When looking at modern architecture, it is easy to see that the architecture of the late 20th and 21st century differ heavily from buildings of former centuries. Many older cathedrals like the Notre-Dame de Paris were designed for different purposes and with different design values than a more modern cathedral like the Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro. The Notre-Dame de Paris is a french influenced Gothic style while the Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro is modern and iconic for it's unique conic shape. Even though these two structures may be different, they still both serve the purpose of being artistic, and valuing form over function, with influences in the design to worship and religion.
Styles like Gothic are being revived and used as a style for homes and other buildings. Gothic revival is a popular style for houses, and Greek revival can be seen in government buildings as well as Nation Museums in the United States and England.
While the Romantic movement may be over, it still has an impact, influencing modern architecture. Not only do we see these old styles being revived by architects today, but we still value the work of past architects.
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
More Than a Sitcom?
The romantic qualities of The Office go beyond Jim and Pam’s office flirtation and eventually love. When the traits of romantic works were taught to us from Mr. Heidkamp’s powerpoint, The Office was on my mind, from watching an episode the night before. But, when I thought about it more, I think The Office can qualify as a romantic work, because it is in line with quite a few of the characteristics of such work.
The whole premise of the series is to show a “microcosm of American life” through the daily filming of a seemingly mundane paper supply company. The employee of Dunder Mifflin are filmed candidly throughout their workdays, as well as interviewed one on one. And while this show is of course fiction, the focus on everyday life and the experience of an average person is a romantic aspect of the show. The Office also provides an emphasis on the individual’s experience. By, say, interviewing Pam after an exchange with Jim or interviewing Andy to get his opinion on something Dwight did, they are emphasizing the importance of individualism. I understand that they include these bits because whatever Stanley has to say about something totally ridiculous that Michael did is always funny. But, the fact that viewers know that Stanley would have his funny, fed up take on something, Dwight would have his too literal take on something, and Andy would have his annoying take on something, and the viewer could be able to clearly know all of them, highlights the emphasis The Office places on the individual. The Office is a televised example of the appreciation of individuals and of everyday life and language, which is something that I think would’ve made Walt Whitman or William Wordsworth a fan of it.
The Office also, to an extent, gives the reader an experience of freedom from tradition and social conventions, largely through Michael Scott. Michael has a very non-traditional way of running the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin. Michael’s imagination often also takes full control over empirical reasoning. Examples of this can be seen during episodes like the beach day, where he made the employees compete in camp games to see who would be the be candidate for his possible replacement. Michael’s unconventional office structure could be seen as a tribute to romanticism through the freedom from tradition and heavy reliance on the imagination that takes place. I understand The Office was made, and then remade, to be a light, funny sitcom, but if you take a step back, I think a lot of romantic qualities are hiding in the show.
The Office also, to an extent, gives the reader an experience of freedom from tradition and social conventions, largely through Michael Scott. Michael has a very non-traditional way of running the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin. Michael’s imagination often also takes full control over empirical reasoning. Examples of this can be seen during episodes like the beach day, where he made the employees compete in camp games to see who would be the be candidate for his possible replacement. Michael’s unconventional office structure could be seen as a tribute to romanticism through the freedom from tradition and heavy reliance on the imagination that takes place. I understand The Office was made, and then remade, to be a light, funny sitcom, but if you take a step back, I think a lot of romantic qualities are hiding in the show.
The Escape of Romanticism
Romanticism is an admirable philosophy for its appreciation of nature and everyday life and overall simplicity, however, I also believe that a complete embrace of Romanticism can be problematic. Although simplicity can be comforting and even completely necessary at times, it cannot be the primary safeguard to fall back on. It is a temporary escape, but reality must be the priority and not lost.
I appreciate Romantic art and literature and enjoy it from time to time, but overall, I would not classify myself as a Romantic. That is not to say that I do not enjoy spending time in nature or that I have no imagination, I just don't believe that Romanticism fits me and my personality. In my opinion, the most prominent characteristics of Romanticism in art and literature are emotion, inspiration of nature, and power of imagination. I would definitely not classify myself with strong and outward emotions and while I love being in the outdoors, I would not say I have as much of a connection with it as Romantics would claim and my imagination is average, but not over the top.
I think that Romanticism is still alive today, but it exists in very different forms and if often more difficult to identify. Today, much of the Romanticism that people experience comes from the past, but even something as simple as a pure or completely new experience in nature or the creation of a story can be considered Romantic. It is also more difficult today to differentiate between Romantic and romantic. Both words are used almost interchangeably now and I would bet that there is a large number of people that would not know the difference between the two if they were asked. I know that I am taking a provocative stance on Romanticism, but I think that it is important for everyone to be able to express their thoughts, which is kind of ironic since I said that I don't categorize myself with strong emotions, but oh well.
Modern Day Romanticism
When someone says the words 'Romantic Era', many things come to mind - perhaps the landscape paintings of Thomas Cole and the Hudson River Valley school, or the lilting melody of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, possibly the long white veils and folded arms of Giselle's wilis, and - certainly for all of us - the poetry of Walt Whitman. But all of these works are centuries old, and while still seen or performed today, their creation is seemingly a thing of the past. Markers of the Romantic era include vivid emotion, appreciation of nature, and focus on the individual. While the Romantic period has ended, these virtues still exist.
One fad from a few years ago that reminds me of romanticism is the idea of mindfulness. Mindfulness refers to a psychological process of focusing deeply on the experiences that your body is having in the exact moment, and was popularized recently as a form of relaxation and stress relief. In a way, mindfulness is very similar to Romanticism. It places the focus on the individual experience and the importance of menial daily tasks (as opposed to grand and formal ideals) by requiring you to think in depth about solely these things. Mindfulness also allows a person to, at least momentarily, shed the customs and burdens of society as they focus on only their immediate sensations. Oftentimes, mindfulness is done in a natural setting, allowing people to think deeply their relationship to and interactions with nature by way of the five senses.
Of course, mindfulness is not a direct subset of romanticism. It's more like a distant cousin; stemming from similar principles, but more or less detached from each other. Still, the relationship between the two is clear. Even if we work under the assumption that the Romantic era is past and gone, we do not have to assume that everything about Romanticism is dead. The virtues of the Romantic era live on, since they were formative in creating a solid American identity after the revolutionary war. The practice of mindfulness is just one such example of how these virtues permeate our society, even to this day.
One fad from a few years ago that reminds me of romanticism is the idea of mindfulness. Mindfulness refers to a psychological process of focusing deeply on the experiences that your body is having in the exact moment, and was popularized recently as a form of relaxation and stress relief. In a way, mindfulness is very similar to Romanticism. It places the focus on the individual experience and the importance of menial daily tasks (as opposed to grand and formal ideals) by requiring you to think in depth about solely these things. Mindfulness also allows a person to, at least momentarily, shed the customs and burdens of society as they focus on only their immediate sensations. Oftentimes, mindfulness is done in a natural setting, allowing people to think deeply their relationship to and interactions with nature by way of the five senses.
Of course, mindfulness is not a direct subset of romanticism. It's more like a distant cousin; stemming from similar principles, but more or less detached from each other. Still, the relationship between the two is clear. Even if we work under the assumption that the Romantic era is past and gone, we do not have to assume that everything about Romanticism is dead. The virtues of the Romantic era live on, since they were formative in creating a solid American identity after the revolutionary war. The practice of mindfulness is just one such example of how these virtues permeate our society, even to this day.
Orientalism
Orientalism in Asia is extremely familiar, because of main stream artists and movies. We live in a extremely covert society, which forces us to ignore our racist acts. Main stream artists like Nicki Minaj uses a street fighter Asian character to display that Asians all know how to fight off "men". Migos is a rap group that mixed Chinese culture and Japanese culture in their video "Stir Fry", because quite frankly they thought it was the same thing. They did Chinese puzzles called mahjong, but used hand on hand combat from Japan. Orientalism stems from ignorance when people don't educate themselves about a culture. Orientalism is also common in costumes of what "Japanese culture" is supposed to look like. Party City has several "Japanese" outfits that are supposed to present "warriors." Orientalism affects huge groups of people, so artists and establishments need to be more aware of the harm they are causing.
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Romantic Relations
Many people see the philosophy of Romanticism as a narcissistic school of thought, as it places an emphasis on the importance of the individual learning from their own self-awareness and experiences. Yet, what these critics fail to see is the idea that encompasses Romanticism: self-reflection in order to progress and help society. As individuals, we are compelled to help others around us. Likewise, in order to do such, we must be capable of self-reflecting on ourselves and learning from who we are and how to better ourselves.
This aspect of Romanticism mentioned above reiterates strongly with my beliefs and moral values. I find it important to always be in-tune with who I am as a person, and how I can better myself in order to better others. I believe that to bring good into this world, and aid in progressing society, I must be able to realize my own capabilities and reflect upon myself. Once I am able to become the best person I can be, while also continuously self-reflecting upon my inner self, I then am able to contribute positive aspects to society.
Another characteristic of Romanticism that relates strongly to the way I look at life is an appreciation for nature. As someone who has grown up partaking in outdoor activities such as hiking and kayaking, I have learned the fervor and emotional spark that nature provides. It is no longer about taking pretty pictures of the sunset, but it is about reflecting upon experiences that nature offers us. Often times, we forget that the large cities that we live in are fueled by the resources that the Earth provides us. Romanticism, however, reminds us of the importance nature holds over the progression of society.
This aspect of Romanticism mentioned above reiterates strongly with my beliefs and moral values. I find it important to always be in-tune with who I am as a person, and how I can better myself in order to better others. I believe that to bring good into this world, and aid in progressing society, I must be able to realize my own capabilities and reflect upon myself. Once I am able to become the best person I can be, while also continuously self-reflecting upon my inner self, I then am able to contribute positive aspects to society.
Another characteristic of Romanticism that relates strongly to the way I look at life is an appreciation for nature. As someone who has grown up partaking in outdoor activities such as hiking and kayaking, I have learned the fervor and emotional spark that nature provides. It is no longer about taking pretty pictures of the sunset, but it is about reflecting upon experiences that nature offers us. Often times, we forget that the large cities that we live in are fueled by the resources that the Earth provides us. Romanticism, however, reminds us of the importance nature holds over the progression of society.
Living in Romanticism
I fully believe in the existence as well as the importance of Romanticism. We were not put on Earth, by whatever Power, Big Bang, or series of evolutions, to just live. We were put here to experience.
Last summer, I traveled to Tanzania, Africa. I've always admired our world and considered myself an Environmentalist, but nothing could prepare me for what I saw in TZ. We live on such a beautiful planet and we are so incredibly lucky to still have the nature we have- which will not be much in a couple hundred years in the way that we are destroying Mother Earth. However, the destruction of our environment is a tale for another time.
The individuals that I met in TZ were significantly happier than my classmates in the States. A lot of my friends from TZ wore the same 3 shirts, had to get up at 5 am to do house chores, and/or ate the same thing for dinner every single night. Regardless of what they didn't have, they always felt lucky. They felt lucky to live on a planet that gave them life.
My trip really opened my eyes to the beauty of nature. And no, not in the stereotypical way in which I just post pictures of Earth Day of the Serengeti with a snobby comment like, "Save the Earth." But, in a way where I appreciate and admire the Earth for what it really is- not for what we humans have turned it into. While I do enjoy the homes of Frank Lloyd Wright and the thrill of being in the middle of the Windy City on a nice sunny day, I would way rather be in real nature.
The nature that we have not corrupted and built upon as a society, but the nature that has been here for millions and millions of years. As humans, we have taken what we have been given and have transformed it into an advanced and intellectual society, but we have not taken the time to take a step back and say thank you for all that we have.
The Earth is not here for us, we are here for her.
Last summer, I traveled to Tanzania, Africa. I've always admired our world and considered myself an Environmentalist, but nothing could prepare me for what I saw in TZ. We live on such a beautiful planet and we are so incredibly lucky to still have the nature we have- which will not be much in a couple hundred years in the way that we are destroying Mother Earth. However, the destruction of our environment is a tale for another time.
The individuals that I met in TZ were significantly happier than my classmates in the States. A lot of my friends from TZ wore the same 3 shirts, had to get up at 5 am to do house chores, and/or ate the same thing for dinner every single night. Regardless of what they didn't have, they always felt lucky. They felt lucky to live on a planet that gave them life.
My trip really opened my eyes to the beauty of nature. And no, not in the stereotypical way in which I just post pictures of Earth Day of the Serengeti with a snobby comment like, "Save the Earth." But, in a way where I appreciate and admire the Earth for what it really is- not for what we humans have turned it into. While I do enjoy the homes of Frank Lloyd Wright and the thrill of being in the middle of the Windy City on a nice sunny day, I would way rather be in real nature.
The nature that we have not corrupted and built upon as a society, but the nature that has been here for millions and millions of years. As humans, we have taken what we have been given and have transformed it into an advanced and intellectual society, but we have not taken the time to take a step back and say thank you for all that we have.
The Earth is not here for us, we are here for her.
Romantisicm Isn't Dead, but It Should Be
It does nobody any good to look at the world through a lens that simplifies and beautifies everything. Followers of the Romantic philosophy are simply ignorant. The people who get things done in the world are not Romantics-- they are informed with facts and reality.
Romanticism can be fun, and Romantic art can be beautiful. But Romanticising concepts that are actually complex and flawed is always problematic.
I am not arguing that all qualities of Romanticism should be removed from daily life. I am a huge fan of Romantic visual art, and I also appreciate modern Romanticism in dance. I am an artist who believes art should be socially relevant and inform daily life, but it doesn't always have to. Sometimes a work of art exists because it is fun (or pretty, or ugly, not all art has to have some deep greater meaning). But I feel that there is danger when as a society we Romanticize things that should not be Romanticized. We must be cautious to not overuse Romantic ideals, because if we do, it can be dangerous to society and cause problematic ignorance.
Romanticism gives people a break from the realities of the world. Humans are not as deeply connected to nature or appreciative of the common everyday parts of life as Romanticism implies they are. Sometimes Romanticism is nice, but it should stay in its place. People should put their focus on real world problems and stop deluding themselves with Romantic ideals.
Romanticism can be fun, and Romantic art can be beautiful. But Romanticising concepts that are actually complex and flawed is always problematic.
I am not arguing that all qualities of Romanticism should be removed from daily life. I am a huge fan of Romantic visual art, and I also appreciate modern Romanticism in dance. I am an artist who believes art should be socially relevant and inform daily life, but it doesn't always have to. Sometimes a work of art exists because it is fun (or pretty, or ugly, not all art has to have some deep greater meaning). But I feel that there is danger when as a society we Romanticize things that should not be Romanticized. We must be cautious to not overuse Romantic ideals, because if we do, it can be dangerous to society and cause problematic ignorance.
Romanticism gives people a break from the realities of the world. Humans are not as deeply connected to nature or appreciative of the common everyday parts of life as Romanticism implies they are. Sometimes Romanticism is nice, but it should stay in its place. People should put their focus on real world problems and stop deluding themselves with Romantic ideals.
Technologies Impact on Romanticism
Romanticism is still alive in today's society in some ways. Although, I believe that Romanticism still exists in the modern world, it comes in very subtle forms that are not extravagant and seen by many. The reason why some may be oblivious to Romanticism is because nowadays it is no longer a big movement like it was in the 1800s. While people may still support the movement, it is not as big as it used to be. I believe that Romanticism has some elements that we see everyday but their are also some elements of Romanticism that our society forbids and view people in different ways if they do them.
Romanticism is seen in today' society in a couple of ways. People that do what they love and are passionate about what they are doing are romantics. A big part of Romanticism is having strong emotions. If you are passionate about something, you are in love with it and emotionally connected to it. To be a true romantic, you do not have to show strong emotion in only poetry and literature, it can expand to anything you do whether that is your job, hobby, etc. Having strong emotions about things helps our society in a lot of big ways. When people are passionate, they work hard to solve problems and try to do their job the best they can. This helps with solving big problems that need to be answered so that people can survive. If people are not showing strong emotions towards what they do, then bad things will happen.
A part of Romanticism that we do not see that often is people's emphasis on the individual experience. By nature, humans are social creatures and thrive when surrounded by others. When we are in groups, we tend to conform to what others believe and want to do rather than doing what they want to do. People want to hang out, spend time with other people, and build relationships with others. There are always people that love to be alone and spend time with themselves and with nature, but that is only a small percentage of society. We love to spend time with others and that is never going to change.
A big reason why Romanticism has died down a little bit has been because of all the new technology that is taking over the society. Technology has halted two big points in Romanticism in spending time with nature and using your imagination. Now that people have Iphones, video games, and social media people are becoming so obsessed with their phones and that is all they do. We as a society are spending more and more time on our phones and less time outside with nature and seeing where our imagination takes us. Romanticism still exists in today's society but it is becoming more and more irrelevant because of all the new technology that people have at their fingertips
Romanticism is seen in today' society in a couple of ways. People that do what they love and are passionate about what they are doing are romantics. A big part of Romanticism is having strong emotions. If you are passionate about something, you are in love with it and emotionally connected to it. To be a true romantic, you do not have to show strong emotion in only poetry and literature, it can expand to anything you do whether that is your job, hobby, etc. Having strong emotions about things helps our society in a lot of big ways. When people are passionate, they work hard to solve problems and try to do their job the best they can. This helps with solving big problems that need to be answered so that people can survive. If people are not showing strong emotions towards what they do, then bad things will happen.
A part of Romanticism that we do not see that often is people's emphasis on the individual experience. By nature, humans are social creatures and thrive when surrounded by others. When we are in groups, we tend to conform to what others believe and want to do rather than doing what they want to do. People want to hang out, spend time with other people, and build relationships with others. There are always people that love to be alone and spend time with themselves and with nature, but that is only a small percentage of society. We love to spend time with others and that is never going to change.
A big reason why Romanticism has died down a little bit has been because of all the new technology that is taking over the society. Technology has halted two big points in Romanticism in spending time with nature and using your imagination. Now that people have Iphones, video games, and social media people are becoming so obsessed with their phones and that is all they do. We as a society are spending more and more time on our phones and less time outside with nature and seeing where our imagination takes us. Romanticism still exists in today's society but it is becoming more and more irrelevant because of all the new technology that people have at their fingertips
Monday, April 9, 2018
The Cycle of Romanticism
I believe that, for the most part, romanticism is dead in today's society. The media we consume and the way we live practically forbids it. The cult of convenience serviced to us on a silver platter by our technology has begun cut off Romanticism as an idea.
I believe that we have a Romanticism cycle as a society. We start off as groups, transition towards individuality, then as this becomes scary, back to groups, which become boring, back to individuality and so on and so forth. You can trace this back to the era of Dante, I believe, as the beginning of this cycle marked by the first use of the vernacular.
Currently, we are in a non romantic era. We are done with being different, special, and all crave convenience. Eventually, the novelty of this convenience will wear off as technology takes away more and more of the daily grind of our life and we will transition back to an individualistic era, but in today's Identity Politics marked society, where everyone belongs to a group on every issue and everything is black and white, romanticism is most clearly dead.
I believe that we have a Romanticism cycle as a society. We start off as groups, transition towards individuality, then as this becomes scary, back to groups, which become boring, back to individuality and so on and so forth. You can trace this back to the era of Dante, I believe, as the beginning of this cycle marked by the first use of the vernacular.
Currently, we are in a non romantic era. We are done with being different, special, and all crave convenience. Eventually, the novelty of this convenience will wear off as technology takes away more and more of the daily grind of our life and we will transition back to an individualistic era, but in today's Identity Politics marked society, where everyone belongs to a group on every issue and everything is black and white, romanticism is most clearly dead.
Romanticism in the 21st Century
The basis of Romanticism came into fruition in the 18th century due a shift in reasoning regarding money, politics, and power. This change caused artists step outside the norm and to change their thinking when it came to creating their work. Romanticism, I believe is still very much alive today, and although we may not see it as clearly its presence is all around us.
This is graffiti done by one of the more well known graffiti artists, Banksy. This street art reflects the Romantic idea of the importance and inspiration of nature. This piece contrasts the industrial elements of our life (the cement wall, graffiti) with the natural elements the world (vines, weeds, flowers). The art emphasizes the importance of nature itself, or no matter how far we move away from this natural idea, nature is still and will always be a part of who we are as a human race. As technology expands and we physically expand by building cities and roads, we will never sever our relationship to nature. Similarly, this piece demonstrates the use of contradictory elements. The flowers forcing their way out from underneath all the concrete juxtapose the linear walls stereotypical tough man succumbs to a place of vulnerability when he reveals his "inner beauty."
This song, Wake Me Up by Avicii, is another modern example of Romanticism today. The lyrics that stuck out to me that I felt were an example of Romanticism is when he says:
They say I'm too young to understandAvicii establishes the individualism characteristic of Romanticism, the emphasis on individual experience. This individualistic characteristic is expressed in his song by his desire to escape the social norms of society. How he doesn't listen people tell him to do certain things and how he's fine with taking a different path, not following others.
They say I'm caught up in a dream
Well life will pass me by if
I don't open my eyes
Well that's fine by me
Sunday, April 8, 2018
Anyone Can Be A Romantic
I believe that Romanticism is very much still present in modern society, though it may not be as obvious to most because, well times have changed and so has the way be represent ourselves and our ideas. Romanticism is based partially in individuality and emotion, ideas which are often seen through the works of individuals such as Hugo or Delacroix clearly and explicitly.
This is part of the reason why today Romanticism must take a different form, because it is no longer seen as a "movement" as it did in the 18th century when it was the famous and artistic who generated the change and created the works we define as "romantic" today.
I believe that for the most part, present-day Romanticism is found in the common man, the individual, the very essence of what 18th century Romanticism tried to fulfill. The individual who pours themselves into their passion, almost to the point where they become their work because they are so emotionally connected to it. While this work can certainly be the classic arts or literature type of work, I think it expands far beyond this into the sciences and broader humanities, almost any field that requires one to love what they do and have a reason, beyond financial, for why they do what they do.
For example in science, passion is required for any change to ever occur or any breakthrough to ever happen. If someone does not devote themselves entirely to their work then I think the chances of them evoking real change are much slimmer and more due to chance than the individual.
Additionally, the emotion and passion that one applies to their work has to be their own, they cannot piggyback off a general feeling or someone else. In order for them to be a Romantic, then their reasoning must be based off themselves and their own connection to their work and the greater good.
A very important, though not necessarily essential to every Romantic, part of 18th century Romanticism was the artist's connection to nature that flowed through their work. In today's society, connecting to nature may be harder, as a result of industrialization and urbanization but most people agree that being in nature puts them in a better mood or helps them think. Maybe if as a society if we all went out into nature a little bit more and put down the social media and iPads more of us would be geniuses, no matter what we did.
I believe that anyone can be a Romantic, it is not that hard if you actually try.
This is part of the reason why today Romanticism must take a different form, because it is no longer seen as a "movement" as it did in the 18th century when it was the famous and artistic who generated the change and created the works we define as "romantic" today.
I believe that for the most part, present-day Romanticism is found in the common man, the individual, the very essence of what 18th century Romanticism tried to fulfill. The individual who pours themselves into their passion, almost to the point where they become their work because they are so emotionally connected to it. While this work can certainly be the classic arts or literature type of work, I think it expands far beyond this into the sciences and broader humanities, almost any field that requires one to love what they do and have a reason, beyond financial, for why they do what they do.
For example in science, passion is required for any change to ever occur or any breakthrough to ever happen. If someone does not devote themselves entirely to their work then I think the chances of them evoking real change are much slimmer and more due to chance than the individual.
Additionally, the emotion and passion that one applies to their work has to be their own, they cannot piggyback off a general feeling or someone else. In order for them to be a Romantic, then their reasoning must be based off themselves and their own connection to their work and the greater good.
A very important, though not necessarily essential to every Romantic, part of 18th century Romanticism was the artist's connection to nature that flowed through their work. In today's society, connecting to nature may be harder, as a result of industrialization and urbanization but most people agree that being in nature puts them in a better mood or helps them think. Maybe if as a society if we all went out into nature a little bit more and put down the social media and iPads more of us would be geniuses, no matter what we did.
I believe that anyone can be a Romantic, it is not that hard if you actually try.
Defending our Childhood
Firstly, as a white person living in America, I possess Orientalist attitudes and beliefs. I have to say that right off the bat because as much as I wish it weren't true, and as unconscious as it is, it is a fact (see my "All White People are Racist" post back from the Citizen time). I also wish I wasn't so quick to defend aspects of my childhood from racist scrutiny.
At lunch a couple weeks ago, my friend mentioned that their teacher had said The Lion King was racist and enforcing white supremacy. I immediately jumped to its defense, finding any loophole possible to that theory. In that moment, I would have gone to the ends of the Earth to prove that The Lion King is not in any way racist. The same goes for the classic childhood movies that serve as prime examples for Orientalism. Aladdin is Orientalist? Never! I'm sure there are others in the same boat, but it points to an even greater Orientalist mindset that my instant reaction is to prioritize nostalgic, childhood relics over analyzing racism and stereotypes.
We hold these iconic pieces of pop culture so closely that we are hesitant to acknowledge how they are problematic, another example being the glaring yellow-face present in Breakfast at Tiffany's. A film that has been so beloved and iconic for a significant amount of time has an army of loyal supporters behind it, and it is in these pieces of pop culture that we must hold to the same, or perhaps higher, anti-oppressive standards.
At lunch a couple weeks ago, my friend mentioned that their teacher had said The Lion King was racist and enforcing white supremacy. I immediately jumped to its defense, finding any loophole possible to that theory. In that moment, I would have gone to the ends of the Earth to prove that The Lion King is not in any way racist. The same goes for the classic childhood movies that serve as prime examples for Orientalism. Aladdin is Orientalist? Never! I'm sure there are others in the same boat, but it points to an even greater Orientalist mindset that my instant reaction is to prioritize nostalgic, childhood relics over analyzing racism and stereotypes.
We hold these iconic pieces of pop culture so closely that we are hesitant to acknowledge how they are problematic, another example being the glaring yellow-face present in Breakfast at Tiffany's. A film that has been so beloved and iconic for a significant amount of time has an army of loyal supporters behind it, and it is in these pieces of pop culture that we must hold to the same, or perhaps higher, anti-oppressive standards.
The King and I
I asked a couple of my friends prior to writing this blog post if they had ever watched The King and I directed by Robert Lang. All their responses were a prompt, "No?" I was shocked that none of my friends had seen one of my favorite childhood movies. Please watch the trailer below if you have not yet seen the movie.
As a child I watched The King and I for my pure enjoyment. I absolutely loved this movie. I'm slightly upset my innocence blinded the blatant orientalist stereotypes I now thoroughly understand by reflecting upon the movie.
Anna Leonowens is the European schoolteacher whom King Mongkut hired to educate his wives and royal offspring on western education. Immediately the audience sees the westerner coming to the rescue to help save the other main characters. Anna's role is the western figure bringing "stability" to the East.
Not only through educating the wives and children did Anna have an westernized cultural impact on the Mongkut family, but King Mongkut asked her help in changing his image for other western rulers. He asked for Anna's help because the King is largely considered to be a barbarian by western kingdoms and royalty. King Mongkut felt it would be safer for his country and himself if possible western traders took him more seriously, moreover he felt his country would be better equipped to negotiate with westerners trying to colonize South East Asia. This unfortunate centralization around western culture and rule was so prevalent that the ruler King Mongkut felt it would be safer for his entire country to appeal to western civilization. Moreover, we still see this issue in many cultures. The impact our culture has over cultures of different customs and traditions is something we need to be more aware of it we wish to see it change. Maybe the first step is to stop normalizing this erasure through musicals such as The King and I.
As a child I watched The King and I for my pure enjoyment. I absolutely loved this movie. I'm slightly upset my innocence blinded the blatant orientalist stereotypes I now thoroughly understand by reflecting upon the movie.
Anna Leonowens is the European schoolteacher whom King Mongkut hired to educate his wives and royal offspring on western education. Immediately the audience sees the westerner coming to the rescue to help save the other main characters. Anna's role is the western figure bringing "stability" to the East.
Not only through educating the wives and children did Anna have an westernized cultural impact on the Mongkut family, but King Mongkut asked her help in changing his image for other western rulers. He asked for Anna's help because the King is largely considered to be a barbarian by western kingdoms and royalty. King Mongkut felt it would be safer for his country and himself if possible western traders took him more seriously, moreover he felt his country would be better equipped to negotiate with westerners trying to colonize South East Asia. This unfortunate centralization around western culture and rule was so prevalent that the ruler King Mongkut felt it would be safer for his entire country to appeal to western civilization. Moreover, we still see this issue in many cultures. The impact our culture has over cultures of different customs and traditions is something we need to be more aware of it we wish to see it change. Maybe the first step is to stop normalizing this erasure through musicals such as The King and I.
Friday, April 6, 2018
Orientalism in America
Orientalism is a topic that has been gaining more traction in our political discourse and public sphere, but it seems that most have not yet eased into facing it head-on. Admittedly, I've been subject to this myself as well. When I first was faced with the fact that some of my favorite films (namely Mulan and Aladdin) had orientalist overtones about them, I was taken aback. Somehow, my immediate reaction (as someone who, being white, is on the benefiting side of Orientalism) was one of disbelief--"What? No way! But Mulan was my favorite movie growing up!"
Here's a thought: Respecting the lives and cultures of Asian and Middle Eastern people is more important than feeding the American entertainment industry.
As much as I agree with this simple and logical statement, my knee-jerk attitude did not reflect this ("Lawrence of Arabia, too? But that won an Academy Award!"). Many people probably react the same way when they're faced with the truths of our often harsh and uneducated portrayals of non-Western cultures. We've become so attached to our movies and TV shows that we become blind to the unfair portrayals that we see in them so often. It's as though our television screens are more real to us than the diverse cultures and people in them. In order to combat this, it's imperative that we maintain a critical eye when consuming any media, even that which we're particularly fond of.
After all, media portrayals have strong consequences in the real world as well. Countless studies have reinforced this point--media portrayals have the power to make us feel confident and represented or, in many cases, the opposite. In the case of Orientalism, Eastern countries are portrayed as places of mysticism, ancientness, and uh-oh! No white people to relate to! By showing these places as "unknowable" and mysterious, we create a divide that discourages us from empathizing with Asian and Middle Eastern people and promote a false idea that the East is somehow "behind" Western countries, simply because their modern cities aren't portrayed as often (see Dubai, Seoul, Shanghai, or pretty much any other major Eastern city for modernity that's on par with or better than ours).
You're still allowed to enjoy films like Aladdin and Indiana Jones and, I dunno, Eat, Pray, Love? Just take into consideration how their portrayals of the East may be inaccurate, and don't defend them blindly. And, of course, be empathetic.
Here's a thought: Respecting the lives and cultures of Asian and Middle Eastern people is more important than feeding the American entertainment industry.
As much as I agree with this simple and logical statement, my knee-jerk attitude did not reflect this ("Lawrence of Arabia, too? But that won an Academy Award!"). Many people probably react the same way when they're faced with the truths of our often harsh and uneducated portrayals of non-Western cultures. We've become so attached to our movies and TV shows that we become blind to the unfair portrayals that we see in them so often. It's as though our television screens are more real to us than the diverse cultures and people in them. In order to combat this, it's imperative that we maintain a critical eye when consuming any media, even that which we're particularly fond of.
After all, media portrayals have strong consequences in the real world as well. Countless studies have reinforced this point--media portrayals have the power to make us feel confident and represented or, in many cases, the opposite. In the case of Orientalism, Eastern countries are portrayed as places of mysticism, ancientness, and uh-oh! No white people to relate to! By showing these places as "unknowable" and mysterious, we create a divide that discourages us from empathizing with Asian and Middle Eastern people and promote a false idea that the East is somehow "behind" Western countries, simply because their modern cities aren't portrayed as often (see Dubai, Seoul, Shanghai, or pretty much any other major Eastern city for modernity that's on par with or better than ours).
You're still allowed to enjoy films like Aladdin and Indiana Jones and, I dunno, Eat, Pray, Love? Just take into consideration how their portrayals of the East may be inaccurate, and don't defend them blindly. And, of course, be empathetic.
Full Metal Jacket
Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket is best known for its jarring, uncut perspective of the Vietnam war. Still underneath that whole aesthetic, there are many layers of orientalism. The movie opens with a scene that establishes the marine corps as one thing: American. The unbridled sense of patriotism the drill instructor is clear in the way he demeans and attacks people and cultures. Although intentional, the scene still has a lot of truth to it.
I think it’s interesting that a film that seems so aware doesn’t know where to draw the line. Even if the film succeeds in showing the problems with American masculinity, it falls short of fighting other stereotypes (especially orientalism and femininity).
Thursday, April 5, 2018
The Four Signs of Orientalism
Unsurprisingly, Britain is the source of many extremely influential works in the English literature canon. However, the long time that the country spent as a colonial power led to the creation of many works who's legacies perpetuate the damaging ideas about Asia and the Middle East that are encapsulated in the concept of Orientalism. Famous and enjoyable books are no exception. The pervasive colonial viewpoint is seen everywhere.
The novel The Sign of the Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is a Sherlock Holmes story that can be easily criticized from an Orientalist lens. The story is set in 1888 in the midst of the Colonial time period. The mystery centers around a vast treasure that was stolen from India by a group of Englishmen. This concept of exotic treasures from the East is a very typical Orientalist issue, and of course it had to be stolen too.
The characters and language, however, overshadow the issues with the plot. The chief example of the horrible views of the time is Tonga, an "islander". He is described as a"savage, distorted creature" who is "deeply marked with all bestiality and cruelty. His small eyes glowed and burned with a sombre light, and his thick lips were writhed back from his teeth, which grinned and chattered at us with half animal fury"(The Sign of The Four, Chapter 10). This depiction shows what could be an acceptable descriptions of an Indian person at the time. Additional characters that exemplify these views are the Baker street irregulars who are described as "a dozen dirty and ragged little street Arabs"(Chapter 8).
This kind of overt prejudice does not often appear today, but the damaging ideas can linger in adaptions of the earlier work. Modern stories must learn to divorce themselves from the harmful aspects of their influences.
The novel The Sign of the Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is a Sherlock Holmes story that can be easily criticized from an Orientalist lens. The story is set in 1888 in the midst of the Colonial time period. The mystery centers around a vast treasure that was stolen from India by a group of Englishmen. This concept of exotic treasures from the East is a very typical Orientalist issue, and of course it had to be stolen too.
The characters and language, however, overshadow the issues with the plot. The chief example of the horrible views of the time is Tonga, an "islander". He is described as a"savage, distorted creature" who is "deeply marked with all bestiality and cruelty. His small eyes glowed and burned with a sombre light, and his thick lips were writhed back from his teeth, which grinned and chattered at us with half animal fury"(The Sign of The Four, Chapter 10). This depiction shows what could be an acceptable descriptions of an Indian person at the time. Additional characters that exemplify these views are the Baker street irregulars who are described as "a dozen dirty and ragged little street Arabs"(Chapter 8).
This kind of overt prejudice does not often appear today, but the damaging ideas can linger in adaptions of the earlier work. Modern stories must learn to divorce themselves from the harmful aspects of their influences.
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
Orientalism
When we look at the exact definition for what the word " Orientalism" it means: the representation of Asia, especially the Middle East, in a stereotyped way that is regarded as embodying a colonialist attitude.
Which unfortunately has been used in sources of entertainment specifically implemented in children movies such as Mulan, Aladdin, and the Jungle Book just to name a few. Just taking the prime of one of the most popular "Mulan" which is about a young girl whom feared of her ill father being drafted into the Chinese military, Mulan decides to take her fathers spot. Though because she was a girl living under a patriarchal regime ( a social system in which males hold primary power) she was technically unqualified to serve. She decides then to impersonate a man and goes off to the train with the fellow recruits.
The movie Mulan showcases the idea that people of the Orient worship and are devoted to their ancestors. Which is specifically shown through the Disney's portrayal of Mulan's ancestors, who characterise the idea of mystery and connection with the spirit often associated with people of the Orient. The film also has several Asian motifs throughout including cherry blossoms, chopsticks and Asian style costumes. As well as the fact that the West considers Chinese and Japanese cultures as one, which completely disregards the significant differences between the two worlds.
Which unfortunately has been used in sources of entertainment specifically implemented in children movies such as Mulan, Aladdin, and the Jungle Book just to name a few. Just taking the prime of one of the most popular "Mulan" which is about a young girl whom feared of her ill father being drafted into the Chinese military, Mulan decides to take her fathers spot. Though because she was a girl living under a patriarchal regime ( a social system in which males hold primary power) she was technically unqualified to serve. She decides then to impersonate a man and goes off to the train with the fellow recruits.
The movie Mulan showcases the idea that people of the Orient worship and are devoted to their ancestors. Which is specifically shown through the Disney's portrayal of Mulan's ancestors, who characterise the idea of mystery and connection with the spirit often associated with people of the Orient. The film also has several Asian motifs throughout including cherry blossoms, chopsticks and Asian style costumes. As well as the fact that the West considers Chinese and Japanese cultures as one, which completely disregards the significant differences between the two worlds.
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
My experiences with Orientalism
I was very little when 9/11 happened. My mom took me with her to work every day in New York. My dad used to work near and sometimes in one of the twin towers. Some of my family members were employed at the CIA at the time. Years later when my parents told me what happened that day, I was so scared because my family was so close to it. I didn’t really know the ethnicity of who the people were that crashed the planes, but I knew they needed to be prevented from doing it again.
Throughout my years of schooling, I noticed teachers were starting to paint a picture of what a terrorist looked like. I honestly thought that the actions of so few people should not be a blanket term for everyone who shares the same ethnicity. However, everyone around me did… and it really started to wear me down. I didn’t realize the war on terrorism was actually a war on a certain way of life until a couple years ago. I started reading more and more about what was going on in the countries of the people who were being marginalized and who we were being biased towards, and I noticed that all of the news coverage - both liberal and conservative - were painting a picture of a man with darker colored skin, a beard, and often times a head wrap or turban around his head as the enemy. What I really didn’t appreciate was that people were claiming to have all the possible sides and solutions to the situation at hand without even considering the difference between the few people who were actually committing the attacks and the extremely extensive and diverse Muslim community.
Last spring break, I went to Egypt for 9 days. Before I left, my friends were all worried about me; they thought that I wouldn’t be able to come home, or that I would get blown up of something. To be honest, I thought it would be a difficult time to travel there too. Seeing as Trump had just been elected. When I got there, everyone was extremely friendly. I felt safe. Not to mention, people there DO NOT look exactly the same. It turns out (as I was mistaken on before), women in Cairo dress conservatively not only because their religious beliefs align with their clothing preferences, but it is also to shoo away any undesirable comments from men on the street. There are many ways a woman can dress, actually. Many wear full black burkas that only show their eyes, while other women wear headscarves and cover their shoulders. My eyes were immediately opening up to what I had really been missing. Not to mention, the cultures that are present and have been present in Egypt have been on this earth WAY longer than European cultures. I began to question where the shift happened, and how the whole world got flipped from the east to the west.
Of course, my blissful vacation to see the pyramids came to an end. When I got home, a week after I had left, one of the most beautiful Coptic churches had been blown up by a small group of people with explosives. People died, were injured, and the people in Cairo were very upset. I wanted to learn more about what was really happening in the Middle East. Not only with the cultures, but with the people who feel that destruction is the only solution.
Throughout my years of schooling, I noticed teachers were starting to paint a picture of what a terrorist looked like. I honestly thought that the actions of so few people should not be a blanket term for everyone who shares the same ethnicity. However, everyone around me did… and it really started to wear me down. I didn’t realize the war on terrorism was actually a war on a certain way of life until a couple years ago. I started reading more and more about what was going on in the countries of the people who were being marginalized and who we were being biased towards, and I noticed that all of the news coverage - both liberal and conservative - were painting a picture of a man with darker colored skin, a beard, and often times a head wrap or turban around his head as the enemy. What I really didn’t appreciate was that people were claiming to have all the possible sides and solutions to the situation at hand without even considering the difference between the few people who were actually committing the attacks and the extremely extensive and diverse Muslim community.
Last spring break, I went to Egypt for 9 days. Before I left, my friends were all worried about me; they thought that I wouldn’t be able to come home, or that I would get blown up of something. To be honest, I thought it would be a difficult time to travel there too. Seeing as Trump had just been elected. When I got there, everyone was extremely friendly. I felt safe. Not to mention, people there DO NOT look exactly the same. It turns out (as I was mistaken on before), women in Cairo dress conservatively not only because their religious beliefs align with their clothing preferences, but it is also to shoo away any undesirable comments from men on the street. There are many ways a woman can dress, actually. Many wear full black burkas that only show their eyes, while other women wear headscarves and cover their shoulders. My eyes were immediately opening up to what I had really been missing. Not to mention, the cultures that are present and have been present in Egypt have been on this earth WAY longer than European cultures. I began to question where the shift happened, and how the whole world got flipped from the east to the west.
Of course, my blissful vacation to see the pyramids came to an end. When I got home, a week after I had left, one of the most beautiful Coptic churches had been blown up by a small group of people with explosives. People died, were injured, and the people in Cairo were very upset. I wanted to learn more about what was really happening in the Middle East. Not only with the cultures, but with the people who feel that destruction is the only solution.
Monday, April 2, 2018
Temple of Doom
In the Steven Spielberg movie Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Orientalism is not only present but obvious to any observant viewer. I had not previously noticed the elements of Orientalism in the film. The film is a prequel to Raiders of the Lost Ark, and the movie follows archaeologist Indiana Jones on his journey to a desperate village in India. Upon his arrival, Jones is asked to find a mystical stone with a night club singer and a 12-year old boy, madness ensues.
Though Indiana Jones is a famous archaeologist, the ideas of Orientalism are strongly represented in the film, as a white American man is sent to solve the problem and save the day. Furthering the idea that those in "Eastern" culture are helpless and in need of saving. Additionally, the film outright misrepresents Indian culture, including a scene of Indians eating snakes, monkey, and other animals. The violence represented in the movie also conflicts the popular ideal of peace present in India. The movie is filled with cliches and stereotypes that oppose Indian culture. The film also manages to be sexist in addition to racist. The movie was so offensive that it was banned in India.
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