LECTURE ON MONDAY, AUGUST 4

On Monday, Math & Science Professor Heather Wols will give her lecture, "Choreographing the Immune Response: The Delicate Dance Between Microbes & Man: A Story of the Plasma Cell."

Here's what Professor Wols has to say about her lecture:

"We are bombarded with germs on a daily basis, yet we are rarely sick! This protection is due, in part, to specific white blood cells of our immuni system called plasma cells. The sold function of these cells is to produce immune proteins called antibodies, which circulate through our body surveying for pathogens.

"Specifically, my research is focused on surveying for the necessary elements in the bone marrow environment that promote plasma cell survival. The results of this research will provide understanding of the components necessary for lasting antibody production and may have implications for greater vaccine efficacy and enhanced immunity."

Do a bit of research over the weekend on some of the following topics:

• The Five-Second Rule: is it fact or fiction?
• Why don't some doctors and/or scientists like antibacterial sanitizers and cleaners?
• What does it feel like to have a doctor or nurse take a sample of bone marrow from your body? (Read about it; don't have it done, please.)
• Why do some people choose not to have their children (or themselves) vaccinated?
• Look up words in Professor Wols's lecture description that are unfamiliar to you.

-- Kate

LECTURE ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 30

Liberal Education Professor Stephanie Shonekan will give her lecture "Black Music: Revolution and Aesthetics" on Wednesday.

Here's what Professor Shonekan has to say about her lecture:

"This presentation will give an overview of how Black music has evolved in the U.S. We will examine how Black music is tightly linked to Black history and how each genre has emerged as response to various historical moments for the Black community. This presentation will take us on an expedition from the spirituals to hip-hop."

We discussed Tupac's "Changes" in class on Tuesday. Keep that conversation in mind while Professor Shonekan speaks. Start thinking of questions you have for her, and jot down more during her lecture so you won't forget to ask. 

-- Kate

When you Cry I cry...Teddy Stewart

Crying can be a painful thing. Its lonely and depressing and often times when you break down and cry the mind think of one sad thing and think of another. That is when you are there doing the crying and short breath hard to breathe type stuff. In the image on the side is when its comfortable and painless to cry. When you have someone in your corner right along with you. A shoulder to cry on. in the pubic i cant tell if its a guy and a girl crying or two girls crying but if its a girl and guy maybe she just found out she is prego and they are either crying for joy or maybe shes is crying because she is scared having a baby entering the world. she might not be ready to make the sacrifice but eh guy there is comforting her like he is ready to step up to the plate and raise they child. If its two girls crying together they could just be best friends that haven't seen each other in awhile or there is death in the family and she is consoling her.

2pac

when the artist painted this picture he was thinking about who would people listen to.How can we stop whats happen ,two colors that mean the world to some people,2 colors that many people were killed over.So he picked the best rapper alive, now died.In this picture he is wearing two colors.As u look at his face you see pain,when is this shit going to stop is there ever going to be a change.

RUNWAY DIVA!!!!

In this photo i think the artist choose to do his runway show like a carousel to model the models and the things that were on it. It was cool to me how instead of using horses he used handbags, coats, and ect. I just love how there were life size things on the runway with life size people. I love the runway it's something thats out of the box and something that i would do...

DgK

Stevie Williams: his pose to me says "Im the leader of these DGK's" his handd language also tells me that because everyone else has the single hand pose where as he has two. his skateboard is facing towards the left where as one has his skateboard towards the right, one on his knee, the other on his side, this was choosen to symbolize that no matter the direction they are still united by one thing and one love.

Wade Desarmo: i feel that the photographer in the order of succession would be Wade. he is probably the second best rider for the DGK team. another thing that i noticed was the chains on their neck. notice that stevies chain (Jesus Piece) is probably filled with diamonds being that he has put in the most work for this team and company.

Marcus Mcbride:I feel that his skateboard shows the griptape reason so that you can see the grip of what binds them together.(referenced in stevie williams) i also feel that the order in which they are standing also says something. i feel that the photographer felt that one day this may be the order of succession. and they feel that although he is great at what he does he still has alot of room to go.

Setting: the setting is in loading dock. this symbolizes the idea that these are people that are pretty much in a underground unmainstream society. and weather you accept them or not is compeltely on you. but they are still going to be here so eventually your going to have to deal with them

The Women with Half a Face

The reason I have choosen this photograph is because when I think about a juxtaposition I think of this. Two halfs opposing each other. The womens face is being juxtaposed.
When i look at this I think about the choices the artisist choose to make. For example why did the arisist decided to use half of a skull and half of a human face? They both have the same type of facial expression, even though half of her face is bone.
I believe that artist choose to make these decisons because he/she wanted to show the life and the death of this women in this picture. The womens facial expression is that of a dead women in my opionion. So maybe hes trying to show what shes going to look like when shes dead and gone.
The background of this photo feels cold and dark. The background sort of illuminates the structure of the skull. Theres hair covering the sides of the living womens face. The hair is old. The colors are gray and white. This could tell me that the women is that of old age.

POVERTY!!!

This image stood out to me because of the words used and the all white uniforms the people are wearing in this photo.I think the artist chose to use white as the color to appear faceless just like the text in the picture because poverty doesn't have a face it's not just African Americans it all races so it really doesn't have a face. To appear faceless this is why the people in the picture wore all white. I believe that this also means that in the US today people who suffer from poverty are look down on and forgotten because to others they aren't important and they are invisible. If you walk downtown you see many homeless people walking around asking for change people who are downtown everyday are use to them and they just walk past them like they are invisible.

This picture of Salvator Dali's " The Persistance of Memory" is one of my all time favorite pieces of art. I feel that it has so much meaning behind it. There is more meaning then just what you can see. There is one major thing about this painting that really sticks out to me and it is the fact the these clocks that look like they are melting are in a shaded area. Then in the backround where the water and the cliff is it's sunny! I feel like this is a symbol of time. I am stuck between it meaning something along the lines of wasted time or a waste of a life time. But then I look at it a different way and it seems like the clocks are all the same time and that the title of the painting has the word "memory" in it, it could also mean freezin a moment in time. Maybe this moment or time was very important to salvator dali and this was his way of freezin the moment and time into a painting. If you think about the clocks being the same time and they are melting but in a shaded area, you can think about Salvator Dali trying to send a message of dont become stuck on one moment in time for too long because it will just fade away and you have wasted some of your life... Then looking at the cliff and how it is sunny you can think a cliff is something you get to at the top of a mountain and you feel that rush of being so high, it's almost like a victory that you have finally reached the top. This could be a symbol of life and making the best of it. When you learn to let go of the moments that are holding you back you are able to move forward and climb that mountain of life and feel that victory at the top!

- Lauren

Harajuku juxtaposition

The girls in the picture represent a trend most popular in the city of Tokyo. How the comfort in bright clothing came about I'm unsure of, but I do know based off of this picture, it is something of interest because someone took a photo of them.
The way the girls are positioned makes me think that they've taken a few pictures. I say that because they aren't focus on the photographer who has taken and posted the photo. Locals and a few tourist may hangout where the girls are standing. This could be a main attraction where people show off their latest harajuku wear.
One girl seems to be folding her arms, or clinching at something, while the other is relaxed, placing her weight on her umbrella. She could be folding her arms because it was a random shot while she was in movement, but everything around her is still. Her arms could also be folded because she's hungry and they were just on their way to get lunch after meeting up with a few friends. Maybe that was her first time on the strip. Her friend/sister/cousin...could have influenced her to go. After all the one with the umbrella is way more decorative than the other girl. She looks as if she's been on this stip many times before. She's comfortable in front of however many cameras that are in front of her, and her outfit demands attention. She also brought more accessories and toys than the other girl. Her hair is loud, which makes me think that she is confident and creative. The other girls brings off a more shy or quite tone. Most of her outfit are the same basic colours with few accessories.
The background takes place in a city. There are a few buildings in the back that appear to be hotels or places of business. The green building could be an apartment in the city, located closer to the main attractions and people in their area. It costs to have entertainment and shopping centers, which probably means that it's probably a little more expensive where they are located.

I think the artists choose this picture because its telling us that lables are taking over... We are branded my lables, we have to wear the newest line of clothes!!!!She is labling herself! she is all in lables, to me its like they cant wear anything thats not a brand name.... all that name brand is breaking them!!! i see a girl who is high in fashion with nothing but brand names.

MUSEUM VISIT ON TUESDAY, JULY 29

We'll visit the Art Institute of Chicago this week. Again, we'll meet in the lobby of the 33 E. Congress Building so we can walk to the museum as a class. This week we'll meet at 1 pm instead of 12:45 like last week. We will leave promptly at 1 pm, so don't be late. 

I'll expect you to have visited the Art Insitute's website (you can link through our blog) before Tuesday.

-- Kate

Tupac

This is a picture of tupcac shakur one of the biggest rapper of all time. When I look at this picture I see violence but at the time I see love. To colors that many people have been killed over red and blue, red represent bloods a gang that started California and the blue represent the cribs. In this picture tupac is wearing both color trying to stop the violence between both colors, but as you can see there has been no change.

DGK ALL DAY every DAY

What do i see. when i look at this image i see nothing but the perciverence. to over come anything. another thing i see when i look at this image is love and passion. in order to skate in my eyes i think you would have to have that passion to never let it go no matter how good or how bad you get. if you love something eventually you become very passionate about it. another thing i see are leaders. these are leaders for the youth and older cats. this tells you that anything is possible. Stevie Williams the team leader of DGK also know as DIRTY GHETTO KIDs' had to over come the america ( that some of us don't know ) and rise to the top. his reason was because he wanted that freedom. their skateboards are the keys to the door that gives them freedom everytime they step on it. they could do tricks all the time but sometimes just like me im pretty sure they just ride to get away. as much as they got out of the ghetto they realize and never forgot where they came from. that's why they are still Dirty Ghetto Kidz. these are the kids and adults that were forgoten like the other america. but over came that.

High Class Fashion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In this picture i see high class fashion!! someone who lives in fashion and who is always wears the newest fit that comes out. I see a trend setter.
A Trend that fits in the fashion world. Its showing more fashion than one. More ways to understand how lives!
Being covered by fashion, kidding in the fashion world but really wants to try and be seen...
This could picture can be seen in a lot of different ways, but its how ever you want to look at it. I look at it as all the fashion you can imagine you could have and be..

Man Flav, you cooler than a polar bear toenail (buckwild lol Flavor of love 2)..Teddy pic aka Stewart's pic

Three Polar Bears. Its cold its icy snow. One just looks hes just chillin like a villian. The one in the front of him looks like he is proctecting. Now that i think about it the one that is chillin might be a female polar bear and the one standing in its guard must be the alpha male and the one sitting in the cut in the back must be a cub or another female. the Wind looks like its has a nice pretty breeze with it because the one chillin has its hair/fur standing up.

HIGH FASHION MEETS LIFE OF THE PARTY!!!!!

Fashion...what i see in this photo is people having a good time...its 3 girls and 1 boy and im guessing that the girls are trying to get his attition but for what reason though. It doesn't explain what GV is but im guessing it's a hot line of fashion. I can really tell that they're having a lot of fun but apart of me is not understand the eye in the back. It seems to me like they're being watch by someone but we all know its high fashion. I can also seeing this as a runway show, its almost close to what Chanel did for their runway in Prais for fashion week back in 2007. I love the photo...it's like high fashion meets life of the party. I LOVE IT!!!!

Francis Bacon

In this picture I see two slabs of meat hanging behind a man, I'm assuming that the meat is of a cow, but I do not know for sure. There is certain look to the meat that appears to be very dark, like its supposed to symbolize death, as the colors look very evil to me. The man's face also comes off as very sinister and death-like, it even looks like a smiling skull dipped in pale wax. I see a very dark room, almost pitch black except for what seems to be light coming through cracks of the walls. We aren't supposed to interpret anything, but when I look at this picture I literally see an image of death and decay, which can be justified with the colors and the painting style. The man's eyes sink deep into their sockets, making it look like he doesn't have any eyes at all. His mouth also appears to have no teeth, its very eerie.

Just A Image

This is a picture of Downtown Chicago. I see the vivid colors painted unto the water below reflecting the colors of purple and orange. The colors on the water are distorted. I see the bright lights. I see the puffy clouds taking over the blue skys with just a hint of purple. I see buildings ranging from tall to small. The trees seem to be grazing against the buildings from the far perspective.

"The Persistance Of Memory"

This is an image of Salvator Dali's painting called " The Persistance of Memory" in this image there is a cliff with a view of a body of water. There are three clocks that look like they are melted. Towards the back of the painting where the cliff and water is it looks sunny but in the front where the clocks are it looks a little shaddy. There is what looks like a pocket watch with some kind of bugs i think i cant really tell.

super kawaii ^_^!!

Bright colours in the city of Tokyo!! This looks like a place where young people probably hangout. Obviously the majority of people are comfortable with being creative. There is a woman dressed as a baby lolita holding onto a stuffed animal frog that happens to be green. She is also carring a green umbrella and a bag. Her socks are knee high and neon pink. Her hair is extremely bright with a mixture of all sorts of colours. She looks really relaxed, like she's placing her weight onto the small umbrella.

The woman to her left is also dressed as a baby lolita. She's wearing a bow and a ballerina skirt. She has on less colour, but still stands out because of her outfit. Her socks are knee high as well, with lace at the end of it. She is also carrying a bag that looks trendy. For some reason she seems to be more tense than the other girl. Her hand is clinched to the bag as if she was unaware that she was about to take a photo.

Both are standing on an earth tone maze like surface. The buildings in the background show that they are not in a rural area. There is also just one tree in the picture which shows to me the industrial like enviroment. There does not appear to be many tourist in the photo, so this is probably a spot where the locals hangout.

My Idea of Outcast Re:KATE

Kanye West DMX
vs.

the reason i choose these two pictures is that
when Kanye West began rapping a lot of people didn't
except in the black communities because of the way he dressed and what he would rap about.
where as an artist like DMX (aka Earl Simmons) would be embraced by the "hood" because he was the exact opposite.

BLOG QUESTION FOR THURSDAY, JULY 24

Find a compelling image online.

You might go to http://images.google.com and type in a keyword to search.
You might go to one of the websites posted on our blog under Campus / South Loop Visits and look for an image there.

Post the image in your blog.

Describe the image in your blog with as much detail as possible. Do not interpret the image. Do not write what it represents. Simply write everything you see.

SHANITA AKINTONDE, MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSOR

On Monday, July 28, Professor Shanita Akintonde will present her lecture, "Selling the Sizzle."

Here's what Professor Akintonde has to say about her lecture:

"An introduction to marketing, advertising, and public relations -- in this session students will learn how the marketing process works and its relation to the way we think and feel about the various products we purchase."

I'm sure you remember Professor Akintonde from our first day of Bridge. She gave you the Six for Success. Look over your notes. Do you have any questions for Professor Akintonde about the Six for Success?

For Monday, come prepared with a list of the last five items you purchased. Where did you buy each items? What compelled you to purchase them? How much did each cost?

-- Kate

image on poverty::isis

Outcasts fit into society as exactly what they are, outcasts. What we think of an outcast in modern times differs from the true definition. The actual definition is "a person who is rejected or cast out, as from home or society", referring more to a person actually exiled from a place. Today when we think of outcast, we think more of this guy:

It is safe to assume that today this kid would be labeled an outcast, either by himself or others. But when you think about it its not like society has taken this person and thrown his ass into a jungle, or a volcano, or something. He still exists within society and lives among everyone else, but still he could possibly qualify as an outcast. Although modern outcasts do not fit the defition I read, I'll just use them as an example anyway. Like I said before, these "outcasts" still exist within society, and they still fit in, but they fit in as outcasts. They are essentially normal people, but they either don't look normal or don't have normal ideals, so they fit in to a much smaller group, again still within society.

What Is An Outcast??

What really is an outcast? Everyone is going to have a different view of what they consider an outcast. In grammar school and high school we might have noticed those few we call "Gothic" people, who wear dark clothes and dark make up and may not really talk much to anyone beside the people in their group. But are they really the outcasts or are you the outcast for not being like them. Most of the time an outcast is just anyone who doesn't fit in to the new groove of things. If you don't have the new coolest clothing or go to the coolest parties you are considered an outcast by the people who do have the coolest clothing and parties. But why has society let people judge others when this is suppose to be the land of the free? So called outcasts should be able to walk the streets and not have the feeling of shame and doubt just because they maybe a little different then the person ten feet away from them. but aren't we all a little different from each other? I've learned that its not right to judge people just by the way they look, and to give them a chance to speak before I start to assume things about them. You hear about high school and college shootings and right away people point fingers at the music industry and point out people or the so called "outcast" like Marilyn Manson. Yes, he may look different on the outside but he is a very intelligent person and if you really pay attention to his music he is not sending a bad message. He is letting people know he knows how it feels to be pointed at and called a freak or outcast. He wants to let other freaks or outcasts know they are not the only ones and they shouldn't let other people beat them down. People should be who they are and no one else. You shouldn't just like a song because its the new hot song out and the artiest is the most popular artiest out there, you should really listen to the song any song and pay attention to the words and the messge that the artiest is trying to get across. Some artiest think really hard while writing a song and find ways to get a message across or to somehow let people know that they feel the same as you and your not alone in this society of sterotyping!
http://starophileimages2.free.fr/wallpapers/marilyn_manson_012.jpg <---- Picture

POVERTY!!!

What is my image of poverty? Poverty to me really depresses me. Seeing the lives of children not playing with each other, not thinking about school, and can't even play with a toy is crazy. Sometimes Mothers can't even take care of their own children, its so sad to me. Thinking of poverty seems to me as low income, people that can't even get a job to take care of their children. I just want to understand what these people go through everyday.

Outcast from Teddy

An outcast is different from the norm. They are the ones that does not follow trends they often time set their own trends. They make their own trends but that does not mean it is accepted by everyone. Most of the time but not all of the time an out cast is by themselves. The only other time they are in a group is if its along with other outcasts. They fit in our society any way they can. Often times they are laughed at and often looked down upon by the mainstream. Outcast are good for our society they are different they think outside the box, they can at times give good vision and a new trend might start. Like the Emo trend, the skater trend have both been laughed at one time in life but is now acceptable. For an example the rapp group Outkast bascailly came into the hip hop game as an outcast. They dress different, their music was different, and people dug them and they still rap today not as a group but as solo artist but whenever one has a song its going to be something that has never been heard before.

what do you think??

What is my imagine on poverty?

Well i think poverty is low income, people who can not get jobs that make over 10,000 a year. We really don't realize how bad it really is. People who live in the hood cant get a good paying job because of where they live, not going to college, or have been in and out of jail, and even bad records of any kind.

People in America don't take the time to help people that are on welfare or low income people that have no other choice but to live in the ghetto. We don't take out the time to help and encourage people more to finish school, as well as going to college to get a degree. A degree will help them achieve to make it for there families so they can support them with illegal money.

i feel think poverty is not as bad, but we need to do more to help. People who live in poverty think they cant be as good, smart, rich, fortunate to have things we have and the gifts and talents we choose to improve in are lives. They actually can, but they just think they are not smart enough to go to college. Anyone can go to college but it takes someone who really wants to make it in the world to graduate from college.

Out...Cast

The world needs out cast plain and simple. if the world different have outcast how would people stand out? outcast are even have outcast. a prime example of that would be the idea that those people who don't like rap music but love country, the people who might like rap might outcast them because of their choice in music. outcast are every where you look. there here at Columbia and there also in Harvard. some of the worlds most famous people were and still are considered outcast. for example George Bush... a lot of people don't like him as a president or as a person. But no matter what he is going going to be a part of our society.

Outcast fit into the world because what or who we consider outcast, they maybe looking back at you and considering you an outcast. these people play a major role. some clicks are formed around outcast, it's who you are as a person and what you believe or what your morals are, are the things that allow you to LABEL people in our society as outcast. To me the outcast fits in the world perfectly fine. now there may be some circumstances of which come with this label but that's not anything that you can control. So how would you over come this..you CANT.

and no matter where you go in life there will be outcast from kindergarten classrooms ( the kid who sits in the back of class and eats glue for example ) to the high school ( the black kid who is preppy and is considered not black because of his style of clothing and the music that he/she listens to. ) even at work there are outcast, there is no breaking this mold. in my eyes everyone is an outcast it may not sound like a good thing but you are!! I'm an outcast because i may not be who you want me to. but that's fine by me. no one is the same and that's why in my eyes outcast fit perfectly fine in our society.

image poverty!

When someone says a word and instant image comes to your head of your own interpretations of what the word means and how u see it. When someone mentions the word poverty and certain image comes in my head no matter how worse poverty can get or what countries have poverty or in what neighborhoods or communities live in poverty. When I hear "poverty" I think of a child hood memory of my dad taking me to were he grew up, "the projects" in downtown St. Louis.

I can remember how everything was filthy and the hall ways were dirty and it always reeked with the smell of urine. I can also remember how tall all the apartment buildings were and how they looked like they were going to collapse in a tear or two. I saw a lot of things such as debre on the floor, broken beer bottles, 40 ounce cans of colt liquor, broken glass, dead grass, dirt. It just was not a good surrounding at all. I didn't mind going down there when I was younger, but looking back on it now makes me think "why would my dad take me down there?", " why would he want his youngest daughter to be in that type of surrounding?" I cant imagine living in a atmosphere like that. I realize that I was brought up good with all my necessities and wants.

I can also remember looking at the kids that used to play in the elevator, which also reeked of urine. They wore dirty clothes and didn't care about how they looked. Some of them had runny noses and broken shoes. But when your a kid you don't mind things like that cause your mind is not set on how someone looks all that mattered is that we had fun. The grown ups had synthetic hair or sometimes their hair wasn't done. I also recall a permanite smell. I cant really explain it but I know what it is when I smell it. The smell always triggers this memory. The memory of poverty.

Proverty

What is proverty ?
Do you know how if feels to not be able to eat when you want to eat? To live in a house that is all damaged,roachs every were?To have kids and can not be able to feed them becuase the mother working a low income job . Parnet that can not eat because that have to give there food to there child and they have nothing to eat for nights.Your kids can not go outside to play becuase the complex is so bad there shooting everday ,crack head are out.So why are they living in proverty is it there choice to be live in proverty ,did they make the dession not to get a education .


So what is america going to do set back and let this happen.Just becuase there living good and others not its ok .But i see people buying new cars for there kids and they cant even drive,what is the world coming to .What happen to working to get were you want to go, instead of having everthing givin to becuase of your parnets have money that some bullshit .there kid working ther ass off just to get a meal for one day .But that how life go you win some and lose some but you live to fight another day.

Poverty in todays day and age...

When you look at the man in this picture what do you see? Just another bumb on the street? or a man who has fallen down and has lost everything? Whenever I would see a man like you see to the left on the streets I saw a bumb. I saw a person that has no respect for life or others. I thought they were lazy people who needed to get off there butts and get a job.

Growing up where I lived I never really was exposed to the "second America" as they call it in the book "Our America" I mean I wasn't totally naive about the topic. I knew there were homeless people on the street and I thought they were bad people. I had the image of a homeless person as a mean vindictive person that steals, lies and cheats to get ahead in life.

As I matured in life I started to get exposed to all different lifestyles and cultures. As I ventured out of my small town I soon learned that all homeless people are not the same. I had always believed that people choose to be homeless, they choose not to have a job and that they choose not to be apart of society. But I soon realized that a lot of homeless people don't choose to be homeless. Some of these people got laid off from there work, got in a serious injury and had no insurance to pay the medical bills, or they could be old and have no one to take care of them. That totally changed my outlook on homeless people.

I was thinking and I realized that people in poverty are well off than most of the poverty stricken people in the world today. America is the Richest most powerful country in the world. We have resources and programs to help these people. We have welfare, linkcard and other resources.

Shaun Kimbrow

My image of poverty

When I think of the word poverty. I think poor, insufficent, and lack. Throughout the world there are many people who live in poverty. But, the difference from America's perspective of poverty is totally different how the rest of the world views it. In America poverty is seen as lack of goods and money. For the rest of the world it's simply, nothing. Theres people out in the world who think about, "Where am I going to sleep?",What am I going to eat?"e.t.c. These is the challenges that povert people have to face. But If you think about you can have poverty in other different areas of your life. You be have lack of knowledge, and lack of health. Poverty is just not the material things. Its the the things that you lack, or the things you don't have abudance in. The picture above represents a stronghold. The fence represents a cage. The boy is leaning against to cage and probably wondering "How do I escape from this Life"

Blog Questions for Wednesday, July 23

1. What is your image of poverty?

Search through Google Images or anywhere on the Internet and post, along with your written response, an image of poverty.

2. How does the outcast fit into society?

Search through Google Images or anywhere on the Internet and post, along with your written response, an image of an outcast.

Poverty

the world today is poverty stricken. although there's poverty throughout the world, there are two different types. there's the american poverty where we consider not having enough food to eat on the dinner table, not being able to pay your bills on time and not, where as through out the world the idea of poverty is not having food at all. thinking about that idea makes me think, with all the money in america why are there so many poor & homeless people? why are there so many people in the section 8 and why are they stuck in this cycle.

i looked around my house today when i got home. before i got home i thought about what brought me home. where did i get the money from ( if borrowed it where did they get it from). and then it hit everything that i have no matter how much or how little i have, i still have something and it's mine. when i think about poverty i think about chicago, new york, venice beach , los angeles. as america the country i may not know a lot about where a lot of our money is going but i think it should start at the bottom and go to the top. we need a modern day robin hood in my personal thought.

in a way this is a complete thought.

BUT

but because you may not have a lot what you have can make you rich

the reason i say that the richest isn't necessarily the man with dough.

ill do more on this blog later tomorrow but as of now this is what i thought about the topic

DAVE BERNER, RADIO PROFESSOR

On Wednesday, July 23, we'll be attending a lecture by Radio Professor Dave Berner called "On the Road." Here's what Professor Berner has to say about the lecture:

"I'll be discussing how taking a 'road trip' -- traveling -- is a creative endeavor. I'm going to discuss and play portions of an audio documentary and portions of a film doc I produced about a 5,000-mile 'road trip.' The project is called 'Finding My Kerouac.'

"I'll discuss how travel opens the mind, frees the spirit, creativity, and how all of art is really about 'telling stories' -- whether it be dance, writing, film, theater, art, and design -- we are all telling stories. I took my 'road trip' -- an iconic adventure most everyone can relate to in one way -- as a way to 'tell a story.'"

Have you ever taken a road trip yourself? Have you ever read a book or article or watched a film or TV show about a road trip?

Professor Berner is referencing here and, I assume, in his lecture a book called On the Road by Jack Kerouac. If you're not familiar with the author, look him up!

USING THE BLOG

Hey there everyone,

Please notice the additions to the right side of the blog. I've added links that I think will be of use and interest to you.

The first section of links will help guide you through Chicago and Columbia College. Don't know which bus to take, or if the train would get you where you're going even faster? Visit the RTA Trip Planner. It's amazing! Looking for a good book or DVD? Try the library. Lost your syllabus? Connect to OASIS through the blog; you'll find it there. 

The second section of links will connect you to the websites of the places we're visiting as a class each Tuesday. If you want to learn more about what you saw at the Cultural Center, I highly suggest returning for a second look and to gather more information. If you want more info fast, visit their website.

You should scan the websites of both the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Photography before we visit as a class.

Lastly, I've added links to the other Bridge class blogs. See what everyone else is writing about.

If there's something you think would be a helpful addition, let me know!

Kate

Image on Poverty

Isis Nicole!!

Image on Poverty

To me an image of poverty is complete damage. I see a broken down atmosphere where people have been placed to live. I think of third world countries where young kids and families have little to no health care. I think of underdeveloped buildings, scarce supply of food, poor medical aid, and mass pollution.

I know that I am fortunate to not have to experience a life in poverty. I feel bad for those who have to live in a world that is extremely limited and based only on survival. Moving to Chicago I have never seen so many homeless people sleeping on street corners asking for money and or sometimes cigarettes. When I look at them I see a life I would never want for myself. I also think of how they ended up there. Was it by choice? Was it because they always grew up without a home? Was it because they once had it all and then later on lost everything? I just wonder how they got into having absolutely nothing at all.

Oh my goodness, typing this I'm just realizing how grateful I am. Too have what I have is more than enough. Shelter is not provided for everybody. I'm not so sure that it's something you have to deserve or earn. I mean maybe, but a home is meant for everyone. Any human being qualifies for a place to stay. I don't think anything is wrong with earning a better looking home if you work hard for it, but no one should have to live on a street corner. No child should be abandoned without shelter. No one should suffer to have a basic life. Just a decent life with opportunities could encourage someones life. And as far as the rest of the world, having better leaders and faith, and support from other countries may create a change...

Open Lab, Tutoring After Class

Room 316 in the 33 E. Congress Building will be open for you to type assignments, access the Internet, and print documents every Monday through Thursday from 3 to 5 pm.

Co-instructor Joe Yeoman will be in room 316 at that time, available to help you with your assignments.

You can reach Joe via e-mail as well at joeyeoman@gmail.com.

MY LIFE!!!

HEY EVERYONE...I KNOW IM SO LATE ON THIS BOLG BUT MY BLOG GOT DELETED AS YOU MAYBE KNOW LOL :) BUT MY NAME IS TIMOTHY L ROGERS JR....IM 19...IM FROM DECATUR,IL(A SMALL TOWN THAT MEANS NOTHING LOL) I HAVE AN OLDER SISTER AND A YOUNGER BROTHER. IM A DANCER AND A MODEL....I LOVE TO HAVE FUN AND AND MAKE PEOPLE LAUGH...MY MAJOR IS MARKETING AND MY MINOR IS DANCE...I HAVE MY OWN APT...I DONT HAVE A CAR(I WISH) LOL BUT IM JUST A REAL COOL LAID BACK PERSON ONCE YOU GET TO KNOW ME...

(PMP)

Our AMERICA

SOOOO.. i just finished my 1st chapter in my reading of "Our America"

and i must admit that I actually like this book. Its something that we can all relate

to at some point or another. The relationship between a best friend you may have, the hood you grew up in. this book is turning out to be good.

hey it's me!

hi! my name is La'Crassia Wilderness. I am 19 years old. I am interesting in Journalism and that's why im here. I'm here because i want to succed. I'm attending the bridge program because i didnt do so goood in high school on the following subjects, such as math, because i have a learning disability in math and english, which was my favorite subject in school so i was suprised to when i didnt do so well. well i'm not goin to say all that i didnt do well me senoir year and my sophmore year.

I love to read and write. my major is journalism and that is because i want to write for fashion magazine. But i don't just want to write about fashion. I want to write about everything. I want people to hear what i have to say and to hear my insights on things. I want to attend columbia because it has exactly what course i want to take- magazine writing and editing! Out of all the schools that i looked at and googled Columbia was the only one that had it and i have heard many great things about this school so I know i'm destined for greatness.
To tell you a little bit about myself, i'm from St. Louis,MO I lived there all my life and i really dont want to live there for the rest of my life I know that im destined to be in chicago. St.louis just isn't the place for me I cant reach my full potential in St.Louis. My hobbies are modeling which i plan to pick back up this year in chicago. I love runway modeling but if you look at me then you will know why I can't pursue that type of career. Yes, there is a height problem there! i am only 5'2. So I plan on doing commercial modeling. Another thing I love to do is poetry. I am a really deep person on paper but if you talk to me you will see that I am really laid back.

I graduated from parkway west high school. which by the way was not a good experience. im hoping in college i reach my full potential and shine as bright as i can because i think that's its about time. I can go on and on about myself but I want to save some for later because i am a very intersting person and I love what iIdo and I know I will love who I become at columbia college because I am destined for greatness. And I answer your question about why I am here. I am here because this is were I feel I should be. Nobody made me come here. I love the environment and the people. I know what im good at and what I have a passion for and that's writing. To sum it all up i am here to write.

Class Blog

Thanks to my third best friend iNTERNET i was able to find the perfect place for me. Columbia College Chicago. Before my journey online my life was basic in the city of Cincinnati. I was usually the only student in class whose name was mispronounced ( it's Isis by the way!) and known for my sense of individuality. If I ever lost focus in class or found myself finished with the work given to me I would daydream. Not just any kind of daydream, but apirations. In better words these were vivid thoughts of my goals.

I knew my calling was through the beauty of language, and that if I could just find away to a place that was brilliant and diverse I could be inspired by life every single day. But the question is "why are you here?" I must have asked myself over 400 hundred or so times why am I moving, but never why am I here? Thinking of the question now it has to be because it was meant. I live life by the moment. Me even moving to Chicago on the basis of a month visit was spontaneous. I do what I feel is best for me. I am here because I belong. I am here because this is the education I want. I am here because I can make the most of my opprotunities, and if something calls for otherwise, then it is what it is.

Now on to the second topic. "How do you plan to choose success?" That's simple, through dedication to myself. When I motivate myself I can do anything. Sure at times like a true artist there is occasional writers block, and some procrastination here and there, but when my mind is set I believe that I can do it. That goes for anything in my life. I believe in pursuing what is right for me. I also take advice from my mother. She is the main reason I'm inspired everyday. Knowing that she believes in me helps me to believe in myself.

My name is Akeem Applewhite I was born and raised in Alexandria, VA.I graduated from west Potomac high school I played football all four years and i was on the step team 3 years. Am 18 years old and plain to attend Columbia college.I love TV perduction something i would love to do for the rest of my life.I had a hard life growning up .I was raised by my grandmother no mother or father i have 2 sisters and 2 brothers. My grandmother is a spacial person in my life, if it was not for her i do not know were i would be,she keeps me on the right path .The reason why i wanted to attend Columbia college is it a great film school and its in Chicago far from Alexandria. As the four weeks go past i plain to learn as much as possible i will be focused on all my work because film is very important me.

Kyara DeBruce

Hi, My name is Kyara DeBruce. I'm from Alton, IL. i went to Alton High School. My major is fashion merchandising... I enjoying shopping and drawing clothes. i have two wonderful niece's the oldest name is Alexus she is 3yrs old, she is my little sidekick. She does everything i do, she where's my clothes and try to wear my shoes and purse's.. And my baby niece Simone who is 1yr, loves to eat!! she just lost her dad May 6, 2008 about 3 weeks before her and Alexus birthday!

The reason why I'm here is to get my degree in fashion, something that i always loved to do...it makes me happy and forget about all my problems when I'm drawing or shopping even helping someone else how to find what they are looking for in clothes.

What really makes me plan success is My DAD and mom... i recently lost my dad on May 12, 2008 less then 2 months ago, i always told my parents i will make them proud of me by going to college and achieving my goal to be successful in life. Now that he is gone I'm more committed to school and finishing what i started. i had to get out of alton and follow a dream that i have kept in, now i think im able to express my talent. To show my dad that i made it in life, and i didn't stay in alton for the rest of my life.

Hi my name is Lauren Cantore and I am from Chicago. I moved around alot but have always considered Chicago my home. I attened an all girls private high school, which wasn't the best experience in my life. I am hoping that Columbia is one experience that I will always rememeber. I am attending Columbia College for many reasons! My major is Public Relations but I am very interested in Art History and Photography! I am very excited for the bridge program not just for my education but to meet alot of people that I will see in the fall semester. I'm hoping to make alot of new friends! I plan to work hard everyday until I have reached my goals in life! Alot of people talk about setting goals but often do anything to make them happen, thats why I am going to do everything I can to reach mine. I believe that if there is something you really want, it's worth working hard for!

Bridge Student

My name is Stymia Marie Griffin-Hill I'm eighteen years old and my major is fashion design. I was born in May wood IL but raised in Bolingbrook IL. I graduated from Bolingbrook High School June 8th and it was an joyful day but at the same time you will never know when you might see your classmates ever again but I'm happy it's over is was an great growing experience for me I work part time as an sales associate at Bass Pro Shops and cashier. I'm here today at Columbia College because it's the first step I have to take in order to become and fashion designer and to gain an better understanding of college life and I believe that the bridge program will help me do so. Being successful for me would be finishing college and having an wonder career that I love and that I'm passionate about and enjoy that I could see myself doing this for as long as you live on this earth maybe an husband and kids but that would be my last focus when ever it comes.

Introduction to Charlie Gammill

Hello my name is Charlie Gammill and i come from Elmhurst, Illinois. There isn't all that much about me other than the fact that I love music and art. I am here at the Bridge program because I have not attended school for over a year, although I graduated from York High School in 2006.
I am here because after briefly attending College of Dupage, I realized that what I was looking for in an education was not something the school could offer, for there was almost no social atmosphere. Although this comes off as an issue not related to education, I strongly believe that a person is influenced by their environment, so if there is no social atmosphere, it effects how one is willing to learn and creates a rather drab outlook on the learning process. At Columbia, however, I believe that there are many factors that contribute to a better experience overall, the most obvious factor being the location. Chicago is one of the greatest cities in the world, and offers so much for a person, especially a young adult in the prime of their life. With all the people, museums, architecture and history, it can be overwhelming to realize how much this city has to offer, which is why going to school here gives one an opportunity to exceed the normal standards of education, and instead gain something much more.
While I am here, I hope to gain all of the knowledge that is essential in honing the skills that I need to achieve my standard of success. My philosophy is based on the fact that one day I am going to die, and the universe will continue without me. Knowing this, I realize that I am in a situation where I have a rare opportunity to pursue whatever I want, so I cannot let my life go to waste.

Who Am I??

10 Quick Things About Me

1. Name: Bryan Hollace Henley
2. From: Zion,IL
3. Interest: Skateboarding, Poetry, Fashion, Music, Film, Dancer
4. ::: One of my favorite movies is Step Up 2 (as of recent) :::
5. Age:19 ( June 4th, 1989 )
6. My fav. Artist is Kanye West
7. My Hero: Is my mom, and my best friend who passed away Ronell Thompson
8. Favorite Color:: Would probably be black, BUT since many people say black is the absence of color it would have to be BLUE
9. I Played Basketball for Zion Benton- 3years ( 2 year starter )
10. My senior year in high school was fantastic, except not playing basketball, my school finished Second In State....

::Why Am I Here::

• My reason for being here is that I can further my education. Antother reason i here is to push my self as far as I can in this life and go beyond what people in my life have told me. Not only am I here for myself I'm here for my family. I would be the first person to go away from home in my family and go to college would be a great acomplishment and milestone for my family and set a great example for my nephew as he's growing up.
• The way i choose success is by choosing what's right for me. My entire life i have had people to guide me and help me and sometimes even give me the tough love, but it was all necessary to make become sucessful. I have a few choices in life and this is probably one of the best that i have made in a long time. Very soon I plan to set up a "network" as I have heard about through many of the speakers here.
• I have already met a lot of interesting people from all over, more then I have met all summer. *(kind of sad if you ask me)* But this should be a great experience although for my first day i feel like its high school all over again, you know what I mean?? The blank stares, the very low voices, but I'm one of those people so I really can't talk.

class blog 1

My name is Stewart Billings. I am from Indianapolis, Indiana. I am twenty years old will be turning 21 in September. In high school I had no mind in going to school but when my senior year came around I was hey... um I really don't wanna work at McDonald's and I tried to play catch up but that didn't work. So, two years later I am here in the bridge program because of my slacking GPA. I'm far from a dumb student the word I'm looking for is an lazy student. I attending Columbia to better myself in the film department. I want to learn the ropes so I can be successful in my career. A laid back guy is what I am and I like having fun, I might come off as being a serious stick in the mud but that's just defense being up. I took a semester off of College and I basically focus on myself, went to church and tried my best to be more discipline because I have a bad habit of blowing things off for last minute.

About La'Quan

Hello my name is La'Quan Saxton. Im from Sacromento, Califronia. I also used to live in Cleveland, Ohio but now i reside in Plainfield, Illinois. Im majoring in music composition. I also want to do film and directing, art and fashion design, and poetry. I write songs, storys, draw and write poetry. I listen to all types of music. Im half jamaican. I have two younger brothers. Im the first on the male side of my family to go to college. So college is something I value very much. I love to laugh and have fun. Im a real funny person. And I like to make people smile.

But the reason why im here at Columbia College is to create change. I feel that I have ideas that others could relate to or even help someone. I want to convey different emotions,feelings, and subjects that happen in life. Whatever happens in life I want to be the person to show you what happens. But I plan by choosing success by using my talents and ideas to motivate me. I want my dreams to come into reality. I want to create albums, make movies, and maybe even write a book. But in order for me to achieve that goal I have to stay focus and work hard. I have to want it for myself not for anybody else.

Welcome to Columbia College!

Welcome to the Bridge Program at Columbia College Chicago.

During the time we spend in room 302, you will be responding to questions on our Bridge to Columbia blog. For today's blog, we'd like you to write a letter introducing yourself. Tell us the usual -- your name, where you're from, any interesting facts about yourself. But we also want you to answer the question that Professor Shanita Akintonde posed during her speech this morning: Why are you here? During your time at Columbia, how do you plan to choose success?

Let us know if you have questions.

Steve and Kate