Blogging: An Alternative Education Method

Blogging: An Alternative Education Method

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary: “A blog is a website that contains online personal reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks, videos, and photograph provided by the writer.” From the beginning of this activity, the purpose of keeping a blog was to follow up on class works, establishing a connection with the world we live in and the human behavior. Eventually, it became more than just a website to upload the assignments done in class. When it first started, I could not write with much fluidity as I constantly found myself overthinking everything, as it would be open for the public to read. On the other hand, it was beneficial as I was more aware of having good grammar and spelling, which made an improvement in my writing skills.

Furthermore, the blog became a space for me to share my reactions regarding the readings done in class and my experiences doing the different activities assigned. It also served as a method to voice my opinion, feelings, and ideas. Rather than answering questions about a certain topic, we were given the opportunity to elaborate our responses in a more open way. I found that uploading the work and including links to related sources was a fun technique of education that broke the monotony of writing an essay to be handed out.

Additionally, it made us analyze the material learned in class. Blogging was beneficial to me because it promoted critical thinking and let me express my feelings. This technique helped me get a deeper perspective and think about the relation the literary works had with my persona and the society we live in. For example, with The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, I looked past the events and gave thought to the feelings the black community felt at that time and the sacrifices they must have made to get their rights. Usually, we do not take the time to reflect what was learned in class; but with this blog, I did and found it to be a rewarding experience.

I believe that by sharing our thoughts and diverse points of view, we are able to make a difference. Incorporating the interdisciplinary view of this course helped me analyze and value different conflicts from a literary perspective and other disciplines to better understand ourselves, the world we live in and how it came to be. By sharing my opinion, I noticed that I was raising awareness of daily situations that not everyone dares to confront or cares enough to sit down and reflect on them. I hope to make others value the actions and sacrifices of our ancestors, dare to challenge themselves and try new ways of expressing their feelings. Moreover, I desire to open people’s eyes about everyday situations such as racism, denigration, and the many topics discussed in class regarding the human condition.

Video: Blogging in Higher Education

My Multi-genre Project Experience

          During the Literature in the Human Condition course, we have explored different ways of writing and assessing the various readings discussed in class. The multi-genre activity set to incorporate numerous genres in one journal entry to further our understanding and analysis of the class’ literary works. In the beginning of this task, it was strange to get used to a technique that I had never explored before or at least not consciously. With each new entry, I gave more thought to the different readings in order to represent them in a creative manner, which was what I enjoyed the most. This method was a fun and challenging experience in which students of the course had the opportunity to foster new mechanisms of expressing their points of view and insight in the context of the class.

            This journal activity was an enjoyable experience as I had never incorporated many genres in a single piece of work. Ever since I was in school, teachers would separate one genre from the other. Usually, they would make us do assignments such as short stories, reflections, poems; but mostly essays. Although most of the readings were interesting, eventually my English classes felt a little bit boring and/or monotonous regarding the techniques used. On the contrary, when presented with this idea of a multi-genre activity, my interest for English literature changed for the better.   

            Most of my life I had thought of the many genres in literature as being different and totally independent from each other; meaning that I could have never imagined incorporating two or more in one task. Furthermore, the multi-genre journal served as a way of avoiding the traditional four to five paragraph essays and the specificities of its format. It offered more options to my way of thinking and writing about certain topics by having the opportunity to choose from a long list of genres to write in. Also, it changed the way I felt about literature and made me deepen my connection to it.

            The capability of choosing the genres I wanted to use for the journal gave me a sense of ownership over my written work. I felt like I had no limitation whatsoever when it came to my writing; this liberty helped me open up and for my ideas to flow. Moreover, I found myself questioning what was the purpose of my entry, what aspect of the reading did I want to represent and who would be its audience. Naturally, these are things I ask myself when doing an essay or short story; but with this exercise, I was able to recognize that each written work has a specific audience and purpose even though they could be portraying the same or similar topics. 

            Since we had not discussed too many different stories or novels in class because we spent most of the time analyzing and discussing The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, one of the most difficult aspects was trying to decide what would be the focus of my entry and not to repeat something written before regarding this work of literature. Putting that aside, this was an amazing and new experience where I learned that the way you choose to assess or represent a reading is as important as the reading itself. 

Links:

List of Genres

Videos:

1) 5 Benefits of Multi-genre Research Projects

Songs in Time of Slavery: A Multigenre Activity

Chorus:

Oh go down, Moses, 

way down into Egypt's land, 

Tell old Pharaoh, 

Let my people go.

Oh Pharaoh said he would cross,

Let my people go, 

And don't get lost in the wilderness,

Let my people go. 

Chorus

You may hinder me here, but you can't up there,

Let my people go, 

He sits in the Heaven and answers prayer,

Let my people go!

Chorus

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Songs were constantly used in slaves’ everyday life. Singing was a tradition brought from Africa by the first slaves. This served many purposes such as providing rhythm for manual labor and giving them some inspiration or motivation in such hard times. Moreover, songs were used in celebrations or as a way of communication. Let’s recall that most of the slaves did not know how to read or write. Another use for songs was to carry some sort of code containing strategies to escape or directions for a secret meeting. This song was used to let some slaves know it was not safe to come out of their hiding place because danger was heading their way.

The song reminded me of when Jane and other slaves decided to leave the plantation as soon as the Emancipation Proclamation was passed. Specifically, it made me think of the moment Jane, Laure, her children and the others were ambushed by the enemy, the Patrollers, and most of them killed. Jane was brave enough to act quickly and hide with Ned until they were completely gone. Even though no song was mentioned in the novel, there was a certain similarity between the book and the meaning of this tune as they both capture how slaves lived in constant fear of being captured again and abused.  

Video: 

            History of African American Songs

Dear Miss Jane Pittman...

Jane Pittman lived in very hard times when people of color were being oppressed and denigrated. Her life was not easy and many things were not fair, but she stood up and fought for the black community’s well-deserved rights. Through the novel The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman I got a new perspective of how slaves lived and were treated before and after acquiring their freedom. As a result, I could further value the liberty and way of living of today’s society. I believe Jane, as well as other African American activists’, achievements should be properly acknowledged.  
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                                                                                                                                                               Dear Miss Jane Pittman, 

I'm writing to express how proud and mesmerized I am with all your life achievements. 

From the moment I started reading the novel based on your life story, I was left with no words. Living as a young girl during slavery must have been hard for you as well as having to work taking care of your master's children at such a young age. The instant I read you had received your own name filled me with such joy because you deserved that and much more. 

I am truly sorry that you had to go through many sad and horrible experiences which forced you to grow up and see how twisted the world really is. I am sorry that you went through many losses of loved ones and friends. I am sorry that you could not make a family of your own and faced damages to your well-being because others felt the right to abuse you.

You are one of the bravest people on all life history. How you managed to raise little Ned and mold him into a man of goodwill is worthy of appreciation. Furthermore, your courage and strength in hard times make me want to be like you. I feel like you have taught me how to not crumble when everything around me seems to fall, but instead, stand firmer than ever before. Also, it was thanks to you and other African Americans that I can now live in an integrated society and enjoy interacting with people from many cultures. Thank you for everything, Miss Pittman!

                                                                                                   

                                                                                                         Sincerely,

                                                                                                           Genesis Ayala    

Links:
List of Genres- Multigenre Project

Getting Out of the Comfort Zone

In the conference “Urban Spaces, Media Spaces”, held at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, professors from different literature courses gave their students the opportunity of presenting original works done in class. Among the presenters were some of my classmates and I. Never had I presented one of my works of literature in front of a big crowd. Truth be told, I started getting nervous when the presenter called us up front, and the feeling intensified once I found myself sitting at the table with everyone in the room staring at us.

As soon as I started reading, the uneasiness went away and I was able to focus on my story rather than thinking about my anxiety. One of my biggest worries was that I would not be able to pronounce words correctly because whenever I have to talk in English in front of strangers, I get nervous and cannot talk with that much fluidity or with appropriate pronunciation. It makes me mad because I always talk in English when I am with my friends but something in me freezes whenever I have to address others. Thankfully, everything went well; my words were clear and eloquent.

One of the things I liked the most about this conference was that although our stories were simple and short, the audience’s attention was captured and there was an ongoing discussion about different aspects of our stories. I originally thought that they would not get too interested in our essays; but when they did, I felt excited. It was truly amazing how our literary works were brief, yet we spent most of the time answering questions from the audience. This proved to me that our stories were more than just a retelling of a situation we experienced regarding an offense or a dilemma with a figure of authority; it was about how important turn out to be different life experiences that we usually take for granted. To some degree, I believe that the audience engaged into a discussion and paid attention because they could feel identified in one way or another. The various situations presented form part of our everyday lives and it is not always that we realize how much we learn from them.

This conference not only gave us the chance to let others hear our responses on “The Use of Force” by William Carlos Williams but also let us explore the feeling of being on the other side of the theater; being the presenter instead of the spectator. In the beginning, when the professor told me that I would present at this conference, I was internally freaking out because I am a shy person and do not feel pleasant talking in front of a large crowd; but then I decided to challenge myself and accepted. I am glad that I got out of my comfort zone as I left the theater feeling confident and sure of my capabilities. In other words, this turned out to be a life-changing experience.

Links:

The Use of Force copy

Learning my Lesson

It was the morning of August 23rd, 2006.  The sun was shining bright and the birds were singing near my bedroom window. This was a day that I had been waiting for, as it was my best friend’s seventh birthday celebration. The day before, we had spent every moment playing and hanging around in my bedroom. As any two young children would do, we played with my many toys and what not. Dolls laying everywhere, my mother’s makeup around my room’s floor, the karaoke machine in the middle of the family room, and some other games scattered about. In other words, a total mess.

                  When going downstairs to get breakfast with my family, I noticed that my mom was not wearing her big and pretty smile on her face as every other morning. Something was bothering her. As soon as we ate, she turned to me and told me she wanted to talk. All I said was that I did not want to be late for Nicole’s party and, suddenly, everything changed. Her eyes widened and her face expression went from slightly calm to furious. It was as if she became another person. Naturally, I asked what was going on and words started flying.

“Look at all the mess you have left. I specifically told you to please put everything away once you finished playing. You disobeyed me…” said my mother. At that moment, I tried interrupting her to tell her that I did not mean to go against her, but she kept yelling at me. The night before, when Nicole left the house, I was going to clean up, but was too tired and fell asleep. When mom finished reprimanding me, I felt bad for not following the rules, but it made me mad that she would not listen to me. Unconsciously, I made a face that got her enraged. Then is when she demanded I put everything I had played with in my toy chest. While she told me this, I clenched my teeth stronger than I did before and told her that I refused to.

            My whole body started burning up and I could no longer contain my anger. As a response to avoiding expressing my rage, I turned and started walking away.  She stopped me by grabbing my hand, but I instinctively pulled my arm away from her hand. At first, she froze because I had never acted like that but soon after, she smacked me and told me to go to my room. I rushed upstairs crying and locked myself inside of my bedroom.

After an hour or so, I came out of my room and found my mother crying in her chamber. I went up to her and asked for forgiveness because I knew that I was wrong for answering back and defying her. She then burst into tears and explained that she had completely lost it. Moreover, she made me realize how I totally misbehaved. In the end, I apologized and told her that I would never do something like that again. 

Links:
The Use of Force by William Carlos Williams

“The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittmann” Movie and Book

The film “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittmann,” just as the novel written by Ernest Gaines, depicts the struggles the African Americans faced after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Throughout the movie, Jane narrates her life story, although some of the events mentioned in the book were not incorporated into the movie. Despite many differences, both the movie and the book maintained the use of autobiographical techniques that considered Jane’s experiences throughout her life and her personal growth.

 In comparison to the novel, the movie’s sequence of events was different as it began with Book 4.  Specifically, the motion picture starts with Jimmy asking an almost 110 years old Miss Jane to become part of the Civil Rights movement. In contrast, the novel starts with young Ticey watching the Secesh Army arrive at the first plantation she lived in. In other words, the book was a linear sequence of events while the movie was a retrospection of Jane’s life. In addition, the person that interviews Ms. Pittmann in the film is white, while in the novel his race is never mentioned. In fact, in the book, the interviewer becomes irrelevant as the story progresses; meaning that he is not mentioned as part of the story line. The work of literature focuses completely in Jane’s retelling, making the reader feel as if everything was happening in the present. On the other hand, the movie emphasizes that these were events of the past by presenting various flashbacks of the interviewer during his drafting process.

Furthermore, one of the biggest moments in Jane’s life was altered in the film. This is when she gets her own name. The book details how a Yankee soldier fighting to free colored people gives Ticey a name because he thought her birth name was that of a slave’s. After telling her he hated slavery, he said to her: “Well, from now on your name is Jane…Jane Brown” (Gaines 9). In comparison, the motion picture presents how the soldier starts listing names and she is the one to select “Jane”. Certainly, this changed the emotion of the occasion. When reading this scene, I was moved in an indescribable way because the autobiographical aspect of the novel made me feel an emotional connection that I would not be able to experience if it were someone else telling her story. It was not often that a slave encountered someone that cared for them deeply or that wanted to protect their well-deserved rights. Moreover, I felt how Ticey was transformed from a young girl to a stronger and brave woman.

Both the movie and the book were good at capturing the way of life of the black people around such an important time in history. Some of the events presented in Gaines’ work was not included in the film, but nevertheless, the two of them were able to capture the essence of this time frame. The movie was a good resource to concretely see the representation of the plot events and relate the characters introduced in Ernest’s work to a face, but the novel was more efficient in conveying Jane’s feelings. Through text, the reader goes through the process of abstractly picturing everything and get into the story while the movie leaves nothing to our imagination and as a result has less effect on us. 

Links:

Movie: The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittmann

Article and Video: Emancipation Proclamation

Never Lose Hope

The last book in The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittmann is titled “The Quarters”. This title’s significance revolves around the black community that lived there including Jane, who moved to the quarters in the 1940s to be among people from her culture. At first, neither Robert nor Amma Dean wanted to let her go because “she needed looking after” much more than Amma did (249). When reading this I got the impression that their disapproval came from something deeper than their concern for Pittmann’s health. Neither of them would approve of Jane moving out because she brought them, especially Mrs. Dean, strength after their second son’s death. The bond between a mother and child is said to be the strongest feeling ever felt, thus not having Tee Bob must have taken a toll on her emotional state, which only Jane could understand.

“Anytime a child is born, the old people […] ask him if he's the One” said Jane setting the main theme of book four (247). “The One” was the person everyone protected because they believed that one day he would help them gain their civil rights. Later on, she describes that they “picked him because they needed somebody” (248). When the plantation’s elders chose Jimmy Aaron, they constantly saw for his well-being and made sure he developed properly. They put their effort in guiding him to be a man of honor who would stand up for his people because they had faith in what he could achieve in the future. Furthermore, he symbolized the hope the black community had of surpassing racist times and being treated the same as white people.

Moreover, this community envisions the day they are seen as equals in a society. At the time Jimmy comes back from college in New Orleans, he is determined to gather his people to gain strength to fight for their rights as Martin Luther King was doing at the time; “We have the strength of our people. That’s why I’m here…we have to fight” (277). After he encourages his community, just as Ned did his, everyone desists from joining him but Jane. The main reason that almost none of the black people supported Jimmy in his protest was due to the fear of being kicked out of the plantation just as Robert had done to a family. Naturally, they wanted to stop denigration but the feeling of fear was usually stronger than their desire to fight for what they deserved as human beings in a society. Sometimes we are so scared of the consequences of our actions that we do not take risks in life, not realizing that maybe what we are terrified of trying can lead to the greatest outcomes. I believe that those who fought against segregation were brave because they went against all odds, including the law, for a greater good. Thanks to them we now live in a more open minded and accepting society. 

Link: 

Video: The Civil Rights Movement

Civil Rights Movement article

Timeline:  Important events in history that relate to the time frame in Book IV of The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman

Fighting for What is Right

The first two parts of The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittmann is a narration of Jane’s many adventures after acquiring her freedom; including the people she had met on her journeys, the homes she lived in, her various jobs, her and Ned’s achievements, and the bad experiences she had during that time. However, book three describes the social interactions and conditions of Jane’s surroundings in Samson.

            Chapter 25, “Samson”, starts with Jane’s desire to move far away from her house at the river due to the memories it brings her. As a response, Aunt Hattie Jordan tells her that even if she moved many miles, she would still be near memories because “memories was not a place, memories was in the mind” (161). This precise quote was important to my persona because sometimes when I experience a bad situation, I feel the urge of running away from the place and person that was involved in it. Never had I given any thought of how, even though I go away, the memory is still stuck in my head unable to be forgotten. Hattie’s words made me realize how we are played by our minds and get trapped in our conscience, finding it hard to let things go.

            Furthermore, the comparisons between Tee Bob and Timmy based on their racial differences angered me in great measure. Mostly, Robert Samson marked Tee Bob’s superiority over his brother because he was white and Timmy was black. “He knowed Timmy had to respect Miss Amma Dean just like he had to respect every white lady or white man” (180) are among the several opinions that evidence how Robert felt about his black son. A parent is supposed to love his child unconditionally and protect him from any harm, yet Mr. Samson denigrated his boy. Ever since I was a little girl, my family taught me to respect other’s beliefs, culture, race and sexual orientation; so seeing a father emotionally abusing his offspring offended me in a certain way.  

Moreover, this third book discussed the process by which white people keep bringing down the efforts of African Americans to succeed. In the chapter titled “Huey P. Long”, Jane depicts how Mr. Long was a man of the people. After he was killed, Pittman accused Caucasians of purposely terminating his life stating: “They killed him for helping the poor, the poor black and poor white /they thought the poor might rise” (190). There is a possibility of it being true as Ned was killed by the white people because of his determination of integrating them into society and getting them to stand up as Americans and human beings that deserved to be treated with dignity. Truth be told, they would not have felt the necessity of rising if society had accepted, or at least respected, the legal freedom granted to them by the Emancipation Proclamation. However, since they were still being denigrated and segregated it was up to them to fight for what was right.

Links:

How did Americans react to emancipation?

The Only Way You Can be Strong is Stand Together

In the beginning of book two of The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittmann, the reader has the opportunity of seeing how Jane’s life finally changes for the better and develops a motherly love towards Ned. From the start, Jane is describing that her and Ned’s life have been so different from the enslaved days they lived and the joy that their progress has given them, starting with the fact that Ned was receiving an education. I certainly am glad that still under a society that did not totally accept them, they were able to find happiness and move forward with their lives.

            Furthermore, it was impressive that black people were starting to make progression by working as teachers and politicians. At this time were racism blossomed, it was not easy to get a job like these two; but this shows how courage and determination can take you places you never thought you could ever go. Sadly, there will always exist people who will want to see others fail. The most disappointing topic discussed in the text was how colored people tried bringing down the efforts and little achievements members of their own race were gaining. In my own conceit, one of the most heartbreaking moments of this part of the story is when Jane quoted a black Democrat’s opinion on the Republican Party who said: “I rather be a Democrat with a tail than be a Republican that ain’t had no brains” (54). How can someone talk like this of a group of people that worked so hard to give him, his family and his entire ethnic group the freedom and respect they all deserve? Even worse, there was a group calling themselves the Ku Klux Klan, which rode all over the states beating and killing them as if they were no part of the human race as well. I just wonder how they would have felt if the situation was inverted and the white people were the ones being chased in their everyday lives.

            Putting all this hateful events aside, Ned left me speechless with the powerful sermon he dared give in a public space even though he knew he could get himself killed by it. In great essence his speech urged the black community to stand up as Americans and human beings that deserved to be treated with dignity. Ever since he was a young boy, Ned was described to be a person that would give anything to make a difference for his people to be heard and incorporated into the society that once denigrated them. It is thanks to human beings like him that today we get to enjoy the freedom of holding hands with people from other ethnicities and show others that “the only way you can be strong is stand together” (86).

Links: 

Ned's Speech- The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittmann (movie)

          

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittmann: Book 1

In the beginning of The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittmann we are introduced to Ticey, a young girl who has lived her short life as a slave but then becomes free, along with every other enslaved people, thanks to the Emancipation Proclamation. Once the slaves’ master gathered them in the house and told them they were legally free, everyone rejoiced. When reading this part of the story, I could feel the magic of this moment; the feeling of overexcitement flooded the room. It was definitely a big change and relief in their lives. This is when they got to start a life of their own.

Furthermore, something that captured me was how the freedom given by the Proclamation was partial and absolute. Meaning that they no longer were treated as objects to be sold, manipulated and abused, but now they would live a life of insults and rejection by those who opposed their status. As the story progressed, it became evident how African Americans were still being mistreated, with certain hate, when the group of people that left Ticey’s or Jane’s master were basically butchered by Patrollers. It is at this point in the narrative where I got mad because if black people were allowed to be independent and this new opportunity in life, why cannot white people accept it and stop making them suffer? I get that back then the minds of people were not open to the idea of integrating black people into society, but they deserved to be part of a community and be treated with respect; they had a right to enjoy life and liberty.

Putting all anger aside, I feel proud of little Jane Brown. It is truly admirable how she took care of Ned and how she held her feelings inside in order to portray strength to Ned to prevent him from having a breakdown. Undoubtedly, she was a brave and wise young girl. I can never imagine what I would have done in Jane’s position. Having to protect myself and a little kid from people who are trying to hurt us and fighting for our survival at the same time is more than a child can bear, still she did it. Additionally, seeing her go through anything to get to Ohio just sets an example of how people should never give up. When adversity presents itself, we should keep moving forward, like Jane did, without letting it disturb our march.

Links:

Abraham Lincoln- The Emancipation Proclamation

 

Letting Loose

            In the book Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within, Natalie Goldberg introduces her readers to a writing strategy called “First Thoughts”. For further information on the activity, visit the link below: 

                         "First Thoughts" by Natalie Goldberg

Although this activity was not new to me, I had trouble trying to write without thinking about grammar or punctuation. In the school I used to go to, all the English teachers would tell their students, myself included, to write correctly as the whole school year was dedicated to learning the various grammatical rules. Now that I am in college, I still have the same habit of checking for grammar, punctuation and spelling errors as I did in school. I guess it is a manner of discipline. Naturally, not having to worry about it gave me the opportunity of speaking my mind freely. However, having to get used to writing without caring for the aesthetics was difficult; but once I got accustomed to the whole process again, I was able to write with liberty.

In contrast to last semester’s journal, this time I decided to not only express my emotions towards an event, but also some secrets that I had been keeping to myself. This journal became like a part of me. Although, I still found the same pattern as last semester; the journals done in the classroom were longer than those done at home. Whenever I wrote at my house, I would be interrupted by my family members and I would lose my line of thought or the strong emotion I was feeling before. This would usually prevent me from successfully going for the jugular as I did in class and as a result, my journals to be shorter. Moreover, I was able to keep expanding my vocabulary as I do not like the constant repetition of words. Eventually, my focus went from the esthetic of my work to the self-understanding and management of anxieties.

Undoubtedly, this method helped me deal with my stress and entanglement of emotions. Every time I went for the jugular, a feeling of relief and lightness would invade my body. As a result, I was able to enjoy the rest of the day and put all my troubles aside. Last semester I was putting too much pressure on myself, resulting in health problems. This time, I decided to not let that happen to me again and found this to be a great way to discharge my emotions. At the end of this activity, I saw my journal as an analogy of a friend. Having analyzed this, I came to the realization that there is always someone willing to hear us and have our backs whenever we feel like we might fall or that we have fallen and do not know how to stand up.