Slavery was a form of labor, but it also held economic value. After all, how did the great architecture of Roman empires was built? During the time, there wasn’t really “public” works. There was no need to spend money when someone was forced into the labor. That’s how it was at the start of American history. Even today, there are signs of slavery brewing up here and there through trafficking, black markets and other illegal manners that are just too dark to speak of in this here blog.
Though, these dark forms of slavery can be found in the more grey areas… and within the legal system. A single mother, working two jobs in order to support her family with each paycheck – yet in the end still doesn’t have enough to give her children a new pair of shoes. This here is your modern form of slavery. Its where individuals are stripped from help and forced into a system where ever minimum wage can’t support a family…. Or be eligible for Medicaid.
Crazy, isn’t it? Someone who is working minimum wage can’t even get health coverage. How about getting a bottle of milk? That’s another issue all together.
Actually, this reminds me of a song.. well, something like a song. Just listen to it and see. 22 seconds into the track is a great example of the modern slave. Though, it makes you wonder.. why is the modern slave the modern slave? Many reasons. Felonies, no access to education, illegal immigration, ect.
Propaganda. What does propaganda really mean? Well, let’s look at what the Dictionary tells us. Of course, I will be using the online dictionary - mainly due to the fact that its right here, in front of me with the use of an address bar and well... Its an easy copy paste method. Plus, come on, I'm too lazy to find an actual dictionary.
prop·a·gan·danoun1.information, ideas, or rumors deliberately spread widely tohelp or harm a person, group, movement, institution, nation,etc.2.the deliberate spreading of such information, rumors, etc.3.the particular doctrines or principles propagated by anorganization or movement.4.Roman Catholic Church .a.a committee of cardinals, established in 1622 by PopeGregory XV, having supervision over foreign missions andthe training of priests for these missions.b.a school (College of Propaganda) established by PopeUrban VIII for the education of priests for foreignmissions.5.Archaic . an organization or movement for the spreading ofpropaganda.[prop-uh-gan-duh] Show IPA
So, let’s take definition number….. uno? Maybe Dos. Actually, let’s take both! Definitions One and Two speak of the same idea. It’s about how information, ideas, rumors, ect. is being spread to the public for one or two reasons.
During class on Tuesday, we viewed a video made to promote a cause. This video was on the NRA... oh, come on. Everyone knows of the NRA. Right? Well, for those that know what the NRA is, this little image should help you out with that.
Ain't it pretty!? I think it is. Anyway, this image was the face National Recovery Administration aka the New Deal when FDR took office during the 30s. This project had banners, flags, posters, ect and ect. So many of these so called Faces was smeared across America and... well, it got the public filled up with hope and hyped up.
This kind of... reminds you of something... right?
Maybe that'll remind a few of what I'm talking about.
And guess what! This wasn't the only time such images were used to riled up people. Heck you have...
A fine example of Neo-classisim and one of the first uses of propaganda during the 18th century.
But wait.... waiiiit. What does this have to do with anything? Like say, the Face of the New Deal? Or the film, Birth of a Nation? Well, they forms of propaganda is an Icon... a Symbol. These little symbols and such voices out an opinion, ideas. much like the definition we spoke of earlier. Now, when seeing these icons, images, silent films, the public will have a reaction.
Even today you have icons. Such as Uncle Sam being used for USA and Military. Or...
This.
That.
And a whollleeeee load of more that I could keep on talking about. But, by now most of you don't wish to go through the whole list of images, songs, videos, slogans and all that lovely doodads I got up my sleeve for opinions.
What I'm really getting to here is that this use of Propaganda can make millions of people become nothing more but Tools. Like. Seriously. Who wants to be a tool? I don't. I bet you don't either. However, it cannot be escaped and eventually, at least once in our life, we are used as Tools. Cause, well, how else will the world turn? The world needs a Tool to spin it about, right? Ya know... I should draw a picture of the world being spun around by a tool. I think I shall do that after this blog post.
EDIT: I seem to have spammed you all with American Jesus music video. My apologizes for that. I corrected the post with the correct video.
I wanna make a note. I did find a rather good copy of Within Our Gates, though it is a purely silent film. No music or anything. If needed, I can share the small file between the class.
Its hard to choose one option or the other, when the subject balances on a delicate line between Subjective and Objective violence. Though, with the lynchings that happened in the South, a few may think that it was both Subjective and Objective violence. But if I were to pick one side, only ONE side, I'd say these acts of violence were objective. I say this because of the fact that the Southern society were lynching the blacks for many reasons and formed it into what was an ideology within a culture.
For such violent crimes to be made, there has to be a reason, right? Well, there are murders that are made with little to no reason, however we're talking about communities in the south, or even other white folk from other states, traveling all the way to a certain town or city, just to watch these violent deaths. A hundred white families from different class societies can't all be Sociopaths, right? There can be many reasons to be told as to why these people do what they did, but in the end it all leads to one concept. That concept was fear.
The whites of the Souths always thought of themselves as the good guys. The blacks were the monsters and always will be. The whites wanted to curb the threat of being out numbered by the colored people and even being dominated by them. After all, these white men would think that it would be the end of the world if a black man had the rights to vote - or even worse - hold a position in office! Then, there was the last excuse. That excuse was the fear of these "Monsters" would go around raping white women.
With this fear growing, many white citizens began to think irrational. Well, it would be irrational thinking in today's point of view (or at least that's my opinion.) So, taking matters into their hands, these so called, "white folk" went about rounding up the blacks and making an example of them. Course, this became some sort of holiday celebration where families had to dress in their Sunday Church's best! After all, if you're going about "Monster Hunting" then you best to look sharp!
With how these races acted between on another, I would think that they were all off their noggin and needed to be set straight in some way or another. With this fear looming over the whites and blacks, it was rather unnatural. Well, it was natural back then, but at the same time, unnatural. There was no need to for violent killings really. Though, if I were to say this during the 19th century, I doubt I'd get reason to seep through the Southern's thick heads. At the same time, if it became like Mitchell and Webb's Nazi's sketch, I would be unsure if the scene would be humorous or not.
First off, I would like to say that internet outside of New York City is a pain in the rear. Its worse when you're in the rural areas. But, this isn't a blog about my internet troubles for the weekend.
For those that are reading - professor, classmates or even the public - I wish for you to listen to the following, known as The Daily Routine, by Blockhead.
Its an odd thing to call such a track, "The Daily Routine." Especially when arguments could be heard. Its as though listening in on what could be domesticated violence. It is a rather common thing to hear about - or even witness from time to time, depending on where one's environment is.
There were times when Slavery was legal and the violence then was nothing more but a daily routine. Those were some dark days. Then again, I wonder which was more darker. The Dark Ages or Slavery in America? With how that sounded, you'd think it was a contest. But this wasn't a contest. Its a serious issue.
Slavery was the problem that set off the Civil War. In some metaphoric aspects, you'd think slavery was the cause of the Revolution War. Don't get confused though! The slaves here were the colonies, who had to pay dues to some King that was an ocean away from them.
Then again, these war didn't happen just cause someone thought of an idea and threw a cannon ball at the land of the Red Coats. Emotions got into the whole ordeal. Resentment, anger and all that lovely ball of negativity against a certain group. There is such a thing as boiling point, ya know.
Though, here's a question for some. Can daily routines become a boiling point? If so, how? I sure would like to see an opinion to that one. Maybe not, depending on what happens.
