Reconstruction

The Reconstruction was the period after the Civil War when the US was trying to rebuild the South, who lost the war. The term refers to the policies implemented between 1865 and 1877 when the nation was focused on winning the war, abolishing slavery, defeating the Confederacy (south), and reconstructing the nation and amending the US constitution (one part of the amendments, the Bill of Rights, states, "No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." This applies to colored people as well.).

Though it worked--for integrated schools were made, previous statuses as slaves or color or race weren't used as qualifications for voting, and the amendments to abolish slavery were established--there were still some problems. Schools got around the amendments by making segregation rules, and jobs wouldn't hire colored people, and the black codes were passed. The two presidents who succeeded Abraham Lincoln didn't do a very good job keeping the Reconstruction going. There was also the KKK (Ku Klux Klan) that tried to protect the rights of and further the interests of white Americans through intimidation of minorities like blacks and Jews and such, along with other hate groups. These things sparked the Civil Rights Movement, and soon after, a Second Reconstruction.

There was one significant part of the Reconstruction that happened after Abraham Lincoln was assassinated and Andrew Johnson took over--Congress established the Freedman's Bureau, which gave former slaves the food, clothing, and fuel they needed to live and advice on negotiating labor contracts. Johnson vetoed (forbade) this twice. Many former Confederates were not willing to accept the social changes or political domination of former slaves--they were unwilling to acknowledge that their society was different. Benjamin F. Perry, the provisional governor of South Carolina appointed by Johnson, said, "First, the Negro is to be invested with all political power, and then the antagonism of interest between capital and labor is to work out the result." There was also a political cartoon that alleged that the Freedman's Bureau money was being lavished on lazy freedmen at the expense of white workers.

This very closely relates to what Frances Chapman said in "Dying for Dixie" in the "Confederates in the Attic" book by Tony Horwitz, "Blacks don't really have anything against the flag. They just don't want us to have it. They want the best jobs, the biggest money. Now they want this. If we lose the mascot, it'll just be a matter of time before we lose everything." Like the poster, it implies that some people think that the slave masters and "former slaves" would switch places, where the whites are the ones working hard while the blacks do nothing.

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reconstruction_era_of_the_United_States, "Confederates in the Attic" by Tony Horwitz, http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/reconstruction/section4/section4_11.html, http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/reconstruction/credits.html

MSTB News

http://www.sandiego6.com/news/local/story/Sewage-Spill-from-Mission-Valley-to-Ocean-Beach/qWYuIGp6oEeMp2ZNMf20lQ.cspx

By the time city crews got the problem under control about an hour later, roughly 1,370 gallons of sewage had spilled into a storm drain that empties into the San Diego River.

This is an article about the sewage spill that flowed into Ocean Beach yesterday. When I read it, I thought, "how long does it take for the city crews to notice?" If it usually takes longer, would it endanger more people? Can't they think of better ways to monitor places where sewage lines would be likely to leak?


There's only one article about this spill... maybe it's not that significant to most people or other communities. Maybe a organization like Coastkeeper or some other water-testing groups would have some reports on it, though.

We visited Ocean Beach today, and we saw "beware of contamination" signs at dog beach. This spill, though little in comparison to the nearly endless gallons of water in our oceans, might affect our project, as it is our job to test these waters. Who knows how much time it will take for the sewage to be cleaned up or contained? This might affect the outcomes of our tests...

Media Saves the Beach Ideas

I would like to do something maybe involving or surrounding the La Jolla Seals controversy since I love seals, or about the illnesses you can get from the water or the types of bacteria in it because I'm a germophobic neat-freak. I would probably do a photo essay because I love photography, or an artistic piece like a poster or painting or some kind of graphic design. I absolutely do NOT want to make a video (bad experiences...).

American Icons

American Icons: Kristina Wenger

The gray door of Room 8 opened and I was greeted by six pods of tables, a spacious rug, shelves of organized books, and a clean whiteboard. I was a nervous but excited third grader on the first day of school, dressed my best in a white collared shirt and navy blue pleated skirt, with cute hairpins in my short black hair. This was the first year I had entered school without my best friend, so I was quiet and shy about talking to other students. The tall dark-haired woman that was my teacher became the first friend I had made since my best friend had moved away. Her name was Kristina Wenger.
As the year progressed, and the first day became the second, and the second day went on to become the first week, and the first week became months, Ms. Wenger became more than just my teacher. She was someone I could talk to and who could understand me. I came in at recess oftentimes and asked if there was anything I could help with. I would file papers or organize tests alphabetically or set up supplies for the next class science experiment. Every time I came into her classroom to help, we would talk about what I had drawn recently, her pets, or what our favorite kinds of candies were… We could talk about anything.
After I graduated her class, my fourth grade and fifth grade teachers didn’t need the help that I could offer and they didn’t have anything that they wanted me to do, so I went back to Room 8. I liked to help her out, and I could tell her how my new classes were going or she would tell me how enthusiastic her new students were. We would arrange a time for me to come in and teach her students some of the fun things I learned from her. I would show her my drawings and poems and ask for her opinion and critique. We would eat lunch together. She would give me chocolates and I would give her poems and pictures. We became even closer as the years passed. She helped form the person I am today.
Kris showed me what an American was. She is an American. She is hard-working and spirited and caring, creating the foundations of a future and a life for her students like she did for me. She showed me America, the one I live in now and the one I hope to make better for the next generation. There is a bright message we both hope to pass on to those who come after us.
I still go back to her classroom, and I see each year how the third graders get smaller as I get bigger. I see how excited they are and I recall that that was how I used to be, eager to learn new things in her class. I wonder if any of these kids will be like me, visiting the past and creating a future? I may not be a teacher, and I may just be a classroom assistant who’s there to find smiles with a friend and not work or money, but maybe someday, or even yesterday, I might have inspired someone to become better, just like how Kris inspired me.

Reflection: American Icons

When I wrote my artist's statement for this project, I realized that writing from my memories is very hard, especially when it's so fuzzy. From the generalization of what I do remember, though, I learned how to add a little creative nonfiction/fiction into my writing.

I utilized the "activate your verbs" technique and "avoid -ing's" tip in my artist's statement. When I did this, I had to learn the difference between nouns ending with -ing and verbs ending with -ing, which really opened my eyes to a new level of describing things in writing.

If I had time for one more draft, I would probably try to incorporate quotes and words from my Icon, as I did try to get those on time. I might still do that if it makes my work better.

"There is a bright message we both hope to pass on to those who come after us." This sentence seems like an important sentence. It combines the views and goals of the past and the present generations for the future ones, and the context of the sentence is positive and hopeful.

Photo for Critique

This is the first concept of my photo. It's a manipulation... I've already gotten a critique from Joshua Krause. Any other ideas or something I can improve on?

Write Up

During the in-class critique, Daniel told me to add in a quote, but he didn't say where. He told me he understood the relationship and intent of the piece, and that I need to put a little more emphasis on how my icon changed my perspective, and go more in-depth in how I inspired others. I hope that in my next draft I can accomplish that.


American Icons: Kristina Wenger

I walked into Kristina Wenger’s third grade classroom for the first time in 2001. I had met Ms. Wenger before I entered her class, since she had been my brother’s teacher as well, and he had told me how fun her class was. I was, like many eight-year-old girls on the first day of school, excited but nervous as Room 8 greeted me: six pods of tables, a spacious rug, shelves of organized books, and a clean white board. This was the first year I had entered school without my best friend, and Kris Wenger became the first friend I had made since she had moved away.
As the year progressed, and the first day became the second, and the second day went on to become the first week, and the first week became months, Ms. Wenger became more than just my teacher. She was someone I could talk to and who could understand me. I had taken to coming in during recess and asking if there was anything I could help with. I would file papers or organize tests alphabetically or help set up supplies for the next experiment we were going to do in class. And every time I came into her classroom to help, we would talk about how my brother was doing, what I was drawing, her pets, what our favorite kinds of candies were… We could talk about anything.
After I graduated her class, my fourth grade and fifth grade teachers didn’t need the help that I offered and didn’t have anything they wanted me to do, so I went back to Kris Wenger. I liked helping her out, and I could tell her how my new classes were going or she would tell me how enthusiastic her new students were. We would arrange a time for me to come in and teach her students some of the things I learned from her, or just fun things to give them a little break, like Origami or art. I would show her my drawings and poems and ask for her opinion and critique. We’d eat lunch together, she’d give me chocolates and I’d give her poems and pictures. We became even closer as the years passed. She helped form the person I am today.
To me, an American is just a person that lives and breathes the same air as any person in this land. An American is a hard worker who is able to connect with other people. An American doesn’t have to be the flag-waving, military politician wearing red, white and blue; it isn’t a stereotypical football-watching hotdog-eating blond-haired blue-eyed Christian. Kris showed me what an American was. She is an American, hard-working and spirited and caring, creating the foundations of a future for her students like she did for me. She showed me America, the one I live in now and the one I hope to make better for the next generation. I might not be a teacher like her, but our goals are the same. There’s a bright message we hope to pass on to the people after us.
I still go back to her classroom, and I see each year how the third graders get smaller as I get bigger. I see how excited they are and I recall that that’s how I used to be, eager to learn new things in her classroom. I wonder if any of these kids will be like me, visiting the past and creating a future, changing lives by simply being there? I may not be a teacher, and I may just be a friend and classroom assistant who’s there to find smiles and not work and money, but maybe, someday, or even now, I might have inspired someone to become better, just like how Kris inspired me.

Photography Techniques

•    Rule of Thirds

 

This picture doesn't center the subject, instead giving the photo room and it draws the eye to the darker or lighter part of the opposite sides of the pictures. This photo uses all aspects of the rule of thirds, the girl's head being in the upper left and the white paper being in the bottom middle third, these things being the target of the photo. The colors are mellow and well divided too, the gray shirt being in the middle of the left column and the sunlight being in the upper right corners.

•    Unique perspectives

 

This photo is a perspective of an umbrella from below. A person can tell that the picture was taken looking up by the umbrella pole getting slightly bigger at the bottom and smaller at the top.

•    Depth of field (Shallow? Wide?)

 This photo was taken at ground level/worm's eye view, and the depth of field is very wide. The background is very clear, and the foreground is slightly blurred, drawing your eyes to the background.

Resources

Narrowed down to two: Kris Wenger and Freese Elementary

Letters, emails, or other personal correspondence

I still have emails with many of my old teachers, so any of those can support my claims as primary evidence.

Interviews

I can email or call my past teachers to interview them and use their words for my inspiration.

Document: School Accountability Report Card

https://studata.sandi.net/research/sarcs/2000-01/sarc115.pdf This document was published in 2001, the year I started 3rd grade, where I was in Kris Wenger's class. It outlines the goals and programs of the school thoroughly.

Ideas for American Icons

Freese Elementary School
(This is the best picture I could find of it, it's in the background)

1. What does this Icon represent to you? Why?

This is the place I spent most of my childhood. I practically grew up here, it was a second home to me. It taught me everything I know and shaped the person that I am today.

2. Who and what was important to this Icon? Why?

It's a school. Its students, which at one point was me, was its priority. We were taught well and treated kindly, and we were given many opportunities to become better learners and better people, because as they say, "children are the future".

3. How did this Icon become important in American culture?

School has always been a part of American culture. Elementary school is a standard, it's where education starts. And in this generation, education is the key to the future, and without it, you can't get far.

4. How did this Icon become important to you?

I grew up there, the people there, students and teachers, were my close friends. It was a home away from home, and I enjoyed my time with the people there, and was sad when it ended. Of course I had to move on, but unlike most people, I knew what I had before it was gone. I cherished it because it was fun and helped me learn. I made my first best friends in kindergarten, and many more after that--after all, this is where childhood memories are made. School was the place where I could see my friends every day, and talk to my teachers, who are now my good friends.

5. Who and what did this Icon inspire?

I know this place inspired me, and I have no doubt that there have been many others that are inspired by my first school as well. It inspired me to become a learner, to give my all, to become the best I could be. Their opportunities, like their Magnet program and puppeteer program and many other things propelled me and showed me what I can and cannot do--I certainly enjoyed participating in the puppet program, but I didn't become a puppeteer, because I realized that wasn't for me! That's just one example of what I learned and discovered there.

 

Kristina Wenger

(The farthest right in the picture)
1. What does this Icon represent to you? Why?

Kris Wenger is my favorite teacher. She was my 3rd grade teacher, but I always went back to her, even if I had moved schools. She taught me a lot about life, not just things I'm supposed to learn in the 3rd grade, and has been a good friend to me since I met her.

2. Who and what was important to this Icon? Why?

Her family and her pets and her students are always important to her. I hear her talk about her sister and her dogs all the time, and I met her snake once when I was in her class. She loves all of her students, and she always remembers their faces whenever they come to visit.

3. How did this Icon become important in American culture?

She is a teacher. Teachers have always been important to society, they help bring up the next generation along with parents. But without teachers, kids wouldn't learn math or history or anything.

4. How did this Icon become important to you?

She had been my brother's teacher before me, and when I came to her class, I had already known her a little bit. But the experience was so much more different than just meeting her, she showed me a whole new world of things I didn't even know--of course I didn't know them, if I did she wouldn't have to teach it. Besides being my teacher, she also talked to me when I was sad, made me smile even when I wasn't down, she was my advice person, she critiqued my work even when I wasn't in her class, and she gave me something to do when I didn't want to be outside or I was done with my work early. Many of the other teachers were busy during recess and lunch, but I could always go to her and we'd always have something to talk about. That's how friends are made right?

5. Who and what did this Icon inspire?

She inspired her students to do their best, she inspired me to go up and beyond the best. She helped me make friends, at one point I wanted to be a teacher like her, she gave me every opportunity to strengthen my strengths--she saw them. She gave me art kits to practice my craftsmanship, she saw that I could write, she saw that I wanted to keep super organized and helped me do that... I wouldn't be this way without her.

 

My Teachers (Freese mainly, others too)
(Patty Starks pictured here, but there are many others)
What does this Icon represent to you? Why?

My teachers have always been an inspiration for me, and they have always taught me as well as been my friend. I have gotten to know them personally, and their impact on every year of my life propels me forward.

How did this Icon become important to you?

Besides teaching me things to help me walk forward in life, many of the teachers I had, like Patty Starks and Mr. Demacali, have been my consultants and critics. I have been an artist almost all my life, and without people to tell me how to get better, I would have stopped being an artist without a means to improve. The same goes for my writing, I'm always asking people to edit and help me revise my work so that it would be something I can be extremely proud of. And it's not just my work that my teachers improve, my teachers help me become a better person by giving me opportunities to learn how to do that.

Who and what did this Icon inspire?

Teachers always inspire something, someone to become better... there are many people who often become the people they are because of their teachers as well as their families. My teachers in the past have become like family to me, and I listen to them and take their words and lessons into consideration like I would my parents'.