Blog # 7 What is a Satire?

What is satire? Can you find an example? What are the elements of an effective satire?

Can you find a contemporary example of a satire? How effective is this example? Why?

A Satire is the use of humor or sarcasm to criticize the particular subject.

In the book of The Adventures Huckleberry Finn I think there are many examples satires, the book it's self is a satire simply because of the so called humor that is presented before us....but is was based on a time where there was a lot of slavery and who knows if this would of actually happened but the fact is that Mark Twain wanted this story to be known for a reason.....maybe for the humor to make people to be more accepting and aware of the race it's self or to turn people the other way and say okay yeah it's okay to be racist. I do know that Mark Twain based some of these situations on stuff that he experienced when he was a little boy. The way they portray Jim in the book is kind of a mo chary and a satire to the black man because of how he is portrayed;example, grammar is completely non-understandable and the kinds of things that he speaks about not everybody might think this way but because he is stereotyped I guess they are all supposed to think a like. The fact that he is dumb witted, illiterate, black, and poor is a complete satire of the Black working man and that is exactly what they state in this book. Pap is also a satire, pap's threats are humorous because of the obvious irony; how could a father not want his son to learn or 2 not proud of him. Pap exudes bigotry and hate, his ludicrous tirade against the government and blacks is pathetically comical because of his obvious arrogance and ignorance. The irony, however is more painful than it is humorous because it symbolizes a common racist attitude built on ignorance and insecurity. Also I noticed other satires referring to Shakespeare, the parody of Shakespeare is another staple of frontier humor that Twain uses for comic effect. Twain also uses the families to underscore his subtle satire on religion, as the two families attend the same church, leaning their guns against the walls during the sermon about "Brotherly Love."Go figure...!

A perfect example of a contemporary satire I would have to say would be scary movies; the movie Scary Movie is a contemporary satire in the pop culture...it simply exaggerates the use of violence in movies that is used to scare audiences ...or even T.V shows like Saturday night live...they are constantly making fun of every actor/actress, Career, family and so on...These both are really effective because they are portrayed throughout the media...everyone loves to laugh and many use that to relate to others when they want to make fun of something they get you to laugh with them and not at them...without hurting any one's feelings. Also T.V shows like South park and Weird Al Yankovich are also great examples of a contemporary satire, they are always finding ways to mo ch everybody and everything...

Blog #6 Adventures of Huck Finn

How are you interpreting Jim? What meaning does he take away from the characterization of him in the text? Is he an example of a minstrel? Is his characterization contributing to double consciousness?

I guess I interpret him as a very uneducated human being, he is some what shy and curious and somewhat friendly. He is very superstitious and seems to know a lot about the world around him meaning his surroundings and having to fend for himself. He seems really frightened by other people that are chasing after him, but finds Huck. He seems like he is in dire need of a friend, someone to understand him and accept as a human being rather than just what people see him as. He seems to talk a lot but I think that it's just because he is very lonely. I can see him as a ministrel show for sure because of his race and how he is seen by other people. Granted he doesn't dance around and act all happy, but many see him as another stereo typical thing rather than a human. He is mostly seen for his skin color rather than his personality which is a example of a minstrel show. I think his character is contributing to a double consciousness because of how is seen to many and how he see's himself. He seems to have a decent heart and concern for others and that is what most people do not get to see. I believe he views himself as a decent human but is also aware that there are many that see him as that stereo typical minstrel.

Blog #5 Rasicm and Sexism; are people equal?

"Things are so much better now". Racism and Sexism are no longer present; neither race nor sex are factors in the way people are perceived. "People are treated equally". -

If this is the way people view our times now, they are sorely mistaken. All of these statements are a crock of shit and should be fed back to the people that stated them. I believe that racism and sexism has come along way, but has not totally banished. As we try to become more equal people will always try to find ways that we are not and exploit them. Everybody knows that there will always be racism and sexism and you simply can not ignore it. I think that in this country we have come along way in trying to get along, but that hasn't always worked. There is sexism everyday as much as there is racism and I witness it almost everyday, maybe not in the ways like it used to be but it is visible. I witness it in the work world, take my job for example I used to work with an all guy team at my job. All were managers, one was just right below them and wanted to be a manager but his job skills sucked. There was chance for a women to be manager but was turned down because the store manager wanted one of his guys to do it but the DM wouldn't allow it. So basically he refused because he was being sexist. Also before all of them got fired he wanted to hire another guy for supervisor which made it but is being demoted because he sucks at his job. Believe it or not we have an all women staff but because the DM is sexist against men because of the way they do their job. But here is the thing about sexism is that women are better at things than men just as there are men are better things than women. I think all should be given a fare chance to see who is best for the job. Also think about clothing, women pay more $ for their clothes than men do. They make the excuse that they have more curves which is true but give me a break. Racism is an everyday thing as well, just look at the election this last year. It almost was about a race and sexism thing. We had a women running for president against a black man running for president go figure. As much as Hillary would of been great, she was singled out because she is a women. Obama as well, there were so many people who didn't want Obama because of his race, even though he still won, but there are a lot more minorities out there then their are the rich. I also have been seeing it a lot when it comes to the Internet, I was looking up pictures of guns, and I saw a picture with a money, of course you have all the pictures of the presidents on it...then I scrolled down and there was a picture of a food stamp with Obama on it. I also ran into a lot of other propagnada that was rac and sexism bashing.

Blog #4 Contradictions?

Well first off ....yes I beleive there are multiple messages being sent to these childeren. Childeren are taught a lot when it comes to all kinds of things...but in a way just from an add like this we are also confusing them with reality and their sense of childhoodism. It's bad enough that they learn these things in school, but now the media has to take part in this, like were not confusing these kids enough with all the other mixed messages that we are sending them. I think that there are far worse things that are happening to our kids then just a bunch of mixed messages, but I beleive this is one of them. First by showing that barbie is fat it's automatically telling them that to be fat is the worst thing, so by doing this, this creates a fear just from what started out as a toy that these little girls love to play with. What I dont think is right is that they are using props like barbies and super hereos to get into these kids minds. Talk about preying on inosense; Fuck!

So by telling them that being fat is the worst thing this automatically brainwashes them into thinking that you have to be super skinny like a barbie doll, and this usually causes a quite a few kids into becoming self conscience and anorexic, because they can never be to perfect. Also for the little boys that like to play with pirates or super heros, if they are somewhat heavy this is only goona give them a horrible self esteem and feel down on themselves for being heavy when it really isn't ther fault, I mean all they want to do is play with their toys you know? It is a contradiction to these kids so they never know what to believe. I think ads can be pretty effective, it is the structure of what we base our world on. A target for anybody that is gullible, and now they are preying on kids wow what a country! Arent we supposed to be tecahing these kids actual knowledge and not consumerism? They will learn that stuff as they get older, let them have their childhood and start targeting the parents! It seems like an excuse for bad parenting when you have to target inocent childeren. A lot of kids will do what you tell them, and usually they will believe anything because they are kids. As for adults they should be the ones paying closer attention to thier kids and spending quality time with them it almost shows that they don't care about their childeren.

I defenitly think that these ads are contributing to a generation of kids to be thin, no body wants to be picked last for the team if you know what I mean. It is a given fact that most kids want to be popular, and unfortunatley it is based on looks most of the time. I think that the problem with childhood obesity does warrant this kind of action. But In many ways it doesn't cause there is still an obesity problem in our society. Parents have a lot to with it because they are the ones in control, it's basically easy it is to obtain such fattening foods, fast foods, school lunches, and parents usually let their kids wonder unsupervised like at the mall plenty of bad food there believe me. Bad parenting does account for this, it's all how you were raised as well. Most parents will put food in their kids mouths just to shut them up because they don't know how to deal with it. Also T.V is the worst, what do you do? You stick a kid in front of the T.V with food, just so they can see more ads for more tastier snacks bamm there you have it! there is a need for want because they make you want it, it's like having your first of anything; it draws you in for more! In a way it's wrong to make these kids have a slef image simply because these are problems they will be dealing with later in life. They should be able to enjoy their childhood without the pressures of society and the parents should know better and whats best for their kids! Pay the fuck attention!

Essay #3 Perception is Selective

As human beings how we perceive things can be quite deceiving to many of us and to many it can create a false imagery or something much more than that. We generally are so quick to judge our perception on things. As I have learned

perception is selective and how you choose to look at it is a judgement. As individuals we are all seen as something by others, whether it is a label to a stereotype, this is how we are perceived. How people perceive me is some what quite interesting and a little frustrating at times. In many ways I am misunderstood due to people's perception, and for so many reasons. It is a given fact that many see me as much more than a human being, I have experienced reactions to every face of every kind. Many perceive me as intimidating, tough, dark, and emotionless; unfortunately they base this on my image alone. Yes I can be all these things, but there is so much more to me then meets the eye.

How I look has a lot to with how I am viewed by others, growing up the way I did has a lot to do with my image and I'm sure it speaks for it's self. There are only the few that actually get to know me for who I really am rather than the image and I will admit I don't let people in so easy, if your sincere about getting to know me you have to earn my friendship. You have to be able to fully get past the image and take into consideration of what that person has possibly been through. You have to be willing to be open to perceive things differently and possibly be able to explore the dark that comes with the light; you have to be willing to see both sides to everything. I don't always like reaction I get from people when they pass me by and it does bother me somewhat, but it's something I have to be willing to except to comfortable in my own skin. This is something that happens way to often, even when people can't put there thumb on it, they either freak out and turn the other way or stare like I'm some kind of freak! I can admit this something that I would expect and to be honest it is something that I have done intentionally to serve as security blanket. Yes intimidation can go along way, at least for someone like me. I think that my image says a lot to people when they generally look at me, why else would they stare?


The fact that I wear all black generally makes people uncomfortable, for only a few reasons. I'm either considered Gothic or a criminal, which is really hard to swallow because I'm neither. I can think back to when I was that little girl who usually wondered about the kids who were a lot scarier and wore all black, I will admit that I was intrigued but scared at the same time; I have become what I used to fear, I guess that is true for the many people who perceive me the way they do. It is a given fact that people are often scared of what they don't understand; and that is the truth. Wearing all black has become a big part of my life believe or not, it has given me my own identity and has allowed me to become who I am. This does serve a problem in the eye of the public because like I said before I am seen as Gothic or a criminal. Many people are usually scared to talk to me because of the black clothes; kind of ridiculous but what can you do?

My tattoos have given me a sense of my self and has allowed me to be okay with who I am, but I feel many people also judge me based on my tattoos. I guess in many ways my tattoos have spoken for them selves. I'm automatically labeled or stereotyped just for having ink embedded in to my skin. Of course this is expected from many people who don't like or have tattoos to begin with. Instead of being able to be comfortable in my own skin many people take that a way from me. It's really sad because I feel it is the only thing I have to be comfortable in my own my skin.