GOMEG

Post #13 Peace, Love and Happiness

    The year 1970 was a time of mass chaos in both the United States and the rest of the world. All the events that occurred in 1970, such as the Vietnam War, The Kent 4, the anti-war rallies and the Persian Earthquake; Americans turned to entertainment to ease their minds. Although many movies and songs of 1970 talked about the world's troubles, all of American favorites relayed a positive message for the future that contradicted the grimness of the present. The top 10 movies and top 10 songs of 1970, expressed the famous 1970 ideology of love, peace and happiness as major theme.

      With the end of the civil rights movement, love was a theme that was closely related to peace specifically, the love between people who were different than each other whether socially, economically or culturally. The number one movie "The Love Story" depicted this theme very well. In this movie, two people, Oliver Barrett IV and Jenny Cavilleri, fall in love while in school. A problem does not arise until the economic differences between the two are discovered. Jenny is from a blue collared Italian family, while Oliver is from a family of millionaires. Although Oliver's father disapproves of the relationship, Jenny and Oliver get married. Despite the fact that in the end Jenny dies, this movie shows that love triumphs over economic differences [1]. The number 5 movie, although from Disney, The Aristocrats also shows the love between people that share undeniable differences. In the movie a cat named Duchess and her kittens lived the life of the rich and famous, having a special butler catering to their needs all the time. The butler, after finding out that the owner is leaving her multi million dollar inheritance to her cats, kidnaps the cats and drops them off on the country side. A street cat name O'Malley helps the cats find their way home and eventually captures the heart of dutchess [1]. Even though these two cats are from different social backgrounds they still found a way to be in love. In the number 7 movie, Little Big Man, a white survivor of the battle of Little Big Horn shares his story of how he was raised by Native Americans, jumping between the white and Native American world [1]. This comedy and tragedy, sends a strong statement on how the love between Native Americans and Whites can be accomplished. The number eight movie, Ryan's Daughter, shows that love is bigger then differences, using age to set the stage. The film tells the story of an older school teacher that married a younger woman that eventually have an affair with a handsome young English major [1].
The number 9 song, Everything is Beautiful by Ray Stevens, Suggests that every person is beautiful and should be loved the same. "Jesus loves the little Children/ All the children of the world/ Red and yellow, black and white/ they are precious in his sight." No matter what nationality a person is, or what "color" a person is, they should be loved all the same [2]. In the #7 song Jackson five's ABC, says that love is simple. "A, B, C /It's easy as 1 2 3,/ do re mi, A B C, 1 2 3 baby you and me girl.[3]" The #3 Song, Shocking Blue's Venus, is a song that is basically uplifting woman. In 1970, the first two female general were appointed to the US army . The #2 song Jackson 5, I want you back is also about love. This song is just asking for a girl to take them back[4].
      Due to the fact that American troops were in Vietnam, the theme of peace, or anti-war, was a major theme of the time. Many war protests broke out, including the Kent four. At Kent State University in Ohio, the National Guard opened fire on a war protest killing 4 people and wounding many others. Anti war was a theme that the entertainment industry could not ignore and because of this, was expressed very heavily on the big screen and in music. M*A*S*H, the third top box office movie, is described as a black comedy. The movie depicted the Korean War, all the while making a mockery out of the events of war itself. In the movie, two young surgeons of the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, Duke and Hawkeye ended up being stationed in the Korean War [1]. These two in turn, do everything from help the camp dentist commit suicide, to playing a football game with other units, to escape the harsh realities of war. This movie takes on an anti- war view, although the setting is the Korean War, the Vietnam war was the under lying topic. The number 10 box office movie, Catch-22, also was an anti-war movie. In this movie, a bomber pilot who wants to get out of the army because the number of missions he need to reach in order to get discharge keeps rising. This movie is showing the harsh work that American troops would have to perform, all the while suggesting that American troops are being over worked[1]. The number 8 song, American Woman, is also an anti War song. The lyrics of American Woman, to the obvious spoke of a woman, but because of the time that it was released, it spoke of peace. The American Woman is really America as a country, the American government. In the song "Guess Who", is telling the American Woman to stop trying to "Sparkle" or look good in some one else's eyes, specifically France [5]. In a way the words of the song are words of the Vietnamese to the American "Woman", the American government.
Happiness is probably the most important and the most stressed theme of 1970.
     Americans with all that was happening such as, hurricane Cecila who swept across Texas and Florida killing 28 people, Americans needed to find a way to find happiness around them. In the number one song, Rain Drops Keep Falling on My Head, BJ Thomas is saying that no matter what life throws at you, it should not bring you down. "But there's one thing that I know/ The blues they send to meet me wont defeat me/ It wont be long till happiness steps up to greet me"[6]. In the number 6 songs Let it Be by the Beatles, the words are telling some one not to stress over things and to just let them be. "When I find myself in times of trouble Mother Mary comes to me/ Speaking words of Wisdom/ Let it be"[7]. The Beatles were telling people that for stuff that you really cannot do anything about, "Let it Be" rather then stress about it. The movie Airport also stressed happiness, which was about adjusting to new situations and being happy no matter what life throws at you. The owner of an airport would have to adjust to different situations in order to run their airport successfully [1].
The inspirational themes found in 1970 entertainment are what kept up the moral of the citizens in America of 1970. The hidden and blatant inspirational words found in the songs, helped America look to a brighter future both politically and socially.

1.http://www.popculturecrazy.com/topten/1970.htm
HTTP://www.geocities.com/athens/Rhodes9574/lyrics_bridge
2.http://www.raystevens.com/Sonf_lyrics/EverythingIsBeautifulLyrics
3.http://www.lyricsdowload.com/jackson-five-a-b-c-lyrics.html
4.http://lyrics.rare-lyrics.com/J/Jackson-Five/I-Want-You-Back.html
5.http://www.oldieslyrics.com/lyrics/the_guess_who/american_woman
6.http://wwww.lyricsdownload.com/b-j-thomas-rainsrops-keep-fallin-on
7.http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStri[?limo/3518/let_it_be.htm?200518

Post #12 The Day the Nation Cried

    The day the terrorists ran their plane into the World Trade Center and Pentagon on September 11th 2001, is a day that will go down in history as the sadest day of my generation. From the moment my area and I heard of the tragedy, we all began to think of the world as very unsafe place, and because of that bases shut down and a war started. We also began to understand that today could be the last day and we need to appreciate what we have now. The day 9/11 is a day that i will always remember and look back on to think of how a country and town came together.
    I was a freshman in high school, sitting in a hard and very boring english class. I think the class was discussing our summer reading assignment when another teacher suddenly ran into the room. After the other teacher ran into the room and was talking to my teacher, I began talking to my best friend Shannon. We were both cheerleaders and had an away game later. While  Shannon  and I were talking, Mrs. Kearney turned on the TV to CNN. We only saw alot of people  running  in the street before she turned the  TV off so we could get back to work. I was not able to watch the TV anymore that day until  I got home from school, but my friends did. At lunch they all told me what they had seen on TV, that airplanes flew into the World Trade Center as well as the Pentagon. Many of my friends and half the school's families are in the airforce, army, navy, marines or CIA, which all have bases in my area. The school was buzzing with what would happen to the friends and families in our area who were in the military and what the bases would do.
    After lunch, the day resumed as usual until the last block, when the school announced that every after-school activity was CANCELED! The only time that happened was when it snowed or a hurricane was about to hit, so everyone now knew the crashes were not an accident. So we all left school to sit at home and watch CNN all night with our families. The next day school was canceled because of the attack and the day after that all the bases went on lock down.
   The attack of 9/11 seriously changed my area because many families lost family members to the war that soon was on way. The way of life on bases around me also changed dramatically. No longer was everyone and anyone allowed on base; you practically had to give blood to get on base after the attacks. Within the last six months, my area has lessened the restrictions on bases and some families are getting their loved ones back. All in all, 9/11  affected the way of life for my area and my good friends.

Top 10 Movies 1970 Photo Album

Photo Album #11

50's Photo Album

Lucille Ball: One of America's Greatest Television Actresses

Comment Post #10

elizabeth Post # 7

David Post #7

Kishan Post #7

Post #9 Innocent Until Proven Guilty

   In the US, the court system has operated on the principle of "innocent until proven guilty." Based on the evindence, a person is convicted of a crime or acquitted. Similarly, a jury's verdict is (and was) influenced by a jury's belief about a defendant's character. A person's gender, race, or particular social class might be or his only crime. With that in mind, in the 19th century, a jury in State V. Rehberg (1885) would have found Edward Rehberg guilty on one account of child abuse, and one count of being a poor white farmer; in the 20th century, a jury would likely find Rehberg "not guilty" of all charges.

 The case of State V. Rehberg occured in 1885; a case in which Edward Rehberg was on trial for charges of child abuse which led to second degree murder. He allegedly beat his eleven year old daughter, Clara Rehberg, to the point that it killed her. The evidence of this case is simple, Mr. Rehberg was seen all day by his daughter working on the haystack, with the hired help Joe Tiebow. This provided Mr. Rehberg with an alibi. A dying declaration provided by the daughter in question, Clara; stated that her father did not beat her, but in was her step-mother, Louisa Rehberg.
   With all the facts found in this case it might be hard for a person to render a verdict of guilty, we in the 19th century however, feel that is exactlyl how this case was decided. In the historical context, Mr. Rehberg being looked at in a social way would have been seen as guilty because he was a member of lower class. Although this is not directly stated, it is evident through various witnesses. For every piece of evidence that proved him innocent, Mr. Rehberg's status and the things he did to survive made him guilty. First, his alibi; Mr. Rehberg was a white male farmer who was seen working at the haystack all say long. This backfired against himi because he made his daughters work int eh fields as well as the haystacks; while wearing "overhauls". In the 19th century, this was seen as abuse becuase the role of a female woman or child was not in the fields, but in the house doing "lady like" things. Also, since it was his own female children who said they saw him, the jury would assume that they were trying to protech their father. Second, the dying declaration of Clara; stating that Louisa beat her, which also backfired on Mr. Rehberg, because the jury would never believe it. Clara saying that Louisa did the beating had to be a lie, becuase a woman in the 19th century was seen as the nurturer, the caretaker and very passive. A woman could not have possibly beaten a child to death; they were seen as the protector of the children from their aggresive, disciplining fathers. Also, women at atht time were said to have more moral judgement than men, they could not have been so cruel. In addition, women were supoposedly not as strong as men; therefore Louisa did not have the strength to beat a child to such as degree of death.  Clara was a child of a low social class, who may have, like her siblings wanted to help her father and because of this the jury may have suggested that she was fabricating the truth.
   Clara  would not have been seen as competent enough to understand the seriousness and effects of what she was saying. After being questioned about the beating and continously reminded that she was about to die, Clara began to swear. In such a God fearing period like the 19th Century, this was not what a dying person would do if they knew any better, especially a child. Clara is from the lower class, which supposedly did not follow the same Godly beliefs, nor did they teach their children Godly beliefs. Clara, although eleven years old, could not possibly know right from wrong, therefore she was lying; Louisa did not beat her, Edward Rehberg did. He was the last person with Clara; he is the man of the house, and he is GUILTY!
   In the 20th Century, Mr. Rehberg, without a doubt would be innocent; this is clear by looking at the evidence. First, his alibi; it does not depend on who saw him; a child, man or women, his alibi would be admissible without quesion. If he was not at the place where the crime was committed then he could not possibly have committed the crime.  Everyone who testified said to have seen him at the haystack and no where in contact with Clara until she came to already in pain. Dr. Steele testified taht Clara's injuries could  have been inflicted before noon, but if Clara kept moving then she would have not felt any pain until she lay down or rested. Her sister, Emma, said Clara woke up that morning feeling well and went on to perform he daily tasks as usual. It was late in the day when Clara was seen "sleeping on the lounge"; upon waking she went to her father to take her to the doctor. Due to Mr. Rehberg's alibi, he could not have possibly beaten his daughter to this point, in the time frame stated. Second, the dying declaration; Clara is eleven years old, and unless mentally disabled she would have been able to know the difference between right and wrong. Since Clara said that Louisa beat her, and evidence shows that the witnesses saw Louisa with Clara all day, the blame would be put upon Louisa. Theories that a women is too nice, passive, or gentle to have committed the crime would not hold water in court, or in the minds of a jury. By the 20th Century, these ideals about women were proven wrong. Another difference concerning the declaration and Louisa in the 20th Century would be irrelevant unless words between the two were exchanged concerning the abuse. A lawyer would want to put Louisa on the stand to either prove a violent tendency in Mr. Rehberg; or after reading the declaration, question her about her involvement in the crime or her whereabouts. This brings the third reason why Mr. Rehberg would not have been convicted; Reasonable doubt. Reasonable doubt is the basis of verdicts in the 20th Century; a person could not have been convicted unless they are "guilty without reasonable doubt." With the children and Joe Tiebow testifying that Clara was with Louisa all day, it is hard to prove that without reasonable doubt, that Edward Rehberg is guilty.

   This case puts shame on the US court system of the 19th Century because although Mr. Rehberg would be found guilty, our decision can only be justified after looking at the beliefs of the society. Fortunetly, as society becomes less constrained by the beliefs of "a perfect America", more legal cases are ruled without bias to a particular class or gender. The court systems today have a proper way to punish criminals and let the innocent go free; today cases are decided on, "Innocent Until Proven Guilty."   

Post #8 Photo Album

Civil War Amputations

Post #7 Comments..round 2

David on "Forceful White Influence"

Gian on "An obligatory transformation"

Kishan on "Thats an Indian!"

Post #6 Perfect Mormon Utopia

     During the 1840s, Mormon cities and towns were being established to strengthen
the Mormon ideals. These ideals stemmed from the religion as well as a belief in
agriculture and industrialization. One of the Mormon cities was New Life,
Missouri. By looking at the map of New Life, Missouri in 1844, the Mormon ideals
of self sufficiency because of isolation; dominance of the church; and social
equality are reflected.
      The Mormons of the 19th century believed in a self sufficient way of life
through isolation. "They isolated themselves from their neighbors."
(http://www.nhc.rtp.nc.! us:8080/tserve/nineteen/nkeyinfo/nmormon.htm Pg 2) They
did this to "Set up cohesive, economically self sufficient and largely self
governing communities, setting themselves up not simply as a group of worshipers
but as a people apart.  (http://www.nhc.rtp.nc.us:8080/tserve/nineteen/nkeyinfo/nmormon.htm
Pg 2) The map of New Life, Missouri in 1844 shows these beliefs by separating
themselves by an outline of trees. These trees can be found on any direction on
the sides the map. They allow themselves to be self-sufficient community by
having farms to grow and produce, dairy farm for milk and other dairy products.
This Mormon community also has a wat! er source to catch fish and blacksmiths, a
bakery and a butcher. These shops and farms allow for the residents of the
community to grow, make and sell products, thus a
llowing them to be self sufficient.
     Mormon cities were set up because of the religion; this makes the church
dominant in the society. In the Mormon society of New Life, Missouri of 1844 the
center of the community was the church and town hall. The priest house and
industrial shops are also found in the core of the New Life, Missouri. The
Mormon religion had a strong belief in polygamy, "Celestial marriages under
which saints' marriages were "sealed" for eternity. This doctrine became the
basis for the revelation of the practice of "plural marriages" under which
select and worthy Mormon men could take multiple wives." (http://www.nhc.rtp.nc.us:8080/tserve/nineteen/nkeyinfo/nmormon.htm
Pg 3) This Mormon ideology of polygamy is shown in the map because the houses
are larger and sectional, which shows that the man of the household could have
two wives, each on one side of the house. The bel! ief in polygamy also shows a
lack of respect for women. ! The women are more of property than a person the
man loves. It also
shows that men and church are the dominant parts of a Mormon society.
     Even though men and church were a dominant aspect of the Mormon society in New
Life, Missouri in 1844, the religion did enforce a strict policy of equality.
The New Life society is equal by the plots of land all being the same size,
streets being the same width and proportionality in the spacing of the town. The
belief of equality stems from the "Theocratic-democracy." (http://www.nhc.rtp.nc.us:8080/tserve/nineteen/nkeyinfo/nmormon.htm
Pg 4) A theocratic democracy is one in which the church is in control, but with
democratic views. This is also shown by the church and town hall being the
center of the town.
     The main reason for Mormons setting up a utopian society is to get away from
industrialism.  Instead of focusing on industrialism, the Mormon utopian
societies focused their attention to the church and equality, which were strong
beliefs in their religion.  The map found in New Life, Missouri in 1844 shows
the prevalence of church, equality and their isolationism through the way the
society was set up.

References:
1.Davidson, Gienapp, Heyrman, Lytle, and Stoff.  :Nations of Nations. New York,
NY, 2006.
2.http://www.nhc.rtp.nc.us:8080/tserve/nineteen/nkeyinfo/nmormon.htm
Sites:
1.http://www.nhc.rtp.nc.us:8080/tserve/nineteen/nkeyinfo/nmormon.htm
2.http://www.carm.org/mormon.htm
3.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormonism

Post #5 Negatively affected by white culture

  In the time period 1830-1850, movement toward the west appeared. While President, Andrew Jackson created policies which allowed for white settlers to take land away from Native Americans, with government approval, which soon lead to "The Trail of Tears". Painter George Catlin depicted the effects of westward movement and its affects on Native Americans in a series of paintings. "George Catlin's painting, "Pigeon's Egg Head," suggests that he believed that Native Americans were negatively affected by white culture; as a result the image shows a transformation of a dignified Native American man from the west into a corrupt man after returning from the east.
    In the painting, "Pigeon's Egg Head," by George Catlin, there are two men; both have the same height, build and facial features. Catlin does this to show that these two men are in fact that same, Pigeon's Egg Head. The Pigeon's Egg Head we see on the left side of the painting is wearing an ornate outfit, shoes and head dress;showing that he is a high ranking man in his tribe. He is also standing tall, exhibiting his dignity and strength for his tribe. On the same side of the painting is the capital building, which is where Pigeon's Egg Head is going to discuss the policies of westward migration; set into effect by Andrew Jackson. Catlin paints Pigeon's Egg Head going to the capital building becuase many Native Americans in this time period fought the government policy of allowing of white settlers to take Indian land. An example is the Cherokees, "Cherokees brought suit in federal court against Georgia's actions."(Pg 295) Catlin also depicts tht changes the Native Americans made in effort to coincide with government policies.
    Even though the federal courts sided with Native Americans, in the case of the Cherokees, Andrew Jackson did not, "Jackson ignored the Court's edict."(Pg 295) This put pressure on the Native Americans to change their ways to those of white settlers, in hopes to save their lands. "The demand for new lands put continuing pressure on Indians." (Pg 294) Catlin puts the tepees on the right side of the painting to show that Pigeon's Egg Head is returning home from visiting the capital. Catlin illustrates the changes that Pigeon's Egg Head makes in many ways: a military outfit; one large feather in a top-hat instead of a head dress; a fan; a parasol; and alcohol in his back pockets. The military outfit and the hat are symbols of Pigeon's Egg Head's attempt to convert into a white settler. On the other hand, the parasol and fan are Catlin's way of showing us that Native Americans were confused on how to become "white". The most important element on the right side of the painting is the bottles of alcohol in Pigeon's Egg Head's back pockets. The alcohol and leaning on the parasol are illustrations of loss of control and dignity. Catlin is displaying that the corruptness of Pigeon's Egg Head is because of western movement and Andrew Jackson's policies.
    Catlin's painting is representative of western movement and how it affected Native Americans. When Andrew Jackson encouraged the country to move westward in hopes of better life, the Native Americans lost everything they had, especially their way of living. A Native Americans way of life including showing pride in your heritage and tribe. Catlin shows a negative change on the Native Americans way of life by showing Pigeon's Egg Head with alcohol. The alcohol is directly opposite of pride; it is a loss of control. That is Catlin's main point, that with new settlers and new commodities, Native Americans were negatively affected.

Refrences:
Nation of Nations. Davidson;Gienapp;Heyrman;Lytle;Stoff.2006