For my project, I decided to focus on a group of athletes who had been overlooked and lacked a dedicated photographer and cinematographer for their season. I ultimately chose flag football because, first, I never understood how the game worked, and second, they needed someone consistent to attend their games and practices. I dedicated hours of my time taking game and practice footage for them since it wasn’t fair that most other students often volunteered to take pictures for other highlighted sports. This specific group of athletes deserved that same recognition because they work just as hard as any other sport

annotated bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/16bECl27iE4JXRZy0Sa6tqYA5Y62UQWJAY2sxewdOtus/edit?usp=sharing

In the first episode of “Turning Pages”, our hosts Amber, Hawa & Faith came together to talk about the themes and symbolic elements in the first 100 pages of the novel ” Americanah” by Nigerian Author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vwIQ2zq27xvOCZJ8msWCn6QdGIXdw_6y/view?usp=sharing

LATE GROUP

In Cormac McCarthy’s “The Road,” the story unfolds in a world affected by post-apocalyptic desolation, where religious themes weave through the narrative, offering glimpses of divine presence amidst existential hardships. The novel is steeped in an overarching sense of spiritual absence, creating a shadow of existential despair on its characters, specifically Papa and the boy. The quote, “If he is not the word of God, God never spoke,” alludes to a deep bond between a figure, most likely the boy, and a higher being, a bond that gives life and hope to an otherwise godless and desolate environment. The journey of the father and son is seen with moral ideas, prompting reflections on goodness in the sense of somewhat religious guidance. The father’s endeavors to impart a moral compass to the boy is all seen throughout the book, “My job is to take care of you. I was appointed to do that by God.” This underscores the father’s belief in having a purpose and reflects the ongoing struggle for morality and meaning in their dark society.

Symbolic elements, like the sailboat named “Pájaro de Esperanza” ( translating to the bird of hope), are introduced, evoking religious imagery from the Old Testament. The image of the bird of hope set against the harsh facts of the outside world suggests that, despite hardship, there may be hope for restoration and a better life in the “South”. The father’s final revelation to the boy—”It’s inside you. It was always there. I can see it”—serves as a poignant conclusion. This moment underscores the innate goodness within the boy and implies a connection to a divine spark that transcends the surrounding desolation.

In conclusion, “The Road” explores religous and spiritual topics including the moving tale of a father and son traveling through a failing world. The religious overtones deepen the story and invite readers to consider morality, faith, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming hardship

In the Handmaids Tale by Marget Atwood, the idea and symbolism of love is very confusing and thought provoking. It leaves me stuck with the question “What is love in Gilead? And what is love for me?” In many cases I question my self does true love even exist, wheter that is in relationships, friendships, or just day to day encounters. In Gilead the narrator, Offred, emphasizes on love in multiple ways. For example her relationship with Moira portray an idea of love but it is not well said yet because love is virtually non existent in the world of Gilead.

Offred’s relationship with Moira highlights the complexity of love in this world. While it may not be easy to see their relationship expressed as love in the traditional sense, their connection symbolizes a deep bond of trust, friendship, and mutual support. In the world of Gilead where love, especially romantic love , is suppressed and forbidden this sense of connection creates an outlet of how much power love holds in a friendship. For instance, In Chapter 38 , when Offred reunites with Moira, she reaches out to touch her arm with a quivering hand. Her eaction is a testament to the profound impact of a friendship in a world that seeks to forbid such connections. “ I still can’t believe it’s her. I touch her arm again. Then I begin to cry,” Offred admits. Rereading this part of the chapter her tears serves as a unfiltered expression of her love. It was hard for me to realize this at first but after doing a mini-close reading, it undeniably embodies a deep connection between the two women.

Throughout the book, Moira’s connection with Offred serves as a metaphor for female friendship. Gilead does not have the kind of bond that Moira and Offred have from college on. Although Gilead seems to encourage female solidarity, in practice it merely fosters mistrust, animosity, and small-scale brutality. Offred’s constant thoughts of her former buddy help her to escape from her terrible circumstances, as can be seen by looking at her. Offred’s comment, “Moira, breezing into my room,” cp.10 demonstrates this. The verb “breezing” is used. The reader is implied to believe that Offred views Moira as a breath of fresh air when she not only walks into the room but also enters her thoughts, reminding her of a better time spent being away from the brutal truth. This explains their deep connection despite though Margaret Atwood gave them opposing responsibilities in contemporary society, which are evident in Offred’s recollections. Nevertheless, they save one another from trying times and support one another through Gilead culture.

Seeing this relationship with moira and offred, I can’t help but reflect on wheter the love I’ve experienced in my life, wheter in the relationships, or daily interactions is indeed genuine. I can’t help but question how love manifests itself in the world of Gilead and beyond it into the real world. As I continue to pace my way throughout this book , question like this resonate deeply with me. It serves as a sense of self discovery and what defines love in my eyes. WHen I hear the word “Love” I merely think of relationships with significant others, or maybe even witb family member. However Offred’s and Moira’s relationship has shown me that love is beyond what I think it is. I used to search for love in other people trying to build a non existing connection, or something that could never last, not realizing that true love is right in my closest friends. I’m discovering that love is not limited to romantic partners or family, it can manifest in the bonds of trust, mutual support, and friendship that I share with those closet to me. I’m learning to value the deep meaningful connecions. Even the little ones such as the everyday walks to and from the BSL or the long talks on the phone.

Ultimately, this examination of love in “The Handmaid’s Tale” confirms that love is a power that defies boundaries—whether they be those imposed by society or those derived from our own understanding. This book has left me with a profound sense about the nature of love and well-being of others. It encourages me to redefine my understanding of love, and serves as a gentle reminder to treasure and tend to the relationships we have with people, understanding that love—in all of its complex manifestations—is what unites us and keeps us strong even in the face of hardship.

¨The Handmaid’s Tale” is a novel that takes us into the disturbing world of Gilead a theocratic regime characterized by control and manipulation. In Chapter 13 of the book, we are introduced to Janie, a character who shares a traumatic experience, which serves as a reflection of how oppressive societies can manipulate and control individuals. As Janine’s story unfolds, she shifts the blame onto herself, a response encouraged by the oppressive to real-world historical, religious, and societal contexts where victims of various forms of oppression are pressured to internalize blame, resulting in profound psychological consequences.

Janine’s harrowing story initially appears to be recounted with an unsettling sense of pride, which gradually transforms into an admission of guilt. This transformation highlights the psychological manipulation and coercion employed by the oppressive regime of Gilead. Janine, like many others in her society, has been indoctrinated to internalize blame, even for traumatic experiences that were beyond her control. Blaming the victim is a common response encouraged by oppressive societal concepts. Victims of oppression, whether it be gender-based violence, political persecution, or systemic discrimination, often find themselves pressured to shoulder the blame for their own victimization. This phenomenon reflects a deeply ingrained culture of victim-blaming, which has persisted throughout history. It insinuates that victims bear some responsibility for their suffering, a notion used to discredit their experiences and silence their voices.

The historical context of the inquisition serves as a poignant example. The Inquisition, established by the Catholic Church during the 5th to the 19th centuries, aimed to enforce religious orthodoxy but resulted in the persecution and suffering of those deemed heretics. Similarly, Gilead’s society wields religious authority to suppress dissent and manipulate personal narratives, particulary evident in Janine’s testimony.

Living in societies where victim- blaming is prevalent takes a toll on the psyche. In Gilead, as in many real-world situations, the widespread victim blaming and insistence on personal culpability for traumatic experiences can erode self- worth, self-esteem, and emotional well being. This reflects a harsh reality where individuals who have experienced trauma must contend with the weight of societal judgment and their own-self blame. In both the fictional world of the novel and the historical context of the Inquisition, we can observe the manipulation of religious institutions and the use of religious narrative to justify persecution and suffering are recurring themes. These instances underscore the importance of safeguarding religious freedom and maintaining the separation of church and state.

Aunt Helena’s role in Janine’s testimony is significant, as she represents a figure of authority within the regime. Her manipulation of religious rhetoric to justify Janine’s suffering evokes historical instances where religious institutions have been used to legitimize oppressive practices. This includes situations in which religious leaders have sanctioned systemic abuse or discrimination, leaving individuals to grapple with the weight of their religion being manipulated to control and oppress them. The response of the other Handmaids, who shift the blame onto Janine during the Testifying event, underscores how the regime fosters a culture of victim-blaming.

This mirrors real-world contexts where victims of sexual assault, abuse, or any form of violence often face scrutiny and blame, contributing to a culture of silence and self-blame. The chanting of “Her fault, her fault” serves as an example of how societies perpetuate harmful stereotypes and narratives that perpetuate abuse and injustice. This offers a poignant commentary on the dangers of intertwining religious authority with oppressive rule. It serves as a stark reminder of how religious institutions, when co-opted by authoritarian powers, can be used to justify persecution and suffering, often at the expense of individual agency and truth. The passage also demonstrates how totalitarian societies can use psychological manipulation, victim-blaming, and religious authority to silence and control individuals who have experienced trauma. This psychological manipulation is a powerful tool for oppressive regimes, as it forces individuals to participate in their own subjugation.

In conclusion, the psychological toll of victim-blaming, as portrayed in “chapter 13” is not confined to the fictional world of Gilead. It reflects a grim reality in real-world historical, religious, and societal contexts, where individuals who have experienced trauma are pressured to internalize blame. The parallels between Janine’s experience and historical instances such as the Inquisition underscore the need to challenge oppressive systems that perpetuate harmful narratives and victimization. “The Handmaid’s Tale” offers compelling commentary on the complex interplay between power, control, and individual resilience in the face of adversity. It serves as a stark reminder of the profound impact of oppressive ideologies on the victims.

Mí Familia

Mi familia es muy grande. Nosotros siempre bromeamos entre nosotros. Yo tengo un hermano y dos hermanas. Yo también tengo cuatro tías , cinco tíos , y seis primos. En mi casa viven mis abuelos , mi tía ,mi tío , mi hermano y mi primo.

Mi hermano (Kavaly) y yo somos muy diferentes. Mi hermano tiene dieciséis años. Él amor a jugar juego y también gustar hecho tarea. Mi hermano es muy alto y delgado. Su ojos son marrones. El ha marrones muy cortos pello. No es ni fuerte , irritante , y raro.

Mi primo (Ousmane) tiene siete años. Él es muy pequeño y corto. Él amor a jugar jeugo porpoco gustar mi hermano. Ousmane es frío y no escuchar. Él no gustar leer libros y hecho tarea .Comida es su cosa favorita. Ousmane tiene marrones ojos y muy cortos marrones pelo. Él es fuerte e irritante. No es ni tranquilo , amable y dulce.

Yo soy muy bonita, y amable. Total opuesta de mi hermano y mi primo. Yo tener marrones ojos. También me largo marrones pelo. Yo soy alto y delgado. Yo soy muy tímido y no muy hablador. Yo generalmente quedarse a yo mismo. Yo amo observar tv y comida. Yo soy perezoso.

Mi hermano y Yo es muy diferentes. Él gustar jugar jeugo mientras Yo gustar comida y observar tv. Él disfrutar leer libro y yo odiar lo. Otra diferencia entre nosotros es eso él portarse mejor que yo . Nosotros gusta gasto tiempo con entre ellos. Nosotros los dos Africanos y ser nacidos en Europa.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/13AgJ4U0oE2LJvL4xTby2yv-6L2CB1GcXoAYs-Yyybhs/edit?usp=sharing