There is so much that I would like to blog about, however I have decided to make my first blog about the inability to blog. My fellow Honor students I did not receive the blog information when you did. When Professor Branch asked us did we receive the blog I was a little concerned. However, I shook it off. I was thinking maybe I overlooked the email or it was sent to the spam folder. I also thought about which email address Jeni had. So I decided not to say anything and to recheck my email. I checked and checked for a whole week and still no email. Finally, I emailed Professor Branch and he forwarded the email to my address. I was excited and looking forward to beginning my Honors blogging adventure. So I opened the email and read it. Low and behold there was no link to connect me to the blog. With my hands on my hips and my eyes looking to the ceiling, I took a deep breath. This blogging thing was beginning to become a little more complicated than I thought it would be.
By this time, it was time for me to attend my SGA meeting at Macon. The blog would have to wait yet again. When I arrived at Macon several of my SGA mates were on the computers and I walked over to say hello. Zaina Branch (we share the same last name) was on one of the computers and she motioned for me to come over. She began to tell me about how she was receiving my emails. Immediately my energy efficient light bulb lit up. Zaina's email address at Southwest is tcbranch and I am tebranch. Oh what a difference one letter can make.
To make a long story short, Zaina forwarded my emails. I was able to obtain access onto this site and I am now blogging. I have one more comment. Professor Branch and Jeni, when are you taking me to lunch? I think I will order the Bloggers Delight!!!!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
To honor or not to honor
Do you think there should be a statue of one of the founding members of the KKK in a public park? This question was one of the topics in a class picnic discussion at Nathan Bedford Forest Park. Some students didn't mind the statue, they were of African descent and weren't bothered by the honoring statue of the KKK member. They felt that the statue did no harm. Others felt that Nathan's army duties in the Civil War made him deserving of the honor. Many, such as myself, felt otherwise. Physically, the statue can't do any harm but symbolically, the statue makes a bold statement for a prejudice man whose ways of thinking are now unjust according to today's civil rights laws. It was mentioned that the people during Nathan's time period were not as educated as citizens are today which is why the statue was initiated in the first place. With that said, I can't come to a conclusion as to why it's still standing. Shouldn't a statue of someone like Martin Luther King take its place; a man who made peace and not war, a man who's worth a lot more remembering and a lot more honor. Moreover, it's still Nathan Bedord whose statue is seen for public display. When will they knock it? When will it get blown away during a massive hurricane? When will the statue of a more honorable man or woman be seen in a public park in Memphis? These are questions that for many years have gone unanswered. However, by peace and justice seekers alike, these are same questions that will remain asked for many more years to come until the resolution arrives. Nathan Bedford Forest, honored by his people but not mine.
A Park To Remeber
Sirens, old buildings, and a statue of one of the founding members of the KKK. These are the components of the Nathan Bedford Forest Park. Doesn't that sound like a great place to have a picnic. Hahaha! However, in all seriousness, the park isn't that bad. The lawn is nicely manicured with leaves rustling to the ground. Seemingly, well-bred, tax paying American citizens walk it's pathways. You can hear the traffic. The bright orange trolley does not go unnoticed.
Walking through the park, one may come across a gazebo-type structure with a sitting area an columns. The columns are decorated with some of the finest Memphis graffiti. Graffiti that says, "GAY SEX SHT ALL NIGHT." If you're wondering 'why is the 'i' absent in the curse word', don't ask me. I write it like I see it. Nevertheless, it's not the graffiti that should deter one from visiting the historical park. For some, it's the confederates who throw an annual meeting, shouting, "The south shall rise again." If a meeting of such were to happen, there's a call box for concerned pedestrians. Despite those meeting, people of all colors stroll through the park; Black, White, and Asian.
As my classmates and I look around, we notice quite a few interesting things about the park. For instance, the park isn't necessarily kid friendly. There's no sand box or money bars; only bent park benches and an old gymnastic-looking metal contraption seeem to exist. Futhermore, one of the biggest factors concerning the park is that it's not your ideal place to have a picnic. Yet, there we were, conversing about the history of Nathan Bedford while eating chicken salad sandwiches and chocolate chip cookies. Oddly enough, the time spent was quite memorable in a park that won't be forgotten.
Walking through the park, one may come across a gazebo-type structure with a sitting area an columns. The columns are decorated with some of the finest Memphis graffiti. Graffiti that says, "GAY SEX SHT ALL NIGHT." If you're wondering 'why is the 'i' absent in the curse word', don't ask me. I write it like I see it. Nevertheless, it's not the graffiti that should deter one from visiting the historical park. For some, it's the confederates who throw an annual meeting, shouting, "The south shall rise again." If a meeting of such were to happen, there's a call box for concerned pedestrians. Despite those meeting, people of all colors stroll through the park; Black, White, and Asian.
As my classmates and I look around, we notice quite a few interesting things about the park. For instance, the park isn't necessarily kid friendly. There's no sand box or money bars; only bent park benches and an old gymnastic-looking metal contraption seeem to exist. Futhermore, one of the biggest factors concerning the park is that it's not your ideal place to have a picnic. Yet, there we were, conversing about the history of Nathan Bedford while eating chicken salad sandwiches and chocolate chip cookies. Oddly enough, the time spent was quite memorable in a park that won't be forgotten.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Whitman the Nurse
The ideas that each artist conveyed in their pieces help to transform the Gallery into a time warp that made the words of every history book read up until that moment seem so bona fide. I love art, it is a silent voice of every artist emotions behind the covered canvas that can yell at a person to act or be a part of a cause. For every brush stroke I felt a million unspoken words that the people in the paintings wanted to say to me, but because they were frozen in time and space I was left to create my own version of their life story.
The reality of war was the subject of the exhibition…from death, to the irony of slaves fighting for freedom it all said “remember me”. There was so much to say about the exhibit and the many pieces of art on display, but the most momentum came from the gallery holding “The Wound-dresser” theme. Being that I am a nurse in process I could appreciate the hard work that Whitman put into trying to save the lives of the wounded and hurt soldiers. He literally went from looking for his brother to a nurse in a matter of minutes. I had just read about the health care changes that took place during and after the Civil War, but to see it from his perspective and to read the corresponding poetry about his experience made it more than just a story of the past but a reminder of my future in nursing.
The reality of war was the subject of the exhibition…from death, to the irony of slaves fighting for freedom it all said “remember me”. There was so much to say about the exhibit and the many pieces of art on display, but the most momentum came from the gallery holding “The Wound-dresser” theme. Being that I am a nurse in process I could appreciate the hard work that Whitman put into trying to save the lives of the wounded and hurt soldiers. He literally went from looking for his brother to a nurse in a matter of minutes. I had just read about the health care changes that took place during and after the Civil War, but to see it from his perspective and to read the corresponding poetry about his experience made it more than just a story of the past but a reminder of my future in nursing.
Dixon Gallery & Gardens
One of the great things about this class is that even though I have little knowledge of Memphis and a not so great preconceived notion of what is it suppose to be, yet, I am learning around every corner there is something new and fascinating. The drive to the Dixon Gallery was not any different from any other drive I have made, but for some reason on my way down Perkins Exeter I was mesmerized by the beautiful park dedicated to the survivors of cancer. I had no intentions on being late for my tour so I headed there early to make sure I would not be late. Because I had a few moments to spare I could not help but stop and admire the art work right there in the park and think about how important that was for me being that I have lost so many of my family to cancer and also because I am a survivor myself.The entrance to the Gardens of the Dixon Gallery was deceiving as I thought that this was going to be a small place with a few trees to look at. But to my amazement I saw acres of grass that made me want to sit down and write about everything that I felt in that moment. I decided to take a stroll around before I had my architectural tour and found myself lost in thought of what it would be like to be a child playing in this garden. Illusions of fictional characters played around in my head as I took a seat in this enchantment imagining this must be how Alice felt in wonderland.
Reality set in as I made my way to the gallery to hear about the great Architect John Staub who built the home for the late Hugo and Margaret Dixon. The house itself was smaller than I would have thought should have been on 17 acres of land, but then again it made since with the flow of nature that the architect envisioned.
The tour explored the idea of simplicity in a family home and how Staub’s intimacy with his clients helped to create homes that did not just fit the clients need but embodied their personality. From the meticulous crown molding everywhere to the Georgian columns that greet you as you enter the home; Staub made sure to make the home tell the story of the owner while inviting you to come in and get comfortable.
You could see all of the French and British influences in the home, and in spite of the renovations to meet current needs the home still reminded me of a plantation house. From what I could gather about the Dixon family, they dedicated their lives to philanthropy efforts and charity through their love of art which brought me to the Gallery today. I have been to many art galleries and museums but today I was up close and personal with a Claude Monet, and that alone was the highlight of my tour.
Reality set in as I made my way to the gallery to hear about the great Architect John Staub who built the home for the late Hugo and Margaret Dixon. The house itself was smaller than I would have thought should have been on 17 acres of land, but then again it made since with the flow of nature that the architect envisioned.
The tour explored the idea of simplicity in a family home and how Staub’s intimacy with his clients helped to create homes that did not just fit the clients need but embodied their personality. From the meticulous crown molding everywhere to the Georgian columns that greet you as you enter the home; Staub made sure to make the home tell the story of the owner while inviting you to come in and get comfortable.
You could see all of the French and British influences in the home, and in spite of the renovations to meet current needs the home still reminded me of a plantation house. From what I could gather about the Dixon family, they dedicated their lives to philanthropy efforts and charity through their love of art which brought me to the Gallery today. I have been to many art galleries and museums but today I was up close and personal with a Claude Monet, and that alone was the highlight of my tour.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
A Walk In The Park...
As many of us took the first true look at the park that looks us in the eye as we embark on our journey of knowledge everyday, we began to realize who we were in conjunction to the images we have of the past. I am not one that let's my past persuade my future but in those moments that I realized I was walking through a park that my grandmother would have been killed if she stepped a foot in; I saw how the past was the momentum of my present and my son's future.
Everyday we are confronted with the idea that maybe we are not as free as we think we are in a country that takes pride in the ideology of freedom, but in comparison to the past we are the writers of not only our own future as well as those to follow.
I am not from the area so I knew nothing about the park, nor did I realize that the section of land I drove around everyday to come to class was actually a park. So the reading we were assigned opened my eyes to view my surrounds not as a whole but as segments that represent the sum. The land was not a park to me because everything about it said "stay away"; from the statue to the broken benches and the poor landscaping I was not appealed to be there. But, as we began to speak on out interpretation of the reading in comparison to the visions we now hold of the park and its meaning I discovered I represented the "Lost Cause" of yesterday and the hope of tomorrow.
Yesterday was more than a picnic in the park to enjoy get food and stimulating conversation, and the stroll that we took was more than a walk in the park. For some it was the reminder of the hurtful past, a broken idea and the glorification of a dream. While for others it was the force that drove us to be were we are today and striving for more than our great-grand(anythings) were offered yesterday. The stroll revealed trees that seemed to be crying, homelessness that is overlooked, dreams that have become reality, ideas of power that fell short and prayers of a race that did not fall upon deaf eyes.
Nathan Bedford Forrest's statue is a poor symbol of what Memphis was at the time it was erected because it only represented the ideas of a class or group of people that were so high on power they could not sober themselves enough to see reality. At the same time this small look into the past helps to remind most of us that we have come so far...sometime we have to visit the past to understand the future, but we don't have to live there to appreciate our present.
Everyday we are confronted with the idea that maybe we are not as free as we think we are in a country that takes pride in the ideology of freedom, but in comparison to the past we are the writers of not only our own future as well as those to follow.
I am not from the area so I knew nothing about the park, nor did I realize that the section of land I drove around everyday to come to class was actually a park. So the reading we were assigned opened my eyes to view my surrounds not as a whole but as segments that represent the sum. The land was not a park to me because everything about it said "stay away"; from the statue to the broken benches and the poor landscaping I was not appealed to be there. But, as we began to speak on out interpretation of the reading in comparison to the visions we now hold of the park and its meaning I discovered I represented the "Lost Cause" of yesterday and the hope of tomorrow.
Yesterday was more than a picnic in the park to enjoy get food and stimulating conversation, and the stroll that we took was more than a walk in the park. For some it was the reminder of the hurtful past, a broken idea and the glorification of a dream. While for others it was the force that drove us to be were we are today and striving for more than our great-grand(anythings) were offered yesterday. The stroll revealed trees that seemed to be crying, homelessness that is overlooked, dreams that have become reality, ideas of power that fell short and prayers of a race that did not fall upon deaf eyes.
Nathan Bedford Forrest's statue is a poor symbol of what Memphis was at the time it was erected because it only represented the ideas of a class or group of people that were so high on power they could not sober themselves enough to see reality. At the same time this small look into the past helps to remind most of us that we have come so far...sometime we have to visit the past to understand the future, but we don't have to live there to appreciate our present.
Nathan Bedford Forrest Park visit
Our picnic yesterday at Nathan Bedford Forrest park was a pretty good experience. Before our outing, I had walked through the park, but never really visited it. A lot of things were pointed out yesterday about the condition of the park that I had not previously noticed like the worn out benches and the unkempt exercise equipment. I had never noticed, but it really is different from all of the other local parks; it almost seems as if no one truly supposed to picnic, exercise, or play there. While the grass is kept nice and neat, and the trees are trimmed, all of the things that attract people to parks such as benches, playgrounds, and cooking areas are non-existent. In my opinion part of the reason is the fact that the park is so tiny, and the other part of the reason is that the park is so very controversial. I also finally got a good look at the statue of Nathan. It was very pretty and well made.
A lot of people are hurt by the fact that the grand well-made statue of Nathan Bedford Forrest, co-founder of the KKK and Confederate War General, stands in the park today in the 21st Century with a historical land marker. Perhaps the same amount of people would be very angry if the statue were to be torn down. I am pretty sure the statue will always be a subject of debate, but for now the pro-Nathan debaters are definitely winning.
Personally I do not like to speak on issues that I have such passionate feelings about because I have such a one-sided view. After leaving the park, I spoke with my great-grandmother who was born in 1909, and is still alive. She was very displeased to hear about our picnic in Nathan's park. She is old enough to feel the pain that is connected to the actions of the KKK. She (obviously) thinks the statue should be torn down. On the other hand, my great gran is very old, illiterate, and she does not have a progressive attitude. After talking to her, I felt as if that way of thinking is old-fashioned. The statue does not necessarily symbolize racism, it is more or less a tangible object that makes sure that African-Americans know and appreciate how far they have come as a people.
A lot of people are hurt by the fact that the grand well-made statue of Nathan Bedford Forrest, co-founder of the KKK and Confederate War General, stands in the park today in the 21st Century with a historical land marker. Perhaps the same amount of people would be very angry if the statue were to be torn down. I am pretty sure the statue will always be a subject of debate, but for now the pro-Nathan debaters are definitely winning.
Personally I do not like to speak on issues that I have such passionate feelings about because I have such a one-sided view. After leaving the park, I spoke with my great-grandmother who was born in 1909, and is still alive. She was very displeased to hear about our picnic in Nathan's park. She is old enough to feel the pain that is connected to the actions of the KKK. She (obviously) thinks the statue should be torn down. On the other hand, my great gran is very old, illiterate, and she does not have a progressive attitude. After talking to her, I felt as if that way of thinking is old-fashioned. The statue does not necessarily symbolize racism, it is more or less a tangible object that makes sure that African-Americans know and appreciate how far they have come as a people.
Picnic
Hi; The Honor class had a picnic and topic discussion on Tuesday at the Forrest Park. I would like to let you all know just how interesting, informative, and most of all fun, we had eating and discussing the topic. We brought blankets, food and drinks, and our discussion book. The discussion on Nathan Bedford Forrest, being a Confederate memorial figure/hero was very intriguing, stemming from the reading of Memphis and The Paradox of Place written by Wanda Rushing. Everyone gave his or her perspective on the historical aspect of the park and it's memorial. We all walk around the park to determine if we could get the feel or insight, the people had in 1905 at the memorial dedication ceremony of the Forrest's monument. We also discussed today's affect the park have on people. There were many observations and comments, each with a remarkable distinctiveness.
The food was good and the discussion was knowledgeable and exciting. I think everyone had a good time while learning at the same time. I would like to suggest to those who have not already visited the park to do so. Those who have visited it to revisit it again to see if they can get a new perspective on the park. You may want to do some research on the park and it's commemorative figure first, you will find it very fascinating.
Eloise
The food was good and the discussion was knowledgeable and exciting. I think everyone had a good time while learning at the same time. I would like to suggest to those who have not already visited the park to do so. Those who have visited it to revisit it again to see if they can get a new perspective on the park. You may want to do some research on the park and it's commemorative figure first, you will find it very fascinating.
Eloise
Nathan Bedford Forrrest Picnic
I enjoyed our picnic yesterday a lot. I just wish I had remembered to get a picture taken! I even asked Graham to bring his camera, but then I forgot to ask him to take a picture.
One more thing: we need an article for this event in The Reflector. Somebody needs to write an article, I'd say in the 400-600 word range, and get it to me soon. I'll let the first person who volunteers to write it have that assignment. It would be great if I could get it by next week.
I was struck by so much during our picnic, but especially how the Nathan Bedford Forrest Park really did seemed designed to encourage people NOT to linger. We talked about the few park benches, all of them broken. We noted that there was no playground equipment and that the pavillion was in bad repair with nowhere to sit. The only real "amenities" were the pieces of equipment put up for joggers, giving them a place to stretch. Again, the idea is this is a place to jog to, maybe jog around, but not linger. It's interesting: do you think that either on a conscious or maybe even a subconscious level the city government doesn't want people to spend too much time in that park because of the negative connotations of what it represents for so many people?
One more thing: we need an article for this event in The Reflector. Somebody needs to write an article, I'd say in the 400-600 word range, and get it to me soon. I'll let the first person who volunteers to write it have that assignment. It would be great if I could get it by next week.
I was struck by so much during our picnic, but especially how the Nathan Bedford Forrest Park really did seemed designed to encourage people NOT to linger. We talked about the few park benches, all of them broken. We noted that there was no playground equipment and that the pavillion was in bad repair with nowhere to sit. The only real "amenities" were the pieces of equipment put up for joggers, giving them a place to stretch. Again, the idea is this is a place to jog to, maybe jog around, but not linger. It's interesting: do you think that either on a conscious or maybe even a subconscious level the city government doesn't want people to spend too much time in that park because of the negative connotations of what it represents for so many people?
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