Final Exam: Darkness Behind the Light

      In late September, Apple released the iPhone 5, which soon became one of the most widely used pieces of technology across the globe. Although one of the most influential companies, I’ve observed that Apple does not represent exemplary stewardship in the business world, by the inherent racism in their advertisements, as well as the use of low wage slave labor in third world countries. Even 150 years after slavery, our society still does not value equality, making the Apple iPhone ad an important artifact representing a lack of change in our societal mindset.

     Take a look at the image from one of Apple’s signature advertisements for the iPhone 5. A pristine looking white backdrop accompanies the sleek white device, held in the hand of a white man or woman. It is interesting that Apple chooses these light colors and the clear simplicity of the product, however this is no coincidence.
 
     In several of our class discussions, we have analyzed the connotations of colors such as white, and black. White is often the color representing light, goodness, purity, and innocence; virtually the color of perfection. Now, look at the the word “black” which by definition means devoid of light, dismal, pessimistic, gloomy and connotes anger, hatred, and evil. Considering our history of slavery and racially inequality, it is no coincidence that the white men who wrote our English dictionaries painted the word “black” in negative light. Even in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible we see the negative connotation of the word: “She is blackening my name in the village! She is telling lies about me!”(Miller 22). Here, Abigail connotes that using the word “blackening” is tainting her reputation of adultery. It is clear that even three hundred years after slavery and our dark history of racially inequality, one of our era’s most prominent companies, Apple, still follows this same mindset portraying “black” in a negative light, proving little change in our society’s mindset.

     Moreover, Apple’s use of innocence, and purity in their color scheme for the iPhone ads is a strong contradiction to Apple’s dark background with the use of cheap slave labor. Recently in the news, and in class, we discussed a Foxconn plant, which manufactures Apple products in China and has been noted for the horrible conditions that their workers are subjected to. This is similar to Ursula Le Guin’s      “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas”, a short story that portrays a utopian society with a dark secret. With the happiness of Omelas, the price is paid by a miserable child who, “…lives on a half-bowl of cornmeal and grease a day”(Le Guin 281). In Omelas, a poor child is forced to suffer while the rest of society reaps the benefits of a happy life. Apple is similar in the fact, that behind the purity and perfection of their ads and products, there are people who are treated like the child from Omelas.
 
     Companies like Apple, try to cover up their atrocities through ads and as classmate Zach Peltz wrote in his poem regarding slave labor, people in third world countries are “Sold to white men with thick, black hair, And to the eye of abuse, misuse, and profit” (“Just Do It”). Again, we see that unbearable working conditions and treatment exist behind the very “utopian” products on which we use and value so much. Society continues to value luxury and comfort over fair treatment, and the companies who make these products value their profits over standards. I believe recognizing what we value and believe is crucial for a society to evolve and thrive, but through Apple’s iPhone 5 ads, the clear connotations of “black”, as well as their use of cheap labor shows that although the 13th amendment abolished slavery, society’s mindset of equality really hasn’t changed.

Racism oppresses European soccer leagues

We all grew up listening to brave stories of African American athletes, like Jackie Robinson, who persevered and thrived on the field despite challenges with ignorance and racism as he became the first player of color in the MLB in the late 1940's. With our recent class discussions of racism, it has come to my realization that European soccer leagues are experiencing the same difficulties with racism as we had with "breaking the color barrier"in baseball just after World War II.

Last week in a friendly match, Kevin Prince Boateng of AC Milan kicked a ball into the bleachers, taking a stand after he had been subjected to racial abuse which resulted in the game being called at half. The rest of the report from CNN can be further read here as well as a video of the incident. The German born-member of the Ghana national team along with many other African members of club football teams have been the victims of severe racial abuse. Cameroonian player Samuel Eto'o threatened to leave during a match due to racist chants and the list of verbally abused players goes on. ESPN even highlighted the issue in a segment back in 2008 called, "A Beautiful Game Turns Ugly." Please start around 0:45 and watch some of the powerful and upsetting stories of racism.

Racism has been a problem in America since the beginning. Fighting racial ignorance has defined our country and will now play a defining role of the legacy of the world's most beloved sport. I think like Jackie Robinson who was the target of physical and verbal abuse, by ignoring it and continuing to thrive, you are sending the most powerful message to combat further racist acts. Although I am sure the chants are overwhelming and near impossible to ignore, I don't think Boateng, Eto'o, and other players should walk off the field. However, I think the leagues also need to crack down with harsher punishments on the hosting clubs whose fans, players, coaches, and officials are responsible for racist actions and comments towards others. What actions do you think should be taken to combat and punish racism? 

A Deadly Truth: Media coverage of gun violence in Chicago

With a recent media explosion over the hot topic of gun control, our class has also speculated where the media focuses their attention. Mass shootings are seeming to have become a commonplace with Oak Creek, the Oregon mall shooting, the Dark Knight incident, and now Newtown. However, as the media is usually offering extensive coverage of these tragic events, there are even MORE tragedies that occur on our very Chicago streets that often go uncovered by media. A powerful truth was spoken by Jens Ludwig, director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab:

“The gun violence problem in America gets a lot of attention when 20 white kids in Connecticut get shot all at once, but in general it doesn’t get nearly as much attention as it really needs to."

Since Jan. 1, Chicago police have recorded 2,364 shooting incidents and 487 homicides, 87 percent of them gun-related. Shootings have increased 12 percent this year and homicides are up 19 percent. Just like Sandy Hook, young people are often the targets of gun violence in Chicago as well. Chicago police have recorded that this past school year "319 Chicago public school students were shot, 24 of them fatally. The total does not include school-age children who had dropped out or were enrolled elsewhere." The numbers of casualties specifically from gun violence in Chicago FAR outweigh that of mass shootings on the national level, however Peter Slevin of the Washington Post notes that, "Their deaths usually go unmarked". We live in a world where almost all of our information comes from our televisions, computers, tablets, and smartphones, yet tragedies that occur every day in Chicago often go without notice.  Why does the media highlight certain shootings but leave out others, despite greater casualties?  I question whether race plays a role in the exposure (or lack thereof) of certain shootings. Ludwig's speculation (bolded quote above) really got me thinking if it were 20 black kids that were shot, would the media would focus as much attention on it? I'm not so sure the answer is yes.

Regardless of media exposure of Chicago gang violence, it is no question that the city of Chicago faces a major challenge to deal with this growing problem and changes need to be made to get more guns off the streets and in my opinion, need to establish more after school programs for Chicago Public School kids. Increasing the utilization of these programs would help get kids off the streets and from affiliating themselves with the city gangs that have caused many of shootings in Chicago. These types of positive changes would hopefully not only result in less gun related deaths, but also allow the media finally to focus on the "good" news that is coming off the streets of Chicago. I'd love to hear what you all think about media coverage and possible solutions for our beloved city. 

What needs be done to prevent future mass shootings?

As our entire nation weeps the loss of 20 children, and six adults in the tragic elementary school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, there has been much outcry over what our Government can do to prevent these seemingly frequent atrocities. Obama gave a very heartfelt speech, and urged that gun lobbyists need to set aside politics and, "take meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this."

An article in the Washington Post revealed that, "Of the 12 deadliest shootings in U.S. history, six have taken place since 2007." The article highlights some reasons of why the fatal incidents have been increasing over the past several years. Regardless of how, or why these shootings keep on happening I think we can all agree that preventative actions must be taken.

What are your reactions to Obama's speech? Do you think it will inspire gun rights lobbyists to put aside their political views and work to prevent these shootings through legislation? Also, please comment what you think should be done in order to prevent future mass shootings. All of your voices matter, and debating the issue will give us all a deeper insight on what can be done to put an end to these heinous acts.  

Changing the Game: Stewardship in the Marketplace

In class today we took a look at Ariel's post, and thought more about where our clothes come from, and the unacceptable work conditions in sweatshops. As there were recent controversies with Apple's factory conditions in China and a fire in a Bangladesh factory killing 112 workers, many businesses are taking considerable actions to turn their company's production methods around. Every year a report of Fortune 100 companies is released measuring employers, sellers, and steward. In the 2012 Good Company Index, a new king was crowned: Time Warner Cable, over throwing Disney. "The entertainment giant saw its Good Company Index grade fall from an A, the top score in the inaugural ranking, to a C+."

 Our teacher mentioned that companies that are supposed to be the face of America (such as Disney, Wal-Mart, and Nike) are often the ones who take advantage of cheap foreign labor with dreadful factory conditions overseas. Although the opportunity of cheaper labor and production is tempting to many of these money hungry companies, there are still several companies demonstrating excellent responsibility with their production methods. Gap Inc. is taking steps forward in their anti-sweatshop advocacy. Some plans for the clothing conglomerate to improve labor conditions include instituting a system which allows the consumer to directly track exactly where/by whom their garment was made all online. More can be read about Gap's sweatshop free plan here. Why don't you think in the wake of all this controversy, more companies aren't making adaptations like Gap? In your eyes, would this change your views on some of the companies who abuse low wage factory workers but make a conscious effor for change? Please comment your thoughts below.

A Multiracial America

In respects to our beginning of Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, there was much discussion  in class this week about political correctness with identifying multiracial individuals.

Today, the darkness looms from centuries of racial prejudice and divide, yet many think that an upward trend of multiracial individuals could bring racism in American to its final stand. However many multiracial individuals show that certain hardships come along with this gray area of racial identification. Please watch this New York Times video to hear how individuals think their multiracial identities impact their lives.

Various tests, and census forms often ask the individual to identify themselves racially which can be quite tricky for some. An article from the New York Times asks Michelle López-Mullins, a 20-year-old junior and the president of the Multiracial and Biracial Student Association, how she marks her race on forms like the census, and she says, “It depends on the day, and it depends on the options.” The rest of this fascinating article can be read here. Our President too identifies himself as biracial, a fact that he believes wouldn't be possible in any other country on Earth as the beginning of the above video tells us.

Doc Oc urged us all in class to think about how far we have come as a nation since the abolition of slavery. Is a multiracial racial America a positive step forward to combat racism? Also, what how do you think this shapes what is considered politically correct in America? I find self identifying with race a fascinating topic and would love to hear what you all think.

An American History of Thanksgiving

As a week full of family, friends, and food lurks around the corner, there is much commotion over the widely anticipated holiday of Thanksgiving. For those whom are unaware of why we celebrate Thanksgiving, feel free to read this brief history summarizing the historic day that triggered a holiday for feast, and giving thanks. The story is widely told that a group of Pilgrims landing in Plymouth, Massachusetts in the early 1620's where visited by a Native American called "Squanto" greeted them in English, teaching them how to cultivate crops, fish, and live off the land.

Although most Americans know the ending to be a bountiful feast, lasting days, with the Wampanoag Indians and the Pilgrim settlers, there is still a dark history with our arrival to America, and our historic encounters with Indian tribes. Before our Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth Plantation, many of the Indians occupying the land had been previously sold in to slavery to Europeans. This is exactly how Squanto learned English! Contrary to Charlie Brown's (5:45) peaceful view on the first Thanksgiving, other English settlers sold Native American's into slavery, killed many in battle, and also brought over terrible plague that wiped out entire tribes. Richard Greener from the Huffington Post agrees that although Thanksgiving marks a historic treaty of peace, it also reminds us of the previous atrocities against Native Americans.

"This day is still remembered today, 373 years later. No, it's been long forgotten by white people, by European Christians. But it is still fresh in the mind of many Indians. A group calling themselves the United American Indians of New England meet each year at Plymouth Rock on Cole's Hill for what they say is a Day of Mourning. They gather at the feet of a stature of Chief Massasoit of the Wampanoag to remember the long gone Pequot. They do not call it Thanksgiving. There is no football game afterward."

The rest of the article can be found here. What do you all think about the true history of Thanksgiving?  Although this holiday of giving thanks is bittersweet, I find it interesting how we all as kids learn about the story of Thanksgiving as if it were a peaceful brotherhood between the Native Americans and European Settlers. Why do you suppose that teachers leave out the violent history of bloodshed and plague? Also please consider and comment your thoughts below to how America portrays these settlers. Happy Thanksgiving everybody.