A Bridge Between Two Cultures

Virginia Di Tata had to experience what a lot of kids have to with a parent in a certain line of work. In her writing of A Bridge Between Two Cultures she explains how she had to move from her catholic school to Venezuela after her father took a job offering there. She begins in explains how she did not want to leave the christian school in the states because she grew up with the kids and did not want change. Virginia also explains how difficult and how different the two cultures where and how is was so hard for her to adjust to the new culture. However she explains after making attempts at getting to know the new culture she became immersed in it and started to feel at home after joining the swim team and making friends. After leaving and going back to the states she explains how the people she once new had changed and were not the same to her. After seeing her two old best friends she realizes it was time to move on from the old days and even considers her life in Venezuela was the good old days for her now. The last thought she leaves us is how this experience helped her transition to the life of a college student at Boston University. 

In reading this text made me think of the exact same feeling I was faced with in the transition from my small town high school to large notorious university in Athens Ohio. When graduating from my high school in Medina county Ohio I was faced with the bitter sweet reality that it was the begging of a major change in my life. Also in this moment i realized I would be leaving my best friends. The friends I shed blood sweat and tears with in the sports of my high school and the friends I spent nearly everyday with. I can remember the exact day I left for my new life in Athens Ohio. That day all my friends met up at the local pizza shop for a last get together it was a happy yet bitter sweet atmosphere because everyone knew it would be the last time it would be like the old days. Yet that day I realized it was time to move on and start me new life.

I am a 21 now by the way.(safe)

 In coming to Ohio University it was a hard change from the norm in northeast Ohio. After time went by I was able to start come out of my comfort zone start to connect with my new friends and make my college experiences a goods ones. I can say the south beach in front of Crawford hall have become my new front yard and the dining halls have become my new kitchen. This beautiful campus has become my new home for me and rarely do I ever want to leave this place. The new bonds I have formed with the people I have met are stronger than ever and are unbreakable. I can say these four years are going to be the best four years of my life!

Circles- Matthew O'Connor

A sign in Matthew O'Connor's hometown.

     As two people who grew up in tight-knit neighborhoods, we were attracted to this reading. Circles by Matthew O'Connor is about Matthew's childhood home and neighborhood. He starts by telling the readers how his family decided to move when he was eight years old. He describes being devastated and confused. He believed everything about the house and neighborhood was perfect for him and his family. He lived in Watertown, a small suburb outside of Boston and his family was planning to move to a more upper-class suburb called Newton on the other side of Boston. Although he was not moving very far away, as he describes later in the reading, the world he knew was strictly in the lines of this neighborhood. As the reading goes on, O'Connor describes the closeness of the neighborhood. He describes how the whole neighborhood is set around a grassy area, which the kids call "The Green." He describes how everyone can see the other houses and how a group of around 10 children all close in age generally hang out together. He classifies "The Green" as the center of the neighborhood and states how the children generally used this area for a wide assortment of activities. Although the group of kids will sometimes venture off to explore outside the neighborhood, they always end up retreating to the neighborhood where they feel safe. He brings this up again at the end stating when he was older, he ventured off back to his safe, comfortable neighborhood and hopes to provide a life like that for his future children. He declares this as a never-ending circle in life of people leaving their homes and comfort but always ending up back where they feel safest, hence the title.

Our hometown sign.

     One thing we liked most about this story is that is something just about everybody can relate to. After reading this, we actually started talking about how we sometimes drive by our old houses and communities doing the same exact thing.  Like for us at college, we get homesick just about every other weekend wanting to go home just like Matthew mentioned. Home is where we develop our imaginations, where we meet our first friends and grow our fondest memories that are the hardest to forget. Another reason why we felt that this is a perfect choice is because he is talking about how much a discourse community can mean to him, just like we have written about in the last few weeks of class.

“Where I’m From”

Felicia Madlock

In Felicia Madlock’s poem “Where I’m From,” we are taken through the various events of Black history that have shaped and defined her stance as an American today. Ranging from her home in Mississippi to the music of BB King, we see the ways in which her heritage has greatly evolved America. It is evident she is proud of her background and the ways African American’s have made their mark throughout history. In her phrase, “I am the hope that crept north from the darkness/ Dodging demons on their quest for freedom,” the struggles and triumphs are honored, emerging success from the grounds of nothing. She puts emphasis on the way “passion’s [that have been] found” and “dreams that fight to live” are what made this culture so strong. Though there have been failures, this fire within has pushed many African American’s forward and can be represented by idols such as Langston Hughes, Marvin Gaye, and Felicia Madlock herself. Not only has Felicia’s roots brought her to the current day, but the beginning history of African American’s.

De'Andre Payton

Were I'm From by Felicia Madlock

Martin Luther King & Malcolm X

We choose the poem “Were I’m From” by Felicia Madlock. The poem discusses African American women and events throughout history like her heritage, freedom, music, America and growth in the person she has become. All the little occurrences that an African American Woman experienced growing up in the 60s, 70s and 80s. She has experienced much in her life and most has deep root in African American Culture.  She talks about good times and hard times, deep historical events, and little memories like “I am from Double Dutch days When Mary Mack was dressed in Black” which some would think would not be as important but she brings it into context with everything. The poem channels different moments of her life, almost like a timeline of her memories and heritage. It starts off with  "I am from Malcolm X memories and Martin Luther King's dreams” then she goes on to describe moments of her childhood like Capital punishment in schools, “from Double Dutch Days” to “pigtails to perms”. In these lines from the poem it shows transformation and growth in her persona. 

Children playing Double Dutch

The poem “Were I’m From” by Felicia Madlock is a beautifully written piece that uses repetition, historical timeline events, personal memories from every day life to connect with the reader on different levels. Anyone reading the poem will be able to connect to the experiences Felicia Madlock talks about making the poem more personal to anyone. By the use of repatition she shows the readers that she comes from a long line of history but still today has not forgotten where she has come from. She ends the poems by sharing things she has become personal moments  like “I am from lovers goodbyes” , friends she will never forget and the last line ends with “I am from..”. By ending it this way she gives the reader thinking imagine where they are truly from.

We chose the poem Were I'm From as a catalyst for our own exploration on a place-based theme poem.

We are from OU

We are from Ohio University
Where we party hard

 but study even harder,

Even on Green Beer Day.

We are a tightknit community

in a country setting.

          We are from brick streets

                          With endless hills to climb.

WE are from a place of

Beautiful scenery

and very hot libraries.

We are the bobcat nation

  and WE are from OU.

Where I'm From

The poem "Where I'm From" by Felicia Madlock is a poem based on the life Madlock went through throughout her life. The poem starts out on a serious note about the inequality African Americans had back when she was growing up. Talking about how she's from "hands that toiled cotton, steer, and paper" which speaks of the slavery that she was brought into when she was younger. The poem progresses and the thought of "hope" that they would eventually escape this inhumane life that they unfairly were forced into. Calling about the white people as "demons" categorizing them as the most hated and resented people they could think of. 

After Madlock speaks of getting to their long awaited freedom she states that she is, in fact, an American, comparing herself to the nature of other poets writings. She clarifies how she participated in the same things as other kids growing up being from the "double dutch days... When funk was the fever," that the only difference from her and others was the color of her skin.

For the rest of the poem she speaks of things that she experienced along with everyone else as a country, but not as a separation of race. Living through "Michael Jackson mania... BB King's Blues... and dreams that fight to live" explaining the fact that Madlock experienced the same experiences as any other person did. The last few stanzas she writes about love, a universal subject that anyone can relate to, bringing any reader together as equals. 




By: Mike Sanders

A History in Concrete

A History in Concrete

                A History in Concrete, written by Blaine Harden, is a reflection of Hardens memories of his home town and the dam that is in the middle of it. Harden explains in detail about the dam, how massive in size it is, and the power of the water rushing through it. Blaine proceeds to explain how the dam is the center of his town, providing the structure for the current middle class. Along with the dam, his hometown is located in the middle of nowhere. The dam is described to be massive in size, the biggest single thing in the remote area. Harden calls the dam a “tonic to the great depression”, meaning that due to the dam the town was able to remain alive and well during the depression. Along with being a staple for the town, the dam has personal meaning the Harden. It was the place of his first job, and the place he made up with his father many years after being fired from his job.

            Blaine Hardens dam reminds me of Ohio University in many ways. OU, like the dam, is the center of a small town, which is located in what many call “the middle of nowhere”. Without the college the city of Athens would not be in the same economic situation that it is currently in. OU brings a lot of money to the city and allows businesses to grow and prosper. Ohio University is also like the dam in the sense that many people have a personal connection to the area. The school has graduated thousands of students, many of which have a deep love for the school and the area. Many adults who have graduated from OU have nothing but good things to say about the school and the time they had their. People always have different emotions about specific areas, which makes locations very important not only in writing but in life.

Where I'm From

Where I’m From

Marion Ohio, Where I'm From

Marion Ohio Train Station

            Where I’m From by Felicia Madlock is a beautifully written poem walking the reader through history starting with slavery. She exaplains American history through certain events and certain people from history. For instance in the line

“I am from Malcom X memories and Martin Luther King’s Dream”

Pulling in historical refernce like Martin Luther King gives the reader a since of connection with the poem. She explains how children used to act and what they used to do in school

“I am from Double Dutch days When Mary Mack was dressed in Black”

She goes on to show how the way kids are treated in school has changed from the whipping when corporal punishment was not a bad thing. She moves into more modern time describing

Marion Ohio Court House

“Micheal Jackson mania Prince’s Purple Passion”

Connecting with hip hop music, the blue’s, Marvin Gaye. She continues through the poem showing all that the African-American culture is and ever will be. She shows all of these historical moments so the reader and the people reading are able to get a strong connection with her and the peom. Her repition of the words I am from helps people to think deeper. By using I am from people are better able to think of where they are from and the changes they have gone through in life, seeing culture changes, music changes, life changes. By doing this she is able to get people to connect on a deeper level.

Harding Memorial in Marion Ohio

“I am from…”

By ending the poem with this line she let’s the reader explore themselves and where they are from. The poem is not written really as a one person view of the world but as a view from many eys over many years. Showing changes, showing the true beauty of life itself in a way. Although she writes about historical events she is trying to express life is more than just that. She is trying to get across life is more than just what happened yesterday, today, and tomorrow but more about what people can do with their lives and how they too can change the world.

"The Silence"

                                                       

                 The article that i read from the Writing Places book was "The Silence of the Lambswool Cardigans" by: Rebecca Solnit. Starting off, Solnit talks about how things used to be viewed much differently and how everyday objects lost their meaning, daily items such as a cup or a dinning utensil. They weren't just object with no meaning; they had a story behind it. The Author goes into how objects were stepping stones in civilization and how they defined us as humans. One quote that really stood out was when she said "It's as though every object spoke out"(pg. 131) and also when she said something on the lines that items used to have a history.

                 As the article goes on, the Author talks about how people don't even know where their daily things are from, such as their shirt and pants. Then Solnit talks about how a mall has taken over an area that used to be call Shellmound Park. After discussing the origin of the amusement park, she goes into how that a mall with "fake" things took over a place that had a better purpose/meaning. Malls are places that have objects with no meaning and they are a part of what is making objects "shut up" in sense. But the Author goes into how some objects stories are not good,such objects dealing with sweatshops, prison, and child labor.

               Solnit goes into the main reason why she thinks items are losing their meaning. She thinks that “somewhere in the Industrial Age, objects shut up because their creation had become so remote and intricate a process that was no longer readily knowledgeable". Also, she states that marketing had a huge affect on this as well and that people and how people prefer meaningless objects over homemade. And to end her article she goes back to the mall that took over the park. The main reason she is upset about this is because of the silence. Hopefully one day people realize that there is still objects that still sing.

A Bridge Between Two Cultures

Georgianne McNutt

English 151

A Bridge between two Cultures

            The article I read from the book is A Bridge Between Two Cultures by Virginia Di Tata.  I choose this article because I had recently done a research project on different cultures and how they affect the person we are made to be.  Upon reading this is starts with a girl that seems to be struggling with her move to a new country with a completely different culture and language then from where she grew up.  When reading this in a way it can be related to a college student moving to college.  Of course this is different on the scale that she moved from Maryland all the way to Venezuela; however this is completely different setting, when one moves to college they have to get used to the atmosphere there and the way things work.  From Virginia’s point of view she even had to force herself to realize that she had lost contact with most of her friends back home and would eventually have to make the adjustment to this culture.  When she finally did she joined the swim team and made some new friends that spoke the native language.  Through seeing this girl that is not familiar to any of this make such a huge leap it makes me think again of how college kids maneuver this tactic and get involved on campus.  Just like Virginia is evolving to this new culture she learns a new lifestyle and because the person she is because of this second home in Venezuela. Just like she said in the story when she came back from Venezuela she had found the bridge between her two cultures and how she is affected by both and have learned to love them both through their flaws and their beauty’s!

Where You're From...

Felicia Madlock wrote the poem “Where I’m From.”  She writes about the events over time that have helped shaped who she is today.  These are events that she has lived through and witnessed.  Madlock focuses on the struggle of racial equality and the triumphs that her and fellow African Americans have achieved in reaching equality.

Madlock speaks about the importance of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.

She says: “I am From/ Malcolm X Memories and Martin Luther King’s dreams”

The fact that she has lived through these powerful African American civil right leaders shows the reader she has been a part of the civil rights movement.

Madlock uses many powerful references to describe her upbringing.  

Madlock reflects, “I am from the hope that crept north in the darkness/ Dodging demons on their quest for freedom”

We thought this was a very powerful quote she used to describe her ancestors trying to move north in hopes of escaping slavery.  They had to avoid being spotted by “demons” that would send them back to the treacherous farmland of the south they forcefully worked on.  These events helped form the base that Madlock was raised on, as these were events that generations before her encountered and shared with her.

She relates to the common reader by stating “For I, too, am American.” But then she goes on the next line and says “And life for me hasn’t been no crystal stairs.” Here she is saying that she is indeed an American, but has had to overcome many adversities to be considered one.  This shows the strength of the African American community, which is the base at which Madlock’s morals and culture come from.

Madlock goes on to name a number of events and people who transpired throughout history in her lifetime.  These range from Michael Jackson and Marvin Gaye to Jane Bryne.  The mentioning of Jane Bryne is one that Felicia Madlock can relate very closely to.  Jane Bryne served as mayor of Chicago from 1979-1983.  She was and currently still is the first and only female to serve as mayor of Chicago.  Harold Washington, who became the first African American major of Chicago, succeeded Bryne.  These are both significant events for Madlock because she is an African American woman, so she has seen both of the stereotypes she faces break the political border in her home city.

Madlock then goes on to say “I am from poetry/ My most pleasing pleasure.” Here Madlock is saying that poetry is indeed her pleasure and it is a big part of who she is today. Madlock ends her poem by leaving the reader with “I am from…”. This is a good way to end the poem because she leaves from for her to add more in the future as she will experience and witness new things that will continue shaping the person she is today.  Ending the poem like this shows that we all are continuously growing and taking part in events that will continue shaping us for the rest of our lives.

 

Felicia Madlock writes this poem to show where she is from.  She uses trials her ancestors faced, tribulations that she herself faced, and historical events that helped shape her ideas and identity.  As a person being born in the 1990’s, one of us writing a “Where I’m From” poem would be significantly different then Felicia Madlock’s.  We would include events like 9/11 and the election of our first African American President.  We would also include events that shaped our family and cultural past.  I would include mother’s immigration from Cuba and the trials my grandfather and family faced while trying to establish themselves in a new country.  I would include personal failures and accomplishments that have had a significant affect on my life.  But lastly, I would also end my poem with “I am from…” because in the scheme of life there are events in the future that will continue shaping the person we have become today and hopefully will make each of us stronger and more wise.

Where She is From

She speaks of the culture that universally connects her race physically and mentally. 

Shared triumphs and tragedies that have long defined the existence of her race and gender in America.

The communities that are considered dangerous, are the places that she calls home. 

Felicia Madlock writes about being African American and everything that comes along with it. 

     In the poem Where I'm From, Madlock explores her culture in way that takes her audiences from the history of slavery to present day issues that were and are very important to the American population.

" I am from Malcolm X memories and Martin Luther King's dreams. I am from hands that toiled cotton, steel and paper. " 

"I am from family that stretches along the mud paths of Mississippi, Grazing the greenery of Georgia and reciting folktales in Tennessee." 

     In these lines, Madlock speaks of the civil rights movement and of slavery/sharecropping. By describing herself as a product of the civil rights movement and a descendent of slave presents her race and heritage to her readers.This poem presents two important themes to audiences: what it is to be black and to be black in America. This is something that the African American race has had to battle and fight for since they have gained their freedom in 1863.She presents such topics that are directly linked to all African Americans in the United States. The milestones that define who she is and where she came from, can be seen by most middle class blacks in the U.S

 "I am form the facade of Jane Byrne's reign to Harold Washington's historical victory. I am form herores being reduced to humans"

      Madlcok uses this same type of connection between history and of past and present through out the entire poem, with things such as music, literature, politics,relationships, endurance, and religion. These are things that are very important to her and that are still a relevant part of life for every American no matter race or gender. She uses the transition between the years as a stepping stone for each generation. Though she focuses mainly on being an African American, she still writes about being a minority in the U.S. Which is being experienced by millions in this country and even at this campus everyday. The gender and racial adversity that she had to overcome has been experienced by so many people.

 
 Where I'm From is a poem of experience, progression and existence. Felicia Madlock speaks on her life as an minority, African American, female, and writer. In this poem, she explores on each of these topic separately, giving this piece a universal meaning. Ultimately, Madlock writes about simply being human. Her race and culture make her who she is but she is just human, just like everyone else in the world.