Comic!

Comic

Public Space; Public Opinion

After reading the essay, I immediately thought of all the times I have been judged in public. Not, of course, to the extent to which a black man may have suffered more racial profiling, but profiling of characteristics excluding skin. I believe that public opinion, including things like public folklore, are really what directly correlate with how a person determines feelings about a new individual. Public folklore being stories about how people with long hair are hippies etc,... Now, in a contemporary world, it is really sad how often and easily such judgement is placed upon others. I say it, because I am guilty as well. And yeah, sometimes I guessed correctly, but I would say that most of the time it really ruins any opportunity I had to become close with what was probably a great person.
The streets of big cities, are no so much where I have had problems with other people. I think college is actually, the best example in my life, of people whom relay such negative sentiments about those unlike them. Now, albeit, Miami isn't as bad as its stereotypes make it out to be, there are some rather stereotypical individuals whom fit right in. With the hundreds of other versions of that person. It doesn't make them bad, just homogenous. And mostly this, because of the trait they share. That they do not like or enjoy the presence of those different to them. So, when a kid with long hair, scraggly facial hair, and his hood up walks by, it isn't hard to get some dirty looks. Of course, THOSE individuals are few and far between. The kind who actually look directly at you, and wait for eye contact, so as to make sure they hold a disdain for your existence. Your clothes, your hair, of course these are all relevant to how people feel about you. At first.
I'm only speaking on the pre-introduction standpoint. But, having lived in big cities, and small towns, it is very easy to figure out what bothers people. In high school, my work schedule and showering schedule often conflicted with public schooling schedule. So if I missed a shower before school, I could look pretty rough. Some good greasy and stringy hair. Yet, when you work until 2 a.m. and school starts at 7:30 a.m. I was looking for another half hour of sleep over a shower. But public opinion wasn't concerned with facts, moreso that you looked dirty and must be poor. One of the things I noticed with rando people, was how my presence was taken with just different hair. Until I grew my hair out, I was easily referred to as "white boy" by any person willing to use the term in a demeaning sense. Then, when my hair was long, and I could manage some facial scruff, it really stopped. I looked different, so I was treated differently as well.
Now, in another environment the pattern held true. I get my hair cut and shaved up, so that when I worked in an office, I looked presentable. Well, if I needed to run an errand to a rather questionable part of town, the scorn of someone who showed up in a suit, was very visible. Through eyes you could just feel the burning 'rich white boy' burning into your back. Towards the end of the summer, I hadn't kept up with shaving and hair cuts. So looking more like the area, got those same people to hold doors open for me as I passed through. Just loosen the tie, and lose the razor, and I made friends.

Ideas of Sequence IV

1. Graphic Story
2. Photo Essay
3. Movie
4. Wiki
5. Web page


Ideas.
1. Current Events ex. (Somali Pirates)
2. Political Ideology
3. Miami and Your Money
4. A Comic Universe
5. Grammar Nazis



What is the main goal of the project?


What are you, the professor, looking for with this project?

Panopticism

Panopticism is a term, which I just learned through reading. Upon revealing this new term, further thoughts question modern day uses. The most common thing I can relate would be the use of public surveillance and subways.
In London, they have what is known as the "Ring of Steel." It is a system of surveillance cameras around London used with the intention of reducing crime rates. The roads these cameras are placed upon are small and narrow. They force travellers into more easily observable areas. There have even been use of temporary cameras in England.
In New York City, there is a system very smiliar to the "Ring of Steel." It is in Lower Manhattan. The city started to install surveillance to help prevent crime and terrorism. The subways though, are the tool in which the city keeps people better monitored. Of course the subways are meant to help alleviate traffic on the streets and highways, but by leading them into smaller more observable areas, they also achieve an easily observable crowd of people.

Sanitized Reality

In their view of Walt Disney's reality, the Salamones speak of how Disney created a new reality. One that was far cleaner and far more of a dream world, to be in place of reality. The constant kindness and goodness flowing from characters reflect the sanitization. They also speak of "Main Street." The fictitious community centers surrounding a city hall where the community activities form an epicenter for local life. Everything is cleaner, everything looks nicer, and everything makes a borderline attempt at replacing what you thought your youth was like. By imaging your own childhood shared such memories as a kind old jolly mayor that ventured about the Main Street speaking with the commonfolk.

In small towns, there are sometimes an unbelieveable amount of churches. Literally, you could find a different church every block. These small town congregations like to craft their own reality for their children and neighbors. They may keep their children from R rated movies, Halloween, and public schools. This desire to keep young ones sheltered results in a separate reality relevant to only those who create and those who experience it.

Ann Richards

Ann Richards was the Governor of Texas between 1991-1995. She passed away in 2006. When listening it becomes painful at first to realize this may very well be your grandmother talking. Upon first glance she appears to an oldy with a loud mouth. In reality, she was just that, a very active Democrat for her time in the party. But that loud mouth proved to be entertaining and rallying for her fellow Democrats. When listening, it isn't her tone, or any special manner of preparation. It's that she is a quick-wit speaker showing off her grace and charm, as an old Southern lady, with a sharp distaste for those in the opposing political party.

The main terms playing to Ann are her diction, warrant, and logos. She often related to her audience through some of the most regular means. In the linked video, she tells a story of how she was stoppd in an airport. A rather common thing, and it works for her. She is able to assume that people have been stopped and searched. I think it worked, because as she goes on the crowd's laugh grows. In her story there are some hooks on her "body suit" and this results in an awkward run in with a security worker and supervisor. Of course to her, it's a chance to let people know she's experiencing the same things regular Americans are.

Her diction, is perfect for her voice. An old southern accent decorates her rather plain and uninteresting voice, and accompanies her sarcasm. What would just as often turn people off, helps enhance the tools which she employs. Ann's story of the airport is full of saracastic remarks and humor that probably won't play too well with an audience adjusted to only the most grand of speakers.

I think the hardest part to come to terms with in her speech would fall under ethos. An appeal to the speaker herself. As shallow as it may be, in the latter part of career she looked old. A younger audience would generally be turned off by the thoughts of such a figure speaking in front of them. Her will sometimes be very boring, requiring the audience to hear the message. But once getting over her age and first glance boring appearance, she's a very funny speaker.


Ann Richards-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LA1dfHqLTc