Discussion n. 33: The Last Comment (May 17)

Is there a text that you thought did not fit well with the rest, and didn't really contribute to the overall thrust of the course?  Which one, and why?

COMMENT and REPLY

Discussion n. 32: KISS ME, GUIDO Due May 17

1) Who is the best actor/actress in the film? Who is the worst?

2) Italian Americans, gay people and one Jewish woman are targeted for stereotyping: which one of them had it worst?

COMMENT and REPLY

Discussion n. 31: MARTY and TRUE LOVE Due May 17

Some questions that I have never been able to answer:

 

What is the topic of these two films? The working class or Italian Americans?

 

Why is it that Italian Americans are represented  either as working class, or, if they are rich they are Mafia bosses?

 

COMMENT and REPLY.

Discussion n. 30: Godfather, The Best and the Worst

COMMENT:

 

1) Who is the WORST-WRITTEN character in the novel? By that I mean, the character whose personality Puzo was not able to nail.

 

 

2) If you could get rid of one of the actors in the film and replace him/her with someone else, whom would you pick?  (You don't need to name the replacement.)

 

More great work

The last batch of comments and replies really makes me wish we had this discussion in class.  Your arguments were so well presented and articulated that I could not decide which side I was on anymore. Great job, everyone. Some of you ideas will definitely make it into my lectures and blog postings for future classes.

Do not forget to start assembling your COMMENTS (only comments, no replies) in a document in chronological order, with the oldest at the top. Include the date for each. LATE comments, comments that were posted after the deadline must be left out.

About the meaning of life: Shakespeare's take, from Macbeth

COMMENTS welcome

 

 

 

I forgot to mention.....

COMMENTS welcome



About the Central Park Five, the kids who were accused, tried and sentenced for attacking, raping and sodomizing a jogger in Central Park in 1989 (Ancient history? Not really, most NYers still remember the shock -- I certainly do):

There was "no conclusive" evidence that they were the culprits. The only "evidence" were "confessions" extracted after hours and hours and hours and hours of non-stop interrogation. Once the police got the youngest of the kids to "confess" ('confess and you will go home'), other kids "confessed" also.
 

They were sentenced, a sentence confirmed after an appeal, to 6 to 13 years in prison.

In 2002, a convicted rapist confessed he ALONE did it. DNA testing confirmed it.

The District Attorney then "vacated" the charge against the 5 kids.
"Vacating" means that the charges never happened. Just a huge whitewash on the history blackboard. No apology, no contrition, no "Oh my god what have we done."
The message was "Kid, you got lucky this time. Next time, you are toast." 

 

Even before the trial started, Donald Trump bought ad pages in the NY newspapers, NYTimes included, demanding the death penalty for all of them.

That's how you buy a reputation for being "though on crime." It's cheap and readily available. The only requirement is that the alleged crimes must come from "them darker people down there."

I don't hate racism -- it's too abstract. I hate racists.

Amen.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/26/opinion/the-white-rebellion.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=opinion-c-col-right-region&region=opinion-c-col-right-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-right-region

 

Discussion n. 29: Godfather (May 1)

And finally: novel or film?

COMMENT:
First: did you read the novel before watching the film or viceversa?

Skip a line: which of the two was more compelling in telling the story?

REPLY:  "I can see your point, but...."

Discussion n. 28 GROWING UP ITALIAN (May 1)

The walled garden on the mall in Godfather and the separation between Italians and "Mericans" in the video: two faces of the same coin?


(By the way, the video states that for the Italians, everybody else was just a "Merican," and it goes on to list several ethnic groups. Sorry, but this is some heavy-duty whitewashing: Black people were NOT "Mericans". There was another name for them.)


COMMENT: Does preserving your original culture IN AMERICA justify refusing to integrate and accept "the others?' How do you balance tradition, history, culture, language preservation and the ideology of the "melting pot" (which was the dominant social theory/ideology until 10-15 years ago.)

REPLY to a comment that made you think that maybe there is more to this issue that you ever considered.

Discussion n. 27: Godfather (May 1)

Reading The Godfather as an upside-down celebration of diversity and anti-establishment sentiments.

 

You will need to watch my lectures and read my notes to be able to comment adequately.

 

COMMENT: the establishment kept them out, so they found their own niche in society, followed their own rules, and created their own alternative society.

 

But is this really a form of protest and political separatism?

 

To look it another way, they are "in" society but not "of" society.

 

REPLY: find a good comment to reply to, preferably disagreeing with the point of view. 

 

 

Discussion n. 26: Belaboring the point about JUSTICE and INJUSTICE (due April 30)

The issue is: how much does it cost to buy decent justice?

 

Because, if you want ANY kind of justice, you have to be ready to fork out a lot of  bucks.

 

Criminal defense lawyer? $400 an hour minimum.

 

Are you suing for discrimination or harassment? Another $400 to $500 an hour.

When people say that "the system works," are they including these facts in their reasoning?

 

 

 

Discussion n. 25 : Justice and injustice DUE April 23

About discussion n. 24, most of you missed the mark in evaluating the 4 cases.

In 1, 2, 3, it was prejudices, bias and neglect that led to those tragic outcomes.

In 4, it was prejudice in reverse.

 

What those cases have in common, is MONEY: whether they had it or not. I hope you will care to expand on this thesis in your COMMENTS.

Discussion n. 24 SACCO & VANZETTI due April 15

Are you familiar at all with the real story of the "West Memphis Three?"

Are you familiar at all with the real story of the "Central Park Jogger?" (Yes, NY Central Park)

Are you familiar at all with the real story of Kalief Browder?

Are you familiar at all with the real story of  Ethan Couch?


COMMENT

1)   What do they have in common?

2) Which one of these stories is the most .........(you choose the adjective)? Explain the reason of your choice.

REPLY: Pick a reply that opened a new perspective to your understanding of the way "it" really works.

Discussion n. 23 FInal thoughts about "Christ" due April 15

COMMENT:

 

1) Did the linguistic difficulty get in the way of experiencing the content to the maximum?

 

2) Did the book leave some traces (not a permanent trauma, but some kind of scratches) on your psyche? Did you get depressed? Did you try to forget it as soon as possible and not to think about it on purpose?

 

3) OR: did you allow it to get to you?

 

 

REPLY to a comment that you found particularly insightful and self-revealing about the person who wrote it.

Discussion n. 22: the languages of immigrants (due after spring break)

From Haris's assignment:

 

Task 2

The New Language Invented by Italian Immigrants in America

The main thesis of the author was describing the formation of a new Italian American language that was an odd mixture of both Italian and English and how that 'interlingua' eventually disappeared. This new ‘interlingua’ did not have the same depth and richness as Italian.
I must say I understood this concept quite well and knew exactly what the author was talking about for I have seen it happen firsthand to my native language. The formation of such a language is only because of the necessity of communication. And the people who speak this language are often looked down upon by natives who take pride in their language because they consider it their main representation as a nation. I think that immigrants should always try to preserve their language while learning the new one. The forming of new words that never were is great but original words and their meanings shouldn’t be changed or lost. Immigrants should teach their mother tongue to their children and never let it die. Our native language is a part of our heritage and who we are and we should keep that part from fading away. Also, the more languages one knows the better, you can communicate with more people around the world.
The part where the author mentioned translating an idiom or phrase literally was quite interesting I've often heard a lot of strange phrases in English from immigrants from different countries and when I've said I've never heard them before I've often been told it's a saying in their native language. My mother also uses the phrase 'Stop eating my brain' which has been translated literally from our native language, Pushto, though the correct phrase for it in English would be 'You're getting on my nerves'.
All languages change from how they initially were, years ago but mass migrations to other countries can cause them to change drastically and lose their beauty and essence. Luckily for Italians the new 'interlingua' faded away eventually and the beautiful, original Italian came back.

 

 

 

COMMENT:  Are there any remnants of your heritage in the language you speak at home or in the neighborhood? Are there 'weird' expressions, idioms, either in English or in the original language, still present in your own surroundings? In New York, everybody speaks or at least understands a little bit of Yiddish, for instance: schlep, tchotchke, chutzpah, or AT LEAST, bagel. And everybody uses "bodega" (not from Yiddish, of course.)

 

DISCUSSION n. 21: CHRIST IN CONCRETE Due after spring break

And now the final and most difficult issue of them all:

For people of faith, God is never wrong ("There must be a reason.")

This is the reason why SOME PEOPLE, when they actually see that there are a lot of 'wrong' things in the world (hunger for millions; genocides -- American Natives, the Shoah, Armenians, Rwandans; and other garden-variety events of ordinary sadism), THESE PEOPLE conclude that God doesn't exist.

Basically both groops agree that it is an essential requirement that God is always right.
Since *IT* can't be wrong, the presence of evil in the world is proof that *IT* doesn't exist.

That's Paul's conclusion.


COMMENT Focus on Paul, not on yourself. He loses his faith because his faith presents him with an absolute choice: either accept the suffering, injustice etc. as a "gift" from God, or get out.

REPLY  to the comment of your choice.

Discussion n. 20 -- CHRIST IN CONCRETE -- JOB due after break

COMMENT:  in the chapter JOB, what is the most heart wrenching moment? Use a citation (quote/unquote) with page number to identify it.

It's OK if you choose something that has already been mentioned. In this case, write a second paragraph (2) with an additional moment. There are plenty to choose from.

REPLY:  choose a COMMENT that identify a moment you had overlooked but that seems particularly poignant.

Discussion n. 19 - CHRIST IN CONCRETE -- Friday March 30

Here are the most relevant quotations from the chapter "GEREMIO".

COMMENT: the first student will comment on n. 1, the second on n. 2 and so forth.

REPLY: the first student will REPLY TO comment of STUDENT 2 (come back to see what your classmate has written and reply to his/her comment.)

In you COMMNENT: did you notice this quotation while you were reading the book? How would you connect it to your own choice. OR, is it completely separate and reveals a different order of concerns?

========================
1) “They are tired as hell but happy that today is Good Friday and we quit at 3’oclock”


2) “Pushing the job is all right (when has it been otherwise in my life?), but this job frightens me. I feel the building wants to tell me something just as one Christian to another.  Or perhaps the Easter week is making of me a spirit-seeing pregnant woman. I don’t like this.” 


3) "Is it not possible to breathe God’s air without fear dominating the pall of unemployment? And the terror of production for Boss, Boss, and Job? To rebel is to lose all of the very little. To be obedient is to choke. O dear Lord, guide my path"          

4) “The language of worn oppression and the despair of realizing that his life had been left on brick piles. And always, there had been hunger and her bastard, the fear of hunger”

5) “To rebel is to lose all of very little. To be obedient is to choke” (13)

============================

 

Discussion n. 18: Suggestions from your classmates: How to read "Christ"

Your classmates Annie and Amanda recommend: "I feel like while approaching this text we should also make little notes after each paragraph." "I think it could be helpful to write down things that really stood out while reading the text and jot down what we feel or what we think about it so that it can help us to remember points made as well as understand what is going on in the text." Thank you to both for starting the conversation and for the suggestions. COMMENTS and REPLIES: Does "finding a rhythm" work for you? What about written notes? Or post-it stickers?

Discussion n. 17 Video lecture on READING CHRIST IN CONCRETE Due MON MARCH 19

Watch the video lecture and start reading the book.


COMMENT: How hard is the book? Did the suggestions in the video help at all? What else should be mentioned to help readers approaching this text?

REPLY: what suggestion in the comments do you agree or disagree with?

DISCUSSION n. 16: EMIGRANTE / MOONSTRUCK (due MON March 12)

Is there a danger in POSITIVE, apparently HARMLESS stereotypes?

COMMENT: identify clearly at least one positive, harmless stereotype in the two films. What is your opinion about perpetuating those stereotypes?

REPLY: offer a different perspective (maybe just slightly different) on an opinion expressed in a comment.

DISCUSSION 15: Moonstruck (due March 12)

Is this film about Italian Americans?

 

Or is it about "DESIRE"?

 

One of the most fundamental drives of humans, "desire" is seldom considered and even referred to in explaining behavior.  What if "being in touch with your own feelings" were only knowing what your desires are? And then: what's wrong in trying to fulfill them?

 

COMMENT

Can Moonstruck be seen as a complex film, or is it just mildly entertaining escapism that exploits harmless stereotypes?

 

Next paragraph: what did you get, out of it? What is the 'message' that you heard?

 

REPLY to a meaningful and insightful comment that talks about something you had not thought about.

Your classmates chose:

 

Joy Kameo

 

 

 

 

 

Annie Cen

 

 

 

 

 

 Ashley Calandra

 

 

 

Raneen Elshehadeh

 

 

 

 

HARIS IBRAR

 

 



 

 KHADIJAT TESLIM

 

 

 

 

 Michal Yefet

 

 

 

 My choice (FGC)

 

Discussion n. 14 THE WAY THEY LIVED Due March 5

What photo in The Way They Lived would you choose for the cover of Son of Italy?

 

Take a screenshot and email it to the course email, subject "photo".

 

COMMENT  Unfortunately you can't upload an image in COMMENT.

Describe the photo but most of all explain WHY you chose this image and how do you connect it to the content of Son.

 

REPLY recommended but not required.

Discussion n. 13 THE WAY THEY LIVED Due March 5

What was your first, immediate, unfiltered reaction while you were watching the slideshow?


COMMENT

REPLY to a comment that describes a state of mind or emotion you also felt but weren't able to articulate as clearly as your classmate did.

Discussion n. 12. L'EMIGRANTE Due March 5

Would you have noticed the critique of American society in L'emigrante without the introductory lecture?

Did the critique rise to the level of anti-Americanism?


COMMENT in two separate paragraphs.

REPLY to an opinion you disagree with. Offer a different perspective WITH A DECENT argument.

Discussion n. 11 -- SON OF ITALY -- Due March 5

OK, Pascal made the right call when he decided to immigrate and then to stay in America when the others returned home.
But, was it all worth it? In INDIVIDUAL TERMS, probably Pascal concludes that it was.
But in COLLECTIVE terms, in terms of the history of humanity (think big, don't be shy), was the mass migration of large populations to this continent worth it?
What about the pain, the suffering, the slavery, the tragedies that befell them?
All of that resulted in the colonization of the continent.
Progress exacts a price to be paid in innocent victims.
What if you were the victim?

COMMENT and REPLY ad libitum.

Discussion n. 10: Representation and self-representation (Due Feb 26)

THIS IS FROM one of your classmates, from the last assignment. I chose it as an example of a well written (short) essay.

READ IT AND COMMENT: is there something you can learn from this in terms of APPROACH, STYLE, STRUCTURE (not information).  How does it compare to your essay on the same topic?

[And if you don't know who the Pashtuns are, hurry to find out].

 

 

In today's world a mistake made by a member of a group or tribe represents the entire tribe. The same goes for the Pashtuns. They are seen worldwide as terrorists, although terrorism is not the work of a single tribe or religion. They are portrayed as violent and illiterate extremists. In the media the mention of the Pashtuns comes side by side with the Taliban and they are almost perceived as one and the same thing. They are also considered to be generally dimwitted and there are many jokes about them being truck drivers. To most people the Pashtuns are a hot headed, dumb, impulsive race of terrorists who are good for nothing.

The Pashtuns themselves however, take a lot of pride in being Pashtuns. They think of themselves as a warm, loving and loyal people. They are very brave and passionate and that may be the reason they come off to others as violent. The Pashtuns are also very hospitable and friendly. At the start of the area of the Pashtuns in Pakistan there is a sign that reads, "Welcome to the land of hospitality". The Pashtuns believe in Islam and all the good it teaches. They are very family oriented and generous and try their best to help their less fortunate family members. They are very firm in their decisions and beliefs which to others seems too strict. But the Pashtuns never let any of this get to them and are still proud to be called Pashtuns.

DISCUSSION N. 9: Son of Italy Due Feb 26

COMMENT

Read your classmates' comments first and avoid repeating the obvious.

Pascal describes a childhood in conditions of wretched poverty and exploitation, of deprivation and suffering.
And yet, at a certain point, he says that "they were happy."

Is that "happiness" a result of total lack of self-awareness at that time; or is it the product of the passing of time, of looking back and re-inventing the past?

(And, don't be so sure your answer is the correct one.)

REPLY to a perspective you had not considered.

Discussion n. 8: THE ITALIAN and early 20th century film -- Due Mon Feb 26

The main issue about the film's message (The Italian) to that audience,  was whether Beppo's madness was understandable temporary madness, or if it was a warning signal that if you scratch an Italian you will find a brute (like the Lombroso ape-like shoeshine of the cartoon.)

I know I have lobbied heavily to skew your perspective in the latter direction (maybe I am guilty of indoctrination).

Did I "force" my interpretation on you? Or did I do what I am supposed to do?

Do you think that everything is just a matter of opinion?

COMMENT

A thoughtful comment on ONE clear and precise issue. Don't try to answer all the points in the premise/prompt.

REPLY
An even more thoughtful reply to a CLEAR and LUCID comment.

Discussion n. 8: Amazon-Hachette again Due Feb 26

Now imagine that the cartoon shows 3 persons who look like they are from YOUR TRIBE.

Or, pick the least favorite stereotype about your tribe and imagine it used in a cartoon.


COMMENT

When you FIRST analyzed the cartoon, were you aware of the layering of meanings?

Did you correctly identify the topic, namely, abusive practices in business dealings? Or, the will of the thug?

Rejected email

Discussion n. 7: ITAM stereotypes (due Feb 19)

Reminder:

 

Only comments posted by the deadline receive credit.

 

Open this FILE where I collected your ITAM stereotypes. (Thank you to those who did this assignment. Everything you do in this course is going to count as extra credit toward the final grade.)

 

COMMENT:  two separate answers.

 

A)   Read the stereotypes and give your first reaction: would you be proud to be part of a tribe that is represented in these terms?

 

 

B) About the Hachette/Amazon cartoon: did you notice at all the heavy stereotype of the secretary? Of course, Italian Americans were outraged, especially because it appeared in such an august publication. This cartoon was a rudeness and insensitivity feast.

 

As to the employees of Amazon being offended: nobody is born an Amazon's employee. They can always get another job. There is a huge difference between natural inherent properties and transient ones.

Was the reaction of Italian Americans exaggerated?

 

REPLY to someone who expressed an opinion different than yours in either A or B.

 

DISCUSSION N. 6 - A semiological analysis -- Due FEB 19

It means "analysis of the signs," from Greek semeion = signal.

Semiotics is a branch of hermeneutics, the philosophical study of MEANING. 

Here, much more accessibly, we are dealing mostly with the MESSAGE. A message results from the accumulation of signs. A message is an arrangement of signs organized according to a particular code that is familiar both to the sender and the receiver.

Take a look at this cartoon. It appeared in what is undoubtedly the best written magazine in America, The New Yorker,  a very progressive publication with a stellar reputation for integrity and accuracy.

Background: Amazon.com, that by now is the largest book distributor in the world, not long ago started pressuring book publishers to lower their prices below the standard $9.99 for ebooks. The lower the price, the higher the sales and the more profit for Amazon. Most publishers were very unhappy but went along. Hachette decided to reject the imposition. Amazon started boycotting the sale of Hachette books, causing a drop in sales.

Hachette, most of all, supported the complaints of writers who saw their share of the sales go down every time Amazon forced publishers to lower the prices.

This is how The New Yorker characterized the bargaining methods of Amazon.

 COMMENT in TWO PARAGRAPHS

1) In your opinion, who were the people who complained about this cartoon? Why did they complain?

2) In your opinion, were they right to complain?

I hope to elicit a variety of responses. Try to break the mold of conformism. What "signs" in particular people found offensive?

Required: REMINDER - due Mon Feb 12

In COMMENT, acknowledge that you know that at the end of the semester you will have to turn in a document with all the COMMENTS you posted on time. NO LATE comments accepted.

Discussion n. 5: What are your sources of information? (Due Mon Feb 12)

This is a self-reflection exercise. It asks that you focus on your own reactions and investigate what shapes them.


COMMENT in two separate paragraphs:


1) CLEARLY STATED: Whatever information you know about Italian Americans, what are the sources?

No messy jumbles of everything and nothing. A clear, organized answer that shows what the PRIMARY sources are.

Media? Primarily what kind of media?

Direct knowledge? Friends, neighbors, neighborhood, family, yourself?

2) How does THE SOURCE of that information make a difference in shaping your perception of ITAMs?

Think hypothetically (but don't write about it: if you had information from a different source, what would be your opinion.)

NOW, after thinking comparatively, WRITE  how and why the source of your info makes a difference.


REPLY: pick someone whose sources are different from yours and respond to their self-reflection.

REQUIRED: send an email

Email Subject:   ITAM

In the message, list in bullet format, what, in your opinion, PEOPLE THINK when THEY HEAR  "ITALIAN AMERICAN".

NOT what YOU think when you hear the term. Rather, what other people in general think.

DISCUSSION n. 4: Technical and writing recommendations DUE FEB as soon as possible

1) Write your comments in paragraphs, particularly if your comments are longer than 3-4 lines. You want people to read your ideas. With the kind of screens your classmates (and you) most likely use, reading is much easier if copy is broken down into chunks.

2) For the same reason:  don't ramble on. Focus on one idea BEFORE you start writing. This is not the place for stream of consciousness. To the contrary.
You want your messages to be clear and crisp. Short sentences (+ paragraph organization) help.

3) In your COMMENTS, do not address me (your prof.) directly. More brutally, don't talk to me. Talk to your classmates. AVOID at all cost using "YOU" (often used as an impersonal form: it's lazy and gives the impression of random thoughts.)

4) In REPLY of course you can use YOU, as long as you are talking directly to the comment's author. Avoid confusion and misunderstandings.

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS: the use of impersonal YOU in your assignments is strictly prohibited. (You don't know what "impersonal you" means? Hmmm, where could you find an answer?)

COMMENT
Which of the suggestions above hit the spot with you? How are you going to change your approach to writing?

REPLY to a comment that can help you improve your clarity.

Optional: TRIBES

Are there aspects of your tribe you dislike?

Discussion n. 3: TRIBES (due Feb 5)

COMMENT:

Are you comfortable with the notion of "tribe?"
Do you feel you belong to a tribe?

Even if you are disconnected, by your looks, your accent or where you live, OTHER PEOPLE automatically place you with a tribe: are you aware of it? Do you fight it? Do you like it?


REPLY to a comment that describes an inner experience different from your own.

Discussion n. 2: Cartoons and 2 silent shorts - due FEB 5

COMMENT, two separate paragraphs.

1) Put yourself in the perspective of the original NON ITALIAN audience that saw those texts. Which one do you think was most effective in communicating its message (the message is pretty obvious throughout.)

2) Pick a SMALL DETAIL in the text you choose in 1) and explain why, in your personal view, it enhances and clarifies the underlying message. DETAIL means a small aspect, not a major theme.

Read your classmates' comments first. For 2) choose something original that has not been picked before.

3) REPLY: choose a comment that made an impression for the QUALITY OF WRITING and explain what you could learn from it.

Discussion 1: Stereotypes (due Feb 4)

Identify a group (ethnic, national, geographical etc.) that you belong to or you descend from.

Ex: Italian, Caribbean, African American, Vietnamese, German, Brazilian, Native American etc.

Even if the roots are far far in the past (English, Scottish, Swiss), even if you do not identify with those roots, list the stereotypes about that group. This is a serious exercise. Think in these terms:

"What do people in general think, what kind of automatic association do they make in their minds when they hear that you are -- for instance -- Asian Indian?"

Click COMMENT below:

Write a bullet-type list; each item one, max two words. Keep it telegraphic.

REPLY: choose a list from a classmate that introduces a stereotype you didn't know existed, and write a comment about it.