This is my last blog post for this school year! As a senior, I have spent a lot of time reflecting on what I've learned and how I've changed over the past four years. If I were to pass on a message by means of a TED talk or if I were to teach a class, I would describe the power of dialogue as a means of change. So often people resort to violence or do nothing to change their understanding of a current situation, yet something as simple as communication can bridge that gap.
I first became exposed to the idea of dialogue as a means of change through the wonderful nonprofit Hands of Peace, which I've talked about my experience in here. It seems to be almost too simple, but is the only way to resolve conflict. I know a man who works with prisoners and their victims or the families of their victims to bring peace to both sides, and it is one of the most powerful systems in place to change prisoners. Even in cultural differences, one of the most effective ways to alter preexisting notions is to talk to a different side.
Dialogue is an extremely powerful form of education, because it brings a human element to any situation. Even the ability to express an idea in a classroom can be a powerful way to be exposed to different perspectives.
The first thing I entered high school as a shy 14-year-old, and I am leaving with experiences I didn't know I was capable of doing, such as writing for Spur of the Moment or being in fall play for four years. By learning how to communicate effectively in and out of the classroom, I grew more than I ever expected.
My plan of study next year is to major in Peace Studies with a minor in Creative Structures. Through the two, I will study the basis of conflict and and the basis of the arts. Hopefully, I can assist in changing the way people communicate with each other and themselves.
It's been quite the adventure keeping this blog. Some of my favorite posts have been my post on modern art, improv, social media in conflict, and comedy as a means for change. I hope this blog has inspired my readers and classmates to keep an eye out for how things are changing in the world around us. This is where we are now.
Anna
Friday, May 22, 2015
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Funny Women
"Humor relies on the traditions of society. It takes what you know and twists it," cartoonist Liza Donnelly says in a TedTalk given in December 2010. Donnelly goes on, describing how cartooning is her mechanism in which to see and understand the world. From a young age, Donnelly noted the divide in gender expectations, and her way of working through it was to draw what she saw. She then incorporated humor into her drawings, creating political cartoons as a means of expressing herself. Liza Donnelly has since gone on to work with the United Nations and a group of female cartoonists promoting peace. According to Donnelly, "My work also has allowed me to collaborate with women cartoonists from across the world...we have sat together and laughed and talked and shared our difficulties."
In a blog post I did last November, I described three things I learned from participating in a comedic improv group at my school. In the time since I created that post, I worked with a group of five other kids to write comedic scripts to be performed in the Variety Show. One of the things I noticed was that the lines with the most creative references got the most consistent laughs. Our scripts, kept at a G level, played with pop culture references. If these pop culture references were effective, can't references to actual cultural issues be equally as powerful?
Humor addresses the obvious in non-obvious ways. Artists like Donnelly have keyed in on this fact, figuring out how to express what they wish to change in society in a light that almost everyone understands. Using humor as a means for social change might just be the new way of uniting groups of people, just as Donnelly did with her cross-cultural collaboration. It is difficult to talk about heavy social topics, especially feminism and racism, but tasteful humor seems to be an effective way to address topics.
I will leave you with Obama's take on incorporating humor:
Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Changing How We View the Arts
In 2012, study was done at Dartmouth testing the relationship between how the human brain perceives motion and how the brain perceives music. The researches designed a program that connects an animation of a ball and the movement to specific note intervals and varying dissonance, and students adjusted the animation until they found a movement and sound that they associated with a certain emotion. They then took their test to Cambodia, and found that even halfway across the world their results were almost identical.
In class and with college applications, we've talked a lot about personal voice: finding and establishing voice in our reading, our writing, our opinions. But what I feel we've failed to address is our voice as a collective whole. While I like being able to enrich our voice as an individual in the community, it's just as important to embrace a unified voice for our generation. We are a class of legal adults, and what are we known for? Being the generation that says "like" too often, that can't go more than an hour without some sort of technological stimulation (guilty)? We are the next generation of innovators and leaders, and we have to adjust to this society that is in an era never been seen before. And yes, it's crucial that we have these individuals to promote ideas, but our generation as a whole needs to be able to unify.
Our educational environment pushes a lot of emphasis on math and science. Project Lead the Way program! New innovators! Advancing our country! "What are you talking about? You'll use calculus every day for the rest of your life!" Yes, I realize the importance of jobs in science, technology, engineering, and math in our society. But it isn't simply the STEM programs that teach necessary skills through which to see the world.
Our choral department has taken a serious hit with the recent transition to the block schedule. We are facing a freshman enrollment of 20 kids (as opposed to the usual 80). And why is this? Colleges want to see well-rounded kids and future employers want to see unique skill sets. So why are the arts being pushed away? The arts give a foundation of creativity that these innovation-centric jobs would not be able to thrive without.
With arts, we learn different approaches to solving problems, different ways to stretch our minds, different ways to see our world, our culture, ourselves. Exposure to the arts gives people creative mechanism through which to see the world. This exposure might make a creative thinker who, without a foundation in skills from the arts, never would have been able to change society. Particularly in this case, we see two completely opposite cultures unified through the way they think about music. If our brains, despite whatever differences we might have, are the same universally when it comes to perception, think of how many new doors that creates for future generations. (Doors that wouldn't have been open if it weren't for music, mind you.) We can connect intellectually, innovatively, and creatively on a global level. Perhaps this idea of a collective voice and collective identity may be exactly what our society needs to advance in the years to come.
In class and with college applications, we've talked a lot about personal voice: finding and establishing voice in our reading, our writing, our opinions. But what I feel we've failed to address is our voice as a collective whole. While I like being able to enrich our voice as an individual in the community, it's just as important to embrace a unified voice for our generation. We are a class of legal adults, and what are we known for? Being the generation that says "like" too often, that can't go more than an hour without some sort of technological stimulation (guilty)? We are the next generation of innovators and leaders, and we have to adjust to this society that is in an era never been seen before. And yes, it's crucial that we have these individuals to promote ideas, but our generation as a whole needs to be able to unify.
Our educational environment pushes a lot of emphasis on math and science. Project Lead the Way program! New innovators! Advancing our country! "What are you talking about? You'll use calculus every day for the rest of your life!" Yes, I realize the importance of jobs in science, technology, engineering, and math in our society. But it isn't simply the STEM programs that teach necessary skills through which to see the world.
Our choral department has taken a serious hit with the recent transition to the block schedule. We are facing a freshman enrollment of 20 kids (as opposed to the usual 80). And why is this? Colleges want to see well-rounded kids and future employers want to see unique skill sets. So why are the arts being pushed away? The arts give a foundation of creativity that these innovation-centric jobs would not be able to thrive without.
With arts, we learn different approaches to solving problems, different ways to stretch our minds, different ways to see our world, our culture, ourselves. Exposure to the arts gives people creative mechanism through which to see the world. This exposure might make a creative thinker who, without a foundation in skills from the arts, never would have been able to change society. Particularly in this case, we see two completely opposite cultures unified through the way they think about music. If our brains, despite whatever differences we might have, are the same universally when it comes to perception, think of how many new doors that creates for future generations. (Doors that wouldn't have been open if it weren't for music, mind you.) We can connect intellectually, innovatively, and creatively on a global level. Perhaps this idea of a collective voice and collective identity may be exactly what our society needs to advance in the years to come.
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
This Post About Nature Was Written on My Computer
Growing up my favorite movie was The Lion King. (To be honest, it's probably still my favorite.) I owned at least three stuffed animal versions of each character, and was either Simba or Nala for Halloween for seven consecutive years. The music is wonderful and inspiring, written by Elton John and Tim Rice, the same composers of Aida and The Road to El Dorado. The musical has been the highest grossing musical of all time on Broadway. It's unarguably a classic in our generation and our culture.
But as for the portrayal of nature and the natural order, The Lion King should in no way be used to teach kids about nature. The movie starts out with the classic "Circle of Life": Elton John writes a beautiful song about how the world exists to serve the benefits of all the living creatures. At the end of this number, all the animals gather together to praise the birth of the new lion king as the cub is lifted up by Rafiki, the wise monkey.
Most confusingly, young Simba and young Nala leave their parents and go off to play with their babysitter, a hornbill named Zazu. Then this musical number occurs:
"I Just Can't Wait To Be King" is a wonderful example of how all animals can live harmoniously and worship a small lion cub. What a great song about all walks of life overcoming differences and working together! Yet a terrible representation of the actual food chain and way of life.
Later, when Mufasa dies in the wildebeest stampede at the fault of his brother, Disney implements the classic "dead parent" template so often seen in their animated films. It's the "Circle of Life"
Eventually, the small cub wanders into the wilderness to run away, when suddenly a meerkat and warthog come and save him. The three animals live harmoniously in near a waterhole, where they all share grubs and lie in the grass to watch the sunset.
The Lion King may be more of a Hamlet story than a story of the Tanzanian nature, but hey, Hakuna Matata.
But as for the portrayal of nature and the natural order, The Lion King should in no way be used to teach kids about nature. The movie starts out with the classic "Circle of Life": Elton John writes a beautiful song about how the world exists to serve the benefits of all the living creatures. At the end of this number, all the animals gather together to praise the birth of the new lion king as the cub is lifted up by Rafiki, the wise monkey.
Most confusingly, young Simba and young Nala leave their parents and go off to play with their babysitter, a hornbill named Zazu. Then this musical number occurs:
"I Just Can't Wait To Be King" is a wonderful example of how all animals can live harmoniously and worship a small lion cub. What a great song about all walks of life overcoming differences and working together! Yet a terrible representation of the actual food chain and way of life.
Later, when Mufasa dies in the wildebeest stampede at the fault of his brother, Disney implements the classic "dead parent" template so often seen in their animated films. It's the "Circle of Life"
Eventually, the small cub wanders into the wilderness to run away, when suddenly a meerkat and warthog come and save him. The three animals live harmoniously in near a waterhole, where they all share grubs and lie in the grass to watch the sunset.
The Lion King may be more of a Hamlet story than a story of the Tanzanian nature, but hey, Hakuna Matata.
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
This blog post is due at 8AM, I'm so depressed!
Upon flipping through my binder full of Peer Group activities, I found a discussion-based activity about emotions. The purpose of the activity was to get kids to share stories and experiences about different subject matters. Different emotions were written on index cards and put into a hat. Then, the kids were to draw a card and share a story about it. The cards had different emotions written on them--embarrassed, excited, nervous, happy...depressed. Depressed?!
Yes the Peer Group binder was last updated over 20 years ago, but the vernacular use of "depressed" and "depression" meaning "sadness" has not gone away.
"Ugh, Lassie makes me so depressed!"
"There's school tomorrow, how depressing is that?"
"My English blog is due tomorrow and I've barely started. I'm so depressed."
Much of the current teen culture has to do with this vision of a "glamorized sadness". From Perks of Being a Wallflower to John Green books, sadness has become a bizarre thematic trend. True, I love Sylvia Plath as much as the next person, but it becomes an issue when sadness is idealized. Social Media sites, particularly Tumblr, only further these images of beautiful tragedy. Last year, I was struck by this article by The Atlantic. The article details how dangerous the casual use of "depression" on social media sites like Tumblr can be. And although such social media sites can just as easily be a source of art and humor, the flood of not-so-healthy images are equally as prevalent. The Atlantic discusses how often social media sites propagate the "depression gives me depth" and the "it's my issue, you wouldn't understand" mentalities.
The problem with the glamorization of depression is that it delegitimizes a fairly common issue. 7% of the US population between ages 18 to 45 deal with depression, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Depression should be talked about, but not in a way that encourages a constant state of sadness. There is also an important difference between a normal response of sadness and a depressive episode. (A depressive episode is defined as depressive symptoms for at least two weeks.) The truth is, depression isn't a cool trend but a legitimate condition, and it needs to start being treated as one. Although I personally disagree with the article's use of the word "wannabe depressed", (because in reality no one genuinely wants to be depressed), there clearly is a unhealthy community created around the glamorization of sadness and depression. If one is dealing with depression and needs a community to talk about it, there are many healthy means to do so, from therapy to support groups to engaging in discussions on the websites of TWLOHA and other such websites.
Side note: I was relieved to see the following message when I typed in "depression" into the search bar in Tumblr, a perfect example of a healthy way to express support for depression in a community.
Yes the Peer Group binder was last updated over 20 years ago, but the vernacular use of "depressed" and "depression" meaning "sadness" has not gone away.
"Ugh, Lassie makes me so depressed!"
"There's school tomorrow, how depressing is that?"
"My English blog is due tomorrow and I've barely started. I'm so depressed."
Much of the current teen culture has to do with this vision of a "glamorized sadness". From Perks of Being a Wallflower to John Green books, sadness has become a bizarre thematic trend. True, I love Sylvia Plath as much as the next person, but it becomes an issue when sadness is idealized. Social Media sites, particularly Tumblr, only further these images of beautiful tragedy. Last year, I was struck by this article by The Atlantic. The article details how dangerous the casual use of "depression" on social media sites like Tumblr can be. And although such social media sites can just as easily be a source of art and humor, the flood of not-so-healthy images are equally as prevalent. The Atlantic discusses how often social media sites propagate the "depression gives me depth" and the "it's my issue, you wouldn't understand" mentalities. The problem with the glamorization of depression is that it delegitimizes a fairly common issue. 7% of the US population between ages 18 to 45 deal with depression, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Depression should be talked about, but not in a way that encourages a constant state of sadness. There is also an important difference between a normal response of sadness and a depressive episode. (A depressive episode is defined as depressive symptoms for at least two weeks.) The truth is, depression isn't a cool trend but a legitimate condition, and it needs to start being treated as one. Although I personally disagree with the article's use of the word "wannabe depressed", (because in reality no one genuinely wants to be depressed), there clearly is a unhealthy community created around the glamorization of sadness and depression. If one is dealing with depression and needs a community to talk about it, there are many healthy means to do so, from therapy to support groups to engaging in discussions on the websites of TWLOHA and other such websites.
Side note: I was relieved to see the following message when I typed in "depression" into the search bar in Tumblr, a perfect example of a healthy way to express support for depression in a community.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Light
But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east...and also artist James Turrell. James Turrell, a member of the "light and space" movement starting in SoCal in the 1960s, creates art with only light as his medium. This manipulation of light is not about changing the light itself but more about altering the space itself. According to Turrell, "My work has no object, no image, and no focus. With no object, no image, and no focus, what are you looking at? You are looking at you looking." Turrell describes this sensation as "wordless thought".
The spaces Turrell creates alter reality. One exhibit in particular requires a waiver signed before entering the space, because the sensations are are so strong visitors have fainted.
Turrell is influenced by natural spaces, in particular, the Roden Crater which is an alteration of human perception. Turrell is building tunnels and windows in the crater, manipulating the experience of exploring the crater. He believes this crater represents geologic time. His intervention into the landscape is where human creation meets nature, thus furthering his goal of awareness.
As the offspring of two people who met working on an architectural project, the ability to change space to alter the physical and emotional state of an observer is fascinating to me. Light changes all visual aspects; photography, painting, theater, movies, architecture. Why does Best Buy feel so overwhelming? The lighting. Why is Christmastime so cozy? The lighting. Why is "The Haunting" so ominous? Probably the plot, actually.
But lighting really does influence our perception of, well, everything. Just look at Spanish literature. What would happen if we were in a constant state of tinieblas?
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
What's Goin' On?
It's February, which usually means my New Year Resolutions are kaput. Kept a journal? Go fish. Stayed organized? Yeah, right. Lost 10 lbs? Not with my undying love for pasta and all things carbohydrate.
But this year I tried to make my goals a bit more accessible.
1. Try veganism for a month (Let's be honest, I love butter and mac-n-cheese way too much for this. But I said a month, which is applicable to any of the ten remaining months. Probably not helping with my goal of not procrastinating, but I'm too far gone on that one already. Not procrastinating can be my resolution next year. Ba dm ch.)
2. Try a new thing every month (Okay, this one I sort of stole from Friends. That show is full of infinite wisdom. Plus I've been binge-watching it for a month. Could I BE more of a second semester senior?)
3. Make a change.
Make a change!, you scoff, holding a fake mustache on a stick to your upper lip and talking in a deep Scottish accent. What do you think this is? Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror"?
But despite your fake Scottish scoffing, there are so many simple ways to make a change close to home. And now I will list them!
Global Engagement
**SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT** Hands of Peace is an incredible organization I've participated in for the past two summers. It's only a little under 3 weeks in the middle of July, and it will change your life. If you can't participate but have a family around this summer, why not be a host family? Or you can donate and support scholarships for participants and the costs of the meals and activities.
Matanya's Hope is another fairly local organization. Their goal is to "save the world, one child at a time". They are looking for donations, from cash to school supplies to jackets.
Good at music?
The Glenbrook Hospital has a lobby for members of the community to perform in. If you go to Glenbrook South, talk to Mr. S in the choral department about signing up for a time slot to represent GBS.
What about theater?
Check out Special Gifts Theater in Chicago, Winnetka, and Palatine. If you have the time to volunteer, they have spots for peer mentors/buddies to engage the kids with special gifts. It's a wonderful organization, and they sponsor various fundraisers throughout the year that you can also participate in, such as 5k walk/runs. (I would walk.)
Computer nerd?
Try Tab for a Cause, a Google Chrome extension that donates money to with every new tab opened. You can choose where the money goes--education, water, human rights, etc. And you don't even have to leave your house.
Last weekend, I met a woman who designed simple water strips to test the cleanliness of water. People were meant to fill plastic bags with water and leave it out in the sun with the strip of paper in it. When the paper turned color, the water was safe to drink. The materials? Plastic bags. Paper. The sun. The cost? $0.03.
But this year I tried to make my goals a bit more accessible.
1. Try veganism for a month (Let's be honest, I love butter and mac-n-cheese way too much for this. But I said a month, which is applicable to any of the ten remaining months. Probably not helping with my goal of not procrastinating, but I'm too far gone on that one already. Not procrastinating can be my resolution next year. Ba dm ch.)
2. Try a new thing every month (Okay, this one I sort of stole from Friends. That show is full of infinite wisdom. Plus I've been binge-watching it for a month. Could I BE more of a second semester senior?)
3. Make a change.
Make a change!, you scoff, holding a fake mustache on a stick to your upper lip and talking in a deep Scottish accent. What do you think this is? Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror"?
But despite your fake Scottish scoffing, there are so many simple ways to make a change close to home. And now I will list them!
CHEESY TRANSITIONAL TITLE
A LIST I'VE CREATED ON THIS SUBJECT
**SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT** Hands of Peace is an incredible organization I've participated in for the past two summers. It's only a little under 3 weeks in the middle of July, and it will change your life. If you can't participate but have a family around this summer, why not be a host family? Or you can donate and support scholarships for participants and the costs of the meals and activities.
Matanya's Hope is another fairly local organization. Their goal is to "save the world, one child at a time". They are looking for donations, from cash to school supplies to jackets.
Good at music?
The Glenbrook Hospital has a lobby for members of the community to perform in. If you go to Glenbrook South, talk to Mr. S in the choral department about signing up for a time slot to represent GBS.
What about theater?
Check out Special Gifts Theater in Chicago, Winnetka, and Palatine. If you have the time to volunteer, they have spots for peer mentors/buddies to engage the kids with special gifts. It's a wonderful organization, and they sponsor various fundraisers throughout the year that you can also participate in, such as 5k walk/runs. (I would walk.)
Computer nerd?
Try Tab for a Cause, a Google Chrome extension that donates money to with every new tab opened. You can choose where the money goes--education, water, human rights, etc. And you don't even have to leave your house.
Last weekend, I met a woman who designed simple water strips to test the cleanliness of water. People were meant to fill plastic bags with water and leave it out in the sun with the strip of paper in it. When the paper turned color, the water was safe to drink. The materials? Plastic bags. Paper. The sun. The cost? $0.03.
There are so many simple ways to engage your community and your world.
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