popular culture, the desire of participating in the justice of American Idol that artistically is represented in this news in fact acknowledge my claim: The Boston Globe’s Joanna Weiss recently suggested that the show “take a page from ‘Project Runway’ and bring back a rejected contestant or two — someone beloved by fans, or perhaps somebody hated. Maybe even a rejected contestant from a previous season.”

Who are the Audience of this Happiness?

The Internet is growing at an annualized rate of 18% and now has one billion users. Second billion users will follow in the next ten years, bringing a dramatic change in worldwide usability needs. About the sharing this one billion population in the world I have to add USA is involved 18.3 percent and for competition we have to know that Canada was twelfth with 2.0, UK was sixth with 3.3 and China was second with 11.1 percent in the world.

At the first glance we could say that the majority of the expected audiences of this news are the people who access to internet and use of it, according to the data that I referenced to them, US and China had (and it could be said have) the most number. So it could be said that this news is published not only for representing American participation in their entertainment in the New World but also this is a press of information between the audiences in the Old world! I mean this is a show of American life.

The Declaration for the World

MSN who titled the news of Saddam death “Saddam is executed” in the first page, today titles with the news of a twist for “American Idol”, this action represented that US who probably has violent face for extending peace in the world, is the country also the happiness of its people is important for him, too. This is the declaration for the world.
It could be said the name of this show has another representation in this news: talking about unique place of America in the world.

Angelina Jolie as the Virgin Mary

2007-01-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

This is very interesting to find why the stars of Hollywood titled with these Subjects of humanity!(please go to the links becouse I could not attach them, you could see them in links.)

Congregulation

2006-12-30T03:06:00.000-08:00

This is the end of a dictator's life.

Congregulation to all of the Iraqis

Congregulation to all of the sacrifice's families in Iraq and Iran

Trust me without any question

2006-12-23T08:25:00.000-08:00

Reviwe on usage of American

exceptionalism in order

to continue " War on Terror"

This is very interesting that Bush emphasizes yet on his political project in frame of national calling! How long he want to continue this style? He introduces “War on the Terror as a national project but this is a part of his foreign policy! 11 September caused to extent his goals, he uses of people worries about another terrorist attack and try to play the role of prophet of peace, an prophet who invited to war his generation: “ This war on terror is the calling of a new generation; it is the calling of our generation. Success is essential to securing a future of peace for our children and grandchildren. And securing this peace for the future is going to require a sustained commitment from the American people and our military” Bush beginning his comments with introduce of new Secretary of Defense, Bob Gates. Bush remarks his generation and new secretary, after that talks about the priority of his project, in fact he makes Bob Gates owed of the people whit his projects details! See on his words: “We have an obligation to ensure our military is capable of sustaining this war over the long haul, and in performing the many tasks that we ask of them. I'm inclined to believe that we need to increase in the permanent size of both the United States Army and the United States Marines. I've asked Secretary Gates to determine how such an increase could take place and report back to me as quickly as possible.” This is a unique skill of Bush in connecting between different issues! He also pay attention to the time condition that is important for much of the people “ the late days of 2006”, so he talk about it with bias: “ Two thousand and six was a difficult year for our troops and the Iraqi people. We began the year with optimism after watching nearly 12 million Iraqis go to the polls to vote for a unity government and a free future. The enemies of liberty responded fiercely to this advance of freedom. They carried out a deliberate strategy to foment sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shia. And over the course of the year, they had success. Their success hurt our efforts to help the Iraqis rebuild their country. It set back reconciliation; it kept Iraq's unity government and our coalition from establishing security and stability throughout the country.” And finally he hopes for New Year: “We enter this new year clear-eyed about the challenges in Iraq, and equally clear about our purpose. Our goal remains a free and democratic Iraq that can govern itself, sustain itself, and defend itself, and is an ally in this war on terror. “

Confusion in American public opinions
It seems enduring this situation is not easy for the American public opinions, too! In this Press Conference the first Question was it: “Mr. President, less than two months ago at the end of one of the bloodiest months in the war, you said, "Absolutely we're winning." Yesterday you said, "We're not winning, we're not losing." Why did you drop your confident assertion about winning?” so what do you think about Bush’s answer? Do you think he accept this duel comments? “My comments -- the first comment was done in this spirit: I believe that we're going to win; I believe that -- and by the way, if I didn't think that, I wouldn't have our troops there. That's what you got to know. We're going to succeed.” And he wants his people to perceive him more than before, and understand him when he is going to do anything! ” You know, I -- when I speak, like right now, for example -- I'm speaking to the American people, of course, and I want them to know that I know how tough it is, but I also want them to know that I'm going to work with the military and the political leaders to develop a plan that will help us achieve the objective. I also want our troops to understand that -- that we support them; that I believe that tough mission I've asked them to do is going to be accomplished, and that they're doing good work and necessary work.”

Friends and Enemies
There are many points in Bush’s recent Press Conference, but it seems one thing is more titled! He talks with regard of American exceptionalism! You know that American culture is based on this belief and first roots of it came from Declaration of Independence in 1750s, when the American colonies questing a way for freedom of Britain domestic! In fact something like American nation, culture, religion and etc. resulted to formation of American Exceptionalism that Tukwila first time conceder about it. According to this thought Americans think they have big difference from the entire world, in another world they are upper than the others!
Bush also uses of this culture when he talks with his people. According to the issues that came, he introduces his troop expander of peace and liberty in Iraq, and says that because of their attempts Iraqis could practice Democracy in Election for first time if com conflict between Soni and shia let them, the conflict that some enemies make them! This is clear, supporters of Freedom, Democracy and Liberty are always Americans and the people who are not Americans are the people wanting help or enemies!

Trust me without any question
But one point that we have not to forget is this: never a politic never worries about people’s culture just for his interest. Bush uses of this culture “ you are best in the world”, " This war on terror is the calling of a new generation; it is the calling of our generation," for hiding his real porpuse: Trust me without any question.

“Drums Along the Mohawk”

2006-12-20T04:29:00.000-08:00

“Drums Along the Mohawk” is the Adventure film of Hollywood which was directed by John Ford (I), one of the famous directors in the first half 20th century in USA. Mohawk Valley, where Gilbert and Lana Martin (Henry Fonda and Claudette Colbert) a young couple trying to make their new life, is the symbol of American society(late 18th century) that some events like attack, protection, joining together and participation happened in it.

Summery
Gilbert Martin and his bride Lana marry shortly before the revolutionary war starts. They settle in Upstate New York and began their couple life with hope. Something like communication with neighbors was strange for them especially Lana but the series problems like Indian attacks resulted to burned out their village with intriguing Tories. So for the next six years Gilbert fights in the war as he and Lana try to establish their homestead.Story and its WritersThe story of this film is belong to a interesting novel, Walter D. Edmonds wrote it in (1939) and William Faulkner, Sonya Levien and Lamar Trotti tried to formed it to screen written for “Drums Along the Mohawk”.

Main Characters
Feel our life
Alfred Newman is the composer of this film, he was later known variously as "the Boy Conductor" and "the Youngest Conductor in the United States." By the time he entered films with the 1930 Goldwyn production Whoopee. Nominated for 45 Academy awards, Newman won the award nine times. His last composition was the driving, intensely up-to-date main theme for Universal's Airport (1970). Also in 1995 he composed Hollywood Sound.
In Drums Along the Mohawk, every situation has its music, with the background of hope or something that new couples feel it, sadness, happiness, expectation, patience, fear and confusion , are some of these situation that Alfred Newman composed it artistically.
From Timid Lady to Brave Woman
Claudette Colbert is the main actress of this film. She was born in Paris, Seine, France. At first her complete name was Lily Claudette Chauchoin but in 1923 when she went to Broadway (a place like Hollywood), she adopted the name Claudette Colbert. Her first successful film was The Lady Lies in (1929) and she could accept her started situation in American cinema in 1930s, such unique situation that her name symbolized good movies in America. “Drums Along the Mohawk” (1939) was her film that kept fans coming to the theaters and the movie moguls happy. By the late 1940s and early 1950s she was not only seen on the screen but the infant medium of television, where she appeared in a number of programs.
We could consider her different play in “Drums Along the Mohawk”, her different conditions like, at the beginning of film, when enter to life with a man, and after that when she migrated with her husband to new place and etc. in these times we could see her in timid lady role but with passed another film’s events, she received to brave woman who could take a weapon and protected of her neighbors in lake of her husband! So Claudette Colbert believed this role and played it.
War for The Life
Henry Fonda was born in Grand Island, Nebraska, USA, (16 May 1905). His ancestors came from Genoa, Italy, and fled to the Netherlands around 1400. Among the early Dutch settlers in America, they established a still-thriving small town in upstate New York named Fonda in the early 1600s, named after patriarch Douw Fonda, who was later killed by Indians. Henry Fonda's paternal grandparents moved to Nebraska in the 1800s. He started his acting debut with the Omaha Community Playhouse, a local amateur theater troupe directed by Dorothy Brando. His first major roles in Broadway include "New Faces of America" and "The Farmer Takes a Wife". One of his best films was Young Mr. Lincoln (1939); James Stewart and John Ford (the director of Drums Along the Mohawk) were his best friend. His two children are screen stars of American Cinema today. He spanned almost 50 years in American theater and television and finally died in 12 August 1982.
A kind of pride and self confidence is obvious in his face, it seems that he could manage the problem even when he came back from war and he was very upset of it, another thing that he live with all of his energy and war was not only conflict for him, he fought for his life. In all of the film Henry Fonda didn’t distance from his role.
Portray of Americans Unity
John Ford (I), was born in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, USA (1 February 1894) he was one of the most respected directors in the business especially in his westerns, which were not considered "serious" film. He won six Oscars and received a Presidential Medal of Freedom from Richard Nixon in 1973.He has won more directing Oscars than any other director: four, for The Informer (1935), The Grapes of Wrath (1940), How Green Was My Valley (1941), and The Quiet Man (1952). He also won an Oscar for Best Documentary, Short Subject for The Battle of Midway (1942) and an Oscar for Best Documentary for December 7th (1943).
It seems that John Ford (I) was successful to direct a historian Film. In regard of American narrative of their history, they try to build their house, their city and their country and they are not only immigrants but also they are creators of this land and this history. So this film could give this belief that every group of immigrants (the young couple) who came to this land for their interest, finally joined to his society and his United Nation. Ford could portray it during the film and ended it in unity of settlements when the flag was raised.

American Society in Late Eighteen Century
Tom Tyler (Capt. Morgan), Chief John Big Tree (Blue Back) and Edna May Oliver (Mrs. Sarah McKlennar) are the best representative of this society, Capt. Morgan who is introduced with his single eye, wanted to keep Tories’ domination on settlements, in fact he wanted to access to this land. Mrs. Sarah McKlennar who is introduced with her naked language has role of respectable land owner even in lake of her husband (General McKlennar) and she doesn’t leave her land, her home, her bed until last moment! Blue Back, the Indian man who is introduced with his ancient hat, his broken English accent and his emphasis on putting the hat could be a sign for trying to keep his Indian culture and keep situation in new American society. These three representatives in the time shortly before American Revelation (1776) are good choice for showing some challenges in American History and American Identity. The central role of this new couple also helps to perceive the new society better. May be this couple were representative of common American people that try to find their place in new society and in this way they had to accept some prices.

Kill me but...

2006-12-13T07:38:00.000-08:00

According to a report in CNN ( December 12, 2006), Americans spend over $1 billion a year on anti-wrinkle creams. How Americans pay attention to their beauty! This is very wonderful! Maybe being a part of Costuming society is one the causes of this result! Cosmetic industry is one of the most money making industry in the world.

Nice me! I'm not care of its money!
The first archaeological evidence of cosmetics usage is found in Ancient Egypt around 4000 BC. The Ancient Greeks and Romans also used cosmetics The Romans and Ancient Egyptians used cosmetics containing mercury and often lead The best cosmetics industry The cosmetics industry is a multinational, multi-billion-dollar industry. Of the major firms, the oldest and the largest is L'Oréal, which was founded by Eugene Schueller in 1909 as the French Harmless Hair Colouring Company .The market was developed in the USA during the 1910s by Elizabeth Arden(2), Helena Rubinstein, and Max Factor. About this factory I have to say that it is so rich that for advertising his name between the majority of audiences or customers, built a museum in Hollywood!(3) Lipstick, lip gloss, Foundation, Powder, Nail polish, Eye liner and eye shadow are some of famous and popular cosmetics in the world.

Crisis of Beauty
Today in many countries especially in Third-World countries Beauty is one of the disputable discussion, in the countries that have religious limitation also conditions are more confuting because women are limited for make up for men (just their family) religiously. So this limitation in addition of watching beauty western model in available media like photo, internet or satellite, resulted to make big paradox for young people especially women. They try to make them beautiful as same as Models! Maybe they think they have to do anything for being like them! This news is for the people who think are not as nice as American ladies! The Americans also spend a lot of money for their beauty! So this is the time that we have to think “Why we run? For who? For what?" When all of this beauty is Colour!
References
1- http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/12/12/wrinkle.creams.reut/index.html
2- http://womenshistory.about.com/od/fashion20th/p/elizabeth_arden.htm
3- http://www.seeing-stars.com/museums/MaxFactor.shtml

Practice of Violence in American Life

2006-12-09T04:12:00.000-08:00

Review on UCLA police reactions with Student and American foreign reactions in the world

“Stand up or you’ll get Tasered again!”(1) They shouted this sentence in terrible atmosphere in the lab of UCLA University. The students didn’t believe this event! Who can believe one migrate student would punish with electric shock, just for didn’t show ID card to community service officers? The officers who were conducting a random chick; although watch of these violent behaviors are not so new in American academic instructions but five time getting Taser shocks to one 23- year- old student is not simply event! We made awarded of some terrible events like taking Hostage (McClendon, 2006) @ (Pitcher @ Poland, 1992) and attack to teachers (Cohen, 2002) in American schools, sometimes. But hitting one student by Police because of ordinary fault is important question for some ethnic groups and campaigns (2)! One of possible answers to these questions is obvious belief: “Violence is American as Cherry pie.”
I want to conceder this belief in frame of violence in American society, American violence abroad and at home! I think violence and use of it for some target, illegal usage (crimes in schools and streets) or legal usage in American foreign policy (in wars), have made situation for another use of violence, in this new situation we couldn’t objected of violent behavior on ethnic groups, because this culture annoyed all of the sorts of American citizens, even far from of the country.
"The World Health Organization in 2002 brought out a report on violence and health that concludes with specific recommendations on how societies can prevent violence." (3) This report and the proposal of Irvin Waller are good studies about violence in America.

Taste it! It is a part of Life!
“Injury inflicted by deliberate means.” This is a definition of violence that Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggested (4), the Federal Bureau of Investigation further classifies violence resulting in homicide, into criminal homicide and justifiable homicide (5).
These definitions sometimes are quested in events that have appearing function, like War. For example about Iraq War, "that a growing number of American citizens in coalition nations have urged their governments to withdraw from and they afraid of it has became another Vietnam War "(6). So a lot of "Americans believe that the current strategy causes unnecessary deaths and injuries of coalition and Iraqi troops, as well as civilian contractors, and not adequately meet the insurgent threat "(11). Violent behaviors that acted in Iraq prisons also have fallowed some objections of Americans.
So this state of violence is in front of American’s Eyes questionable! Another statistics about violence is in schools of America;" from July1, 1999, through June30, 2000, there were 32 school- associated violent deaths in the United States. Twenty- four of these violent deaths were homicides and eight were suicides "(7). Student are not single target of these crimes, annually, "over the 5- year period from 1998 to 2002, teachers were the victims of approximately 234,ooo total nonfatal crimes at school, including 144,000 thefts and 90,000 violent crimes (rape, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault) senior high school and middle/junior high school" (8) @ (9). Rather than this appearing form of violence we could see another kind of it in beauty forms for the people! A highly debated topic is the influence of violent content in popular media such as film, television, music and video games. Violence makes many appearances in these, much to the displeasure of parents and politicians. This experience of violence created new discussion that is named: Aestheticization of violence (10). Video and computer games as Andrew Darley said (2000: 23) make "a new and significant mass culture form" and enter of violent stories as subject for play supply "real" arena of life for audiences.
This is the clear portray of violence that comes everywhere and shadows on some part of American culture, you might realize it or not, But it is existence; Americans experience it for some form:
Violence at home: as I said they faced it a lot, although my focus is on academic places but this selection could be main example of extension of violence in deep layers of American society!
Violence in abroad: making this opinion that Violence is a legal instrument for expending peace in the world even it is faced to some objections!
Violence in unclear form: After September11, Americans faced to the new kind of events out of their control, so this belief was extended between them that they have strange enemy and all of the world are against them (11)! This strategy with name of “War on Terror” conceived people that any kind of reaction with any stage of violent would be happen for protecting! So the threat of unclear enemy in the world, created unclear form of violence! In this situation some of reactions with supposed enemy are not called violence; they are named "War on terror"!

Take it easy
“Here’s your patriot act…your…abuse of power!” shouted Mostafa Tabatabainejad, using profanity after screaming out in anguished pain from the electric jolts of a police Taser (12). There are some points in this story. One American- born student that came originally from Iran, Trased by UCLA police for didn’t showing his ID, but how this mistake could answer with this reaction? "Lawyer of Tabatabainejad said there was sign that he was targeted because of his ethnicity although the other student disagreed. Civil rights attorney Stephen Yagman announced separately that he plans to file a lawsuit charging that the American- born Tabatabainejad was singled out because of his Middle Eastern appearance (13). Here is not place for discussing details of this event; I want just say that the violence so expended in American cultures that proving the clime of Tabatabainejad's lawyer becomes confused! When the violence is going to be one of American cultural elements, what is the meaning of our proposes about questing ethnicity roots? I think every thing is clear!

References:
1- Cohen, R, 2002, Children of the Mill: Schooling and Society in Gary, Indiana, 1906-1960, London, Rutledge
2- Darley, A,2000, Visual digital culture, Surface play and spectacle in new media genres, London, Rutledge
3- McClendon, R, 2006, A Comparative Study of Educational Leadership Characteristics And Attitudes of American, Georgia, Universal Publishers
4- Pitcher, G @ Poland, S, 1992, Crisis Intervention in the Schools, New York, Guilford Press

Web Sides :
1- http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=2662158&page=1
2- Go to first website
3- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violence
4- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centers_for_Disease_Control_and_Prevention
5- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Bureau_of_Investigation
6- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_war
7- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_violence
8- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_school
9- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junior_high_school
10- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aestheticization_of_violence
11- http://fatimachirani.blogspot.com/
12- Go to first website
13- http://www.cnn.com/2006/EDUCATION/11/19/student.stunned.ap/index.html

Exceptionalist Position of CNN in Covering News Reports:

2006-12-09T03:15:00.000-08:00

Pop Benedict XVI remarks and Muslims reactions
Fatima Kamali Chirani

"The medieval emperor's "negative words" did not "express my personal convictions'". (1) This is Pope Benedict XVI talks, thirteen day after his remarks about Muslims. The Pop's speech and Muslim's reactions was so important for American popular media, CNN, that at least nine news reports concerned them. The regarded point in this events, is a remarkable portray of violate Muslim's reactions, CNN not only transformed Pop's remarks about "spreading' Islam 'by the sword. "(2) several time, but also created a violate space by explaining fire-bombed Christian places and Muslims' treatments to change their relations with West. So this style of writing news in CNN is a meaningful style in making a knowledgeable and correct portray of Christianity (American Religion), and Violate, illogical and unknowledgeable portray of Islam.
I am going to consider the CNN news reports, twenty days after Pop's remarks on Islam and Violence, in the frame of American exceptionalism, because this explanation of Muslim reactions and Christianity violated target is new explanation of "we" and "others" in American minds (Shafer, 1991:105). The belief of "City upon a Hill" led Americans look at other religions contempt full. Robert Wuthnow (1998) works into the condition of American religious structure since World War II. An extremely penetrating, nuanced, largely convincing account of what is really happening to American religion and an account worthy of comparison is in this book. Studying this book is a good way for understanding how Americans look at themselves as religious people. The other attempts were done in this field by Peter W. Williams (1999) and Jeff Haynes (1998). Another attempt is about Media function in global process, written by James Curran in 2002. Finally Deborah L Madison has a good investigation about American exceptionalism (1998) that is a good reference for my essay.

Old roots of American Exceptionalism
Before I beginig my discussion, I have to consider some important concepts, I think going to these arena, American exeptionalism and its puritan roots is useful for continuing this discussion about American news work on Pop's remarks about Muslims. American exeptionalism has been historically referred to as the perception that the United States differs qualitatively from other developed nation, because of its unique origins, national credo, historical evolution and distinctive political and religious institutions. The term was first used by Alexis de Tocqueville in 1831. (3) Although factors like The American Revolution and Republicanism, World War II, immigration and the availability of resources, and the Cold War had had influence on expressing American exceptionalism, in this subject my focus is on its Puritan roots. If we notice the American history, we find that Christian religion parallels the attempt to structure colonies, had important influence on American cultural Identity and this process had direct connection with forming American exceptionalism.(L Madsen, 1998: 16 @ 17). So this Religion in New world had a special form; the earliest ideologies of English colonists in the country were embodied by the Protestantism of puritan settlers of New England. Many Puritans with American leanings embraced a middle ground between strict Calvinist predestination and a less restricting theology of Divine Providence. They believed God had mad a covenant with their people and had chosen them to lead the other nations of the earth. One Puritan leader, John Winthrop, metaphorically expressed this idea as a "City upon a Hill", that the puritan community of New England should serve as a model community for the rest of the world. This metaphor is often used by proponents of exceptionalism (4). In The American Promise this subject is titled by "Church, Covent, and Conformity"(L Roark and others,2000:112@ 113), this part explained how Winthrop and three other men signed the original convent of first Boston Church in 1630, and this convent became a base for American society and politic. The puritan's deep morality values remained part of the national identity of the United States for centuries, remaining influential to the present day (5). Although in the late twentieth century the protestant church control over the larger culture in America became more but, a brief revisiting of the two non- protestant traditions previously discussed will begin to illustrate how the pragmatic approach to religion associated with Puritanism now coming to expression in other traditions. At numerous catholic colleges and universities in the United States, interpretation of meaning of Catholic spirituality has become less otherworldly and more pragmatic since the 1960s (W.Williams, 1999:88). So it seems that Christianity with all of its traditions becomes a part of American identity, and it is an important factor for priding and feeling proud of exceptionality from others.

American exceptionalism in Covering News Report in CNN
In September 15, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI at the University of Regensburg in Germany quoted 14th-century Byzantine emperor Manuel II Paleologus. "God," the emperor, as the pope quoted, said, "is not pleased by blood -- and not acting reasonably is contrary to God's nature." A transcript of Pope's remarks obtained by The Associated Press television network reads: "In the seventh (sura, or chapter of the Quran), the emperor comes to speak about jihad, holy war "(6). So this event resulted in to some Muslims reactions in the world.
Some western media covered these events to the entire world; CNN which is one of the most important agencies in the world (especially in America) also did it. There are some important points in the style and policy of CNN news about these events.
First of all, prioritizing new objectives in CNN; according to James Curran discussion two liberal objectives are important in every media policy- watchdog oversight, information, debate and representation facilitate the expression of conflict and difference, and social conciliation assistance.(2002:239) So it seems these two objectives were under the American interests, American exceptionalism in "Pop's remarks and Muslim's reactions" news. First objective for explaining some the challenge between Islam religion as "other religion", and Pop's position as "self religion". Second making an innocent, knowledgeable and right portray of pop reactions to show American religion the right statue in the world.
Second, using some words for explaining Muslims, reactions that are reminiscent of Violence. I mean CNN not only transformed Pop's remarks about the existence of basic violence in Islam affairs, every time in reports, but also portrayed a kind of violence in Muslim reactions, that acknowledged Pop's remarks in audience eyes.
In September 15, 2006, reactions like "condemning his remarks", "provoking street protests", "ambassador", "gathering 100 demonstrators in an anti-Vatican protest", "expressed anger" and "marched in cities" are attributed to Muslims, when these pictures are completed with an explosion in Christianity place! "Meanwhile, a youth center run by the Greek Orthodox Church in the Gaza Strip was slightly damaged by a small explosion on Friday, witnesses told Reuters. It was unclear if the blast was connected to pope's comments."(7) Although in these sentences, Muslims are not responsible for blasting, bringing them, just after Muslims objections to Christian Leader's remarks, has meaning for audiences!
In September 16, 2006, CNN explained Pop's sadness about offended Muslims, "Pope Benedict XVI has said he is "very upset" that his speech on Islam offended Muslims and expressed his respect for their faith, according to the Vatican."(8) so in this narrative we could see the process that Christian leader express his upset about Muslims misunderstanding, but CNN didn't stay on this state and talked about a group that accepted responsibility of " fire- bombed in West bank". Although this information about the group "Lions of Monotheism" was acknowledge with "Palestinian security and secret sources" but CNN used it three times in News of 7:49 and 11:36 in september16, and September 17, 2006! (9)
In September 17, 2006, CNN entitled his report with this sentence: "Pope 'deeply sorry' for Muslim fury" and started it: "Pope Benedict XVI has said he is "deeply sorry" for the reaction to his comments on Islam and that he quoted a medieval text about holy wars did not reflect his personal thoughts."(10) In this news bolded blends "churches in West Bank fire-bombed". the audience in this created space is faced to reactions of Muslims in one hand and regret of Christian leader from this reactions on the hand, I mean we could see violate actions "Fire- bombed" in parallel to Pop's explanation about his remarks, "spreading Islam by the sword"!
"Pope invites Muslim envoys to meeting" this title in September 23, 2006 is enough for challenging between Pop and Muslims!(11) The religious leader invited another religion's followers to calm. This style of covering news, in fact attributed opposite meaning of calm and meeting to this followers: Violence!
Finally CNN with this title finished this tragedy in September 25, 2006:" Pope: 'Total and profound respect for Muslims'". (12) This title with flowing of artistic narratives of CNN has some meanings, one important meaning could be Pop's performance to turn off the fire, turn off the Violence that was done by Muslims and the danger that threatened Christian places!

American Religion Is a calm Message
CNN position in transforming and representing this event is a clear position of American Exceptionalism. CNN used this event as implement for belittling Islam "the others religion" as in violence and illogical religion, and Keeping Christianity ward as victim of violence and leader of dialogue and calm messenger. This process make right position of Pop, Christian Leader on Public opinions and it is in parallel of American interests, American Policy not only was noticed by audience outside of the American land but also a variety of religions in America are his target, too. According to Jeff Haynes (1998:37), Islam is the swiftest growing religion in the United states and in the early 1990s there were between three and five million Muslims in the USA (Gardell, 1996:48,Nyang, 1998:520), so American policy for keeping his ward in Exceptionalist roots, try to represent the Christianity faith in public rostrum, influenced media like CNN.

References:
1- Curran, J, (2002) Media and Power, New York, Routledge
2- Gardell, M, (1996) Behold T make all things new!Black militant Islam and the American apocalypse, in D. Westerlund (ed) Questioning the Secular State. The Worldwide Resurgence of Religion in Politics, London: Hurst
3- Haynes, J, (1998) Religion in Global Politics, New York, Longman
4- Nyang, S, (1988)Islam in North America, in S. Sutherland, L. Houlden, P, Clarke and F. Hardy (eds) The World's Religions, London: Routledge
-5 Schweiger, B, (1991) Religion In The American South: Protestants And Others In History And Culture, London, UNC Press.
6- W. Williams, (1999) Perspectives on American Religion and Culture, Malden, Blackwell Publishers.
7- Wuthnow, R, (1998), The Restructuring of American Religion: Society and Faith Since World War II, Princeton University Pres

Web logs:
1-http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/09/22/pope.islam/index.html
2- - http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/09/16/pope.islam.0750/index.html
3- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_exceptionalism
4- http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/09/15/pope.islam/index.html
5-(3)
6-(4)
7- (4)
8 – (2)
9- (2) @ (10)
10- http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/09/17/pope.islam.1050/index.html
11-(1)
12- http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/09/25/pope.muslims/index.html

Bush's Faithfully to Jewish Power

2006-12-06T07:47:00.000-08:00

"NOW, THEREFORE, I GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States do hereby proclaim May 2006 as Jewish American Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities that honor the significant contributions Jewish Americans have made to our Nation" (1) he proclaimed it when he was between Jewish American in twenty first day of April in 2006. This is not first time that Bush remarks Jewish, he several times during his presidential tanks them because of their serve to America. (2@3)
The Jewish’s Child
"American is a best land for poor people." This is a one of the favorite motto that was prevalent in eighteen century in Philadelphia. This energized motto seeks a lot of immigrants to New World! (4) Immigrants that go to America were from of any religion Christianity, Jewish, Islam, Buddhism and etc. Although Christianity especially Puritan has had important role for forming American nation (5) but always Jewish religion has been main minority between the other religions! Although an opinion is claimed that Jewish people has had painful life during the history but their strong influence in economic structure is not deniable! I mean the Jewish could fix their situation in the world with every difficulty. One the important centers for Jewish has been America, this seat is so strengthened that some politic experts believe:" Jewish is America's Child." or another experts believe:" America is Jewish's Child"!
The Owner of Money, the Owner of Minds
Dr. Ferdoss, the professor of Indiana university in the meeting about Congress Election in America said that The American Jewish lobbies have strong influence in American Policy especially in American candidness!(6) He said that the economic power of Jewish resulted dominate of main instructions like Media, so this possibility cause to influence on Americans mass opinion." So we could see that how Jewish accessed to American Policy easily!
Faithfully or Dependence
Regard to American Jewish could not be just for respect to immigrants, he not only owe to Jewish for his situation but also American situation is dependence to Jewish 's decisions! "Proclaim May 2006 as Jewish American Heritage Month" is symbolic act for showing Bush's faithfully to Jewish power.
Webs:
1- http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/04/20060421-3.html
2- http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/09/20050914-24.html
3- http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/05/20050505-2.html
4- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Exceptionalism
5- (4)
6- http://www.sarmayeh.net/WebFa/

World Portray in America after September11 event

2006-11-19T08:07:00.000-08:00

Review on Bush’s Speeches and American Public Opinions: friends and enemies
“The Pet Goat. A- girl- got- a- goat. But-the goat-did-some-things-that-made-the- girl’s –dad-mad.” The children read aloud. (Unger.2004:250) A minute ago, after classroom’s thirty seconds silence, Ari Fleischer held up a pad of paper for Bush to see: “Don’t Say Anything Yet”, so Bush picked up the book to read a story called “The Pet Goat”. The reading continued to 9:12! At 9:30, Bush addressed the nation:” Today we had a national tragedy,” he said “Two airplanes have crashed into the World Trade Center in an apparent Terrorist attack on our country.”
*
September11 is a horrible event which has been narrated in different stories. Although the Americans mass opinions were led to fear of big enemies just minutes after this event, and they were made ready for “War on Terror”, but some confusions remained always without answer! Why agents of september11 event are introduce to American people “Terrorist”? They could get “Hijacker” name! How these terrorist could access American airlines? This is not possible without influence on this system! How Gorge. W .Bush could keep his discipline after being aware? “What a horrible accident!” he said when Karl Rove rushed up him about the plane crash, in Emma E. Booker elementary school in Sarasota, at 9:00. (That’s reference) After that he went to some classrooms and communicated with children in reading the books! Of course answering these questions is not easy, but considering some deep investigation about september11 event and passing some Bush’s important speeches, is not impossible! in this article i am not try to find testimonial for condemning Bush in 9/11 event. At least, I try to light some dark sides of this “national tragedy” that he pointed it and with this tool makes portraite of face of Enemies and Friens. the enemies and Friends taht their face are not clear. Craig Unger in 2004 made a document that make shoke some of the people who were persuading the narations of 9/11. in his book he showed that how the Bush inner circle is in the very deep pockets of the brutal Saudi dictators. His book betrays many secrets of American foreign policy. Also David Lyon also has a book named “Surveillance after September 11”; this is useful for extending my discussion, too. I will have two concerns for considering: Investigating September11 event and the process of forming mass opinions by Bush, the portray of American nation and their enemies in his speeches.

Bush’s truth for his people
“Oh, braggart! Liar!
Leave the nice women’s hair and give up this excuse!
Know that your bows and arrows is not working again!
The bow which is shooting by timid man would not work!” (Nasr, 2002:51@52)
800 years ago Hummer composed it to explain Troy War, when addressed an enemy who hide himself in safe place! But I think this situation is not strange for us. We experience this event, maybe several times! Today also governments behind of curtains or closed doors make events and pretend that they don’t know any thing about the reality and they also worry about it like other people! “This is Al Qaeda.” Richard Clarke was one of those who knew who was behind them and say this sentence an hour after september11 attackes. (Unger, 2004:250)CIA director George Tenet, instantly came to the same assessment when he was eating breakfast with former senator David Born at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington when he talked about the hijackings: “This has bin Laden’s fingerprints all over it.”(That’s reference) he some days ago talked about his concerns about bin Laden, with his friend. (Woodward, 2002:3) he George J. Tenet, CIA Director was worried about one terrible event: “something spectacular is coming.” According to Bush reaction when he found the event in first moment, we could understand that they are aware of some side of this danger! They are ready for one horrible event! The CIA had been after bin Laden for more than five years before September11 because he was accused of sponsoring terrorist bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that had left more than 200 people dead. (Woodward, 2002:5)More recently, Tenet had worried that there would be attacks during the July4, 2001, but do not people know anything about it? Bush who addressed dead people in september11 “our nation”, “our people of all colors”, “The innocent”, “fallen comrades” and “young mothers and daddies”(1)didn’t said to them that his administrations had had some information about this event, before happened! Of course, people could get some information about this event from creditable recourses but Bush’s speech always has a lot of audience from American citizen and in fact has more influence on mass opinion. In his speeches he put Americans to face the world and portrayed september11 more than a terrible event: “For America, 9/11 was more than a tragedy; it changed the way we look at the world.” Bush later, tree days after september11 in remarking at National Day of prayer and remembrance said to disastered families that: “you are not alone….we answer these attacks and rid the world of evil.”(Washington, D.C., september14, 2001).

War on Terror, War on the World
After September11 attacks, The War on Terror has been contributed to Americans like a national project; Bush introduced the enemies who were the entire world except America but the Americans don’t know exactly who were the enemies, these enemies’ face became clear in political discussions or in media gradually. Al Qaeda, Ben Laden, Afghanistan and finally Iraq were introduced one after another! For this part I have a question: why American did not keep on reach Saudi Arabia? Two hours before September11 event, in Washington, at the Ritz Carlton Hotel was a conference, among who those attended were James Baker, Frank Carlucci, and, representatives of the Bin Laden family, Shafing bin Laden, one of Osama’s Bin Laden, one of Osama’s many brothers.(Unger, 2004:247) but this meeting followed of American foreign policy with Saudi Arabia! Why was Afghanistan introduced as the first enemy? Craig Unger discussing about it with “The double marriage” title in House of Bush, House of Saud, he said: “throughout the roaring eighties, the U. S.-Saudi marriage continued to thrive. It wasn’t just that the United States got billions of dollars of reasonably priced oil and Saudis were able to arm to arm themselves with American weapons. In addition, the cover operation in Afghanistan and Iraq were beneficial to both parties. For all its success, however, there was just one problem with the arrangement; if one thought of the U.S.-Saudi activities as a steady relationship, the Saudis were already married to someone else.” So it seems introducing Enemies to people is completely directed. I think Americans also are less or more are controlled and effected by the attack. The new powers addressed not only suspected terrorists but other criminals as well, yet this is war whose location and timing is unclear. This portray that “Terrorists live among urban civilian populations, so attacking them,” is embossed for them constantly.(Lyon, 2003:41) so they have some information about the enemy: he is Muslim, and in Middle East and he could be terrorist or not, as Bush said: “I am often asked why we’re in Iraq when Saddam Hussein was not responsible for the 9/11 attacks. The answer is that the regime of Saddam Hussein was a clear threat.”(CNN.com, 2006) he also added: “My administration, the Congress and the United Nations saw the threat.” But Bush didn’t say that they saw and knew some other details about this event!

New enemy
Bush also has special concepts and words for explaining this world that enemies are in; he talked about “Middle East”, they have “radical dictators”, they” hand on weapons of mass destruction” and they armed “with nuclear weapons” (CNN, That’s reference). It seems that understanding the target of Bush in this speech is not so hard! Iran and her nuclear project that have been tumult subject in American mass media for two years ago, is a most possible suspicious for the American audience, that can be is a new enemy! So it can be said that American mass opinion is getting ready to recognize a new subject in “ The War on Terror”!

Leave the nice women’s hair…
Psychological warfare(2) and its influence on Public Opinions (3)are not new subjects. Some governments use their favorite tactics to form Mass opinions. Really what event could make Americans ready for two bloody Wars, in less than two years? What event could convince them for this human and moral cost like War in shadow of War on Terror? What event could they make that the World is against them, just September11 attack? So, if we notice American affairs like Cold War, we can find a meaningful relationship between september11 attacks, extending surveillance on American people, and the acceptable cause for War on World! So American government with portraying unclear dangers in the world could play a big role of informing Americans and in shadow of this role gradually introduced new enemies. So Bush with addressing Americans “The innocent”, and the terrorist world “Millions of Muslims Against our citizen”(4), he set the people against the world, and it can be called against Muslims, against Middle East people! Again I want to remained that Bush that could manage this event exactly some moments after being informed, could also use it for his goals, the goals which Americans lost their dears for it while they didn’t know so much about it! So can I croon this poem with myself?
“Oh, braggart! Liar!
Leave the nice women’s hair and give up this excuse!
Know that your bows and arrows…”

References:
1- Lyon, D, (2003) Surveillance after September11, Cambridge, Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
2- Nasr, S, (2002) Psychological Warfare, Tr: Haqiqati kashani, M, Tehran, Soroush Press.
3- Unger, C, (2004) House of Bush, House of Saud, New York, Scribner.
4- Woodward, B, (2002) Bush at War, New York, Simon@Schuster.

Web Sites:
1- http://www.CNN.com
2- http://www.wikipedia.org
3- same weblog
4- http://www.whitehouse.gov

Superior culture abusing the inferior

2006-11-11T06:33:00.000-08:00

Review to African Americans dance and music

We just talk about Racism, in meanwhile, behind our sentences, the people who have experience with the reality of it, are living! We enjoy of African American nice dance in TV shows but when we ask of ourselves about the existence of this art? of course African Americans are the best dancer but how this function is accepted in America according to sad background of citizenship of them? ok, we think about the Racism and may think that this rude penalty is going to finish, but i think representing some of their dance in society is just for serving the public and making it happy! Just this. If not. Why this society just acknowledges the matter of African Americans in Dance? And why the titles of famous dances of them are labeled by "Black"? Like "black bottom"? In this essay i try to review on the history of racism in USA. And focus on the arts that they enjoy to do them. For this work i use of second hand data, like the documents of book and review in the relevant sites.

A black dancer, full of wonderful rhythmic movement, walks around himself fast and gathers a lot of people who desire to spend their free time in coffees, clubs or in front of the TV! They enjoy listening to Ragtime music and leaving themselves free in sexual interests, in shadow of the "other" culture.I want to consider the cultural challenges in American popular music. Studying African-American culture and social status could be useful for understanding how this racial group's art serves the majority population in United States. I have two questions in this essay and I try to answer to them:Is Blacks` dance nice from Whites` s point of view ?What the usage of blacks` art for the American culture?

Ethnicity or Race?

I have to sign of one point before starting my discussion. “Racism is a word that came into general usage in the 1930s” (Miles.1989:42 ). It was at first a positive term launched by fascists to describe the important they assigned to them became the central term to express intellectual critiques of fascism. Race was affected by the vicinity to racism. In scholarly language, after World War 2 "race" slowly began to displace by "ethnicity" so that Irish-American, for example, did not remain a "race" but became a "ethnic group". So it seems for discussing about whites and black's cultural challenge, reference to both of them becomes true, because according to the Academic Racism we have two approach to blacks, “first the Europe's like Darwin, David Hume and Immanuel Kant who categorized the Negroes naturally and biologically from whites and second, the German philosophers like Hegel who simply declared African is no historical part of the world.”(1) I think some of attitudes about black race roots from their situation compare to whites especially in USA. Slavery seems has had more relation with this problem.

From Slavery to Racism

By 1660, slavery had emerged in several colonies as a legal institution (Hornsby. 2005:143). “Between 1640 and 1660, some evidence, though rather scant, ambiguous, and at times even contradictory-suggests a debasement of African labor and, in some cases, black labor in perpetuity. Shreds of fragmentary evidence exist for the period 1619- 40, but the scarcity of such evidence makes conclusions tentative.”Some of scholars argue that economic factors in particular, the rise of plantation slavery led to institutionalized slavery and racism.I think not only enslaver cause to create high feeling between whites, but also it had more important influence on black nation: down feeling! Blacks from the seventeen century to the present believe that they belong to downer race, statue, less or more! Although black always fighting for attach his natural rights and for example in American civil war, the role of African American is not denial able but It seems this racial situation which we could talk about it in frame of words, as I said, make “doubtful striving” that Du Bois believes “has often made his (black) very strength to lose effectiveness, to seem like absence of power, like weakness.”(Du bois: 3)

Try! But don’t think so anybody pay attention to you!

“The Negro minister or doctor”, “black savant” or African American artists have some contrast when they serve the people, as Du Bois said. It seems this contrast is rooted from their status situation that is called: Status Inconsistency Status Inconsistency is situation when an individual’s social positions have both positive and negative influences on his social status. For example, a doctor will have higher status than a factory worker, generally, but a black doctor has downer status than a white factory, because of his race! So this situation cause to confusion and doubt in the soul of the black artist too, his dancing and singing beauty revealed to him is soul-beauty of race which his larger audience despised, and he could not articulate the massage of another people! So I have main question! Is not nice Black's art in White's eyes?The music in USA is used for some purposes, like “Hate music” (Roy Wilson.1995:198) or Pop or ragtime music. These popular cultures also rooted from some elements like the immigration’s cultures.

Dance in the sticky mud

Ren`ee Zellweger, Cathwrine Zeta Jones and Richard Gere in 2002 played in "Chicago" which was the version of “Roxie Hart” Roxi Gere in 1942 (2) .Although Chicago has not exactly like her original film, but it is reminiscent of nice version of “Black Bottom” that was played by Giner Rogers in 1942.Black Bottom that its other names are The Filck, The Side Shuffle, the Walk and Five Step (1920s) comes to USA from Black culture!
“Black Bottom (aka Swanee Bottom) was originally from New Orleans, later worked its way to Georgia and finally New York. Some say the Black Bottom was introduced by blues singer "Alberta Hunter"(3). Some newspapers say it is of the Mississippi Negros trying to dance in the sticky mud (2/12/1927 - Davenport Democrat and Leader). But why BLACK BOTTOM? Perry Bradford’s sheet music had the music as well as the dance instructions printed on them. Bradford says that he first saw the Dance done in Jacksonville and decided to write a song about it in 1907 called the 'Jacksonville Rounder’s Dance' which used the term "Black Bottom" to describe the dance, but the song was not popular because "Rounder" meant "Pimp" (for the Pimp Walk) and no one wanted to dance to it, so he re-wrote the song and titled it the 'Original Black Bottom Dance' in 1919 which he introduced in Nashville Tennessee. In 1926 the Black Bottom became the rage and replaced the Charlston, also done at the Apollo Theater in 1927 with the George White Scandals. The Five Step, Varsity Drag and the Lowdown tired to replace the Black Bottom, but only the Low Down (a sensuous shiver and a flutter of the hips) actually made a real attempt.

What is the usage of African American music?

I want to came back to my first question before starting this part: Is Blacks` dance nice from Whites` s point of view? The answer could be Yes or No but one thing is clear: the African American music in American culture! Another question is this: What the usage of black's art for American culture? “Early African American music- spirituals, Gospel and Blues reflected the poverty and oppression of slaves in the South”.(Roy Wilson.1995:200). The only thing the slaves were able to bring with them to this country was expressed through their music. African American music become popular in the nineteen century after the civil war and its popular from known was ragtime that Black Bottom is one of its kinds, 1920s was a decade when prohibition was in effect and illegal drinking was promoted in speakeasies, which played music and allowed people to enjoy themselves by dancing the Charleston. This music contributed to all of class. So after that Jazz music came and the culture was changing during this period as new music, new dances, new styles of dress and new modern cods began altering people’s behavior. Women began smoking and drinking and listening to jazz in speakeasies! They wore short “flapper” dresses and did the Charleston and other “shimmy dances”.

Black Bottom as American back yard

So I want to came back to my second question! It seems the answer is near. The ethnic group, who regards themselves higher statue, could do abnormal actions in downer ethnic group’s culture, the other culture. Pay attention to this name: BLACK BOTTOM. The people, who didn’t agree “Rounder”, accept another name with black roots! In the other means they could do “illegal” actions and “enjoy themselves by dancing Charleston” in African American Music’s frame.

References:
1- Bois, D, Goldberg, D and Solomon, J, (2002), A companion to radical and ethnic studies, Massachusetts, Black well publishers.

2- Hornsby, Alton, (2005), A companion to African American history, Massachusetts, Black well publishing.

3- Miles, R, (1989), Racism, London, Rutledge.

4- Roy Wilson, S, (1995), Mass Media, Mass culture: an introduction. New York.

Sites:
1- http://en.wikipedia.org/

2- http://www.amazon.com/

3- http://www.streetswing.com/

seven nice days

2006-10-29T04:09:00.000-08:00

I believe that history influences on most of the people during the time.
We are learning about American and Canadian histories, their ethnics and culture, but I think relation with persons who belong to these cultures is very important for understanding this course.
Invitation of two professors of two different culture(America and Canada)was very innovative movement .I hope this nice happen practice several time, although I know our Institute spend a lot of time and money for this invitation.

Laughing Eyes
With his nice laugh and laughing eyes entered to our class. He had big body and his blond face supposed German race, although we found later he was born in Canada (Ottawa) and has been taught in Birmingham University (England). At first he had a surprise for us! He brought pencils with Birmingham sign. After that he started his lesson. It seems he didn`t worry about our English language and taught as fast as persian language professors. So I think he had trusted us about language before tasting, during teaching. After teaching he asked wonderfully:" Any question?" our silence hadn`t any meaning for him just not participation.
Dr.Stive Tewitt had flexible style in teaching, he used power point with many beautiful colors, photos, cartoons and clear table. Although he tried to brake lifeless atmosphere of class, for example he laughed to some subject for exciting our interests.

Luxuriate Smile
with luxuriate smile entered to class, tall and handsome man saw us curiously, it seemed he wanted to know us with all of his background and observation about Iran! At first he taste our English language(he asked us to introduce ourselves). For teaching he spoke distinctly and deliberately, maybe he was worried about our understanding and he explained most of the concepts ten minutes or more. When we didn’t have any question or comments, he didn`t get surprise and when we asked him, he encouraged with this sentences: "it is a good question, good view etc. Dr. David Slocum, the professor of New York University, completed his teaching with showing a movie about colonies life in 1939.He also emphasized on reading his lesson before class.

Seven Nice Days
we learn a lot of things in these seven days! Wich program could ready us so soon with this quality? Although we didn’t have any experience like this before, but we could use of these seven days well, I think this happen had variety benefits for us:
1- learning in professors`s classes who belonged to countries that we studied those.
2- studying in foreign classes without going to foreign countries.
3- comparing those classes with Iranian professors`s classes with our classes
(we found that these classes haven`t had much difference to each other)

Same and different behavior
There are some behaviors which are common between Canadian and American professors:
1- they went to class with perfect self-confidence, this class was strange and new for them but they started their work without any problem!
2- they used of picture communication in their presentations.
So it seems these action are rooted in their culture! they also had ethics that are common between all of responsible and educated professors in the world:
1- they were very kind and pay attention to all of the students, boys and girls.
2- they would have started new sobject just when they had sure that we were understood.
3- they communicated with us with body languages for extended our understanding.

On the whole, it could be say that they were responcible about student`s understanding.

Diferent culture, Diferent Reaction
Michel Moor in “Booling for Colombine” considered about safe feeling in Canada in contrast of America. At the end of his investigation he found that mass opinion in America is so frightened that the people think about the Enemy or huge danger threaten them! So most of the people in USA don’t feel immune! Maybe we could attributed this supposition with these two professors`s behaviore. I think Dr. hewitt communicated in teaching easier than Dr.Slocum, maybe for his safe feeling! I think Dr.Slocum needed more time for knowing us.
I have to remember two another points: first, America and Iran have had many challenge during last century. So it is not so far from reality that we think about these phalanges and their influentions on both people`s behaviores and belifts. Second, I know that Dr.Hewitt met some of our students four months ago, maybe this happen influenced on his attitudes about us .

Wishes
We wished this course lounged more!
Thanks to our Professors in American studies institute .we wish we could answer to their nice actions.

ok

2006-10-18T05:29:00.000-07:00

I`m enjoy of this course, I have been learning a lot of thing during this month. I really satisfy of my decision (go to American studies institute).Thanks God for every things.

racism

2006-10-18T01:45:00.000-07:00

Still Racism

From 1492 to now

Hate Crime is a kind of various crimes which motivated by hostility to victim as a member of a group (as one based on color, creed, gender, or sexual orientation).
The FBI reported in WASHINGTON (oct.16,2006) that Hate Crimes in the United States dropped last year by 6 percent, the FBI reported Monday, although violence against people based on their race accounted more than half of the reported incidents.(nearly55 percent)

New appearances
It could be said that Hate crime was rooted from 1492, when Columbs entered to strange land and saw the Indians and enslaved them because of questing gold and the other valuable things in this area and also their simple and elementary culture .This process was expended by enslaving black people in seventeen century, the process we call Racism .enslaving let European to think they are belong to higher race, religion and color! So they call themselves white and the other natives noun white (!) black! Today but we see another kind of victims: Seventeen percent were targeted for their religious beliefs, and more than 14 percent for sexual orientation. In addition we face to news and reports that show Hate Violence and rhetoric on the rise against Latinos and prevalence of hate crimes against Homeless is growing up. So it seems hate crimes in USA today are finding new appearance rather than their historical appearances.

Mass opinion about this phenomena

Rising Hate crimes in USA based on minority groups, so this is a serious dangerous for most of the people in this country, because USA is IMMIGRANTS`s COUNTRY and there are a variety of ethnics and minorities on there One in three Americans is Hispanic, African or Asian. This dangerous surely influence on global`s mass opinion about American culture.

undeniable problem
“Of the known offenders, 60-percent are white, and 20 percent are black.”
According to this information from FBI, we could find the prejudice culture`s goal which conducted these Hate Crimes is not based just on ethnic or color! I think social changes in USA (during this century) make new divisions between people like women, homeless and religious, blue-collar labors and etc.
“Hate Crimes in the United States dropped last year by 6 percent” but yet USA faced to this big problem that it could not be denied it.

Let Celebrate!

2006-10-11T04:48:00.000-07:00

Celebration is one of the popular elements of American culture and THANKSGIVING has special status between them. Thanksgiving is celebrated every fourth Thursday in November in "Thanksgiving day" for thanking God because of the plantation and agriculture productions. In this day Americans met each other and gifts like greeting card. "Turkey" is the name of famous dinner which is served in Americans`s homes in Thanksgiving day.

"Our Creator … Shall continue to dwell above the sky"
Thanksgiving is known worldwide as an American custom, but it`s roots extend far back into human history, the first Americans observed rituals and ceremonies to express gratitude to a higher power for life itself. A Seneca Indian ritual, for example, states, "Our Creator ... Shall continue to dwell above the sky, and this is where those on the earth will end their thanksgiving." Some of the Historians think that the first Thanksgiving is celebrated in 1621 by Pilgrims but it is not true! 1621`s feast has become a model for the Thanksgiving celebration in the United States that is described in a firsthand account presumably written by a leader of the colony, Edward Winslow, as it appears in Mourt's Relation. there are interesting points of this book:
-Indians four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week and they went out
-They killed five deer
-It be not always so plentiful as it was this time with us and etc.
In this celebration other flow are served too like ducks, geese, turkeys and even swans. We can say that the first Thanksgiving of the new United States of America occurred in 1777 when General George Washington and his army, as instructed by the Continental Congress, stopped in bitter weather in the open fields on their way to Valley Forge to mark the occasion.

Thanks to God in many religions
Although thanksgiving traditions brought to North America by settlers from many parts of the world, some authorities link the American thanksgiving with the ancient Jewish observance of Sukkot in the fall, which expresses thanks to God for the bounty of the earth, but all the major world religions—including Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam—have rituals, observances and liturgies that express thanks and gratitude to a higher power for the gift of life and its wonders. For example Muslims fast for 30 days in the "Ramezan" month and at 31th day they celebrate the last day of fasting is named"Fetr". In this day Muslim go to pray and the grand people in the families give plentiful food for thanking God to all of gift of life.

Long question lane
What happen from American ancient custom to Thanksgiving day? Why was this feast gotten by Europeans and extended in north America? As was came The first Thanksgiving of the new United States of America occurred in 1777 by General George Washington and his first proclamation after his inauguration as the nation's first president in 1789 declared November 26, 1789, as a national day of "thanksgiving and prayer." In addition in 1941 President Roosevelt signed the bill establishing the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day. So it`s necessary to notice to political power to extend this celebrate. It seems the political men know their people well, Americans interest of celebrate and ritual so Thanksgiving is opportunity for political men to mix these two interests and convince people about their truth and religion.

African hair style

2006-10-07T04:45:00.000-07:00

News

Doin' Da Do's

CYMC, , Ashley Smith, Oct 05, 2006
Editor's Note: Ancient African hair styles are still seen on the streets of the U.S. -- the young women that shape modern style claim the art and aesthetic of their ancestors. Ashley Smith, 16, is a filmmaker with Conscious Youth Media Crew

Instrumental usage to serve Capitalism

When we see this report about circulation of African hair style in USA we might think the African custom could find popular statue in USA. But I don’t think so! If we notice to amusing program in USA media (Rap and Hip- Hop musical movies, fashion models, super sexual movie and etc.) we could see a lot of African young people who have main role on playing them so Market goals and Capitalism role on behind of this story is not very far from of reality. It seems Hair style is one of the another items of this instrumental usage to serve Capitalism.

About our course

2006-10-01T03:49:00.000-07:00

About AMERICAN CULTURAL STUDIES ETHNOLOGY course

It seems that this course can help us to understand American culture and ethnic groups better , especially when we have American History meanwhile .
Another important advantage of this course is its teaching style , Dr Ameli is well-known for his deferent teaching style and It could be said that this course is guaranteed by him. So I have to say making web log and putting issues on it every week , getting acceptance in foreign conference etc. needs much time and order.

BLUE STYLE

2006-09-30T23:10:00.000-07:00

Why Blue Style?
Some of the people think they decide for their life themselves,but I don`t thinke so!
Sometimes Life decides for us itself...
*
I`m an American studies MA student in Tehran university . I didn`t know anything about it before , but now I get more interested in this field . I think I`ll be successful, if I work hard in this way and I`m sure I could pass it peacefully...with a blue style... I belive... God helpes me...

2006-09-27T03:13:00.000-07:00

hello.I'm fatemeh kamali chirani