Blog Assignment #7: Metaphors in Media/Creating Reality

Blackbird lyrics

The willow it weeps today
A breeze from the distance is calling your name
Unfurl your black wings and wait
Across the horizon it's coming to sweep you away
It's coming to sweep you away

[Chorus:]
Let the wind carry you home
Blackbird fly away
May you never be broken again

The fragile cannot endure
The wrecked and the jaded a place so impure
The static of this cruel world
Cause some birds to fly long before they've seen their day
Long before they've seen their day

[Chorus:]
Let the wind carry you home
Blackbird fly away
May you never be broken again

Beyond the suffering you've known
I hope you find your way
May you never be broken again

Ascend may you find no resistance
Know that you made such a difference
All you leave behind will live to the end
The cycle of suffering goes on
But memories of you stay strong
Someday I too will fly and find you again

[Chorus:]
Let the wind carry you home
Blackbird fly away
May you never be broken again

Beyond the suffering you've known
I hope you find your way
May you never be broken again
May you never be broken again

The song Blackbird by the Beatles was inspired by the black civil rights movement in America. During this time period there was a lot of racial tension present in America and the blackbird is used as a metaphor. It describes a black bird who overcomes its broken wings to fly, ultimately representing the progress of minorities despite all of the oppression and assassination Martin Luther King Jr. (the father of the Civil Rights Movement). Although the blackbird is making a statement on the Civil Rights Movement, its significance still holds with the passage of time. The blackbird represents the outcast in society that is able to look beyond and escape the struggles brought upon us. “Blackbird singing in the dead of the night,” is used to describe the voices and outcry of millions but unfortunately no one was listening. A metaphor of broken wings is used throughout the song, symbolizing the experiences we’re faced with and learn from them to avoid committing the same mistake twice. This entire song is about having a voice no matter how dark the tunnel may be, there is light to be found. Blackbirds are known to sing during the night, in the dead of night, often times not heard by the majority. The color black is often represented as a symbol for death, but in this case, the death of skin color. “Death is freedom,” is a term referring to the historical abolishment of slavery. The blacks in America were being oppressed and broken by society but a unifying voice of the people (blackbird) allows the minority to overcome. There have also been claims that this song is not only about the civil rights movement, but also on the rising tension that was felt during the anti Vietnam War movement. “Blackbird,” was a name used for American Helicopters during the Vietnam War.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAgceen153I

Blog Assignment #6: Iconic Images as Tropes

I chose the Scales of Justice (also referred to as Lady Justice) because I am on the pre law track and hoping to get into law school in the near future. The Scales of Justice balances truth and fairness, dating back to Ancient Egypt and the Goddess of Maat. This iconic image ultimately represents the field of law. Courthouses all over the nation use this image as decor. The scale represents the impartiality that exists in the criminal justice system. The iconic image came from the famous female Goddess sculpture of Justitia. The statue depicts the Goddess holding a sword in one hand and scales in the other, often depicted with a blindfold. The sword represents power of reason and justice which applies to both sides of the trial. In addition, the scales represent the strengths of the case’s support and opposition.  During the 16^th century artists began portraying the statue blindfolded to show that justice is not subject to influence and instead should be a common set of natural laws. In the West, the Scales of Justice is represented differently. Some of the distinct characteristics of the Western representation of the statue include: not being blindfolded, carries a sword and scales, mature like a wise person (simile), no longer commonly known as Themis, and she symbolizes the fair and equal administration of the law. The underlying meaning continues to be fairness and avoiding the corruption of law. Although The Scales of Justice has multiple representations, at a glance, most people relate it to law in general. A metaphor is created by using the sword and scales to illustrate the impartiality that exists in law. The stoic facial expressions are compared to the seriousness of law and how laws have become concrete over the years.

Blog Assignment #5: Representing Others

As the understanding and accessibility of visual images has become more understood and easily available to the general public during times of war, various forms of censorship have been put into effect in an attempt to protect troops and to control public opinion. In Regarding the Pain of Others, Susan Sontag argues, “There has always been censorship, but for a long time it remained desultory, at the pleasure of generals and heads of state.” (51) Sontag makes a valid point by stating that censorship has been a grey area during times of war. With the advancement of technology, the public is able to access war visuals at their convenience. Since the creation of photographs, debates have stricken about the ethical challenges of depicting a war. Is it censorship or sensibility? Often times we are presented with visuals that disregard the harsh reality of war and the gruesome brutality that exists. Viewers are given images of a bloodless war. Many are in denial of seeing our troops injured or dead but I believe they deserve this recognition and the people deserve to get a glimpse of war without censorship.  Although we cannot fully comprehend the realities of war without being in a war, the closest things we have are visuals. Little reflection of these realities is to be found, however since the Vietnam War (first war to be televised) the US media and military have kept the American public in the shadows about its real nature. For example, Clint Eastwood’s historical fiction, Letter’s from Iwo Jima, shows us the battle of Iwo Jima from the Japanese perspective. Seeing American soldiers getting killed is a very effective way to show what media sources and the military do not want us to see. This ultimately puts war into perspective because throughout the course of the movie we develop an attachment with the "Other" (Japanese soldiers) but then realize they are killing our own people. The bloody truths about war are revealed in this film and it's amazing to see how censorship creates a distorted view on war, many times not taking into consideration the pathos and honor that exists on both sides. War is a mystery, but according to Sontag this mystery has not been solved because strategic censorship has been taking place for so long.