Topic: What are we Fighting for?

In rural Nebraska the stereotype is to be a white, republic nay-Sayer who supports the catholic church and all the implied law of such. That is why videos like this are so important to people who are not that way. Not that there is anything terribly wrong with those points of view ( everyone is entitled to their own of course) but it is nice to be able to look upon a city or event from your town that breaks down those barriers.

I have always been one to generalize the state of Nebraska, because I wished to define myself outside of the constraints of those same generalities. I do not see myself as any of those contextual references associated with Nebraska. I was not raised by wolves, with a cornfield nearby. I do not ride a horse to school,in fact I don't even like the Huskers.

So what does one do when the social normality's of a situation or place do not fit with those inside you? Well there are two options, you can leave. Or you can do what these people did. They did not whine their differences or protest their insecurities. They shouted their opinions so anyone could hear. And they were ready for anyone who disagreed to come out and say it. Isn't that what our country is all about anyways. The ability, and the right to disagree with the government. And as a government build by the people, for the people, shouldn't it be their right to know their audience. Particularly if their audience happens to be and entire town in Nebraska that defies the traditional Red State guidelines? Tell me Senators when you run for office, What and Whom are you fighting for?

Post: Response to an event, My first step.

"Big Face, Little Face" the stage-manager says to the circle of cast members. It is 6:30 on Thursday night and twenty seven college students are shaking out the stress of their day to focus in at the task at hand. "Twenty minuets till house opens." Joel ( house manager and sound technician ) shouts. At this moment, the women scrabble back to their dressing rooms in various stages of dress, because although their hair is up in 1900's style, their printed tees and skinny jeans aren't quite period.
The show is called Our Town, and it is my first theater production since high school. It amazes me to no end to feel my senses ignite as they create new memories. The lights, the bustle of skirts, the movement of the black curtain as the first entrance is made. All of this is new for me, yet enticingly familiar. It is exciting to be alive in this new environment. The cast is full of a different energy, different backgrounds,age groups and ideas. There is an air of positivity and passion within the greenroom as the last straggling audience members shuffle into the theatre. Take a breath. "Places" Joel whispers from the doorway, and there is an intense swift movement towards the hall, the movement sounding like a heard of cattle on tiptoes. As a group we huddle next to our respective doorways peeking through a crack in the door in a manner that remindes me of Scooby Doo. There it is. With a click of the ghost light and one last quick breath, we are on. It is time for the show. My first step.

Post 4: Hidden Secrets

In downtown Lincoln somewhere between the Haymarket area and the slew of thrift stores is a hidden treasure named Panache (known commonly as The Coffee House). Slipping through the strange entrance between a bar and a bank, you begin to get the feel of the place. Gentle chatter greets you along with the whiff of god’s most glorious coffee creations. To the right of the doors, a checker box floor is faded from hours of sunlight; an antique bike in the window itself casts a shadow. To your left is the order station. Walking up the counter you see the choices of a million different tantalizing treats. Everything from hot coffee and soup to fruit juice and salads are available. A friendly blonde boy peeps his eyes around the corner and asks us for our order. With so many choices I feel like a kid in a candy store, until he suggests their newest treat for summer (a combination of mocha, caramel, and chocolate). They hand us our mugs, full of flavor and topped with whipped cream and find that the price tag is quite reasonable (only $2.75 each for a 20oz).

At only two in the afternoon, it seems that people have started filtering in. There are professors, discussing future class plans, musicians writing in new musical pieces, artists sketching, and of course a brew of college students spread across the room. Built to accommodate, The Coffee House is installed with free wi-fi and is quite spacious with three separate rooms total and several different size tables. So wheatear you’re catching up on your favorite coffee or spreading out your four different English books, you’re sure to fit in here. The small town feel of the service is countered by the eclectic style of the place. It’s mismatched chairs, local artwork, and design it yourself chalkboard walls give ownership to the city of Lincoln allowing everyone and anyone to feel as if The Coffee House is their coffee house. This helps to explain the wide variety of customers and their undying loyalty. Not to mention, the coffee is good.

Post 3: An Event

This week we were asked to reflect on a local event that was in the newspapers, and I can see none more emotionally revealing than the memories of September 11th. The Omaha World Herald featured an article of remembrance in which they spoke of the different events across Omaha ( and the metro area) that were used to show memoriam to the tragic events of that day.

The article is relevant to all Americans and even includes a quote from one of our own prairewolves here at Wesleyan. She states one of the most relevant facts when she notices the need for remembrance and uniting. The concept of "Family of Man" has fallen from our repertoire as a country except in times of turmoil. It was most drastically seen by the actions of people after September 11th but can also be seen in the events following Hurricane Katrina. The American people are like all humans; we are drawn to each other. We want to help. And in such times we bind together as one. It amazes me to see the dedication that people even here in the metro area have to the memory of those lost in the event. People all across the state gave one of their most valuable resource (time) willingly away for a moment. Some stopped in crowded workspaces for a moment of silence. Some placed flags in local parks where red, white and blue shown through the fallen foliage. Some wrote letters to our current heroes across seas. And still others gave their hands to a permanent memorial statue located downtown. The statue, named "On the Wings of Angels" by Littleton Alston is meant to symbolize the ascension to heaven.

It causes you to sit down and think of the people in this world. The fact that these people are not numbers, not just a race, not just a orientation, a disease, a stereotype. People are people no matter where you go. And it is up to you to make it know that you understand that. It is up to us to make our place with and in relation to others. Be it through our actions or reactions, a certain understanding stems from tragedy. Let something be learned.

Post II: Event Review

For all of those who believe Lincoln Nebraska to be a small town void of culture, dare to take a walk across campus to the junction of 48th and Huntington. There you will find a hidden Art Center known commonly as The Lux Center for the Arts . A bright children’s mural shadows the back entrance, and a love of art can be felt from the moment of entrance.

Exquisitely hidden in University Plaza it can barely be found, marked only by a side sign stating simply “Art”. Walking throughout the building there is evidence of the different interests. This includes clay pots that fund their children’s classes ( on sale for 10 dollars a piece), a bicycle designed for the Tour of Lincoln, and a pottery seminar. This shows some of the different opportunities available for artists; ranging from tots and elementary students to college preparation and college credit courses. They also offer adult classes and opportunities for up-and-coming artist including the First Friday’s program. During the first Friday of every month there is the opening of a new exhibit, including snacks and a reception. During these events onlookers are given the chance to not only view the art, but also to ask questions and interact with the artists themselves.

During the current First Friday exhibit the focus was glass art titled Exploring the Human Form. The pieces included works of Martin Blank, Robert Carlson, Dino Rosin, and Leah Wingfield, all focused on the beauty of the human form. The pieces ranged from detailed Buddhist pieces, to more abstract creations such as those of Martin Blank . All pieces were available for purchase throughout the evening. The artist featured in First Friday range from local to national artist in all mediums. The Glass Invitational will be open through the 29th of September, so take a chance and cross the street to the world of new art and explore the human form.

Post I: Discourse Surrounding the Essay

In reading Atwan’s quotations from many different writers and essayist, I began to question the methods of teachers in our high schools.

I found myself agreeing with the thought process of Kathleen Norris(p. 32-3), as she explained the importance of an essay as a dialogue between the writer and the audience. This was a subject repeated throughout the reading by several different writers. In fact, it was the main point of my journal entry in Thursday’s discussion. It seemed imperative to the “new age essay” that this form of writing would and should change from a repetitive regurgitation of facts into a blend of such fact and human nature. Perhaps this is what resonated so strongly with Norris’ piece. She claims that a reader should feel, after reading a excellent essay, that the thoughts and direction of the author had “ told me something about the world, that I didn’t know before. Something I sensed but could not articulate”. As a reader I felt that the word sense is central to the idea. There is no passion or drive for knowledge without the sense of need. There is no connection without feeling or emotion, and without connection there is no exchange of information, which in most cases is the entire point of the essay.

This left me wondering why in the world our educators would push informative yet dry pieces on students. I seemed to be a minority in the fact that I was often pushed to write thought and feeling along with fact. While most of my other classmates seemed to only have seen the homework, repetitive forms. Is it that high school administration doesn’t believe we can handle such emotional and cognitive thought processes or is it that they consider it a training experience in which college is the real competition? On one hand I understand the process that school systems often go through. The basic grammar, the sentence structure; so on and so forth through the educational cookie cutter. But at the same time they should encourage thought from within of the subject. Not only in AP classes or honor systems but in all levels. Students have been taught to hate essays for their bland quality but that is what they are taught to write. And is that not what the point of this article is, that we should, as a population learn to communicate more effectively? That our writing should, as Norris states, “resonate” and “ give back to the reader a thought, a memory, an emotion made richer by the experience of another”(32). Why then is this the last point of focus for students?