Your Thoughts and Feedback Are Appreciated!

Another quarter has come and gone. When we started off together it was warm and sunny and now there is no doubt winter is here!  I hope you can say that you learned something from this class. It has been a pleasure getting to know all of you and I wish you much success in your future.

For our last blog post, I would like to get your thoughts and feedback on the class. "What did you like or dislike about the class? What could I do better as an instructor?" Answers are due no later than Sunday, December 11th, 2011. After that, the blog will be down until class resumes next quarter. To all of you out there, may you have a wonderful and blessed holiday season filled love. Have a safe and happy 2011 - and remember, don't drink and drive!

The Best Part Abount Censorship is @*!

Last week in class, we discussed freedom of speech and what kinds of expression are not protected under the Constitution, including obscenity and pornography.  Since you should all be working on preparing the visuals for your final project, I thought this would be a good time to discuss censorship.

Did you know that the school often regulates or censors what types of student work can be displayed in the hallways?  In the past, I’ve been told not to display student projects that reference drugs or sex and/or have graphic images. Some would say that the school has an interest in protecting their image.  Parents and prospective students tour the hallways and it’s important not to offend anyone.  Still others would say that the school is practicing a form of censorship.  Political art makes a statement and pushes the boundaries of what is appropriate. How can a school that promotes creative and artistic license, censor student work?

So my question to you this week is, “Do you think the school has a right to censor student work that is being displayed in the hallways?  Why or why not?”  Answers are due no later than Sunday, December 4^th, 2011.

Thankful for Thanksgiving

Now, I have made it clear in class that Thanksgiving is not my favorite holiday. I don't like the way schools fictionalize a story that sounds good, while ignoring the sad facts about how we really treated Native Americans in this country. That being said, I have learned to treat Thanksgiving as a reminder of all the things I am thankful for.

This year, as always, I am thankful for my faith, my family and my friends. I am blessed to be surrounded by people who love me. I am also thankful that I have two jobs in an economy where people often can't find one. I have been blessed this year in buying my first home and I am thankful that I have the means to do so.  This year, I will host Christmas for the first time and I'm excited to create new memories in my own home.

So, in honor of the holiday my question to you this week will be an easy one. "What are you thankful for this holiday season?" Answers are due no later than Sunday, November 27th, 2011.  I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday full of good food, good friends and good conversation! Enjoy your break!

The Next Great Indy Artist

Do you know what an impact your creativity could have on your community? I planned to blog this week about what seems to be a rise in crime in Indianapolis. As I was doing my research, I found one crime prevention method that seems to be working in several cities around the country: public art.

My first thought was of the electronic dancing people I’ve seen downtown. My second thought was, “How does public art relate to crime prevention”? Further research revealed what I should’ve already known. Public art gives young people something to do other than hang out in the streets. It can make neighborhoods nicer, increase property values, and attract new business, which brings new jobs. People that live in nice neighborhoods, are employed, and have enough money to raise a family are far less likely to commit crimes.

According to the Arts Council of Indianapolis, public art can take a variety of forms. Historically, art that is accessible to the public has been in the form of freestanding pieces of work or objects that occupy a public space, such as sculptures and memorials. Now, in a growing number of cities functional objects such as benches, trails, bridges and manhole covers can become commissioned works by artists.

Now those of you who know me, know that I am a big believer in giving back. Whether it’s volunteering someplace, helping someone in need, or contributing something to the community, my motto has always been to try and leave the world better than I found it. So in that same spirit, my question to you this week is “What kind of public art would you create in Indianapolis if money for the project was no object? Where would it be located and what would its message be?" Think about it! Answers are due no later than Sunday, November 20th, 2011.

I Vote! I Count!

Over the weekend, President Clinton called me.  Yes, that’s right, President Clinton called me! Sure it was an automated robocall encouraging me to vote for Melina Kennedy for Indianapolis mayor, but I was excited all the same.  I was way less excited to go to my mailbox Saturday afternoon and find no less than 8 different advertisements all related to the race for mayor.  The advertisements went straight into the trash, and it seemed a big waste of money and environmental resources.

The Indianapolis mayor’s race has been the most expensive in history, with both candidates combined fundraising totals over $8 million. Voters in Indianapolis have been overwhelmed with attack ads, as we hit the final stretch for candidates to get their message out before tomorrow’s general election.

So, in light of tomorrow’s election, my question to you this week is, “Do you plan to vote in Tuesday’s election?  Why or why not?  Do you think “attack ads” work, or do they just turn people off from voting?”  You must answer all parts of the question to earn full credit.  Answers are due no later than Sunday, November 13^th, 2011.  By the way, if you need information on where you should go to vote, please go here: http://www.indianavoters.com  If you haven’t registered yet, it’s too late to vote in tomorrow’s election, but take a few minutes and register today!  It only takes a few minutes and you’ll be all set for next year’s Presidential race.

The Bloody Birth of a New Libya

Last week, Muammar Gaddafi, the long-time dictator of Libya was killed. For those of you who don’t know, Gaddafi took over power in Libya after a bloodless coup in 1969. Gaddafi has always had an erratic relationship with the rest of the world. After the 1988 bombing of a Pam Am jet, which killed 270 people, Gaddafi became an enemy of the United States. In 2011, inspired by uprisings in other Arab countries, protesters began calling for his resignation and seeking to overthrow him. On October 20^th, protesters succeeded in overthrowing his regime, and capturing Gaddafi, who later died of his wounds.

When I saw the news about Gaddafi, I was shocked to see images of his bloodied body being drug through the streets. The images, which were first broadcast by the Arab news station Al-Jazeera, were then picked up by the major American networks. You can check out some of the news footage here, but be warned that viewer discretion is advised. http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7385364n

Recently, I heard President Obama on the Tonight Show discuss why he decided to not release pictures of Osama Bin Laden’s body. He said in part, “You know, I think that there's a certain decorum with which you treat the dead even if it's somebody who has done terrible things." It made me think about the photographs of the people jumping out of the World Trade Center, and the people lying dead in the street in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. When is a photo good journalism, and when is it going too far?

This week in class, we will discuss the media, why they’re sometimes called the 4^th branch of government, and how a photograph can alter our perception of events.  So my question you this week is, “Do you think it is appropriate to show these kind of images when reporting the news? Why or why not?” Answers are due no later than Sunday, November 6^th, 2011.

Trick or Treat!

Some of you know that I'm a BIG Halloween fan.  It's in my top three favorite holidays, along with New Years Eve and 4th of July.  When you are a child, nothing beats running around the neighborhood in the dark getting bucketfuls of candy.  Ahhh....I miss those days.

So this week, in honor of Halloween, I'll go easy on you.  My questions to you this week is, "What was your favorite Halloween costume as a kid?  What are your plans this year for Halloween?"  My favorite Halloween costume was the year I went as a Jack-In-The-Box.  I remember I was really excited because my mom braided my hair in two pigtails and then dipped them in cornstarch, so they stuck straight out.  I begged to wear my hair like that to school for weeks afterward!  This year, I'm excited to pass out candy for the first time in my new home. 

Your answers are due no later than Sunday, October 30th, 2011.  Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!