Public Art Post

NYC is a state full of art, everywhere we walk we see some form of art waiting to be appreciated by someone who crosses by it but often times miss it. Sometimes we’re too busy to see them as we rush into our schedules, no one has much time to appreciate it’s significance. Street art can be found in almost any place of any town yet fail to be spotted by those that run on autopilot, but there is one place where art never fails to be missed and stands tall for everyone to watch as we go about our daily schedule.

5 Pointz would be my pick to include in my own museum exhibit because it is made by Graffiti artists, all trying to post their piece of art on any available space to show their work by many viewers. This building has never failed to be seen by those that take the 7 train between court house sq. and hunters point. The building stands in the center of all 5 boroughs where the 7 train takes a turn and then becomes exposed on almost all it’s sides, leaving you astonished by the art that has been presented to you.

I pass by it every time i take the 7 train and it makes me contemplate about every piece of graffiti art I have come across throughout these boroughs. I feel 5 pointz represents for what urban art is in NYC. There is without a doubt a piece of graffiti art colored on the brick wall to be seen in all five boroughs. 5 pointz is therefore symbolic to the NYC urban art life because it is in the heart of all boroughs.

                  

Post #5; Q2

  In the first chapter of Malcom x’s biography, he explains how many african americans were brainwashed in the ideology of white supremacy and how he grows up analyzing this idea. He saw this first hand from his father, Earl Little, who was a Baptist minister and an organizer to U.N.I.A. Living in a nation where all around you is just blunt on the idea of black culture than white culture you fail to recognize that you were brainwashed to believe in white supremacy. Earl never really hit his son Malcom because his skin complexion was lighter than all his other siblings. His father would also take him to his preaching sessions rather than anyone else in the family. This given fact gave him the idea that his father favored more on him because he was given a lighter complexion than all the rest and he held Malcom as somewhat of a trophy. 

  Malcom’s mother on the other hand gave him hell for his his skin complexion. Because her side of the family was raped by a white man she is reminded everyday of the horror of her history just by looking at her son Malcom. In her perspective she views having a whiter complexion something to be frowned upon. Ironically she too had a lighter complexion but it is the idea that her gene is going to pass down a little bit of white blood that bothered her. She unlike her husband, treated the rest of her children with respect.

  Malcom became the catalyst of both worlds, his father’s perspective and his mother’s perspective. He viewed these facts and narrowed the idea to only find out that white supremacy plays a huge impact among the black race. He wanted his readers to recognize that even white supremacy is both given externally and internally. whether you are enforcing the black race to move back to Africa or you carry the blood of a white man. He viewed white supremacy a lingering shadow.

My Essay for October 19

Bob Dylan has been critically know for his music about civil rights, and anti-war movements. One I'd like to discuss about is the song "The Times They Are a-Changin'". The song was written in an attempt to create an anthem of change for the civil rights movement. It describes a new age pushing forth for change and equality and how those in power must accept the changes. When I listened to this song, it has this sense of tranquility to change in society and how many should welcome it for the better. In this song Bob Dylan writes to a couple of types of people in a society. Each telling them what must be done.

   The first verse metaphorically speaks to the people that they should admit that there isn't equality and time after time they will be sinking if they don't start swimming. This verse is kind of like giving people an epiphany that they can do something about it or drown in their dreams of hope.

   The Third verse speaks to those in power and how they should accept these changes that they have been avoiding. He gives us a picture of them blocking the halls and how soon enough their methods won't work anymore after years of neglecting because society will become enraged. So he asks them to heed the call and be open about the subject of giving the black community their rights.

   The fourth verse is speaking to the black mothers and fathers and how they should not criticize these changes but to accept them, because many thought it was crazy to make these changes. So he asks to lend the new road a hand and leave the old road behind.

   Bob Dylan was trying to write a big song with short concise verses each deliberately speaking to certain people. The Black community, The ones in power, and finally the parents of the black community.

Richard Wright, "The Ethics of Living Jim Crow".

2) In his essay "The Ethics of Living Jim Crow," Richard Wright describes his experiences as a young man learning about the power system of the South. How would you describe this system: who has the power? How do they hold on to it? How do people without power respond and resist? What forms of resistance do you think would be effective in this system?


In the essay "The Ethics of Living Jim Crow" the southern system is very corrupted among the black community. Obviously the Whites have the power, but to much power that they can do an act so wrong and not be punished for it. Take the second chapter for example, the black woman was half dragged into the store by the boss and his son and beat her until they were satisfied, just because she didn't pay her bills. As for those without power -the black community- they couldn't do much because they would be punished at any given level depending on the white man's liking. Many of the black community believed that what Richard did was a foolish act and drilled into his head not to question and respect the White man if he wants to live another day. One form of resistance that would be effective in the system according to the book was to move to Memphis, there was less cruelty and he was able to borrow some books off the library because one of the people working there was a catholic and felt sympathy for the black community. From there he was able to strategically plot out a way to get books in the library and get pass other staff members without having to look suspicious.