The Oakland Ghost Ship was a warehouse in Oakland, California that was a venue for music and art. People partied, worked, and lived in the warehouse. Artists and musicians rented studios and affordable homes in the warehouse. On December 2, a party was being held with several DJ's and rooftop dancing. Ghost Ship was not approved for the amount of people who came to the party or for people to live in.
A fire broke out in the bottom floor of the warehouse. It spread throughout the warehouse and because there was no sprinklers or fire alarms. People think a source of electricity caused the fire to happen. There were so many victims because the building broke every safety percausion. Fire alarms nearby were not heard because the music from the party was so loud. The warehouse was extremely overcrowded with all sorts of stuff like pianos, art, furniture, even mannequins. The people on the top floor had to exit using two stair cases which were far from the actual exits on the main floor. Smoke had trapped many people on the second floor. The staircases and most of the building were made of wood which basically kindled the fire. Once on the main floor, the exits were extremely hard to find and then even harder to get to because all the clutter. People had to crawl to avoid the smoke which slowed down the escape.
The Triangle Fire in 1911 is similar to Ghost Ship because both buildings were very dangerous working places. Both buildings were packed with flammable materials. The doors to the stairs were supposedly locked like how all the furniture blocked people in Ghost Ship from the staircases and exits.
http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2016/12/13/ghost-ship-fire-atf-to-address-oakland-inferno-that-killed-36/
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/oakland-ghost-ship-warehouse-deadly-fire-gallery-1.2901036?pmSlide=1.2901030
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/oakland-artists-fear-crackdown-ghost-ship-fire-44081810
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Monday, November 21, 2016
Native American Research
https://www.britannica.com/art/Native-American-music
This is a database about Native American music from Brittanica Encyclopedia. This relates to the topic because it discusses how music plays a huge role in Indian culture, musical styles, and music history.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_music_of_North_America
This source is a page from Wikipedia. This relates to the topic because it covers music history in Native American lives and also discusses gender roles in Native American music. It also relates history back to modern day music.
Native American music is a very important aspect of Indian rituals, celebrations, and culture. Each event has different genres and styles of music which belong specifically to that event. New native american music was created, but most of the time old music was just passed down generation to generation. The origin of the music usually encompassed Indian values and beliefs. Indian music was also used to continue the Indian language which might not be verbally spoken anymore. The success of each musical performance was judged by how many people got involved whether they were dancers, musicians, or audience members. The amount of people participating represented the feeling of connectedness which the Indians highly valued. Singing and percussion were prominent aspects of Indian music and what set Native American music apart from modern music today. Indians treated music as a way to educate others about their culture and also to educate their children of their own culture. Gender often played a bug role in Native american music. Most music activities leaned toward one sex. Also, Native american music have their own category in the grammies called the Native American Music Awards which is held annually.
https://www.britannica.com/art/Native-American-music
This is a database about Native American music from Brittanica Encyclopedia. This relates to the topic because it discusses how music plays a huge role in Indian culture, musical styles, and music history.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_music_of_North_America
This source is a page from Wikipedia. This relates to the topic because it covers music history in Native American lives and also discusses gender roles in Native American music. It also relates history back to modern day music.
Native American music is a very important aspect of Indian rituals, celebrations, and culture. Each event has different genres and styles of music which belong specifically to that event. New native american music was created, but most of the time old music was just passed down generation to generation. The origin of the music usually encompassed Indian values and beliefs. Indian music was also used to continue the Indian language which might not be verbally spoken anymore. The success of each musical performance was judged by how many people got involved whether they were dancers, musicians, or audience members. The amount of people participating represented the feeling of connectedness which the Indians highly valued. Singing and percussion were prominent aspects of Indian music and what set Native American music apart from modern music today. Indians treated music as a way to educate others about their culture and also to educate their children of their own culture. Gender often played a bug role in Native american music. Most music activities leaned toward one sex. Also, Native american music have their own category in the grammies called the Native American Music Awards which is held annually.
https://www.britannica.com/art/Native-American-music
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_music_of_North_America
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Savagery
Fran Hudson
The purpose of this activity was to read and learn about how Native Americans were viewed. We first looked up definitions of savage and savagery and then read about Native Americans in the text provided keeping the definition in mind. The definition of savage was a member of a people regarded as primitive and uncivilized, and also (of an animal or force of nature) fierce, uncontrolled, and violent. The definition of savagery was the condition of being primitive or uncivilized.
The text portrays the Indians as animal-like, inhumane, and uncivilized. It is obvious they live very different to how Americans live. The text would shift the way I viewed Native Americans in a negative way because their morals and way of life was so different from ours. They value war and consider fighting in wars to be honorable. They were extremely revengeful and even burned their prisoners alive. They weren't very technologically advanced, living in huts and wearing very little clothing. They didn't even have books or a clear language they spoke. The text was supporting the idea that Native Americans were savages because they appeared uncivilized, cruel, and violent. By using "the savages" the text sets the Native Americans apart from the rest of us. This text would shift all American student's views on Native Americans very convincingly.
The purpose of this activity was to read and learn about how Native Americans were viewed. We first looked up definitions of savage and savagery and then read about Native Americans in the text provided keeping the definition in mind. The definition of savage was a member of a people regarded as primitive and uncivilized, and also (of an animal or force of nature) fierce, uncontrolled, and violent. The definition of savagery was the condition of being primitive or uncivilized.
The text portrays the Indians as animal-like, inhumane, and uncivilized. It is obvious they live very different to how Americans live. The text would shift the way I viewed Native Americans in a negative way because their morals and way of life was so different from ours. They value war and consider fighting in wars to be honorable. They were extremely revengeful and even burned their prisoners alive. They weren't very technologically advanced, living in huts and wearing very little clothing. They didn't even have books or a clear language they spoke. The text was supporting the idea that Native Americans were savages because they appeared uncivilized, cruel, and violent. By using "the savages" the text sets the Native Americans apart from the rest of us. This text would shift all American student's views on Native Americans very convincingly.
Saturday, October 29, 2016
Letters from the West
The letters were written in 1872 and written from a husband living in Nebraska to his wife and child back east. He reports on how land out in Nebraska is getting available and also being sold away. He is basically reporting price ranges and size of land and what he thinks about it. He also reports what his buddies are buying and how successful he thinks each will be. He tells his wife and child that he has found two pieces of land that he really likes that he hopes to purchase so he can bring his family to him and have a chance to get some profit off of it. His letter discusses the pros and cons of the land. For example, he thinks his wife and child will love the views of the country and he can see how their house will be built so that his family can be warm and comfortable. His second letter is him telling his wife that he didn't get the land in time and he has to restart in the search for land.
What stood out to me was that even though he is far away focussing mostly on finding land to be more successful, he still spent time and money on writing multiple letters to his family back home to tell them he still loves them and thinks about them. Paper and mailing was expensive so I admire his commitment to his family. It is very easy to be selfish and leave the family in the dust. He lets his family know that even though he lost land that he thought he was going to get, he is not going to give up and is going to fight for them. Another thing that stood out was the fact that land was being bought out really quickly and there was competition so the land was probably hard to get within one's budget. It was probably hard to find land that didn't have "drawbacks" like not having timber or the depth of streams.
The act of writing a letter in this day and age was very important. Paper was very expensive and mailing it across the country was even more expensive. It probably meant a lot to loved ones if they received letters all the way from across the country. It meant that person cared enough about them to pause the work they're doing out west to spend money and write to them.
Primary Source
What stood out to me was that even though he is far away focussing mostly on finding land to be more successful, he still spent time and money on writing multiple letters to his family back home to tell them he still loves them and thinks about them. Paper and mailing was expensive so I admire his commitment to his family. It is very easy to be selfish and leave the family in the dust. He lets his family know that even though he lost land that he thought he was going to get, he is not going to give up and is going to fight for them. Another thing that stood out was the fact that land was being bought out really quickly and there was competition so the land was probably hard to get within one's budget. It was probably hard to find land that didn't have "drawbacks" like not having timber or the depth of streams.
The act of writing a letter in this day and age was very important. Paper was very expensive and mailing it across the country was even more expensive. It probably meant a lot to loved ones if they received letters all the way from across the country. It meant that person cared enough about them to pause the work they're doing out west to spend money and write to them.
Primary Source
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Learning History Through Film Essay
Fran Hudson
By watching historical films critically, it is possible to develop great analytical skills and have the ability to explore real events, circumstances, and attitudes. Both 12 years a slave and Glory covered significant historical events and themes that should be discussed in history courses involving the effects of slavery. Producers of these films needed to balance historical accuracy while keeping the attention of the viewers which is very much like a history lesson. Movies should be used to aid the learning of US history because they have the ability of leaving a lasting impression on viewers, raise awareness of significant events and attitudes, and start conversations beyond the classroom.
12 years a slave was a very successful film, winning Academy Awards and a Golden Globe. It was so successful for several reasons. Critics appreciated that it told the bitter truth about what slavery truly was like. This movie makes it impossible for the movie industry to lie about historical details like the depth of hostility placed on slaves. It was based on the real memoir by Solomon Northup which made the film more accurate. This movie successfully puts us in the mind of Solomon. From the start, viewers can feel how much Solomon wants his freedom. The film made us realize that even though Solomon talked and acted like a free man while he was enslaved, he was never going to be treated as an equal. 12 years a slave does a really good job making American viewers start to empathize with African American slaves. Movies are able to use visible torture to convince people of the terror slaves went through. There were several disturbing scenes in 12 years a slave that made people want to turn away. Patsy getting whipped, later getting raped, and Solomon hanging from a noose for a whole day stood out for me as being sad, but memorable. The producer chose to not rush through these painful scenes to gain empathy from the viewers. Movies also get in the mind the main character and viewers are able to get a better idea of what daily life is like which can make people care more deeply about the characters and the historical significance. Producers do have time limit of around two and a half hours and have to keep the attention of viewers during the whole film. McQueen, the filmmaker of 12 years a slave, was able to keep the attention of his viewers by not distorting the truth or beautifying the past in any way. Also, learners often prefer for history to be taught through narrative and to be taken on a journey because it gives them something or someone to care about. After watching the film, people are able to have something to talk about and analyze what they saw and even create their own opinion about how slavery has impacted the US. Slavery is not a popular or favorable topic to discuss, but it has to be and movies are effective ways to start those conversations.
Glory was also a pretty successful movie that covered a significant aspect of US history. The producer of Glory chose to tell the story of the 54th regiment for the Union which was an all black regiment through the eyes of a white colonel. This movie explored a historical change in US where African Americans were finally going to be able to fight for their freedom. We get to see Shaw struggle with his racism and how he is going to erase the line separating him and his soldiers he has to lead. Critics say it was "heart tugging" and "rare", but they would prefer for the historical context to be told through the black soldiers' point of view. While watching the movie, however, we were able to track each primary character's expectations of the regiment and of each other. We also saw how those expectations changed throughout the story. For example, Trip started off with very low expectations and was always looking for ways to be disappointed. At the end, he was proud and volunteering to hold the flag. Although this movie is less popular, it starts discussions about controversial subjects like racism and it's a reminder that everyone was fighting the war for different reasons.
Producers have to decide what deserves to be remembered in history and what does not when making their films. Historical films are only another person's opinion and theory of history which often causes differences of opinions to occur. They also are simply an imitation of history and can't be expected to be perfectly historically accurate. They should be used to gain Movies leave lasting impressions on viewers and create inspiration for discussion and further research. Movies should be part of the curriculum to improve analyzation skills and get deeper understanding of historical themes.
Glory Movie Poster
12 Years a Sl
ave
Movie Analysis
Discussions
Landy, Marcia, editor. The Historical Film. E-book, London, The Athlone Press.
By watching historical films critically, it is possible to develop great analytical skills and have the ability to explore real events, circumstances, and attitudes. Both 12 years a slave and Glory covered significant historical events and themes that should be discussed in history courses involving the effects of slavery. Producers of these films needed to balance historical accuracy while keeping the attention of the viewers which is very much like a history lesson. Movies should be used to aid the learning of US history because they have the ability of leaving a lasting impression on viewers, raise awareness of significant events and attitudes, and start conversations beyond the classroom.
12 years a slave was a very successful film, winning Academy Awards and a Golden Globe. It was so successful for several reasons. Critics appreciated that it told the bitter truth about what slavery truly was like. This movie makes it impossible for the movie industry to lie about historical details like the depth of hostility placed on slaves. It was based on the real memoir by Solomon Northup which made the film more accurate. This movie successfully puts us in the mind of Solomon. From the start, viewers can feel how much Solomon wants his freedom. The film made us realize that even though Solomon talked and acted like a free man while he was enslaved, he was never going to be treated as an equal. 12 years a slave does a really good job making American viewers start to empathize with African American slaves. Movies are able to use visible torture to convince people of the terror slaves went through. There were several disturbing scenes in 12 years a slave that made people want to turn away. Patsy getting whipped, later getting raped, and Solomon hanging from a noose for a whole day stood out for me as being sad, but memorable. The producer chose to not rush through these painful scenes to gain empathy from the viewers. Movies also get in the mind the main character and viewers are able to get a better idea of what daily life is like which can make people care more deeply about the characters and the historical significance. Producers do have time limit of around two and a half hours and have to keep the attention of viewers during the whole film. McQueen, the filmmaker of 12 years a slave, was able to keep the attention of his viewers by not distorting the truth or beautifying the past in any way. Also, learners often prefer for history to be taught through narrative and to be taken on a journey because it gives them something or someone to care about. After watching the film, people are able to have something to talk about and analyze what they saw and even create their own opinion about how slavery has impacted the US. Slavery is not a popular or favorable topic to discuss, but it has to be and movies are effective ways to start those conversations.
Glory was also a pretty successful movie that covered a significant aspect of US history. The producer of Glory chose to tell the story of the 54th regiment for the Union which was an all black regiment through the eyes of a white colonel. This movie explored a historical change in US where African Americans were finally going to be able to fight for their freedom. We get to see Shaw struggle with his racism and how he is going to erase the line separating him and his soldiers he has to lead. Critics say it was "heart tugging" and "rare", but they would prefer for the historical context to be told through the black soldiers' point of view. While watching the movie, however, we were able to track each primary character's expectations of the regiment and of each other. We also saw how those expectations changed throughout the story. For example, Trip started off with very low expectations and was always looking for ways to be disappointed. At the end, he was proud and volunteering to hold the flag. Although this movie is less popular, it starts discussions about controversial subjects like racism and it's a reminder that everyone was fighting the war for different reasons.
Producers have to decide what deserves to be remembered in history and what does not when making their films. Historical films are only another person's opinion and theory of history which often causes differences of opinions to occur. They also are simply an imitation of history and can't be expected to be perfectly historically accurate. They should be used to gain Movies leave lasting impressions on viewers and create inspiration for discussion and further research. Movies should be part of the curriculum to improve analyzation skills and get deeper understanding of historical themes.
12 Years a Sl
ave
Movie Analysis
Discussions
Works Cited
"The Blood and Tears, Not Magnolias." Review by Manohla Dargis. 12 Years a Slave Holds Nothing Back. New York Times, www.nytimes.com/2013/10/18/movies/12-years-a-slave-holds-nothing-back-in-show-of-suffering.html?_r=0.
Collin, Robbie. Review. This, at Last, Really is History Written in Lightning. The Telegraph, www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/06/03/12-years-a-slave-review-this-at-last-really-is-history-written-w/.
Review. This, at Last, Really is History Written in Lightning. The Telegraph, www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/06/03/12-years-a-slave-review-this-at-last-really-is-history-written-w/.
Downing, Taylor. "History on Film." History Today. History Today, www.historytoday.com/taylor-downing/history-filmfilm-history.
"History on Film." History Today. History Today, www.historytoday.com/taylor-downing/history-filmfilm-history.
Ebert, Roger. "Glory." Review. robertebert.com, www.rogerebert.com/reviews/glory-1989.
"Glory." Review. robertebert.com, www.rogerebert.com/reviews/glory-1989.
Hanford, Alex. "12 years a slave: the true story of Solomon Northup." The Telegraph, www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/06/03/12-years-a-slave-the-true-story-of-solomon-northup/.
"12 years a slave: the true story of Solomon Northup." The Telegraph, www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/06/03/12-years-a-slave-the-true-story-of-solomon-northup/.
Thursday, September 8, 2016
12 Years a Slave Paraphrase Activity
The new film from the British director Steve McQueen is an adaptation of the memoirs of Solomon Northup, a freeborn black American family man from upstate New York who was kidnapped, shipped to the South and sold to the owner of a Louisiana plantation in 1841. There have been other films about American slaves, and films that have described or depicted the American slave trade in some way too: not many, but enough high-profile ones, from Gone With the Wind all the way to Mandingo, for the topic not to feel like unmapped territory. (Telegraph.co.uk Review)
Steve McQueen, the well known British director, makes his new film based off of an adaptation of the memoirs of Solomon Northup, a black, American man who was born free in the North, but later kidnapped and sold as a slave in the South in 1841. His movie, however, is not the first film that has been made based in this time period and centered around topics like slavery and slave ownership. For example, Gone with the Wind and Mandingo have also covered issues concerning American slave trade.
Steve McQueen, the well known British director, makes his new film based off of an adaptation of the memoirs of Solomon Northup, a black, American man who was born free in the North, but later kidnapped and sold as a slave in the South in 1841. His movie, however, is not the first film that has been made based in this time period and centered around topics like slavery and slave ownership. For example, Gone with the Wind and Mandingo have also covered issues concerning American slave trade.
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