Diana Castellanos Post #1
We have thought about how objects influence our daily life, but rarely do we think about how objects have gotten us to do their bidding for them. For example, the apple has become a staple in the households and diets of not only many Americans but also people all around the world. But do humans have too tight a grip on the existence of apple? From the reading, “In Search of the Primeval Apple Forest” in the book Apples by Frank Browning, I have learned that the apple has traveled throughout history by being transported by humans and other mammals. But I’ve also learned that science and the search for sweetness has changed and stopped the way the fruit evolves. Farmers now grow only a select few types of apples that can easily be marketed and sold to the public. But scientists realized that this technique could eventually kill the apples, and have tried to keep up the evolution of the apple by visiting the start of its history: the apple forests of Kazakh. I think it’s important to re...
It is no doubt that the gun is co-constituted by people to symbolize the power of authorities and the struggles of soldiers. In the lecture, we discussed that ads that promoted guns back in the 19th century were heavily associated with wholesome and pleasure of hunting while connecting those elements to the bigger picture of the business and the associated with perfect aims. Besides of its role as a weapon and self-defense tool, the gun was also a gift for the holidays in the 19th century. I found this ad in a magazine called ‘Boy’s Life’ and it was a picture of a young boy, who received a gun as a gift from his family, expresses excitement. This ad shows that many people connect with the gun as one of their transitional objects from-boy-to-man moments in their lives. This enriches the meaning of the object as the gun not only plays a transformative role in American culture but also connects with different individuals and their experiences. The transformative nature of the gun is reflected on that of many previous objects such as the flower and the telephone.
ReplyDeleteTrue. Having guns has been part of everyone's life for centuries in the US.
DeleteIts is really true how guns symbolized having power and advantage over people. Also, how it has evolved becoming faster and more accurate for the purpose of war.
DeleteGuns are not only a typical object of our life but also the origin of many social issues. Back in the days in 19th century, while society itself was not quite stable yet, guns are very useful as an expression of everyone's power, also heavily related to hunting and entertaining. Today guns are more like collections without particular use as a symbol of rebellious power. People are used to have guns but it causes numerous trouble to today's society and put many innocent people's life under threat. It is a popular object which is somehow damaging people's life.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that the gun was a symbolism of social power in different aspects of life in the 19th century. Now, not only gun carries somewhat similar meanings and beliefs for some parts of the society, they also go beyond into the world of gender issues and business industries.
DeleteIt is true that gun ownership has decreased over the years. This decline may have been caused by the growth of law enforcement. Many peolpe expect the government to protect them thus they might believe that owning a firearm is useless. The decline may also be caused by police brutality and gang affiliation. To eliminate the chance of falling victim to police brutality or being mislabled as a gang member, one might chose not to own a firearm.
Deletewell guns are symbolized as having authority or power and that is why gun are always a huge part of american society. thats is one of the reasons guns were used as gifts and most southern traditions.
ReplyDeleteOn a more general note, weapons have always been a used to symbolize status. Prior to firearms weapons such as bows and swords were handed down from generation. Weapons were also believed to be esential in the after life. The tombs of ancient Egyptian Pharos contain a sea of weapons. Like ancient Egyptian tombs, the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor houses many weapons but even includes an army of terracotta warriors.
DeleteIn class we thoroughly discussed the short handled hoe and its significance in the history of Californian agriculture. For centuries, the short handled hoe was used by many cultures when performing stoop labor. Many Californian farmers forced workers to used short handled hoes as a form of social control. Coupled with stoop labor, the short handled hoe caused severe injury to farm workers. Some injuries include severe back pain, kidney failure, and poisoning form the inhalation of pesticides. Hired overseers to manage the workers and keep track each time a worker stood up to rest. If the overseer believed a worker rested too much he would have them quickly replaced. Farm owners claimed that Mexican labors were biologically more suited for stoop labor and less expensive than Americans, therefore the US and Mexican government created the Bracero program. The short handled hoe created a degraded representation of braceros. They were depicted as lazy, violent, easily replaceable, and a threat to the American labor force. I found it especially interesting how consumers’ growing demand for more affordable produce encouraged the Bracero program. I also found it interesting how legally defined distinctions between races acted in favor of farm owners and allowed them to further control their farm workers and legally engage in racist practices.
ReplyDeleteIt is really interesting how much impact did the short handle hoe had on the farm worker community, and how it impacted history itself. Not only that, but how this object has evolved slowly but it is still used nowadays.
DeleteDiana Castellanos,
ReplyDeleteWhen discussing the short handle hoe, it was like reviewing a part of my history. It is amazing how simple objects can impact big events in history. Lately in class we had discussed objects that have been significant to the US history over the years. Starting with the short handle hoe, to rifles. We had reviewed how history itself had help this objects to evolved over the years as well. Its is surprising how this objects are part of a country's history.