Identity

I believe that for one to discover their identiity they must first have self esteem and a feeling of self worth.

What are intractable conflicts and collective identites?

The following article by Lois Kriesberg examines "(1) the characteristics of various kinds of identities, (2) how particular qualities of collective identities contribute to a conflict becoming intractable, (3) what shapes collective identities, and (4) how such identities can be modified to help transform and resolve intractable conflicts.



http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/identity_issues/

How do you create your identity?

Not a very well written article, but poses some interesting thoughts about facebook and your identity.

http://mootee.typepad.com/innovation_playground/2009/06/michael-jacksons-death-is-tragic-it-remind-us-how-fragile-we-are-both-as-human-beings-and-the-things.html

Sooooo, how else is the government controlling you?

http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2010/03/24/news/milford/a1-minosmoke.txt

Identity Quests

1. How many movies and/or songs can you find that deal with identity quests?
Here are a few of my favorites:
1. Hook
2. Boyz in the Hood
3. Antwone Fisher
4. Remember the Titans
5. The Laramie Project
6. American History X
7. The Blind Side

2. Picture of James McBride with his mother:
http://www.oberlin.edu/alummag/oampast/oam_sum96/oamsum96_mcbridepic.htmlhttp://www.jamesmcbride.com/
3. Check out his website:
http://www.jamesmcbride.com/

Themes in 1984, Fahrenheit, and Bowling (Sorry, it's a lot of info)

Hi All! Some of the things we have been discussing in class (and in your papers) over the past few weeks are the themes in Orwell’s 1984 and Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. These ideas range from loneliness and isolation, to social class disparities, racism, and the abuse of power by the government. From your comments and reactions to the movie in class, it seems like most of you have enjoyed watching Michael Moore’s Bowling For Columbine, but I need you to actually think about how this is also an influential piece of propaganda? In what ways do you think Moore manipulates his audiences, for what purposes, and how does he try to impose his beliefs on us? While Moore has many reasons to be critical of our government (read the following article for parallels on the Bush Administration and 1984: http://articles.sfgate.com/2002-07-28/opinion/17553233_1_bush-s-war-permanent-war-bush-administration ), be sure to think about how important it is for you to continue to READ and THINK independently about the sources of your information, the reasons for your opinions, and why you think and feel the way you do. For example, Moore is extremely critical of mass media, but yet he fails to provide us with an accurate or unbiased account of the 6 year old that was shot in Flint, Michigan? Go to the following website and read the article titled “Murder in the First Grade” for CBS’ 60 Minutes:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2000/03/07/60II/main168970.shtml
What do you learn about the six year old boy, his family, and how he has been raised? Why do you think Moore leaves this important information out of his documentary?
It’s also important for you to consider the main themes of Fahrenheit 451 and the importance of independent thought, intellectual freedom, and what can happen in a dystopian society when people don’t think for themselves. In terms of being manipulated physiologically by the media…Do you find it at all ironic that Moore titles his other controversial documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 (The Temperature at Which Freedom Burns)? Not only does Moore allude directly to Bradbury’s novel, BUT he presents a dystopian view of the future of the United States. What does this future look like according to Moore?
See the Fahrenheit 9/11 trailer on youtube.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Zf2nCiBJLo&feature=PlayList&p=295084007B73A680&index=0